South Africa customs rules & duty-free allowances
South Africa's customs officers are thorough and penalties for misdeclaration are severe. The 'green channel' is not an invitation to skip thinking — if you're caught with undeclared restricted goods, you risk seizure and a fine. These rules apply to all non-resident adult travellers arriving in 2026.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotic and psychotropic substances (including cannabis, unless prescribed and permitted)
- Firearms and ammunition without a temporary import permit
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media
- Endangered species products (e.g., ivory, rhino horn, certain reptile skins) without CITES permits
- Unprocessed meat and dairy products from countries with animal disease outbreaks
- Indecent or obscene materials (including child pornography)
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Medications containing scheduled substances (requires SAHPRA permit for more than 30 days' supply)
- Plants, seeds, and cut flowers (require a phytosanitary certificate and import permit)
- Drones (require a permit from the South African Civil Aviation Authority)
- Satellite phones and two-way radios (require a licence from ICASA)
- Cultural artefacts and antiques (require an export permit from the South African Heritage Resources Agency)
Arriving: red vs green channel
After collecting your luggage, you'll enter the customs hall. If you have nothing to declare and your goods are within the duty-free limits, use the green channel. If you have any goods to declare (including restricted items or goods over ZAR 5,000), use the red channel. You may be asked to complete a Customs Declaration Form (DA 65) even in the green channel.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Tourists can claim a VAT refund on goods purchased in South Africa (minimum total purchase ZAR 500 per receipt) under the VAT Refund Scheme. Claim at the VAT Refund Office at OR Tambo, Cape Town, or King Shaka airports before departure. You'll need the original tax invoice and the goods.
Bringing medication
Personal medications are allowed for up to 30 days' supply without a permit. For longer periods, a permit from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) is required. Schedule 5 and 6 drugs (e.g., strong painkillers, certain ADHD meds) require a prescription and a permit. Cannabis products (including CBD) are strictly regulated — only those with a valid prescription and SAHPRA permit are allowed.
Food, plants & animal products
All food, plants, seeds, and animal products must be declared. Meat and dairy products from countries with foot-and-mouth disease or avian flu are banned. Fresh fruit, vegetables, and plants require a phytosanitary certificate. Honey and bee products are restricted. Failure to declare can result in a fine of up to ZAR 10,000 (USD 550).
Rules worth knowing
Duty-free allowance is per person, not per family
Each adult traveller has their own ZAR 5,000 duty-free allowance. You cannot pool allowances with family members. If your goods exceed ZAR 5,000 in total, you must declare and pay duty on the excess.
Cash declaration is mandatory, not optional
Any amount over ZAR 25,000 (cash or monetary instruments) must be declared. Failure to declare can result in seizure and a fine of up to 100% of the undeclared amount. The Reserve Bank requires prior approval for amounts over ZAR 100,000.
Strict biosecurity — declare or lose it
South Africa has strict biosecurity laws. All food, plants, and animal products must be declared. If you fail to declare, you face a fine of up to ZAR 10,000 and the goods will be confiscated. Even a single apple can trigger a fine.
Temporary import of vehicles requires a carnet
If you're driving into South Africa, you need a Carnet de Passages en Douane for the vehicle. Without it, you'll have to pay a deposit equal to the duty. This applies to all foreign-registered vehicles, including motorcycles.