World Customs Guide Africa South Africa Customs info
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South Africa Customs info
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
• Original Passport or certified copy of every page (except for Cape town 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
PROHIBITED AND RESTRICTED GOODS
You may not import any goods made from endangered species. Exposed movie film or video tape must be declared on entry.
- All donated clothing (unless for a National Disaster Area)
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS - WOOD PACKAGING INTO SOUTH AFRICA
Effective January 01, 2005 all wood packaging utilized on Import Shipments to South Africa must be 'ISPM 15' certified at origin.
Inspectors from the South African Department of Agriculture will inspect Import Shipments at South African Ports to determine that this requirement has been adhered to and obviously shipments containing wood packages not having the ISPM 15 mark will not be allowed to be imported into South Africa.
This requirement is to be researched with the relevant suppliers of wood / timber packaging materials at origin to ensure that this South African regulation is complied with.
HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL EFFECTS:
CUSTOMER MUST BE IN THE COUNTRY AT LEAST 10 DAYS BEFORE VESSEL ARRIVES TO ATTEND TO FORMALITIES PERTAINING TO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• Immigrants, Returning Residents and Temporary Residents: Used household goods and personal effects may be imported into the Republic of South Africa duty free. Customs forms DA304 and P1.160 must be completed in triplicate and presented to the Department of Customs, together with passport, residence permit and detailed inventory (in English) for attestation. Returning residents must have been out of South Africa for an unbroken absence of at least 6 months before they are automatically entitled to duty free importation of household goods purchased while out of South Africa. Temporary Residents will only be allowed duty-free importation 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.
• Foreign Diplomats: Duty free importation allowed upon production of a detailed inventory and a diplomatic clearance certificate completed and signed by relevant Embassy/Consulate in South Africa and countersigned by the South African Department of Foreign Affairs.
MOTOR VEHICLES
• Immigrants: One motor vehicle per family which has been owned and used for a least one year prior to shipment to South Africa may be imported free of duty. Once the rand value has been determined on the motor vehicle that amount is inflated by 10% and Value added Tax (currently 14%) is payable on the value of the vehicle. A special Import Permit in quadruplicate must be obtained either from the South African Embassy in country of origin or from the Department of Trade and Industry (Import and Export Control), Private Bag X192, Pretoria 0001. This must be submitted together with attested form DA304A. Registration documents and proof of value e.g. purchase invoice. Once imported the motor vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of for 2 years.
• Returning Residents: Full duties and taxes will be applicable unless the persons concerned can satisfy the South African Customs that when they originally left South Africa they had no intention of ever returning e.g. people leaving South Africa on temporary work contracts, extended holidays etc. are not allowed duty free importation of a motor vehicle. Thereafter the requirements and rules are the same as for an immigrant except that the Import Permit must be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry (Import and Export Control), Private Bag X192, Pretoria , 0001.
• Temporary Residents: A provisional payment to cover full duties has to be lodged with South African Customs which is refundable when the vehicle leaves South Africa within one year of its importation. Should the vehicle not leave South Africa within one year, then full duties will have to be brought to account and paid to South African Customs, then the provisional payment will be refunded and an Import Permit will now become applicable. Proof of value e.g. purchase invoice and valid temporary residence permit must be produced. Import Permit not applicable if re-exported within one year.
• Foreign Diplomats: Diplomatic Certificate for motor vehicles completed and signed by local Embassy/Consulate and countersigned by the South African Department of Foreign Affairs together with proof of value must be produced. No duties or taxes applicable.
CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• 100% inspection by Customs for all personal effects
• 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
• "Ad Valorem" wharf age, terminal, examination fee, etc. are payable by owner on all shipments at destination and are additional to door-to-door charges
INHERITED GOODS
Providing the inheritor is in possession of a certified copy of the last will or testament wherein the specific items are bequeathed and an import permit, such goods may be imported duty free.
FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION
These may be imported duty free but an Import Permit has to be obtained from Import and Export Control, Pretoria, before importation. A form SAP311 must be completed and signed by the importer which South African Customs will retain and thereafter issue form SAP312 allowing the importer 60 days to officially license the firearm with the South African Police. The firearms/ammunition have to be physically inspected by the South African Customs before they will issue form SAP312 and should therefore be packed in an identifiable package and placed in an easily accessible position in the container.
LIQUOR
This may be imported but is liable for full duties and taxes and besides an Import Permit from Pretoria a special Removal Certificate also has to be obtained before importation.
PETS
Dogs and cats may be imported directly only from approved rabies-free countries or from countries where rabies is well controlled without quarantine.
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, mymovingguide.com can only offer guidance but cannot be responsible for miss-advice. Please contact the consulate or embassy representing the country to which you are moving to determine the applicable rules, regulations and laws to which your shipment will be subject.
Useful websites
• http://www.cargoinfo.co.za
• http://www.cargoinfo.co.za
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