Clearing South African Customs
Household goods and personal effects shipped to South Africa must be declared to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and cleared through customs before final delivery.
Qualifying household furniture and personal effects may be imported free of customs duty and VAT under rebate item 407.06, provided the relevant conditions are met. SARS confirms that entries under rebate item 407.06 must be supported by completed DA 304 and P1.160 forms.
We’ll guide you through the paperwork required for your move and work with our appointed South African destination agent to coordinate customs clearance when your shipment arrives.
What paperwork do I need?
For most household goods and personal effects shipments to South Africa, the required customs documentation includes:
- DA 304 - declaration relating to household effects imported under rebate item 407.06
- P1.160 - declaration for unaccompanied manifested household effects
- Detailed inventory of the household goods and personal effects being shipped
- SAD 500 Customs Declaration
- Passport and immigration or residency documentation, where applicable
- Shipping documentation relating to your removal shipment
SARS specifically lists the inventory, P1.160, DA 304 and SAD 500 as documents required for the importation of personal effects and household goods.
Both the DA 304 and P1.160 must be completed as part of the customs documentation for your household goods. Our South African destination agent will assist with presenting the required documents to Customs and will advise you if SARS requires you to attend a Customs office personally or provide original documentation before your shipment can be released.
For more detailed information, see our South Africa customs guide.
Which Items Are Restricted or Need Special Attention?
Some goods are prohibited, restricted or subject to separate permits, declarations or import procedures.
Check before shipping:
- Alcohol and tobacco products
- Medicines and controlled substances
- Firearms, ammunition and weapons
- Plants, bulbs and seeds
- Fruit and other plant material
- Meat and animal products
- Live animals
- Motor vehicles
- Goods intended for commercial use
The P1.160 declaration itself asks importers to identify a number of these categories when they are included in an unaccompanied household-effects shipment.
Some restricted items may still be permitted subject to declaration, permits or additional customs procedures. We’ll help you review your inventory before shipment and advise if anything needs additional attention.
What Happens When My Shipment Arrives in South Africa?
When your household goods arrive, our appointed South African destination agent will coordinate the customs-clearance process and present the required documentation to Customs.
SARS may request further information, original documentation or personal attendance depending on the circumstances of the clearance. Our destination agent will advise you of anything required before your belongings can be released.
Once customs clearance is complete, your shipment can be arranged for onward delivery to your new home in South Africa.
Your move coordinator will guide you through the process from preparation of the customs paperwork in the UK through to final delivery.
