Online from China: Noncompliant footwear, respiratory protection products slip in undetected

Chinese online retailers Temu and Shein, which deliver parcels to individual consumers directly from China, have opened a loophole for noncompliant safety footwear and respiratory protection equipment to enter SA.

The safety footwear styles offered by both do not have National Regulator for Compulsory Standards (NRCS) approval numbers, and do not have country of origin permanently fixed to the shoes.

After being challenged by S&V Protect’s sister publication, S&V Footwear & Leather Goods, following an investigation by the Southern African Footwear & Leather Industries Association (SAFLIA), Temu agreed to stop offering safety footwear to SA customers, and the styles have been withdrawn from its online catalogue. ‘Work’ footwear – with no mention of protective toecaps – is still on offer.

SAFLIA is currently investigating Shein’s safety footwear.

Parcels from the 2 companies arrive by air in Johannesburg. Customers, who have already paid the ex-factory price when ordering, are advised when the products arrive in SA, and must then pay applicable duties. The goods are then delivered by a local courier.

“I don’t know whether Customs in Johannesburg has been aware of the problem,” said a source close to SAFLIA. “All other safety footwear arrives by sea, in containers.

“We will be liaising with them in this regard.”

When we first brought this issue to the attention of the NRCS, they replied: “This communication serves to inform you that proper investigation into the matter below will be done. As the CMM department we wish to extend our appreciation for your assistance in making sure that the market is removing the non-compliant commodities and that everyone in the industry complies to the rules and regulations.”

We recently approached SAPEMA for comment on noncompliant respiratory protection equipment coming via the same channels, but had not had a reply at the time of publication.