Bona fide unsolicited free gifts of not more than two parcels per calendar year, and of which the value per parcel does not exceed R400, 00 (excluding goods contained in passenger’s baggage, wine, spirits and manufacture tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars) may be sent by a natural person abroad to a natural person in the Republic. The only form required to be completed by the sender of the parcel is the prescribed label obtained from any Post Office. An indication as to the value is to be furnished and the label should be marked unsolicited free gift if such is the case. No import permit is required if the free on board value does not exceed R400, 00. A nominal fee is levied by the South African Post Office. Customs Duties The duties payable on goods depend on the proper classification thereof, in the Customs tariff. When the importation of goods is subject to payment of duties such duties must be paid before the goods will be released from Customs control. Please note that all duties and rates are subject to amendment without prior notice. Schedules to the Customs and Excise Acts (Tariff Books) Schedules 1 to 6 of the Customs and Excise Act, 91 of 1964 The electronic version of Schedules 1 to 6 was developed to provide clients and Customs officers with easy access to the said schedules with the relevant duties and levies applicable to all imported, exported and local manufactured goods in the Republic. http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp You may also wish to contact SARS Customs: Commercial Services, e-mail: plupuwana@sars.gov.za Fax: + 27 12 422 6903 Tel: +27 12 422 6988 Goods Imported as Accompanied Passengers’ Baggage Either by non-residents or residents of the Republic and cleared at the place where such persons disembark or enter the Republic, other than personal effects and sporting or recreational equipment: Allocated amounts of Duty-Free goods may be imported without payment of duty. Other new or used goods, excluding firearms, of a total value not exceeding R1,250 per person may be imported without payment of duty. Additional goods, new or used, excluding firearms, of a total value not exceeding R10,000, per person, (excluding goods of a class specified in paragraph (i). Provided the total value of the goods declared under this item does not exceed R10,000 the passenger may elect to pay the flat rate of 20% duty. Where a passenger import goods in excess of the total value mentioned, the flat rate of duty falls away and the full duty becomes payable. The rebate of duty specified in paragraphs 2.0 (a) (ii) shall only be allowed once per person during a period of 330 days and shall not apply to goods imported: by persons travelling only between places in the Republic; by persons returning after an absence of less than 48 hours. The rebate mentioned may, with the exception of that in respect of tobacco and alcoholic products be claimed by children under 18 years of age, whether or not they are accompanied by their parents or guardians. The above concessions are also subject to the following conditions: The goods imported must actually accompany the passenger on the same ship or aircraft or vehicle. Goods carried on behalf of third parties are subject to full duty and production of an import permit at the time of importation. The rebate of duty specified in paragraph 2.0 shall not apply to firearms acquired abroad or at any duty-free shop and imported by residents of the Republic returning after an absence of less than 6 months. When required by an officer to do so, any person entering the Republic shall unreservedly declare all goods in his possession which he brought with him into the Republic. Failing to do so or to declare prohibited or restricted goods may lead to the imposition of penalties, seizure of the goods and forfeiture of all concessions. Importation of Prohibited and Restricted Goods Passengers in possession of prohibited or restricted goods, e.g. meat, live animals, dangerous drugs, firearms, ammunitions, and explosives, indecent or obscene books, photographs, films and other articles, agricultural products, any plants, seeds, bulbs, etc. must declare such goods. Live Animals may only be imported against a permit issued by the Director, Division of Veterinary Services, Private Bag X138, Pretoria, 0001. Firearms and Ammunition, require police permits, but Customs Officers at South African ports of entry have authority to issue temporary permits which are valid for 180 days in the case of tourists visiting South Africa. Temporary permits will not be issued in respect of firearms imported on behalf of other persons. With regards to people moving to South Africa on a temporary basis or otherwise, application for a license to possess a firearm must be made to the Officer Commanding, South African Police, in the immigrant’s/returning South African’s residential area before the firearm my be imported into South Africa. The importation of a firearm without a serial number, or other number by which it can be identified, stamped or engraved on the metal is prohibited. In respect of a returning resident or a person who enters the Republic for purposes of permanent residence or to remain temporarily therein, the importation will be subject to production of an import permit. Only after these procedures are completed, may the firearm be exported to South Africa. Honey or any products or preparation containing honey may not be imported at all. Plants, seeds, bulb etc. may only be imported against a permit issued by the Department of Agriculture and permits must be applied for prior to departure for the Republic, direct to the Division of Plant and Seed Control, Private Bag X179, Pretoria, 0001. A Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the Authority concerned in the country of export will also be required. Medicine, in the normal course of events, are prohibited by private individuals, but by way of a concession immigrants and tourists visiting the Republic may bring with them for their personal use a supply for a month provided they are in possession of a prescription for such medicine or a certificate from a chemist to the effect that the medicine was duly prescribed by a physician.. This does not apply to small amounts of patent medicines, e.g. aspirin, which are carried for own use. Bank Notes Persons entering the Republic may import Rand bank notes, in terms of the Exchange Control Regulations, but the amount is restricted to R5 000,00 per person. People travelling in/out of SA are allowed the maximum amount of currency is R5000,00 in SA Bank Notes per person. For more information please contact: The South African Reserve Bank Physical address: 370 Church Street, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa Postal address: P.O. Box 427, Pretoria, 0001 South Africa Entering South Africa: Customs Do’s and Don’ts Customs Do’s Select the green channel if you are sure that the goods in your possession fall within the duty-free allowance, no goods are in your possession for commercial/trading purposes and no prohibited or restricted goods. Never carry bags through customs for someone else. MOTORISTS. If you are entering the Republic by vehicle, make sure that everyone travelling with you are aware of the customs declaration procedures applicable. REGISTER VALUABLES. Ensure that certain identifiable items such as jewellery, cameras, watches, etc., are registered at customs for re-importation. Customs don’ts Don’t try to conceal any goods or mislead a customs officer. Anything, which is not correctly declared, may be detained or seized. Prohibited goods are not allowed under any circumstances whereas restricted goods may be imported under cover of a permit or certificate. CURRENCY CONTROL. S.A. Bank notes in excess of R5000,00 will not be allowed unless you are in possession of the necessary permit obtainable from the SA Reserve Bank. Your responsibilities when making baggage declarations When making baggage declarations, whether verbal or written, you must ensure that you declare ALL goods in your possession as well as their correct values. Failure to declare goods, the under declaration of values or the production of false receipts can lead to seizure of your goods and can result in criminal prosecution or the imposition of severe penalties of up to three times the value of the goods.