IMPORT

Under what processes may goods be imported into the Republic?

• home consumption i.e. direct entry into SACU countries (duty is paid on importation or under rebate / relief from duties under specific circumstances / conditions);
• warehousing (pending payment of duty or re-export)
• transit / in bond movements within the country or through South Africa beyond the borders of SACU;
• temporary admission into SACU including inward processing (for manufacturing purposes and subsequent exportation).

How long will I be allowed to make a declaration?

What happens if goods are not declared on time?

What is the clearance process?

Import Control

If you want to import controlled or used and second-hand personal or individual goods into South Africa, you need permission from ITAC.

To import such goods, you have to apply to ITAC for an import permit.
In the administration of the relevant provisions of the ITA Act, by Import and Export Control a distinction is drawn between the importation of new goods and used goods, second-hand and waste and scrap.

Some of the products subject to import control include:

Radioactive chemical elements
Control is exercised to assist the Department of Health (radiation control) to control and monitoring the importation of radioactive isotapes and chemical elements for medical and industrial purposes.

New pneumatic tyres
Control is exercised to assist the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) in ensuring that all new pneumatic tyres comply with the safety/quality specification and that tyres have been subjected to a process of homolation.

Chemicals listed in the 1988 Convention
Control is exercised to assist the SAPS in ensuring that importers/exporters of listed chemicals are recorded and the movements of these chemicals are adequately monitored as required by the Convention.

Fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are controlled to assist the Department of Mineral Resources in regulating the industry for purposes of promoting efficient manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing of petroleum products, creating an environment for investment, and creating small business and employment opportunities in the industry.

Arms and ammunition
Arms and ammunition is controlled to assist the SAPS with maintaining safety and security.

Gambling devices
Gambling devices are controlled for social reasons and quality. It is also done to assist the National Gambling Board in the development of the industry with specific reference to manufacturing and Information Technology and to ensure compliance with NRCS specifications.

Used goods

• Used electronic equipment
  Used electronic equipment is controlled to assist the Department of Environmental Affairs to address the problem of dumping electronic waste.
• Used medical equipment
  Used medical equipment is controlled to assist the Department of Health to address the problem of inferior quality used medical equipment being imported, such as used x-ray machines.
• Used aircraft
  The importation of used aircraft is controlled to assist the Civil Aviation Authority and ensuring that the requirements of airworthiness have been complied with.
• Waste and scrap
  Waste and scrap is controlled as the generation of waste and scrap exceeds recycling programmes resulting in many developed countries paying developing countries for receiving waste and scrap for purpose of landfill. In many instances the importation of waste and scrap is allowed as a raw material for manufacturing purposes such as waste paper, glass, rubber and lead. In all these instances, the provisions of the Basel Convention must be complied with.

Legislation

The following legislation and provisions applies to an importer or exporter only in cases where an import and export permit is required: International Trade Administration Act, 2002, (Act 71 of 2002).

Customs and Excise Act, 1964, (Act 91 of 1964).
Promotion to Administrative Justice Act, 2000, (Act 3 of 2000).
Promotion to Access to Information Act, 2000, (Act 2 of 2000).

How to apply and the processing procedures

Import Permits

The application forms for Import Permits are found below. The forms may be faxed to (012) 394 0517 or delivered directly to the office. The office address is found below.

The turnaround time for processing applications is, on average, three to five working days. In some instances, the applications require support documentation from other departments (DEA, Mineral Resources Energy, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, NRCS and SAPS), depending on the product in question.

Regulations