Country guides

South Africa

The information contained within this leaflet has been specially compiled to help those moving to South Africa for the first time. It is by no means a comprehensive guide and to satisfy yourself of further information we recommend that you contact the South African Embassy or visit the Department of Trade and Industry website or the South African Revenue Services website. 

Customs Duties and Taxes

General Used Household Goods (Immigrants)
You may import your household goods into South Africa without paying duty provided you have owned and used them overseas for a minimum of twelve months before you leave for South Africa.  The client must present him/herself to Customs with all original documentation.  The consignment might be stopped for a Customs inspection.  Liquor is subject to full duty plus VAT and will require an import permit (to be obtained from the Department of Agriculture) as well as an accompanying list of the liquor (reflecting alcohol content, quantity, vintage, value, etc.)

Documents Required:
• Inventory of goods in English (Prepared by Atlantic International Movers Ltd)
• Completed DA304, in triplicate
• Completed P.1.160, in triplicate
• Keys for any locked items
• Copy of your passport (photo page)
• Permanent residence permit and or residence visa
• Receipts for items less than 12 months old

General Used Household Goods (Returning Residents)
You may import your household goods into South Africa without paying duty provided that you all documentation is in order AND you have been out of the country for an unbroken period of not less than six months.  The client must present him/herself to Customs with all original documentation.  The consignment might be stopped for a Customs inspection.  Liquor is subject to full duty plus VAT and will require an import permit (to be obtained from the Department of Agriculture) as well as an accompanying list of the liquor (reflecting alcohol content, quantity, vintage, value, etc.)

Documents Required:
• Completed DA304, in triplicate
• Completed P.1.160, in triplicate
• Copy of your passport (photo page)
• Affidavit, to be attested by a Commissioner of Oath
• Inventory of goods in English (Prepared by Atlantic International Movers Ltd)
• Receipts for items less than 12 months old

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 import and the work permit is valid for more than six months.

Personal Effects
The consignment must consist of clothing only and will always be stopped for Customs inspection.  Any other items such as linen, CDs / DVDs, books, etc. will be treated as normal household effects.

Documents required:
• Inventory of goods in English (Prepared by Atlantic International Movers Ltd)
• P.1.160
• Affidavit, to be attested by a Commissioner of Oath

Inheritance
The consignment can be imported duty-free, subject to the provision of all the required documentation.

Documents required:
• Inventory of goods in English (Prepared by Atlantic International Movers Ltd)
• Certified copy of the will, detailing the exact items
• Declaration from the beneficiary confirming that he/she is residing on South Africa on a permanent basis
• Import permit
• Copy of death certificate
• P.1.160

Antiques
Bona fide antiques (i.e. over 100 years old) can be imported into South Africa free of duty provided they are accompanied by the required documentation.  VAT will be payable.

Documents Required;
• Purchase / sales invoice
• Import permit
• Certificate of authenticity from antique dealer (Certificates are valid from the South African Antique Dealers Association or the British Antique Dealers Association)

Further information on specific items can be found on the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa website.

Cars and motorcycles (for immigrants)
The importation of one motor vehicle per family into South Africa is allowed duty-free, provided the vehicle has been owned for 365 days in the origin country, all required documentation is presented and permanent residence granted. VAT will always be payable. The vehicle will be subject to a Customs inspection.

Documents Required
• DA304/A
• Import permit (to be obtained from ITAC)
• Letter of Authority (to be obtained from the South African Bureau of Standards)
• Passport
• Registration papers
• Invoice / proof of purchase

Cars and motorcycles (for returning residents)
Full duty and VAT will be payable on the importation of the vehicle.  The vehicle will be subject to a Customs inspection.

Documents Required
• DA304/A
• Import permit (to be obtained from ITAC)
• Letter of Authority (to be obtained from the South African Bureau of Standards)
• Passport
• Registration papers
• Invoice / proof of purchase

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

Pets
The animal will be examined by the State Veterinary surgeon and provided that its condition satisfies the State Vet, the animal will be released.  Quarantine will not always apply.

Documents Required;
• Veterinary certificate from the country of origin
• Import permit
• Health certificate
• Rabies vaccination certificate

Firearms
Firearms require an Import Permit, Form SAP311, DA304 (in triplicate) and P.1.160 (in triplicate).  There is absolutely no guarantee that the import permit will be granted by the authorities.
 
The import of firearms is not recommended.

The import of ammunition is not permitted.

Prohibited Items
You must not import narcotics, drugs, pornographic or offensive material, plants, seeds, bulbs, raw cotton, uncooked meat / poultry, honey, beeswax, bees and their larvae or eggs, used beehive appliances, uncut diamonds, and unwrought gold.

Additional Information
It is of utmost importance that the client is present is in the country no less than 10-15 days prior the scheduled arrival of the vessel to attend to the required Customs formalities.  Failure to do so will result in delays and additional storage and demurrage charges, which will be for your account.

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate, Atlantic International Movers can accept no responsibility for amendments made to the information supplied prior to or after its publication.

For further information and advice please e-mail us.