CUSTOMS

Customs and Excise in South Africa is the responsibility of the South African Receiver of Revenue (SARS). Click here to view SARS' website: South African Revenue Service.

You may import your personal effects and household goods without paying customs duty or VAT as long as you have not been in South Africa for the previous six months.

You will need to complete the following documentation:

• An inventory of the goods
• DA 304 Item 407.06 Scheduling No. 4 to the Customs and Excise Act
• P1.160 Declaration in respect of unaccompanied manifested household effects
• SAD 500 Customs Declarations Form

You can download these forms below:
DA 304 and P1.160
SAD 500

There are two categories of goods you need to know about when bringing things into South Africa.; prohibited and restricted goods.

Prohibited goods are never allowed to enter or exit South Africa under any circumstances

Restricted goods are allowed to enter or exit South Africa only in certain circumstances or under certain conditions, for example on production of a permit, certificate or letter of authority from the relevant government department, institution or body

Prohibited goods include those listed below (for the full list click here):

• Narcotic and habit-forming drugs in any form
• Fully automatic, military and unnumbered weapons, explosives and fireworks
• Poison and other toxic substances
• Cigarettes with a mass of more than 2kg per 1000
• Counterfeit goods
• Unlawful reproductions of any works subject to copyright

Restricted goods include the following (for the full list click here):

• Currency: South African bank notes in excess of R25 000, gold coins, coin and stamp collections and unprocessed gold.
• Endangered plants and animals: Species of plants or animals that are listed as endangered, whether they are alive or dead. The restriction includes any parts of or articles made from them.
• Food, plants, animals and biological goods: All plants and plant products, such as seeds, flowers, fruit, honey, margarine and vegetable oils. All animals, birds, poultry and products thereof, for example, dairy products, butter and eggs.
• Medicines: Travellers are allowed to bring in no more than three months’ supply of pharmaceutical drugs and medicines for their personal use. All other pharmaceutical drugs and medicines have to be declared and have to be accompanied by a letter or certified prescription from a registered physician.

If you are in any doubt whether any goods that you intend to bring into South Africa are prohibited or restricted, please contact the South African Embassy or the nearest office of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in South Africa (the contact details for all SARS offices can be found on their website).

Please note: This information is intended as a guide only, please check for the latest information on the South African Revenue Services webpage before you travel.