Every article imported for trade or commercial purposes is taxed according to the South African Customs and Excise Tariff and should be declared separately.

Not more than R500 in South African bank notes may be imported whilst the importation of unwrought, unworked or semi-manufactured gold is subject to a permit issued by the South African Treasury.

The importation of the following articles is prohibited or restricted: live animals; any animal product (e.g. meat, biltong, milk e.t.c); drugs, e.g. opium, cocaine, morphine, marijuana (Indian hemp); flick knives and dangerous weapons; indecent, obscene or objectionable books, periodicals, photographs, films and other articles; agricultural products or any plants, seeds, bulbs, etc

In terms of the Animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act 35 of 1984) no person may import into the Republic any animal, parasite, infectious or contaminated thing except under the authority of a veterinary permit and in compliance with any condition imposed in such permit, issued by the Director of Veterinary Services. This restriction also applies in respect of such imports from Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.

Requirements for the importation and the application for a veterinary import permit for livestock, biological products, vaccines and animal materials can be obtained from:
Director of Veterinary Services
Private Bag X138
Pretoria
0001
Telegraphic address; PRIVET
Telephone: +27 12 319 7514
Telefax: +27 12 329 829

Animal in the above context means any mammal, bird (poultry), fish, reptile, or amphibian vertebrate including their carcass.

Permits and requirements for import of plants, plant products, pathogens, exotic animal, infectious thing, insects, growth mediums, honey, beeswax or used apiary equipment except on the authority of a permit and can be obtained from:

Director
Directorate of Plant Health
Private Bag X14
Gezina
0001


Contact Person: Jeremiah Manyuwa
Telephone: +27 12 319 6102
Telefax: +27 12 319 6370

The above listed material may be imported from inter alia neighbouring states and must be cleared by a plant inspector of the Department of Agriculture. The imported products may only be removed from the aerodrome after written permission is received from the plant inspector.

Visit the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website at www.nda.agric.za for contact details of Plant Health Inspectors.