South Africa Customs & Quarantine Prohibited Items
The South African Customs Administration oversees the movement of goods and people entering the country. Certain items are subject to strict restrictions, while others are prohibited to protect public health, safety, the environment, and the national security of South Africa. Some items are allowed in without needing to be declared. 1st Move International has listed everything you can and can’t bring in one place.
Items You Cannot Bring to South Africa
There are items that South African customs strictly prohibit from entering the country. They will be seized and you may face penalties.
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Drugs
All illegal drugs are strictly prohibited from entering South Africa, including cocaine, heroin, cannabis and all drug paraphernalia. Although cannabis is decriminalised for personal use in South Africa, it is strictly banned from being imported.
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Stolen Artifacts
Illegally obtained artefacts that are of cultural, historical, or archaeological significance are banned. You will also be fined if you are found to have these in your possession.
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Certain Raw Meat
South Africa's Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries impose strict regulations around importing certain raw meats. Raw beef, lamb, pork, and poultry are strictly banned or heavily restricted due to animal diseases and other biosecurity concerns. It depends on the country of origin and certain countries with a history of diseases such as African Swine Fever, Mad Cow Disease and Foot-and-mouth Disease.
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Certain Fruits and Vegetables
Potatoes, fresh citrus fruits, and certain types of tomatoes are prohibited or restricted if they do not meet specific phytosanitary requirements in South Africa.
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Endangered Species Products
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species regulates international trade in wild and endangered animals. You cannot bring any items made from endangered species including ivory, rhino horn, tiger skin, skins, feathers, or bones.
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Hazardous Chemicals
Certain pesticides, herbicides, and any hazardous chemicals known to damage the environment or health of residents are strictly banned. This includes radioactive materials, flammable chemicals, toxic solvents, heavy metals, and corrosive chemicals.
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Counterfeit Items
Any items found to be fake, such as currency, designer products, clothes, jewellery, etc, are strictly prohibited from entering the country.
Items You Can Bring to South Africa and Must Declare
There are certain restrictions and limitations on some items, but the following are allowed if you provide the necessary documentation and declare the items correctly.
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Controlled Medications
Certain prescription medications may be classed as controlled substances in South Africa including certain painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, and certain sedatives. These types of medication might need a permit from the South African Health Department. You should also carry a doctor or valid prescription and the medicine should be in its original packaging. You will also need to declare these items.
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Firearms
Firearms are allowed in South Africa if you have a valid import permit from the South African Police Service’s Central Firearms Registry. You’ll also need to hold a valid firearm license that is issued by the South African authorities. These need to be declared correctly otherwise they will be seized.
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Processed Meats
Commercially processed, canned, and vacuum-sealed meats are allowed if declared correctly, and no prohibited items are included. This includes items like jerky, sausages, cooked cured meats, canned ham, and corned beef. These items must meet health and safety standards, be properly labelled, and be declared.
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Endangered Wood
Products made from endangered or protected trees, such as mahogany or rosewood, are restricted, and you will need a permit to bring them to South Africa. Specifically, you’ll need to obtain an approval certification from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
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Antiques and Art
If you plan on bringing any antiques or collectable artwork that exceeds your duty-free personal limit, you will need to declare these. You may even need an import permit from South Africa’s Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and an export permit to declare any specific types of art with significance.
Items You Can Bring to South Africa Without Declaring
You can bring the following items to South Africa without having to declare them at customs.
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Personal Items
Personal items such as clothing, personal electronics, jewellery, toiletries and other items that are clearly for personal use do not need to be declared.
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Sports Equipment
You can bring sports equipment like golf clubs, bicycles, surfboards, and fishing gear without needing to declare these items, provided they are for personal use.
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Alcohol
You are allowed to bring a certain amount of alcohol duty-free and therefore there is no need to declare. You can bring 1 litre of spirits, 2 litres of wine or 4 litres of beer.
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Tobacco
You can also bring 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco before you have to declare it.
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Gifts
Any gifts you are bringing that are worth up to ZAR 500 don’t need to be declared. Anything that was gifted to you and worth over this amount needs to be declared.
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Cash
Up to ZAR 25,000 is allowed to be brought into South Africa without having to be declared at customs.
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Processed Food
A small quantity of food is allowed without being declared if it’s clearly for personal use. The food must be commercially packaged, non-perishable foods such as packaged meats, snacks, dried fruits, and canned goods.
How do I Declare My Goods to South Africa Customs?
Shipping to South Africa
You will need to complete the customs declaration forms DA304 and P1.160 to ship unaccompanied personal items. The DA304 form is to advise South African Customs you are importing household effects and the P1.160 form is to declare certain types of items which may be restricted or prohibited. The team at 1st Move International can provide you with these forms.
Travelling to South Africa
If you’re travelling with your items, you will need to declare them via customs declaration form DA 331. This is so you can declare any items that exceed both your duty-free limit of ZAR 5,000 and the additional concession of up to ZAR 25,000. This will allow South African customs to calculate customs duties or arrange further inspection of your items.
What Happens to Items I Declare?
Your items may be subject to a physical inspection by customs officers in South Africa so ensure the items match either your DA 331 or DA 304 forms. If everything matches, your items will be cleared. If there are concerns over certain items, they may ask you or your removal company to provide further documentation such as receipts or an inventory list.
If you have exceeded your duty-free limit if shipping accompanied items, customs officers will calculate the customs duties and VAT you have to pay. You’ll need to pay at the airport or port so your items can be cleared and released to you.
If you have attempted to import any prohibited items or restricted items without the relevant permits, your items will be seized or held until the correct documentation can be produced.
Do I Pay Duty on Items I Bring to South Africa?
Shipping to South Africa
If you are shipping unaccompanied personal items through a shipping company, returning residents are allowed to do this duty-free. There is no cap on the duty-free limit, but the items must qualify as personal under the South African Revenue Service. If any items are deemed new or do not qualify as personal items, you will be charged customs duties and tax.
Travelling to South Africa
If you’re a returning resident travelling with your items, you have a duty-free allowance on personal items up to the value of ZAR 5,000, with discounted customs duties up to ZAR 30,000. This includes personal effects, gifts, and items bought outside South Africa. If you exceed this amount, you will be subject to paying further customs duties and taxes on the exceeded value.
How Much Are South Africa Customs Duties?
Returning residents shipping unaccompanied items can import personal items duty-free without a monetary limit. If the items do not meet the criteria for being personal, are new items or are intended for re-sale, you will be subject to pay customs duties and VAT. Customs duties can range up to 45% depending on the item’s classification and VAT is charged at 15% of the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight)
For those shipping accompanied goods, you have a duty-free allowance of up to ZAR 5,000. You are allowed a further ZAR 25,000, but customs duties are charged at 20% on items within this range. If your items exceed a value of ZAR 30,000, you could be charged up to 45% in customs duties and 15% VAT, depending on the type of items.
Useful South Africa Customs Information Resources
International Removals UK to South Africa
Discover our first-class international removal service from the UK to South Africa. Read about the average costs, shipping times and the shipping services we offer.
South Africa Cost Guide
We’ve calculated the average cost of moving to South Africa from the UK to help you create a budget.
Car Shipping to South Africa
We can also help you ship your car to South Africa with our Autoshippers car shipping service. Discover more details on our car shipping services.
Shipping Personal Effects to South Africa Customs Guide
Discover everything you need to know about customs when shipping your items to South Africa. Our customs guide covers it all.
South Africa Customs
Find out about duties and more information on prohibited items on the South Africa Customs and Excise website.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
The South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website will help you know what you can and cannot bring with you in terms of food.