South Africa Customs and Regulations

MOTOR VEHICLES: SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZENS

No concession exists for returning South African Nationals/Permanent Resident holders (including persons normally resident in the Republic who go abroad to work or study) to import a motor vehicle without payment of Customs duty.
The vehicle (if second-hand) will also be subject to an import permit form the Directorate: Import & Export Control, Pretoria and a Letter of Authority (LoA) from the South African Bureau of Standards.
Returning residents are cautioned not to assume that import permits will be issued automatically as long as they undertake to pay the applicable duties.

The import duties on motor vehicles are at present as follows:

Customs duty: 40%
Ad-Valorem Customs duty: on a sliding scale with a maximum of 20%

Please consult 'Import duties on motor vehicle' to see how these duties are calculated.

Importation of vehicles in South Africa:

- Import permit required by citizens returning after 1yr (must), proof that car was owned and used while overseas for the same period.

- Duty is 38% and luxury tax is approximately 5% and VAT is 14% of (Value plus 10% plus all duties). Total duty is approximately 60% of the value.

- Returning citizens who declared they will not be returning to south africa previously will pay VAT and some discount is given for import duties, this will apply to 1st time immigrants as well looking to stay permanently.

Ducuments required during importation:

- Overseas registration papers
- Proof of Value of vehicle
- SABS(south african bureau of standards) approval certificate(Letter of Authority). Costs R1,880
- Import permit

Rates for shipping to South Africa

Vehicle Type	RO/RO Prices / Cost	Container prices /Costs
Saloon Vehicle e.g BMW 3 series	£655	£1650 (20ft cont)
4x4 Vehicle e.g. Freelander	£720	£1650 (20ft cont)
Vans e.g Vauxhall Combo	enquire	£1650 (20ft cont)
2 cars(saloon / 4x4)	-	£2560 (20ft cont)

It is vital that any person while shipping a car to South africa to realize the rules and regulations in South africa for carrying out the shipping process i.e. there are some shipping restrictions which you have to familiarize yourself with before proceeding with the shipment. Knowing the rules and regulations while shipping a car to South africa would enable the shipping process to be completed with utmost safety and ease of mind. The port of entry of shipped cars to South africa; Durban, cape town, port elizabeth etc