CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Import

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

All of the following:

• 2 litres of wine; and
• 1 litre of any other alcohol.

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

All of the following:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 20 cigars; and
• 250 grams of tobacco.

Currency

• Funds of R25,000 and over must be declared.

Perfume

• 50mL perfume; and
• 250mL eau de toilette.

Other Goods

• Personal goods, such as clothing and toiletries.
• Other non-commercial goods not exceeding R5,000 in value.
• Three months' worth of medicine for personal use, accompanied by a prescription.

Note: Passengers importing expensive items for their stay may be asked to leave a refundable deposit with the customs officers.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Narcotic and habit-forming drugs.
• Fully automatic, military, and unnumbered weapons.
• Fireworks and explosives.
• Poisons and other toxic substances.
• Cigarettes with a mass of more than 2kg per 1000 units.
• Counterfeit goods.
• Prison and penitentiary manufactured goods.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Firearms and weapons require a permit from the South African Police Service.
• Gold coins.
• Unprocessed minerals, such as diamonds and gold.
• Animals and their derivative products, such as meat, require a permit from the Director: Animal Health. For further information please visit Import animals and animal products.
• Herbal products require a permit from the Department of Health.
• Plants and their derivative products require a permit from the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa. For further information, please visit Plant permit.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Free to Export

• Personal goods not for commercial purposes.
• Travellers may carry R25,000 when leaving South Africa.
• South African residents 12 years and over may carry R160,000 when leaving South Africa. Residents under 12 years may carry R50,000.This sum may be carried once per calendar year, with evidence being provided in the form of a letter from an authorised dealer.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be taken out of the country.

• Same as prohibited to import list.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to departure.

• Protected species and products protected under CITES may require a permit for export.
• Certain animals, plants, and their derivative products may require an export permit.
• Objects of cultural importance require a permit from the South African Heritage Resource Agency.
• Diamonds and precious metals/jewellery require a permit from the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator.
• Firearms and weapons require a permit from the South African Police Service.