Porhibited And Restricted Items

UPS International (South Africa)


Additional Import Documentation
The Declaration of Origin (Form DA 59) must accompany goods exported to South Africa which are subject to anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguard duties or in respect of which import restrictions are imposed in South Africa against imports from specific countries or territories, and imported from a country or territory other than that for which the duty and /or import restriction is imposed.

Customs may require the Declaration of Origin for clarification with regard to the declaration or any other documentation pertaining to proof of origin or proof of preferential trade of the goods. Shipments must be stopped until the DA 59 is provided by the exporter.

When the form is required, exporters or suppliers must provide at least one original signed copy. A Chamber of Commerce Certification or a Customs stamp is not required.

Goods under IATA Special Provisions A67 require a MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).

It is not required for all, however shipments can be held by local authority in United Arab Emirates after screening due to lack of MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) or NON DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration letter from the shipper resulting to misconnections and impacting end-to-end service.

It would be advisable for all shipments originating, transiting and terminating for UAE to have MSDS or NON DG declaration from shipper enclosed in the shipment and copies to be uploaded in IDIS.

Additional Export Documentation
No Information found on this topic for the selected country or territory.
Additional Clearance Information
Delays will occur for clearance of import shipments to South Africa due to SARS (South African Revenue Service) revenue drive taking place as an ongoing project.

It is very important for origin stations and shippers to declare the correct export value on the commercial invoice. If detained, SARS will request for the commercial invoice and Bank proof of payment. It is important not to under declare.

Please note: Customs will raise possible penalty of R2500.00 + 10% of the VAT for due clearances not done within the prescribed time (14 days) from the date the shipment arrives in the country or territory.

Please note that not only the value(s) of the commodity/commodities have to be considered when calculating duty and tax, but also the freight charge and other fees.
Credit card payments are accepted upon delivery for freight and import charges by this destination. Contact UPS or the UPS service partner in the destination country or territory to determine which credit cards are accepted.

Restrictions may apply for freight collect shipments from the origin country or territory. Contact UPS or the UPS service partner in the origin country or territory prior to shipping.

UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

The importer or exporter must provide a registration number for each import or export declaration. Commercial importers or exporters must provide their registered Importer/Exporter code. Importers or exporters who have no registered code available must apply with SARS for an importer/exporter code.

Private individuals must provide a South African ID number or a SARS (South African Revenue Service) Tax Reference Number.

Foreign entities can register with SARS as a foreign principal and appoint a local registered agent.

A missing registration number may cause delays.

Areas Served
Service is provided to and from certain cities.
UPS cannot deliver to a P.O. Box address. All packages require a consignee's contact name and complete street address including apartment, suite or unit number if applicable. The consignee's telephone number should be provided if known.

Saturday, Sunday, and official holidays.
Spring +0200/ Fall +0200
English
Rand(ZAR)
Billing Options
  • Shipping charges can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
  • When billing the receiver, either the shipper or receiver's account number is required.
  • When billing to a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
  • Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, receiver or a third party.
  • When billing a third party, the third party's name, country or territory and account number are required.
  • If the duties and taxes are billed to an account outside of the destination country or territory, a "Duty and Tax Forwarding" surcharge will be applied.
  • Please note the following third party billing exceptions:
    • Shipments to and from the same country or territory (domestic shipments) cannot be billed to third party payors in other countries or territories. For example, shipments from Mexico to Mexico or Canada to Canada cannot be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. This rule does not apply to UPS domestic services in European Union countries or territories. For example, shipments from Germany to Germany can be billed to a third party payor in the U.S. (as long as the payor is a business and has a VAT or Tax/EIN ID on file with UPS).
  • When paying by credit card, check, or cash, only the shipper can be billed the shipping charges
Commodity Specific Stipulations

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to South Africa. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

The import of medicines or other scheduled substances is regulated and the importer must be licensed in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, and, in respect of unregistered medicines, is authorized (by virtue of a permit issued by the Medical Control Council) to import such unregistered medicines.

Ports of entry are limited to Johannesburg International Airport and the airports and harbours of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban only.

For further information regarding the import/export of this product, please visit www.mccza.com - Documents -Guidelines - Miscellaneous.

Data shipments require an invoice with the value of the data and the value of the CD-ROM or disk.
The import of medicines or other scheduled substances is regulated and the importer must be licensed in terms of the Medicines and Related Substances Act, and, in respect of unregistered medicines, is authorized (by virtue of a permit issued by the Medical Control Council) to import such unregistered medicines.

Ports of entry are limited to Johannesburg International Airport and the airports and harbours of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban only.

For further information regarding the import/export of this product, please visit www.mccza.com - Documents -Guidelines - Miscellaneous.

The following shipments require an Import Permit:
  • petroleum products
  • raw and scrap metal
The invoice should include a description of the part, the part's components, and the machine that will use the part.
The invoice must include a detailed description of the sample and indicate whether the sample is marked or mutilated. No more than six items are allowed per consignment.
All textile products originating or manufactured in China require a Certificate of Origin (DA59)to be imported.
Data shipments require an invoice with the character of the USB stick (storing intercompany data) and the value of the USB Stick.
Gift Exemptions
1400.00 Rand ZAR
individual-to-individual
per shipment

In addition to a detailed description of each item, write additional comments of "gift shipment" on the invoice and in the Special Instructions box of the UPS Waybill to insure a proper assessment of duties and taxes. Gift shipments to and from private individuals are limited to 2 packages per year.

Private importers are only allowed to import 3 times a year (including non-gift shipments) without an importers code, before penalties are assessed. Please also refer to Additional Clearance Information.

Invoice Requirements
Non-document shipments to South Africa must include 1 original and 2 copies of an invoice.

The invoice must be electronically generated, in or translated into English and include a value for the shipment. No handwritten invoices and Proforma Invoices will be accepted.

To facilitate clearance, the air waybill tracking number should be included on the invoice.

Shipments being exported to South Africa must be accompanied by a commercial invoice in foreign currency and not the local currency (ZAR) as per Section 73 of the Customs & Excise Act of South Africa.

The only time the local currency(ZAR) will be accepted on an invoice, will be if the importer has a Forward Exchange Contract with the South African Reserve Bank. The FEC number must be inserted on the commercial invoices accompanying the shipment.

The Importer of record on the courier waybill and on the commercial invoices must correspond in order to customs clear. If possible, endorse the importers code and vat number for the South-African registered company on the commercial invoices.

Shipments of documents do not require an invoice.

The consignee's telephone number, mobile number and email address if available, should appear on the invoice.


UPS Paperless Invoice is available for small package exports from this country or territory.

UPS Paperless Invoice is accepted by Customs for small package imports into this country or territory.

Items Classified as Documents

The destination country or territory considers the following items document shipments. If criteria are listed, the shipment must meet those criteria to be considered a document shipment.

Cash letters are defined as follows: A letter given to someone showing that they can get a loan for the amount of money on the letter. Negotiable items include banker's drafts, bearer bonds, bearer share certificates, bonds, cashier checks, cash letters, checks (both unused and written), credit cards, letters of credit, lottery tickets, money orders, promissory notes, stocks, traveler's checks, (both unused and written). The value of a negotiable items is its paper value, reissue amount, or stop payment fee (not the issue amount).
Tickets for events like stage performances, football matches or concerts can be sent as documents.

Event tickets coming from a printing company and sent to the organizer of the event or ticket sales offices can not be sent as documents.

Up to 15 Kgs
Intercompany mail shipments require an invoice only if the shipment is for non-commercial purposes.
The waybill must include a description of intercompany mail.
The value should be of no commerical value or zero value.
Shipments not meeting this criteria require an invoice.
Commercial mail with a value greater than zero is considered a non-doument and requires an invoice.
Must be personalized to be considered documents.

UPS can recommend which forms you need based on a few simple criteria. Forms can be completed online or printed. See which forms you need.
Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

In addition to the prohibited commodities listed here, it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to South Africa.

Alcoholic beverages are subject to excise duty. The importation of alcoholic beverages can only be accepted on a contractual basis through an International Special Commodities (ISC) contract.

Shipments of alcohol to private individuals are prohibited even if shipped under ISC contract.

If import is of a non-commercial nature, then a Import Exemption Certificate will be required from the department of Agriculture.

If import is of commercial nature, a Liquor License and B - Code permit will be required from the department of Agriculture.

An invoice with an adequate description and country or territory of origin is required.

Shipments of Lithium Metal Batteries are prohibited on Emirates Airlines flights which UPS uses to this destination country or territory.

Alternative arrangements are in place, but expect transit delays if the normal planned flow of the package is via Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Time in Transit may be extended due to solution found.

Passports can only be transported from Embassy in origin country or territory to Embassy in South Africa.
Customers must use an authorized UPS / MBE (Mail Boxes Etc) Store, UPS Customer Center or an ISC approved shipper to ship personal effects. The UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc., UPS Customer Center and ISC approved shipper will be required to identify personal effect shipments on the shipping label by placing "ISC-Personal Effects" in the Reference Field of a UPS "smart" label or in the Special Instructions Field of a UPS waybill. They must also clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' shipment on the Commercial Invoice.

Personal Effects are classified as used items (owned for a minimum of 6 months) intended for the consignee's personal use. Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. "Personal Effects" must be clearly stated on the invoice and goods description.

Passports and certain other customs documentation will be required for final clearance purposes.

Prohibited articles listed in the UPS service guide cannot be accepted as personal effects.

Saturday Delivery Available

Saturday Delivery Available: No

Service Options

Always check Calculate Time and Cost for details of service availability and guarantee information within a country or territory. All Service Levels may not be available to or from every address within a country or territory.

  • UPS Early Express/ELD
  • UPS Express
  • UPS Worldwide Expedited
  • UPS Worldwide Express Plus
  • UPS Worldwide Express Saver
  • UPS WorldWide Express Freight
Special Clearance Requirements
Private importers are only allowed to import 3 shipments per year, with a value not exceeding R50 000.00. Thereafter the individual must register as an importer with SARS.

All shipments private or business imported, with a value exceeding R50 000.00, requires a registered importers code for clearance purposes.

Private importers must disclose their full name and surname on the documentation.

Private importers are limited with regards to quantity importations. Commercial quantities will be regarded as importation for resale.

ID number for private individuals must be provided at origin and endorsed on the courier waybill.

ITAC permit must be obtained by the importer for all second hand items/refurbished items, prior to shipping to South Africa. www.itac.org.za or [email protected].

Importers contact details: name/telephone number(landline and mobile number), and e-mail address must be provided and the physical address. No PO Box numbers allowed.

For shipments entering South Africa for repair, paperwork to be lodged, covering the duty and VAT as deposit. Deposit will be refunded once exported back to origin, under customs supervision.

Shipments returning to South-Africa after repair require a full set of export documentation (out of South Africa) under customs supervision and DA65 required to qualify for rebate clearance and exemption of duty and VAT.

If cargo not exported under supervision at time of clearance, SARS requires an import permit from ITAC www.itac.prg.za or [email protected] , along with Duty (if applicable) and VAT payable on the value of the cargo due to failure to comply with the export and re-import procedures.

New requirements have been implemented for small package shipments and are based on the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, which is entitled "Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade". ISPM 15 was adopted internationally in 2002, and is gradually being introduced by countries or territories worldwide. Wood or wood products covered by ISPM 15 include items such as packing cases, boxes, crates, drums or similar packing, pallets, box pallets and other load boards, pallet collars and skids, but exclude such processed woods as orientated strand board, particle board, plywood or veneer, created using glue, heat and pressure or a combinations thereof, and, raw wood which is 6mm or less thick. It is recommended that if a question arises on this issue, please check with the authority that issues the Phytosanitary certificates in your country or territory.

Warranty Returns
When the same unit is returned to the country or territory after repair, the shipper must provide a commercial invoice that shows:

  • The initial purchase price of the product
  • The total cost of the repair (if the importer has to pay for it).

The consignee must provide the initial import documents as well as the prescribed export documents. Duty is then assessed on the cost of repair only. In this case the value of the "repair" cost is zero and must be substantiated by the clause "Repaired Under Warranty" on the commercial invoice. A warranty certificate is also required.

Warranty Replacement
This will be regarded as a new import and full duty and VAT will be assessed. The declared value must be the actual market value of the product. (The importer can ask customs for a refund of the initial paid import charges. Then the initially imported goods must be destroyed under customs supervision, if this is not possible then the importer has to provide the initial import documents as proof of duty & tax payment.)

Value Limits

Private Shipments

  • 500.00 Rand (ZAR)
    • Maximum Value - 500.00 Rand for shipments cleared in Johannesburg
    • Maximum Value - 200.00 Rand for Cape Town
      In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty and tax free.

    Commercial Shipments

  • 500.00 Rand (ZAR)
    • Maximum Value - 500.00 Rand for shipments cleared in Johannesburg
    • Maximum Value - 200.00 Rand for Cape Town
      In most cases, when the value of the shipment is equal to or less than the Deminimis Value, the shipment may enter the country or territory duty and tax free.

    Weight and Size Limits
    70 kg (150 lbs.) per package
    274.00 cm (107.9 in.)  per package
    400.00 cm (157.5 in.)  per package
    Length and girth combined


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