Can I send alcohol or tobacco to South Africa?
No.
Excluded from the household-effects and gift rebates, and couriers generally refuse them. Travelers' allowances don't apply to shipments.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo and most express couriers don't carry alcohol, tobacco or vaping products in personal boxes, whatever the destination allows.
More rules for South Africa
Not allowed
- Cigarettes weighing more than 2 kg per 1,000
Allowed with conditions
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Excluded from the household-effects and gift rebates, so full duty and VAT apply. Couriers often refuse them.
Quantity limits
- Gifts
- Unsolicited gifts from one private person to another: up to R1,400 (about $84) a parcel and two parcels per receiver per calendar year, free of duty. Wine, spirits, and tobacco don't qualify. Above R1,400, customs charges apply to the full value.
- Household effects when moving
- Free of duty and VAT under rebate 407.06 when you change your residence to South Africa, if you owned them before the move and keep them for 6 months. Excludes vehicles, alcohol, and tobacco.
- Alcohol (travelers only)
- 2 liters of wine and 1 liter of other alcoholic drinks per traveler 18 or older. Does not apply to shipments.
- Tobacco (travelers only)
- 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, and 250 g of cigarette or pipe tobacco per traveler 18 or older. Does not apply to shipments.
Before you ship to South Africa
- Tax-free limit
- There is no duty- and VAT-free threshold. Until August 2024, parcels worth under R500 (about $30) paid a flat 20% in place of duty and no VAT. SARS added 15% VAT from September 1, 2024 and said the flat rate would give way to appropriate duty rates from November 1, 2024. Unsolicited gifts from one private person to another, up to R1,400 (about $84) a parcel and two parcels a year, are free of duty.
- Receiver ID
- South African ID number, passport number, or SARS tax reference number needed. Private receivers who aren't registered with customs are declared under SARS's general client number, with their South African ID number (citizens and permanent residents), passport number (anyone else), or SARS taxpayer reference number. This route is only for private, non-commercial imports. Businesses need their own customs registration.
- Transit
- 3-6 business days from Europe; 4-7 from North America or Asia
Questions
Can I send alcohol or tobacco to South Africa?
No. Excluded from the household-effects and gift rebates, and couriers generally refuse them. Travelers' allowances don't apply to shipments.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
South African Revenue Service (SARS), Customs and Excise Act, 1964
Schedule 1 Part 1: Customs Duty (Chapters 1 to 99) (opens in a new tab) - 2.
South African Revenue Service (SARS), Customs and Excise Act, 1964
Schedule 4: Rebates of Customs Duties, Excise Duties, Fuel Levy, Road Accident Fund Levy, Environmental Levy and Health Promotion Levy (opens in a new tab) - 3.
South African Revenue Service (SARS)
Arrival in SA (opens in a new tab) - 4.
South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA)
Guideline for the Importation and Exportation of Medicines (SAHPGL-INSP-RC-02) (opens in a new tab) - 5.
South African Government (Department of Agriculture service)
Import animals and animal products (opens in a new tab) - 6.
South African Government (Department of Agriculture service)
Apply for a plant import permit (opens in a new tab) - 7.
International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC)
Frequently Asked Questions - Import Control (opens in a new tab) - 8.
South African Revenue Service (SARS)
Sending or receiving goods in the post (opens in a new tab) - 9.
South African Revenue Service (SARS)
FAQ: I want to import my personal effects and / or household goods. What do I require? (opens in a new tab) - 10.
South African Revenue Service (SARS)
SC-PA-01-06 Excess Currency External Policy (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in South Africa makes the final decision on every box.