3.9. Import payments (South African Resident Individuals)

Payments effected under this section require the presentation of documentation and will not be deducted from the single discretionary allowance limit of R1 million per calendar year.

3.9.1 Import payments via credit and/or debit cards

Individuals with locally issued credit and/or debit cards are permitted to make foreign currency payments for small transactions (e.g., imports over the Internet) by means of such credit and/or debit cards. Payments are limited to R50,000 per transaction. Cardholders will, however, not be absolved from ad valorem excise and custom duties or from complying with the requirements imposed by Customs.

Any singular transaction exceeding R50,000 may not be split to circumvent the limit applicable to this dispensation.

3.9.2 Import payments via an Authorised Dealer in foreign exchange

Individuals may purchase foreign currency for payment of imports via an Authorised Dealer.

Where an import permit is required, residents must ensure that a covering import permit issued by ITAC is obtained.

All applications for the importation of gold must be referred to the South African Diamond and Precious Metals Regulator in terms of the Precious Metals Act, 2005 (Act No. 37 of 2005).

Payments for imports must be made against the following documentation:

  • (a) commercial invoices issued by the supplier;
  • (b) any one of the transport documents as prescribed by the International Chamber of Commerce Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600) and its supplement for electronic presentation, the eUCP, evidencing transport of the relative goods to South Africa; or
    • Foreign currency payments for imports into South Africa may be effected on any shipment and/or delivery term where the freight is included in the cost of the goods being imported.
  • (c) Freight Forwarders Certificate of Receipt or Freight Forwarders Certificate of Transport; or
  • (d) consignee’s copy of the prescribed SARS Customs Declaration.

In lieu of the documents referred to in points (b) and (c) above, arrival notifications issued by shipping companies may be tendered.

All documentation must be retained by the resident for a period of at least five years.

Since Botswana is a member of the Custom Union, imports from Botswana may be paid for against the commercial invoice issued by the supplier and the consignee’s copy of the prescribed SARS Customs Declaration.

Where goods for which payment has been made from South Africa have not been or will not be consigned to South Africa within four months of the date of payment, the importer must within 14 days of the expiry of such period advise the Authorised Dealer through whom foreign currency was purchased of this fact.

In cases where an importer fails to provide import documentation or to report the non-receipt of goods within the above-mentioned four month period to the Authorised Dealer concerned, such Authorised Dealer may cease providing foreign currency to the importer until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved. Any non-compliance will be reported to the Financial Surveillance Department who may issue an instruction to all Authorised Dealers that no foreign currency may be provided to such importer until the matter has been satisfactorily resolved.

Individuals who wish to hedge their import commitments must approach their Authorised Dealer in this regard.

3.9.3 Philatelic imports and numismatic imports

Residents must approach their Authorised Dealers who may grant foreign currency in payment of import for numismatic (excluding South African gold coins minted in 1962 and thereafter) and philatelic purposes. The Authorised Dealer will furnish applicants with a letter of authority for submission to the appropriate government department.

The government department concerned will endorse, on the face of the letter, the value of each parcel received in South Africa during the relative period. When this authority has been fully used or on the date of its expiry, the relative letter of authority must be returned to the Authorised Dealer concerned before a new letter in respect of any subsequent period is issued.

Matters relating to the importation of medals, medallions, pendants and other similar non-currency articles must be referred to ITAC.

Scroll to Top