The supplier
The supplier calls itself a factory, but its licence shows a trading company, or the contract, invoice and bank account name three different companies. You find out after the deposit. The Supplier Check compares them first.
Hong Kong trade compliance for South Africa, the UK and the EU
Ready for the border.
Meridian is a Hong Kong trade compliance firm for importers of electrical goods and hardware from China. We check the supplier, the product’s import requirements and the contract before you pay a deposit, and assess your position if goods are held or arrive wrong.
You pay the factory directly. We never take title to goods or commissions from suppliers.
RegisteredHong Kong, BR 76904892
FeesFixed, in USD, stated before work starts
Goods paymentsClient pays the supplier directly
01How China orders fail
Three failures, found before money moves
The product
The test report covers a similar model, or comes from a laboratory the NRCS does not accept. Mains-powered goods need a Letter of Authority from the NRCS (National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications), and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices need ICASA approval. The Import Compliance Assessment names the rules and the documents to request.
The border
Goods are held because they do not comply, or because the importer on the shipping documents is not the Letter of Authority holder. Non-compliant goods can be returned or destroyed. The Pre-Order Check matches these names before you order.
02How it works
Three steps, one written answer
A fixed fee, a stated turnaround and a written answer.
-
Tell us about the order
Send the supplier, product, order value and timeline, or book a free 20-minute call.
-
We check and assess
Sign an engagement letter stating fee and turnaround. We examine the supplier, the import requirements and the contract.
-
You decide
A written go or no-go with reasons and actions. You pay the supplier directly, and only if you proceed.
Turnaround is counted in Hong Kong working days from the latest of the signed engagement letter, the first payment and the documents we ask for.
03Regulatory updates
Rule changes that affect importers from China
Dated notices, newest first.
South Africa’s PVoC programme is on hold
The Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programme was gazetted on 20 March 2026 for listed goods from China. In June 2026 the SABS put implementation on hold pending consultation. We have found no announcement that it has resumed.
The Gazette applies it only to products outside NRCS compulsory specifications. NRCS-regulated electrical goods still need a Letter of Authority.
Reference: Government Gazette No. 54374. Last checked 30 September 2026.
04Product focus
Electrical goods and hardware for South Africa
Where South African rules are specific and enforced at the border.
| Product | Requirement | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mains-powered appliances, LED luminaires, power supplies and adaptors | NRCS Letter of Authority | VC 8055 |
| Plugs, extension leads, circuit-breakers, earth leakage units, lamp holders | NRCS Letter of Authority | VC 8008, 8029, 8036, 8035, 8011 |
| Lamps, electric tools and motors | NRCS safety and efficiency requirements | VC 9110, 9109, 9105, 9113 |
| Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and app-controlled devices: smart plugs, cameras, routers, GPS trackers | NRCS Letter of Authority if mains-powered, ICASA type approval, and rules on where device data is sent | VC 8055 or the relevant VC, ICASA, POPIA s.72 |
Illustrative, not exhaustive. The Import Compliance Assessment establishes what applies to your product.
05Services
Services
Each service answers one question and ends in a written assessment.
Core services
Before you pay, and if goods are held
The usual starting point
Pre-Order Check
USD 340
7 working days
The Supplier Check and Import Compliance Assessment on one order, cross-checked, ending in a written go or no-go.
- Supplier registration, licence and names checked
- South African requirements for the product identified
- Test reports matched to the model ordered
- Written go or no-go, with reasons
For a named supplier
Supplier Check
USD 149
5 working days
A written go or no-go on a named supplier.
- Registration and licence scope checked
- Factory or trading company identified
- Court and enforcement records searched
- Names on contract, invoice and bank account compared
Import Compliance Assessment
7 working days
What the product must meet to enter the market. For South Africa: the NRCS specification (for example VC 8055), the Letter of Authority, ICASA approval, and the test reports and markings required. For wireless devices, also where data is sent and which transfer rules apply. For the UK and EU: UKCA or CE marking. You receive a written assessment and a document request for the supplier.
USD 265
EnquireFor orders of USD 30,000 FOB and above
Transaction File
USD 1,090
15 working days, then documents checked within 5 working days of receipt
A Pre-Order Check, a contract assessment and a reconciliation of the shipping documents before shipment.
- Pre-Order Check included
- Contract assessed, with a specification and quality annex
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading reconciled
- 12 months of Regulatory Change Monitoring
Held Goods and Non-Conformance Assessment
3 working days
For goods held at the border, under an NRCS directive, or not as ordered. We assess what went wrong, what the contract says about your remedies and what to ask the supplier, and name who else you need. We do not clear goods, apply for Letters of Authority or send demands for you. You receive a written position and recommended actions.
USD 560
EnquireAdd-ons and further services
Contract terms, inspection, negotiation and repeat orders
Supply Contract Risk Assessment
Payment, quality, inspection and dispute terms in a contract you already hold, with points to raise with the supplier. Also available on its own.
USD 300
EnquireEnhanced Supplier Due Diligence
The Supplier Check plus sanctions screening, financial standing and an independent factory audit.
USD 340 plus the independent factory audit fee at cost
EnquireInspection coordination
Independent pre-shipment inspection, instructed by Meridian on your behalf.
USD 210 plus the inspection fee at cost
EnquireNegotiation Advisory
Preparation and support for one supplier negotiation. Meridian never signs or binds you to an agreement.
USD 340 per negotiation
EnquirePRC Specialist Coordination
Where a question turns on Chinese law, Meridian briefs and manages a PRC-qualified lawyer. Any opinion on Chinese law is the lawyer’s.
USD 265 plus the PRC-qualified lawyer’s fee at cost
EnquireRepeat Order File
A further order with a supplier we have already checked, with rules and terms refreshed.
USD 340
EnquireFirst call
A short call to find the right service. No assessment is given on the call.
Free, 20 minutes
Enquire06Fees
Fees
Fixed, in US dollars, stated before work starts. These are South African fees. UK and EU fees are quoted on request.
Meridian is not a law firm. George Skordi is not admitted to practise law in any jurisdiction. Meridian’s assessments are regulatory and contractual analysis. Where a matter needs a lawyer’s opinion, representation or formal legal documents, Meridian says so and refers the client to a qualified lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.
Paid in two halves
50% when you sign the engagement letter, 50% when the assessment is delivered.
You pay the factory directly
Meridian invoices its fee separately. Your goods payment never passes through us.
Third-party costs at cost
Inspection and laboratory fees are passed through unchanged, never marked up, and paid before they are incurred.
07Questions
Before you start
Anything else? Book a free 20-minute call or write to enquiries@meridianinternational.io.
Do you handle my money or my goods?
No. You pay the supplier directly. We never take title to goods or commissions from suppliers.
Are you a law firm?
No. Meridian provides regulatory and contractual analysis. Where a matter needs a lawyer’s opinion, representation or formal legal documents, we say so and refer you to a qualified lawyer.
Do you clear goods or apply for Letters of Authority?
No. We assess what applies and who must act. Your licensed clearing agent clears goods.
What happens if the assessment is a no-go?
You get the reasons and what would need to change. Further work is quoted before it starts.
08For clearing agents, forwarders and compliance consultancies
For clearing agents and forwarders
Your clients order from China before your clearing work begins. Meridian checks the supplier and the order and delivers the written assessment to your client, or under your name. You keep the relationship, and problems are found before the goods leave China.
09About Meridian
A Hong Kong trade compliance firm
Meridian International is the trading name of Meridian Capital Holdings Limited, registered in Hong Kong. It acts for the importer only, never takes title to goods and never accepts payments from suppliers.
Founded by George Skordi, who acts as the named person accountable for every assessment.
George Skordi
Founder
LLB and LLM (International Economic Law). Not admitted to practise law in any jurisdiction.
- Company
- Meridian Capital Holdings Limited
- Business registration
- 76904892
10Start a check
Tell us about the supplier and the order
We reply within one business day with the service that fits and a fixed fee. Nothing is charged until you sign an engagement letter.