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Removals to South Africa: Customs Information
Removals to South Africa . International Removals to South Africa . Moving House Overseas
nternational removals to South Africa and other overseas destinations are more complicated than moving house within the UK due to the Customs & Excise regulations applied to importing your belongings.
Below is a guide to the current Customs & Excise regulations that apply when shipping to South Africa. Please note that information is correct at time of publishing but may change at any time. Hamilton’s South African removals department will guide you through all relevant Customs & Excise regulations prior to your overseas move.
Removals to South Africa – click here for a free quote.
South African Customs Information
If you are shipping to South Africa to become a new resident, you are entitled to duty free entry for used household and personal items. South African citizens arranging removals from the UK to South Africa need to have been out of the country for a continuous period of at least 6 months to gain duty free entry. In both cases you need to be in South Africa before the arrival of the consignment in order to clear your goods through customs and produce your original passport. It is therefore important to coordinate the dates of your removals to South Africa and your personal travel plans.
Customs checks may be made on all consignments undergoing shipping to South Africa, the cost of which will need to be paid to the local customs authorities. Cargo dues will also be payable.
RestrictionsRemovals to South Africa may not include the following items:
- Skins, feathers, furs and tusks from endangered species are all prohibited
- Walkie-talkie radios
Removals to South Africa may include the following provided the necessary permits and conditions are met:
- Wines, spirit and beer require an import permit from the Director of Imports and Exports in Pretoria and this must be in place prior to shipping. Duty & tax will be payable and is based on the alcohol content.
- Firearms require a South African Police Firearm Registrar Certificate and import permit to be issued by the local police authority at destination. We would recommend that they are contacted prior to shipping
- First time residents can import vehicles duty free providing it has been used by you for at least one year before your arrival and is for your own personnal use.
Required Documentation
For shipping to South Africa the following personal documentation is required to clear your goods through customs:
- Photocopy of passport, photo page
- Copy of permanent residence form or temporary residence permit and work Permit
- Inventory list (this will be completed by our removal crew)
- You will need to complete a South African Customs Form DA304 & P1.160 on arrival (both supplied at destination)
For motor vehicles the following is also required:
- Customs form DA 304/A
- Vehicle registration form (V5)
- Proof of ownership for 1 year previous to shipment
- Letter of Authority form South African Bureau of Standards, this must be issued prior to the vehicle being shipped
Useful Information
| Currency | South African Rand (ZAR) | |
| Electrical supply | 220/ 230 volts, 250 volts Pretoria- Most appliances from the UK should operate with an adapter (round three pin plug), although televisions do not operate without alterations | |
| TV/DVD/Videos | These appliances will not operate in Canada due to the broadcasting system not being compatible with the system in the UK. | |
| Time | GMT +2 hours | |
| Dialling | 00 27 followed by local
code: |
Shipping to South Africa – Click here for a free detailed quote of your move.
Removals to South Africa – Click here for a free detailed quote of your move, or contact us to discuss your requirements.
South Africa removals customs information
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