First Day Abroad

Customs and duty-free allowances in South Africa

Part of the South Africa arrival guide.

This information may change. Always check the official source.Last verified: August 2026 by

Bringing things into South Africa

Duty-free allowance
  • 200 cigarettes
  • 1 L of spirits, 2 L of wine
  • ZAR 5,000 of other goods
Cash to declare
ZAR 25,000 or more

The threshold covers cash and equivalents carried by one traveller. Not declaring it is what causes the money to be seized, not the amount itself.

South Africa's allowances are ordinary, and the rules worth reading are about what may not leave: wildlife products of any kind.

  • The allowance is 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine per adult, plus ZAR 5,000 of other goods duty-free.
  • ZAR 25,000 or more in cash must be declared, and there are exchange-control rules on top of the customs ones.
  • Ivory, rhino horn and wildlife products may not be exported. South Africa prosecutes this seriously, and items sold in markets as bone or antique are the ones that cause trouble.
  • The green and red channels at OR Tambo are staffed and the green one is sampled, so goods bought abroad are worth declaring if they are near the limit.
  • Plant and seed material needs a permit, which matters for the succulents that tourists buy in the Cape - several species are also protected.
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Sources (1)

What this guide was checked against. Rules and prices change — follow the official link before you rely on a detail.