Moving to South Africa

Regardless of the mode of transportation you choose, you will have to comply with the regulations of your host country. In South Africa, your household goods are exempt from duty and VAT. However, you will not be able to sell them within six months of importation.

There are restrictions on certain items you may want to bring into South Africa. In addition to prohibited items such as drugs and weapons without a permit, you must have permits for animals and excess currency (over R25,000). 

The importation of certain animal and natural products, such as honey, beeswax, bulbs and seeds is prohibited.

Depending on the volume of your move, you can choose between a whole container, space in a groupage container for transportation by boat, but if there are items that you will need immediately or small volumes, it is possible to send them by air freight. Depending on the quantity of goods, distance and delivery time, some solutions will be more suitable than others.

Read also Traveling to South Africa

Shipping your belongings to South Africa

This is the least expensive solution suitable for large shipments. The first thing to do is to contact several international moving companies to get quotes after evaluating the volume of what you want to take. You should compare the services offered according to the volume, the distance and the route from the port of arrival to the new home.

A move is organized in four stages:

• The removal: this step includes the packing services (if you have chosen this option), then your goods are loaded on a truck to take them to a container.
• Transportation: this can be an exclusive 20 or 40-foot container that you will pay for to the final destination port, where it will be cleared through customs and delivered to your new home. If your goods do not fill a container, you can opt for a groupage shipment (shared container shipment), but this solution is more time-consuming because the containers only leave when they are full.
• Customs clearance: Once the required formalities have been completed, you can proceed to customs clearance. Customs fees may be charged depending on the items. International moving companies can handle all requests. This step can take time and therefore lengthen the delivery time but also increase the costs if the container is immobilized longer than expected.
• Delivery: Once cleared, your goods will be delivered to your new home. Depending on the options chosen, the company will only proceed with the unloading or the unpacking in the corresponding rooms.    

The documents to be provided to the customs services are:

• A detailed inventory in duplicate of all goods transported with their value, dated and signed
• A document proving your former residence
• A document proving your new residence
• A certificate of change of residence may be required

You may be granted an exemption from import duties and taxes if you have been residing abroad for more than one year and if you have owned the imported goods for more than 6 months prior to the change of residence. 

A CMR consignment note drawn up in 2 copies for each party, which you will have to sign, will be given to you by the carrier before the goods are loaded. This letter must include:

• The name, address and intra-community identification number of the carrier.
• The date of the taking in charge of the transport.
• The nature and volume of the goods (for groupage).
• The name of the shipper.
• The complete address of the loading place.
• The name of the consignee.
• The complete address of the place of unloading.

The carrier will also ask you for a Declaration of Value that you will have to send back to him at the latest 5 days before the removal of the goods. This document is mandatory and will be used to insure the carrier in case of damage. It allows to determine the value of the transported goods and indicates the terms of compensation and their ceiling. This detailed declaration will specify the value of each item, some of which may exceed the contractual limit. International movers have a basic insurance policy that usually does not cover the full value of the goods. It is, therefore, preferable to take out "Damage Insurance" which will cover your goods for the value indicated in your Declaration of Value. It can be proposed by the carrier who will have to give you a certificate.   

Comparison platforms can help you compare the services offered and find the most appropriate company:

• The Relocator
• Best Global Movers
• ReloAdvisor  

Read also Traveling to South Africa with your pet

Air freight to South Africa

Air freight is much faster but significantly more expensive than sea freight. Freight is priced on a weight/volume basis, plus administrative fees, customs clearance fees and port taxes. Airports do not accept cargo for long periods of time, and the expensive storage fees start from the day of receipt.

Goods are transported in standardized containers or pallets. Groupage is possible, but this may increase the delivery time as the goods will only be sent when the container or pallet is full.

The procedures are the same as for sea freight:

• Collection of the goods by the carrier.
• Pre-carriage to the airport.
• Customs declaration at departure.
• Freight.
• Customs clearance
• Post-carriage to the place of delivery.

The documents to be provided are:

• A Packing List, which is the detailed inventory of the contents of the shipment and its value.
• Air Way Bill, which is the document issued by the airline containing detailed information about the shipment and which allows its tracking. This document is the contract between the airline and the carrier. It is established in 3 copies for each party.
• A Certificate of Insurance
• Documents for customs services, which are the same as for sea freight.

Importing a vehicle to South Africa

If you want to drive in South Africa but do not want to buy a new car, you can import your own. People with permanent residence in South Africa can bring a vehicle registered in their name into the country. You will have to pay customs fees, but you can later claim them back.

If your car has left-hand drive, it can only be imported if you bought it before the year 2000.

Documents to be provided:

• A letter of authorization from the national regulator of mandatory specifications
• An application form
• A copy of your permanent residence certificate
• A copy of your passport
• A copy of your strange motor vehicle registration certificate.

Useful links:

FIDI - International Federation of International Movers 

South African Revenue Service - for customs regulations and taxes.

International Trade Administration Commission