Customs - South Africa

SOUTH AFRICA (NAMIBIA/SWAZILAND)

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

Original Passport or certified copy of every page (except for Capetown South Africa)

Residence Visa

Residence Permit

Work Permit (temporary Work Permit for temporary residents)

Customs Forms D.A.304 and P1.160 (in triplicate) must be presented to the Department of Customs

Settler's Declaration Forms (in triplicate) to be completed upon arrival

Letter from employer verifying that customer is moving to South Africa on contract

Detailed Inventory, in English ("PBO" - packed by owner and "misc." - miscellaneous not acceptable)

Keys for any locked items

Weights and measures must be same on all shipping documents

All necessary documents must be in Destination Agent's possession at least 7 days before arrival of the vessel

Consultation with Destination Agent is recommended before above documents are completed

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

CUSTOMER MUST BE IN THE COUNTRY AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE VESSEL ARRIVES TO ATTEND TO FORMALITIES PERTAINING TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

100% inspection by Customs for all personal effects

Temporary residents will be allowed to import used household goods and personal effects duty-free if they are in possession of a valid temporary Work Permit and goods have been in their possession for at least one year prior to import and work permit is valid for more than 6 months.

Returning residents must have been out of South Africa for a continuous period of at least six months to qualify for duty-free import and work permit is valid for more than six months

Duty-free importation of household goods and personal effects for foreign diplomats allowed upon receiving detailed inventory and a diplomatic clearance certificate completed and signed by Embassy/Consulate in South Africa and countersigned by the Department of Foreign Affairs

"Ad Valorem" wharfage, terminal, examination fee, etc. are payable by owner on all shipments at destination and are additional to door-to-door charges

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

Perfume and tobacco products

New items, including new furniture, are subject to duties and taxes

Alcohol is dutiable and taxable

Import Permit and special Removal Certificate required
Must be easily accessible in container
A list of the quantity and value must be provided

Firearms require an Import Permit, Form SAP311, D.A.304 and P1.160 in triplicate. There is no guarantee that the Import Permit will be granted by the authorities. Therefore, customers must obtain the Import Permit prior to their move to prevent the possibility of the entire shipment being denied entry into South Africa.
- A SAP312 will be issued by Customs allowing the importer 60 days to officially license the firearm with the South African police
- Subject to 100% inspection and therefore must be easily accessible in the container
Inherited goods may be imported duty-free provided the inheritor is in possession of a certified copy of the Last Will and Testament and a copy of the Death Certificate wherein the specific items are bequeathed
- An Import Permit is also required
Antiques (Import Permit and Antique Dealers Certificate is required)

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Drugs and narcotics

Pornographic or objectionable materials

Plants, seeds, bulbs, raw cotton

Uncooked meat/poultry

Honey, beeswax, bees and their larvae or eggs, used beehive appliances

Uncut diamonds

Unwrought gold

Ammunition

MOTOR VEHICLES

No left-hand drive vehicles new or used purchased after January 1, 2000 will be allowed to be imported into South Africa

A. IMMIGRANTS

One auto per family which has been owned and used for at least one year prior to importation may be imported duty-free, but VAT of 14% is applicable

Special Import Permit (in quadruplicate) must be obtained from the South African Embassy in country of origin or from the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa

Once imported the auto cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of for two years

Import Permit

Original Passport

Compliance Certificate/Letter of Authority

B. RETURNING RESIDENTS

The auto has been owned and used for a minimum period of 12 months prior to export from origin

The owner of the auto has been out of South Africa for a minimum unbroken period of 12 months

Full duties and taxes apply unless owner can prove that when they originally left South Africa they had no intention of ever returning

Import Permit must be obtained from the Import and Export Control

Compliance Certificate/Letter of Authority

C. TEMPORARY RESIDENT

Payment covering full duties and taxes must be lodged with South African Customs which is refundable at time of departure from South Africa

Valid Temporary Permit is required

Import Permit not applicable

Compliance Certificate/Letter of Authority

D. FOREIGN DIPLOMATS

Diplomatic Certificate required

No duties or taxes apply

Documents required:

Original Purchase Invoice
Original Registration Certificate
Forms D.A. 304A and P1.160 (in triplicate)
Passport
Import Permit
Temporary License

PETS

Import Permit and Veterinary Certificate required

Quarantine may be required

Rabies vaccination 30 days prior to departure

NOTE - Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.