Gradual implementation of the 13 blocks SADC Certificate of Origin (SCO) and transitional arrangements for the smooth phasing-out of the 12 blocks SCO

3 August 2023 – You will recall that in the past SARS has been issuing and certifying both 12 and 13 blocks SCO for goods destined within SADC Countries. In 2020 SARS requested the SADC members states to gradually phase-out the 12 blocks SCO in compliance with the record of the decisions of the 28th meeting of the Ministers of Trade that was taken in 2016, Gaborone, Botswana.

The transition from the 12 to 13 blocks SCO took a considerable period due to excess stock. Now that SARS and Traders have limited stock of the 12 blocks SCO, it is now an opportune time to transition to the 13 blocks SCO in compliance with the 28th Ministerial decision.

For more information, see our letter to Trade.