CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

When a dog or cat is imported into South Africa, the following documents must be presented to the South African Veterinary Import Control Official on arrival at the port of entry:

• An original Veterinary Import Permit issued by the Permit Office of Directorate Food Import Export Standards. When animals are required to be quarantined, the importer must contact the Quarantine Officer at the port of entry to arrange a reservation or accommodation.
• An original Veterinary Health Certificate that is signed, stamped and certified by an official veterinary authority in English from the country of origin within 10 days of departure.
• The animals must have a valid vaccination against rabies. In the case of the primary rabies vaccination, it must be administered not less than 30 days and not more than 12 months before the date of import. In the case of booster vaccinations, it must be administered not more than 12 months before the date of import.
• Rabies vaccinations are not required for pets imported from Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the British Channel Islands. However, it is strongly advised that pets being imported from these countries still get vaccinated as rabies is still prevalent in South Africa.
• Puppies and kittens under three months of age do not need to be vaccinated against rabies. However, these puppies and kittens may only enter South Africa if the mother of the puppy/kitten has been vaccinated against rabies more than 30 days and less than 12 months before their birth. A copy of the mother's rabies vaccination certificate must be presented to the South African Veterinary Authorities.
• Before dogs can be imported, they need to be certified as free from certain diseases, including Babesia Gibsoni, Brucella canis, Dirofilaria immitis, Trypansoma evansi and Leishmania. This is certified via a successful blood test.

Quarantine Requirements

• Cats are not routinely quarantined on arrival into South Africa. However, if the cat is not accompanied by the original Veterinary Import Permit and Veterinary Health Certificate at their arrival, they will be kept in quarantine until the documentation is presented at the quarantine station.
• A quarantine period of 14 days will be imposed on some dogs, depending on the country of origin.
• Dogs being imported from the following countries do not need to be quarantined (as long as they have a valid Veterinary Import Permit and Veterinary Health Certificate):

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, British Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man), Bulgaria, Canada, Comoros, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Reunion, Romania, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America or Zimbabwe.

Dogs imported from countries not mentioned above will be quarantined on arrival in South Africa.

For more information, please visit the South Africa Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

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.
• Excess currency.
• 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.