Importing goods into South Africa entails a comprehensive process that requires adherence to specific regulations and documentation. To ensure a smooth and efficient importation, importers must understand the requirements and engage the services of experienced freight forwarding and customs clearance agents. Let’s delve into the details of South Africa’s import procedures and the necessary documents.

Customs Registration and Codes:
Customs South Africa (Customs SA), a division of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), mandates that importers register with their office and obtain an importer’s code. This code plays a vital role in the customs clearance process and any delay in obtaining it can impact the timely clearance of goods.

Single Administrative Document (SAD):
To facilitate customs clearance, SARS utilizes the Single Administrative Document (SAD). This multi-purpose goods declaration form covers imports, exports, cross-border, and transit movements. Ensuring accurate completion of the SAD is crucial for importers, exporters, and cross-border traders.

Required Documents:
When importing goods into South Africa, several essential documents need to be provided. These include:

1. Bill of Lading: For customs purposes, one negotiable and two non-negotiable copies of the Bill of Lading are required. The Bill of Lading can be issued as “straight” or “to order.”
2. Declaration of Origin Form (DA59): This form is necessary when claiming a duty rate lower than the general rate or when dealing with goods subject to antidumping or countervailing duty. The DA59 form must be attached to the original commercial invoice, and one original signed copy is required.
3. Commercial Invoice: Four copies and one original commercial invoice must be provided. The invoice should contain all relevant information for proper customs entry and value determination.
4. Packing List: Three copies of the packing list must be included, and the information provided should align with other accompanying documents.
5. Insurance Certificate: For sea freight, one copy of the insurance certificate is required. Importers should follow the instructions provided by the insurance company and/or the importer.
6. Sample Declarations: Shippers must clearly declare if the shipment contains samples with no commercial value or state the value for customs purposes to reduce the likelihood of a dutiable assessment.
7. Correct Value Declaration: South African customs authorities do not accept zero-value invoices. The correct value of the shipment must be stated.

Licenses and Permits:
Import licenses are mandatory for restricted items. Importers must obtain an import permit before the shipment date to comply with Customs SA regulations. Failure to produce a required permit may result in penalties. Import permits are valid only for the calendar year in which they are issued and can only be used by the person to whom they were issued. The Department of Trade and Industry’s Director of Import and Export Control issues import permits for specific categories of restricted goods.

Restricted Goods:
While the number of categories requiring import permits has been reduced, most used or second-hand items still necessitate permits. In 2020, export controls on medicines were implemented, but some restrictions have been lifted to facilitate exports to neighboring states. For more information on import permits, you can visit the website of the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).

It is crucial for importers to stay updated with the latest regulations and guidelines provided by SARS. The SARS import manual provides comprehensive information for reference and can be accessed on their website.

By adhering to the import requirements and ensuring accurate documentation, importers can navigate South Africa’s import process successfully. Engaging the services of experienced professionals can further streamline the process and facilitate a seamless importation experience.

For further details and inquiries, please refer to the Department of Trade and Industry’s International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) website or contact them directly.

Department of Trade and Industry
International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC)
Import Control
Private Bag X753
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: +27 (0)12 394 3590/1
Fax: +27 (0)12 394 0517
Website: http://www.itac.org.za

Click her for the latest SARS import manual.