South Africa customs
🇿🇦
Get import & export customs regulations, restricted items and food restrictions before travelling to South Africa. Items allowed to import is Personal goods, such as clothing and toiletries. Prohibited items is Narcotic and habit-forming drugs. Some of restricted items are Firearms and weapons require a permit from the South African Police Service.
Import Regulations
Free to import items into South Africa
Tobacco
- 200 cigarettes;
- 20 cigars; and
- 250 grams of tobacco....
Alcohol
- Funds of R25,000 and over or US$10,000 and over must be declared.
Currency
- Funds of R25,000 and over or US$10,000 and over must be declared.
Other items
- Personal goods, such as clothing and toiletries.
- Other non-commercial goods not exceeding ZAR25,000 in value.
- Three months' worth of medicine for personal use, accompanied by a prescription.
Prohibited items into South Africa
- 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 items into South Africa
- 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 visitImport animals and animal products.
- Herbal products require a permit from theDepartment of Health.
- Plants and their derivative products require a permit from the National Plant Protection Organisation of South Africa. For further information, please visitPlant permit.
South Africa travel details
Export Regulations
Free to export items from South Africa
No rules presentProhibited items from South Africa
- Same as prohibited to import list.
Restricted items from South Africa
- 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.
South Africa visa advice
If you're considering exploring South Africa beyond the usual transit spots, our comprehensive guide on South Africa transit visa offers deeper insights and broader options for travelers of different nationalities. For those transiting through other countries en route to South Africa, understanding South Africa Transit Visa requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth journey.