Whenever you decided to send a shipment to foreign country, you have to make sure about the local customs regulations.
According to our brand new air cargo services, we will provide you a brief round up to the South African customs Regulations. The following information has been collected from several official websites, such as embassies or the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Nevertheless we would advise you to check the local regulations on your own.
Documents required
- Air Waybill
- Commercial invoice (list of the shipped items and their value, origin of product), even if the goods are free of charge
- Pro Forma invoice for private purposes
- Packing list, in case commercial invoice is unclear
- New and used motor vehicles need a letter of authority of the South African Bureau of Standards, within 5 days after arrival, otherwise it get confiscated
In case of household removals following documents are needed as well
- Photocopy of your passport
- Visa
- Inventory, itemized packing list with given value in ZAR, clearing mandate form DA304 might be helpful
- Declaration of type of goods, which may be restricted, prohibited or dutiable, clearing mandate form P.1.160
Customs regulations
- The customs duty which may get charged by the South African Customs officials vary from 3-56%, average is about 18%
- VAT: basis is customs value of the goods plus 10% added value tax, add sales tax of 14% = VAT payable
- Excise duty for products like alcohol, perfume + cosmetics or tobacco, 15 % ad valorem tax or specific percentage
- In terms of household removals, no import duties + VAT
- Goods over 500ZAR (approximately £25) must be declared 7 days after arrival, container freight 28 days, bulk cargo 14 days
- Personal gifts must be under ZAR 400 (about £22), only allowed twice a year
Dutiable/restricted items
- Bank notes over 25k ZAR (about £1400)
- Gold coins
- Food or plants
Prohibited items
- Antiques
- Asbestos
- Dangerous good, flammable items
- Furs
- Ivory
- Pornography
- Precious metals + stones
