🇿🇦 South Africa
AFRICA
South African Revenue Service (SARS) — Customs and Excise
15%
1 L
1 L in total of spirits and other alcoholic beverages, plus 2 L of wine
200
200 cigarettes and 20 cigars
R5,000
≈ US$280
Checked against South African Revenue Service (SARS) — Customs and Excise on 2026-09-06 View source →
Duty-Free Allowances
| Category | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | 1 L1 L in total of spirits and other alcoholic beverages, plus 2 L of wine |
| Cigarettes | 200200 cigarettes and 20 cigars |
| Personal goods value | R5,000≈ US$280 |
Per person: no more than 1 L in total of spirits and other alcoholic beverages, no more than 2 L of wine, and no more than 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars. New or used goods in accompanied baggage up to R5,000 (R25,000 if arriving from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia or Eswatini). Crew members are limited to R700. USD equivalent approximate.
Conditional tiers
| Condition | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Arriving from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia or Eswatini | R25 000 |
What the official page says
“New and used goods In addition to the personal effects and consumable goods allowances, travellers are allowed new or used goods in accompanied baggage to the value of R5000 (or R25 000 if arriving from Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia or Swazila”
“Crew members (including the master or the pilot) are only entitled to a duty-free allowance on a value not exceeding R700.”
“No more than 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars per person.”
“No more than 2 litres of wine per person.”
“No more than 1 litre in total of spiritous and other alcoholic beverages per person.”South African Revenue Service (SARS) — Customs and Excise →
Cash Declaration Threshold
US$5,500
Local currency equivalent: ZAR
Travelers carrying cash, traveler's cheques, or negotiable instruments above this threshold must declare them at customs on arrival.
Special Notes
- 01South Africa is part of SACU (Southern African Customs Union) with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini — goods move freely within SACU.
- 02VAT is 15% (standard rate).
- 03South Africa has an FTA with the EU (EU-SADC EPA), preferential access to AGOA for US market, and various regional agreements.
- 04The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is critical for diamond imports/exports.
- 05SARS uses the SARS eFiling system and SARS Customs portal for declarations.
- 06Ad valorem duties apply to luxury goods like motor vehicles, cosmetics.
- 07Significant load shedding (power outages) and port congestion can affect logistics.
- 08South African Rand is volatile — USD equivalent of thresholds changes frequently.
Does what I'm carrying fit?
This is a fit check, not legal advice — the red channel is always available.