IATA Area: 2

Capital: Pretoria

Local Time: GMT+2

Country Code: +27

Local Currency: Rand(ZAR)

CUSTOMS AIRPORTS

Western Cape: Cape Town (CPT)

Eastern Cape: Port Elizabeth (PLZ), East London (ELS)

Northern Cape: Kimberley (KIM)

Kwa-Zulu Natal: Durban (DUR)

Free State: Bloemfontein (BFN)

Guateng: Johannesburg OR Tambo International (JNB)

Mpumalanga: Nelspruit (MQP)

For consignments destined for George, Western Cape the final destination on the Air Waybill must be entered as Johannesburg or Cape Town and customs cleared only at Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport.

Consignments destined for Pretoria will be cleared at Johannesburg.

Customs Working Hours in Johannesburg.

Export Consignments:

Monday – Friday 0800hrs - 1700hrs

Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 0800hrs - 1400hrs.

Import consignments:

Monday – Friday 0800 – 1600hrs

Commercial consignments 

Commercial Certificate of Invoice and value and origin.

Import License for certain goods.

General

Animals, animal’s products, parasites and infectious and/or contaminated things may only be shipped to and /or through the Republic of South Africa as manifested cargo under cover of an AWB. The only exceptions are dogs leading the blind. Importation / in transit movement of such commodities must be issued by the Director of Veterinary Services.

Dogs and cats from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Lesotho, Botswana and Namibia moving to and through the Republic of South Africa, do not need South African veterinary Import or Transit permit –they are shipped under cover of a “CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY, RABIES VACCINATION AND MOVEMENT PERMIT” which has been duly completed, signed, dated and stamped by a State veterinarian in the country of origin. All other animals/ birds shipped from the above countries into/through South African Veterinary import or in transit permit and relevant Veterinary certificates.

Live animals.

No animal, animal product, parasite and infectious and/or contaminated thing may be imported into or moved in transit through the Rep of South Africa except as manifested cargo under cover of a Veterinary Import or in transit through the Republic of South Africa except as manifested cargo under cover of a Veterinary import or In transit Permit and subject to any conditions imposed in such a permit. Veterinary Import and in Transit permits must be obtained from the Director of Veterinary Services. Veterinary Import and in Transit permits are to be obtained by the owner/importer of the animal or thing prior to the animal or thing leaving the exporting country and the animal /thing must be accompanied by the original Veterinary Import and in Transit permits and the necessary original veterinary and vaccination certification certificates as prescribed on such permit. Upon arrival of an animal/thing at the port of entry, the arrival thereof is to be report to the Veterinary Import and in Transit permits and the animal/thing may not be removed from such port/place of entry without his /her written permission and subject to any conditions imposed on such written permission.

Dogs, cats, primates and reptiles:It’s a legal requirement of the Directorate Animal Health, Department of Agriculture that all dogs, cats, primates and reptiles entering South Africa be micro chipped with the exception of such animals from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia and Malawi.In the event of an animal /thing arriving at the port/place of entry in the Rep. of South Africa without prescribed veterinary requirements fully complied with , such animal/thing will be refused entry and be returned to the point of origin seized and destroyed without compensation by the state or any of its officials. Veterinary import permits for non-domestic /wild animals, Nature conservation import permits are required from the Nature Conservation authorities of the province of destination in the Rep. of south Africa.

Plants and plant materials.

With the exception of most kinds of flower seeds, small quantities of vegetable seeds and single bouquets of flowers carried by passengers, the importation of all plant, cuttings, fruit, bulbs, tubers, corms, rhizomes, beeswax, honey (Inclusive of royal jelly and preparations containing honey), used apiary equipment, insects, pathogens and exotic animals must be authorized by permits acquired prior to importation. Phytosanitary Certificates in compliance with conditions specified on permits must be produced. South African Embassies and plant protection services of the exporting countries may be consulted for clarification.

Arms, ammunition and explosives: Import permits form commissioner of South African Police of Arms and ammunition and for explosives from the chief inspector of Explosives.

Narcotics and drugs: Import permit from the Director general, Department of National health and population Development.

Human remains: Death certificate in English or Afrikaans. Import Permit from Department of National Health and population Development.

Medicines and Vaccines: Including serums, import permit from Department of National Health and population Development.

Radio-active materials: License for radio isotopes from department of national Heath and population Development and License for nuclear hazardous material from Council for Nuclear safety.

Prohibitions

Shippers should contact consignee or consulate.