It is very tempting to take some German goodies with you when you travel to South Africa, and while most items are allowed, please be aware that there are restrictions.
 Here is a link to a pdf file from SARS with the customs requirements when entering and leaving South Africa.
A more comprehensive list of prohibited, restricted and counterfeit goods from SARS can be found here. You can download it as a spreadsheet.
Below are some examples from this list, but please refer to the complete list mentioned above.
Prohibited goods
- Narcotics:
All narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as habit-forming drugs such
as cannabis, heroin, cocaine, Mandrax, Ecstasy and any paraphernalia relating to
their use. - Firearms, weapons and ammunition:
Fully automatic, military and unnumbered weapons, explosives and fireworks and
weapons of mass destruction. - Poison and other toxic substances
- Cigarettes with a mass of more than 2kg per 1000
- Goods to which a trade description or trademark is applied in contravention of any
Act (for example, counterfeit goods) - Unlawful reproductions of any works subject to copyright, and
- Prison-made and penitentiary-made goods.
Restrictions
Certain goods may only be imported if you are in possession of the necessary authority/permit. Examples are:
- Firearms / Weapons
- Gold coins
- Excess currency (cash, banknotes etc.)
- Unprocessed minerals (e.g. gold, diamonds, etc.)
- Animals, plants and their products (e.g. animal skins, dairy products, honey)
- Medicine (excluding sufficient quantities for three months for own personal treatment accompanied by a letter or certified prescription from a registered physician)
- Herbal products (Department of Health permit required)
Duty free allowances
- No more than 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars per person
- No more than 250g of cigarette or pipe tobacco per person
- No more than 50ml perfume and 250ml eau de toilette per person
- No more than 2 litres of wine per person
- No more than 1 litre in total of other alcoholic beverages per person
Medicinal products
Travellers may import their personal medicaments provided it is for not more than three (3) months’ use. This must be accompanied by a prescription issued by a medical doctor.
References
- The South African Revenue Service – Customs Home page
- SARS – Information for Travellers
Flyer
You can print a flyer from this the SARS website
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