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How to pass customs clearance without any problems
Customs clearance is not a complicated process, but mistakes do happen. We have collected some useful tips on how to avoid them
How to avoid problems at customs
1
Accurate Product Descriptions: Specify the category and exact name of the product, matching the contents of the parcel. Avoid generalizations.
2
Indicate Danger Levels: Clearly indicate if the goods are simple, contain liquids, or include batteries. Note if the parcel contains goods from well-known brands.
3
Declare Real Values: Provide the actual value and quantity of the goods. Customs has the right to inspect parcels to verify the declared value against invoices.
Freight transportation rules
Simple goods
- Do not contain liquids, batteries, cosmetics, food, or electronics
- Clothing and footwear
- Bags and purses
- Toys without batteries
- Musical instruments without batteries
- Spare parts for cars, motorcycles and bicycles
Specific goods
- Products with batteries and liquids require an MSDS certificate and DG declaration from the seller. If unavailable, transport is not possible
Dangerous Goods
- Aerosols
Prohibited
- Certain foods (e.g., fish snacks, meat snacks, spices, canned food)
- Cosmetics (e.g., talcum powder, leg balm, aloe gel).
- Manicure products (e.g., base gel, gel paint, manicure tapes, poly gel).
- Fresheners (e.g., home fragrance, car fragrance, car air fresheners, car spray).
- Insect repellents (e.g., pest control concentrate, rodent poison, insect traps, baby mosquito/insect repellent).
- Stationery (e.g., hole punch, stapler, electromagnetic stapler, active cooling system).
For more information on prohibited goods in South Africa, please visit:
You may find registered patents, using special search engines, such as:
Simple goods
- Do not contain liquids, batteries, cosmetics, food, or electronics
- Clothing and footwear
- Bags and purses
- Toys without batteries
- Musical instruments without batteries
- Spare parts for cars, motorcycles and bicycles
Specific goods
- Products with batteries and liquids require an MSDS certificate and DG declaration from the seller. If unavailable, transport is not possible
Dangerous Goods
- Aerosols
Prohibited
- Certain foods (e.g., fish snacks, meat snacks, spices, canned food)
- Cosmetics (e.g., talcum powder, leg balm, aloe gel).
- Manicure products (e.g., base gel, gel paint, manicure tapes, poly gel).
- Fresheners (e.g., home fragrance, car fragrance, car air fresheners, car spray).
- Insect repellents (e.g., pest control concentrate, rodent poison, insect traps, baby mosquito/insect repellent).
- Stationery (e.g., hole punch, stapler, electromagnetic stapler, active cooling system).
For more information on prohibited goods in South Africa, please visit:
You may find registered patents, using special search engines, such as:
Basic rules and regulations
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Customs Duty and Value Declarations
● Duty-free import value is $27. The maximum declared value of a shipment is $800 (a license is required for amounts over $800).
● When ordering through an intermediary, ensure to notarize powers of attorney for transactions where goods are paid for by one person but sent to different recipients.
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Calculating Customs Payments
● VAT: 10% x 15% VAT on high-value goods (ATV - Added Tax Value).
● Customs Levy: Flat 20% of the value of low-value goods.
● If goods value up to 500 rand (approx. $27), only 20% customs duty applies.
● For goods over 500 rand, 10% duty (based on HS code) plus 15% VAT applies.
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Mind to save the receipt/invoice for the purchased product
● Provide your user ID number to sellers and ensure it is on the boxes. Warehouse specialists need this to identify your goods. Unidentified goods will be stored for 1 month and disposed of if unclaimed.
● For branded goods, note that delivery is at your own risk. In case of confiscation, no compensation for the cost of goods and delivery is provided.
Please, be sure to correctly complete the declaration
The freight may be confiscated if the customs authorities find a discrepancy
Important Notes
Do not underestimate the value of goods as customs inspections will verify this.
If under-valued, customs will reassess and apply duties based on their regulations. Keep a payment receipt as proof of declared value. Customs only accept official payment documents, not screenshots or WeChat messages.
Сustoms declaration
Correct declaration is crucial to avoid confiscation without compensation for the goods and shipping.
The way of the parcel at the customs
The parcel passes the customs zone within 72 hours. Then it is transferred for delivery to the recipient.