Duty free Returning SA citizens or residents who have been on holiday abroad and foreign visitors to SA are entitled to bring goods including gifts and souvenirs into the country duty-free. The following may also be brought into the country duty-free.
1 litre spirits and other alcoholic beverages 2 litres wine 200 cigarettes 250g cigarettes or pipe tobacco 50 cigars 50 ml perfumery 250 ml toilet water Children under the age of 18 do not qualify for the alcohol or cigarette/tobacco allowances. Duty for additional goods, new or used, (excluding firearms) up to the value R12 000,00 will be charged at a flat rate of 20%. Personal effects, sporting and recreational equipment belonging to tourists, whether used or new, will be allowed into South Africa, free of customs duty and VAT, if imported as accompanied or unaccompanied passenger’s baggage for own use during their stay.
Tourists are advised to check before departure to South Africa, if the items they wish to take with them fall within this category.
Commodities and quantities specified as duty free allowances can change without prior notice. South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Lesotho are members of the South African Customs Union, which means that their internal borders are open from a customs point of view.
However, when you enter the union, there are the usual duty-free restrictions.
For information contact the Department of Customs & Excise in Pretoria.
Import & Export Control Private Bag X192 Pretoria 0001 Tel : + 27 12 428 7000 Fax : + 27 12 428 7799
Customs Controls
Firearms and ammunition imported by tourists for use while in South Africa, will be released under cover of a temporary police permit, provided the firearms and unused ammunition are taken with them on leaving the Republic.
Import Permits
Please note that the importation of certain goods may be subject to production of an import permit. Melair.com.au
