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1. Returning South African Residents
Returning South African Residents are allowed to take their personal and household effects (excluding alcoholic beverages and tobacco products) back to South Africa without the payment of import duties and VAT, on condition that they can substantiate that they were abroad for at least six months for purposes other than touring or studying. An Inventory of the household/personal
goods in the container and proof of change of residence must be produced to Customs at the time of clearance. These goods (excluding weapons, ammunition and motor vehicles) do not require an Import Permit.
2. Immigrants and Temporary Residence Permit holders
At the time of departure for South Africa, Immigrants and Temporary Residence Permit holders are also allowed to import their personal and household effects into South Africa without the payment of import duties and VAT (excluding alcoholic beverages and tobacco products). An Inventory of the goods in the container and the Residence Permit must be produced to Customs. Foreign students and contract workers will for example also qualify for the concession as they are changing their residence albeit temporary. These goods (excluding weapons, ammunition and motor vehicles) do not require an Import Permit.
Customs clearance forms DA 304 and P.1.160 must be completed for the household/personal effects.
These formalities are normally completed by your shipping company's clearing agent. All the above-mentioned documents and permits should also be handed over to this person.
All household and personal effects must be brought into the country within six months. After this period has elapsed special permission is needed in order to make use of the concession. Such requests will only be considered by Customs if the full reason for the long lapse in time are provided. Requests of this nature should be directed to:
Customs Commercial Services
South African Revenue Service
Private Bag X923
Pretoria
0001
South Africa
Tel: +27 12 422 6793 or 422 4000
Contact: Mr. Harold Hartley
Tel: +27 12 422 6901
Fax: +27 12 422 6978
E-mail: hhartley@sars.gov.za
Contact: Mr. Roux Raath
Tel: +27 12 422 4568
Fax: +27 12 422 6978
E-mail: rraath@sars.gov.za
Contact: Mr Rajesh Mohanlall
Tel: +27 12 422 6790
Fax: +27 12 422 6978
E-mail: rmohanlall@sars.gov.za
Note: If the Residence Permit is not yet available when the container arrives in South Africa, a cash deposit of ±50% will have to be paid to cover the full import duties and taxes on the household effect. These deposits are refundable on production of the Residence Permit.
3. Tourists
Tourists must pay the full import duties and taxes on importation of household effects or furniture and, before shipment of the goods, an Import Permit for all used goods must be obtained from the International Trade Administration Commission in Pretoria whose contact details appear hereunder:
International Trade Administration Commission
Director of Import and Export Control
Private Bag X192
Pretoria
0001
South Africa
Tel: +27 12 428 7000
Fax: +27 12 428 7799
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