Import Requirement for South Africa

Import requirement regarding shipping vehicles to South Africa:

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