Official source
Source domain: sars.gov.za
Collected on 8 September 2026
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Duty-free allowance for visitors' personal effects and recreational equipment
Visitors to South Africa may import personal effects and sporting or recreational equipment for their own use without paying duties or taxes, as long as the goods are for personal use and not for resale.
Visitors to the country may import personal effects, sporting and / or recreational equipment for their own use while in South Africa without the payment of duties an
Reference
TD-01
Duty-free allowance for personal effects and recreational equipment
Returning residents may re-import personal effects, sporting, and recreational equipment without paying duties or taxes, provided the goods are identifiable as those previously exported and can be proven to have been declared before export.
Returning residents are allowed to re-import personal effects, sporting and / or recreational equipment without the payment of duties and taxes. The goods must be identifiable as the same goods which were exported from South Africa for own use while abroad. Customs may detain such goods pending proof of local purchase or proof of declaration prior to original export.
Registration of identifiable valuables before departure
South African residents may register their valuable items with SARS before leaving the country using the Traveller Goods Declaration (TGD1) form, so they can be re-imported without paying duties upon return.
South African residents may elect to register their identifiable valuables with Customs prior to leaving the country on a Traveller Goods Declaration (TGD1) which should be produced upon return as proof of re-importation.
Manual declaration using Traveller Declaration (TD-01)
Travellers can submit a physical declaration form at ports of entry or exit to report goods they are bringing into or taking out of South Africa.
Provide clarity on the different declaration methods available, including online declarations, manual submission via the Traveller Declaration (TD-01), and verbal declarations where applicable;
Online declaration of goods at ports of entry and exit
Travellers may declare goods electronically through SARS’s online platform, which simplifies the process and reduces waiting time at border crossings.
Provide clarity on the different declaration methods available, including online declarations, manual submission via the Traveller Declaration (TD-01), and verbal declarations where applicable;
