It is a number, or code, that you obtain on registering as an importer, exporter or both at South African customs. It is also known as a customs code or CCN (customs code number). It enables individuals or businesses to clear products through customs and to make international payments for exported and imported goods.

Officially, an import export license is required when:

• more than 3 imports/exports are made in a calendar year
• the total imported/exported cargo is ZAR150 000 or more in a calendar year
• the imports are for resale or business purposes and not for your personal use

An import export license is also required when you wish to make or receive international payments for imports or exports through your bank (this is unnecessary when you use a credit card, but usually these transactions have excessive forex costs).

South African customs gives 5 working days following the submission of all required paperwork as the official turnaround time for import export licenses. It is our experience that 95% of the licenses arrive within this time frame. In fact, the majority arrive in less than 5 working days after the date of submission.

Where there are delays, possible reasons include:

• customs’ bank authentication taking more time than normal
• changing computer systems at Customs
• staff shortages at Customs
• year-end office closures

Following completed registration, you will receive an email with your personal South African customs import export code.

No, your South African import export license is only valid within the borders of South Africa. For instance, the license cannot be used to import products from another country to a non-South African destination country. It also cannot be used to export products from the UK or African countries (other than South Africa).

There is no prescribed maximum quantity of goods that you may import or export.

No, you do not need to be VAT registered to apply for an import export license.

No, annual fees do not apply to import export licenses.

Initially, the South African import export licenses (or custom codes) registered during 2020 and 2021 were only valid for 10 years. In November 2021, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) amended this expiry date so that all licenses are valid as long as the registered entity (individual or business) exists. An import export license is therefore a lifelong registration no matter when it was registered.

However, the situation is subject to change should South African customs alter their current practices.

With all this being said, please take note that any changes to your import export license registration details must be amended at SARS. This would include the name of the business, contact details of the registered entity, or any change in the business’ directors/trustees/members.

When clearing the products yourself, you will need to present the license to South African customs. If, however, you use the services of a freight or clearing agent, you will need to provide that agent with the import export license. For clearing international payments, you will be required to show the license to your Forex broker or bank.

Yes, you can still apply for an import export license in this case, but only if you have paid the annual CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission) renewal fees. If you have not paid the fees, CIPC may have started a deregistration process which you will need to rectify first. We can do this for you.

Yes, foreigners can apply for South African import export licenses. There are two possibilities:

1. The foreigner has a South African address, an income tax number and a valid South African bank account. The normal application procedure can be followed in this case.
2. The foreigner does not have a South African address, income tax number or valid South African bank account. In this case, the application must be made on the foreigner’s behalf by a nominated agent in South Africa.

No, it is not possible to use someone else’s import export license to clear your own products. In order for South African customs to clear your goods, the name on the import export license must match the name on the commercial invoice.

A rebate is used for duty-free imports of products used in the manufacturing industry. A company can make an application to register as a rebate user if the imported product is used in manufacturing AND has been published in the South African customs rebate book OR is used in manufacturing an item that will be exported.

A drawback is used to claim back the duties paid on products imported into South Africa and used in manufacturing, but exported thereafter.

A refund is used to claim back the duties paid on products imported into South Africa that were later exported in the same condition as at entry into the country.

You can export to the following countries if you have a SADC certificate: Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. With a SADC certificate, these countries charge no import duties on 85% of products exported to them. See our trade agreements blog.

You can find a simple-to-use guide on how to complete a SADC certificate of origin correctly in our blog  here.

Your products will qualify for a SADC Certificate of Origin when the components and finished product are fully obtained in a SADC country. Where some of the components or materials were imported, a minimum of 35% of their value should have been added to the SADC country during the manufacturing process.

You can export to the following countries if you have a EUR.1 certificate of origin: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. See our trade agreements blog for more information.

With a EUR.1 certificate, these countries charge no import duties on 85% of the products exported to them.

South Africa has advantageous trade agreements with various countries that offer reduced or nil import duties for products originating from South Africa. Our article on trade agreements provides a summary of these agreements.

You can find a simple to use guide on how to complete a EUR.1 certificate of origin correctly in our article 

Your products may qualify for the EUR.1 certificate of origin (also known as the EUR.1 movement certificate) when the components and/or finished product is wholly obtained in South Africa. In cases where components/parts were imported, there must be “sufficient processing”. This means that, during the manufacturing process, the components/parts that were used must change tariff heading (in other words, the end product must have a different tariff heading for all of the non-originating materials and components).

You are required to have a cross-border road transport permit if you are exporting products or passengers for profit and if the vehicle/s exceeds a total mass of 3,500kg. This permit is also required for foreign-registered vehicles that are used commercially within South Africa.

You will need one permit per country where products or passengers are either dropped off or picked up.

No, you only need a permit for every country where products or passengers are dropped off or picked up. On the permit application, you will need to show the route you plan to drive to and from the destination country.

No, each vehicle is required to have its own permit. Each vehicle is also required to have its own roadworthy certificate which must be submitted during the application process.

We have created this article to cover all that is needed when transporting goods over a South African border. Remember to get SADC certificates for all exports to SADC countries in order to get reductions on import duty tax.

Every company  transporting bonded cargo needs to register as either a Remover of Goods in Bond (where the bond is in the company’s name) or a Transporter/Road Hauler (where the bond is in the client’s name)., A Carrier registration is required in order to submit manifests (an inventory of all items on a truck) to South African customs. Electronic manifests can be submitted through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Further information on these services can be found in our blog on moving bonded goods.

If you are transporting bonded products (i.e. products that have VAT and import duty still owing to South African customs) you will be required to register as a Remover of Goods in Bond, e.g. if you pick up a bonded shipment from the airport and carry it to a bond store or out of South Africa.

To register as a Foreign Remover of Goods in Bond you will need to designate a South African-based agent to represent you at Customs.

All applicants must provide South African customs with a Security Bond. This must be in the form of a Bank Guarantee or an Insurance Policy for roughly the value of the VAT and Import Duty of the cargo that will be carried.

A Remover of Goods in Bond needs to register its own Security Bond at South African Customs. A Transporter (previously known as a Road Hauler) can use their client’s Security Bond. Further information on these services can be found in our blog on moving bonded goods.

Whenever goods are transported over a border post, a manifest (i.e. inventory of items on a vehicle) needs to be submitted to South African customs. In order to submit manifests you must be registered as a Carrier  at SARS (South African Revenue Service). In order to submit these manifests electronically you additionally need to be registered at South African Customs for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)

South African customs records all items that require permits on their prohibited or restricted list. A copy of these lists can be found on our Calculators page. Use the tariff code to search for items. An article detailing how to use the lists is available here. Should you prefer, however, we can do the check for you. You will need to provide us with the necessary tariff codes. Our office can also obtain most of the permits for you.

An import export license, also called a Customs Code, is registration at South African customs as an importer and/or exporter. You are assigned a unique 8 digit number must be used when clearing your imports/exports and when paying for or receiving payment for these products.

Certain items, such as scrap metal or second hand clothing, are regulated by South African customs. These require an ADDITIONAL permit. What type of permit is required is dictated by South African customs and depends on what the regulation on the imported item is.

ITAC permits mostly require annual renewal.

ITAC requires an estimation of the value of goods you will be trading in one year. Should you exceed that amount before the year ends you will need to apply for an additional permit.

Second hand vehicles may only be imported into South Africa under the conditions below:

• You are immigrating to South Africa and are a citizen of a foreign country
• You are a South African who worked and owned a vehicle in a foreign country for more than 6 months and now want to bring that vehicle back to South Africa.

You will need to register as a Clearing Agent if you wish to clear other people’s shipments through South African Customs, either for profit or as a service.

Clearing Agent registration must be renewed every year between October and December for the following year.

There are additional security requirements from South African customs for carrying bonded cargo. A Remover of Goods in Bond needs to register their own Bond at Customs. A Transporter (previously known as Road Hauler) can use their client’s Bond. Further information on these services is given in our blog on moving bonded goods.

Applicants need to provide South African customs with a security for their Bond to the approximate value of the VAT and Import Duty of the goods that they plan to carry. This security tends to be in the form of an insurance policy or a Bank Guarantee.

You need to be registered for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in order to have electronic communication with South African customs.

SARS (South African Revenue Service) is legally authorized to require electronic communication, so as to increase efficiency and reduce errors. There are numerous benefits for customers, which include:

• full automation requiring little or no intervention by either party;
• a 24 hour window for submission and acceptance of declarations;
• faster cargo retrieval due to reduced clearance times.