Can I send clothes to South Africa?
Yes, with conditions.
Your own clothes are free of duty and VAT when you move under rebate 407.06. Otherwise many garments pay 45% duty plus VAT, and used clothing may need an ITAC permit.
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 clothes to South Africa?
Yes, with conditions. Your own clothes are free of duty and VAT when you move under rebate 407.06. Otherwise many garments pay 45% duty plus VAT, and used clothing may need an ITAC permit.
Can I send used clothes to South Africa?
Your own clothes as part of a move are covered by rebate 407.06. Otherwise, used goods fall under ITAC import control and may need a permit, and clothing duty is high: 45% for many garments, plus VAT. A gift box worth up to R1,400 is free of duty.
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)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in South Africa makes the final decision on every box.