What can I bring into South Africa

Heading home with a suitcase full of German goodies? We get it — who wouldn’t want to share some of their favourite snacks and products! While many personal items are perfectly fine to bring into South Africa, there are specific restrictions and prohibited goods you should be aware of before packing.
To avoid surprises at customs, take a moment to review the official guidelines:

Detailed customs requirements for entering and leaving South Africa are outlined in this
PDF guide from SARS.
For a comprehensive list of prohibited, restricted, and counterfeit items, click
here. You can also download the list as a handy spreadsheet.

Below are just a few examples from the full list, but be sure to check the official sources to stay on the safe side.

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.
Some examples:

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

Goods falling within the following allowances may be brought in without the payment of customs duty and VAT as accompanied baggage:

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 of 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, this includes beer

In addition to personal effects and the above consumable allowances, travellers are allowed new or used goods in his/her accompanied baggage to the value of R5 000 (2025).

A traveller is entitled to these allowances once per person during a period of 30 days after an absence of 48 hours from South Africa.
The tobacco and alcohol allowance does not apply to persons under the age of 18 years.

Medicinal products

Travellers are allowed to bring their personal supply of medication into South Africa, as long as it is intended for their own use and does not exceed a three-month supply. This applies to both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
However, for prescription medication, you must carry a valid prescription or letter from a licensed medical doctor.
Customs officials may ask to see this documentation upon arrival, so keep it in your hand luggage, not your checked bags. If you’re carrying any controlled substances or narcotic medications, it’s especially important to double-check with South African authorities beforehand, as stricter rules may apply.

✈️ Tip: When in doubt, always keep medications in their original packaging, and bring a copy of the prescription in English to avoid unnecessary delays.

Bringing cash into South Africa

According to the SARS Website (2025), “Excess currency in terms of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), Exchange Control Regulation is any amount over R25,000 or any foreign currency which is convertible to Rand in excess of R25,000.
Travellers must obtain written permission from the SARB before entering or leaving South Africa with excess currency.
Travellers may voluntarily declare currency in their possession through the online traveller declaration form or the manual Traveller Card (TC-01). The cash/ currency to be declared includes South African bank notes, foreign currency, securities, and gold.
For more information about Excess currency, see SC-PA-01-06 – Excess Currency – External Policy.”

Also refer to the South African Reserve Bank limitations under the “Individual”

⚠️ Attention: Rules can change without much notice, so it’s always wise to double-check the official SARS and SARB websites before you travel.

References

Always Refer to Official Sources for the Latest Information

Guide/leaflet

You can print this leaflet from SARS for easy reference

South African Passport Holders: Travel with Schengen Visa & Beyond

South African Passport Holders: Travel with Schengen Visa/Residence permit & Beyond Answering your most asked questions about travel to the UK, Egypt, Turkey, Mexico, and beyond. Discover where your South African passport, combined with a Schengen visa or residence permit, opens doors and what you need to know.Not an exhaustive list, but a practical guide for the journeys you’re most curious about. The general rule is that the entry requirements for a country are determined by your passport. Attention South African passport holders with a Schengen visa, temporary or permanent residence in Germany, do not have the same travel privileges as an EU citizen. When you have a multi-entry Schengen Visa, a German Aufenthaltstitel (Temporary Residence permit) without any restrictions, or Schengen permanent residence, you may travel freely within the Schengen area. You can find a list of Schengen Area countries here Note that some EU countries are not part of the Schengen agreement. Here special entry requirements apply, for example, a visa. Travel between South Africa and Germany To travel between Germany and South Africa, with re-entry to Germany, you will need a valid passport, as well as one of the following: a valid multiple-entry Schengen Visa a valid German Aufenthaltstitel (Temporary Residence permit). Make sure there are no restrictions, for example, single entry. If any of these restrictions apply to you, you might not be able to re-enter Germany. If you are unsure, contact the Ausländerbehörde. a valid German permanent residence a valid EU residence permit – make sure there are no restrictions, for example only valid for a specific Schengen country. United Kingdom You need a visa to travel to the UKNorthern Ireland is part of the UK and not part of the EU or the Schengen Area. The Republic of Ireland The Republic of Ireland is part of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area.South African passport holders need a visa to travel to Ireland. The Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has announced that, with effect from Wednesday 10 July 2024, nationals of Botswana and South Africa will be required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland.More information can be found here.The Irish Government also created a pdf with FAQ for South Africans Egypt German citizens need a visa for Egypt, although some resorts are exempt though and one can apply for E-Visas. South African citizens can also apply for an E-Visa or get a visa on arrival, free of charge. You need a passport that is valid for your intended stay and a return ticket. Tunisia Finding information from official sources is difficult, it seems they are working on an E-Consulate website. According to travellers, South Africans do not need a visa for Tunisia for visits shorter than 90 days. You need a passport that is valid for your intended stay and a return ticket. Turkey According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey’s website “Ordinary passport holders are required to have a visa to enter Turkey. They can obtain three-month period multiple entry visas from Turkish representations abroad or one-month period single entry visas via the website www.evisa.gov.tr. Official passport holders are exempted from visa for their travels up to 30 days.” – a comment from one of our FB members “You apply online and get the visa within a few hours. There is no fee. Just print it out and bring it with you.” United States of America No special rules for Schengen residence permit holders. You need a visa to travel to the United States of America. There is an embassy in Berlin, a consulate in Frankfurt and in Munich. Travel with a Schengen Visa/Residence permit Outside the Schengen area, your South African passport determines the entry requirements for the country you want to visit.There are some exceptions where you can use your Schengen residence and in some cases a Schengen visa to travel to specific countries. We try to cover them in the list below, but please refer to the Schengen Visa Info website, they have a list of countries you can travel to with a Schengen visa, but as always confirm that it is still valid with the relevant authorities. Albania You don’t need a visa in the following case: Foreign citizens who have a valid, multiple-entry Schengen visa, which has been previously used in one of the Schengen states, or foreign citizens who have a valid permit of stay in one of the Schengen statesThe maximum allowed period of stay of this category of foreigners is 90 DAYS in any 180 DAY period– Find updated information here Antigua and Barbuda Visa on arrival is granted to persons who hold a valid Schengen Visa or Resident Card Cyprus Holders of valid double or multiple-entry Schengen visas or Bulgarian, Croatian and Romanian national visas, as well as residence permits issued by the Schengen Member States or by Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania, are not required to hold a short-stay visa to enter the Republic of Cyprus for a time period that does not exceed 90 days in any 180 day period. This provision doesn’t apply to citizens of Turkey and Azerbaijan who have to follow the regular visa issuance procedure.– Find updated information from the official website Gibraltar (British territory) Gibraltar is not part of the UK, but unlike all other British Overseas Territories, it was a part of the European Union. It participated in the Brexit referendum and it ceased, by default, to be a part of the EU upon the UK’s withdrawal. On 31 December 2020, Spain and the United Kingdom reached an agreement in principle under which Gibraltar would join the European Union’s Schengen Area. This cleared the way for the European Union and the UK to start formal negotiations on the matter. Elements of the proposed agreement are: Gibraltar (air)ports become entry points of the Schengen area, under the responsibility of Spain Visa for visiting Gibraltar will be Schengen visas and the visa waiver ETIAS. According to the Schengen Info Website, if you have a Schengen Residence permit or multiple entry Schengen visa, you do not need a visa for Gibraltar. According to the Gibraltar Borders Agency: You will need

Travel to SA – Tips

Travel tips for South Africa Are you planning a trip to South Africa? We have some helpful tips to ensure it is a smooth and enjoyable one. However, we know that you may have unique travel experiences and tips that may benefit others. So, don’t hesitate to submit your tips and we can include them on this page. Topics New SARS Traveller declaration South African travellers returning to the country should be aware of the new SARS Traveller Declaration Form, which is currently in its pilot phase. This digital Customs declaration form allows travellers to declare goods they are bringing into South Africa, including dutiable or restricted items. While the system remains voluntary for now, it is expected to become a standard requirement in the future. The online declaration process aims to streamline Customs clearance, improve compliance, and reduce delays at entry points. Travelers can find all relevant information, including step-by-step instructions and updates on the rollout, on the SARS website. International Drivers Licence When you convert your South African driver’s licence to a German licence, you have to hand in your SA card. If you want to drive in South Africa, or any other country outside the EU you need to apply for an International licence from the road traffic authorities (Führerscheinstelle) where you live. Regulation 110 of the Road Traffic Act states that a foreign licence may only be accepted for driving in SA if it is issued in one of the SA’s official languages. Since the German driver’s licence is issued in German (and not English), by law, you need to have an international driver’s licence with you. The International Driver’s License provides a standardized translation of your native language into English, which is one of the official languages in South Africa. This translation helps authorities and rental car agencies understand the details of your driving qualifications without language barriers. Regulation 110 of the Regulations to the National Road Traffic Act states that you need an International licence together with your German driving licence, based on the fact that German driving licences are issued only in German. This approach is also summarised by the Department of Transport on this working instruction to traffic centres that deal with foreign licences: https://www.arrivealive.co.za/documents/foreign%20dl%20and%20idp.pdf (see point 1.2 regarding the handling of foreign driving licences). Here is an extract of Regulation 110: Conditions for acknowledgement and exchange of driving licence not issued in terms of Act, and international driving permit.—(1) Subject to sub-regulation (1A) and (3), a driving licence referred to in section 23 (1) (a) of the Act, issued while the holder of it was not permanently or ordinarily resident in the Republic, shall, for the period for, and subject to the conditions under which it was issued, be deemed to be a valid licence for the purposes of Chapter IV of the Act, if (a) (i) the licence has been issued in one of the official languages of the Republic;or (ii) a certificate of authenticity or validity relating to the licence issued in an official language of the Republic by a competent authority, or a translation of that licence in such an official language, is attached to it.(b) such licence contains or has attached to it, a photograph and the signature of the licence holder. 🚗 Applying for an International Driver’s License in Germany To apply for an international driver’s license, you will need:✔ Your valid German driving license✔ A recent biometric photo💰 Cost: Approximately €16 (as of 2025). 📍 For more details, check your local Straßenverkehrsamt (Road Traffic Office) website or search “Führerschein (international) beantragen” on your web browser. Sim cards, mobile data and Wi-FI Try to find accommodation that offers free Wi-Fi. Many restaurants offer free Wi-Fi. You can use your German number to roam in South Africa. This can become expensive. Rent a mobile phone for your time in South Africa. Vodacom offers phone rentals Read about using Cellucity B4ITravel here. I have not personally used them and have no idea how good the service is. Compare eSims for South Africa on the eSIMDB website Airalo (e-sim). They offer data packs at local rates. The app does not work on all phones. Some Car rental companies offer additional rental of mobile phones and GPS devices 💰 Managing Money for Your Trip to South Africa If you still have bank accounts in South Africa, you can transfer money to these accounts before your trip for easy access. If you do not have a South African bank account, consider these options: 💵 Take Cash with You – Always a risk, but having some cash on hand is useful.💳 Use Your German Credit Card – Ensure it is enabled for foreign transactions. Some banks offer a limited number of free transactions, and you can also withdraw cash from ATMs.🏦 Use Your German Debit Card – If your bank allows international transactions, this can be a convenient option.📝 Traveler’s Cheques – Can be cashed at local banks, though they are less commonly used today.🛒 Cash Withdrawals at Grocery Stores – Some supermarkets allow you to withdraw cash when making a purchase at the cashier.🔄 Keep Exchange Rates & Fees in Mind – Be aware of fluctuating exchange rates and possible transaction fees from your bank.💡 Tip: Always carry some cash, as not all vendors accept cards, especially street vendors and taxis. Travellers entering or leaving South Africa must comply with the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Exchange Control Regulations regarding excess currency. According to these regulations, “excess currency” refers to any amount exceeding R25,000 in South African Rand or the equivalent of R25,000 in foreign currency that can be converted into Rand. (Status 2025) If a traveller intends to carry an amount beyond these limits, they must obtain written permission from SARB before their journey. Additionally, travellers can voluntarily declare any currency they have in their possession either through the online SARS Traveller Declaration Form or by completing the manual Traveller Card (TC-01) upon arrival or departure. The declaration applies not only to cash in the form of South

What can I bring into Germany

It is very tempting to bring some South African goodies with you when you travel to Germany, and while most items are allowed, there are Restrictions. There is also a limit on duty-free allowances.The German Customs Agency is called the Zollampt. The information on this page is mainly aimed at travellers from South Africa (or most countries outside the Schengen Area) to Germany. For rules and restrictions when travelling within the Schengen Area please refer to the German Customs Website When you do your research about what you are allowed to bring into Germany, always keep in mind if the rules apply to travel within the EU, or to countries outside of the EU. The rules are different for each scenario! Duties, taxes and allowances Please note that when you move to Germany, different rules and allowances may apply. You can find more information about transferring residence to Germany on this webpage.For information on normal travel allowances, duties and taxes, please refer to this page Restrictions Below are some examples of restrictions, but please refer to the complete restrictions list for a complete overview: Tobacco and alcoholic products When travelling from outside the EU the following restrictions apply.If the importer is at least 17 years old: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grammes of tobacco or a proportionate combination of these goods. For more information on the allowance that applies (also alcohol) click hereInformation on allowances within the EU see here Medicinal products When entering Germany travellers may bring with them medicinal products in quantities that meet usual personal needs. In such cases the usual personal need of a traveller is seen as being equivalent to a maximum of three months’ supply of the recommended dose of each medicinal product, irrespective of whether the medicinal products were already taken out of Germany and are now being brought back, or whether the products have been purchased abroad. More information can found on the Customs website and in the Medicinal Products Act Animals and plants or products containing animal or vegetable substances Protected species – Many of us find stuffed animals, objects made of animal parts, or plants that are fascinating because they look unusual, attractive. Such souvenirs are often on sale where we go for our holidays. However, it is wise to be extremely cautious. Some examples are exotic skins and fur coats (Zebra skin falls in this category) , Cacti and cactus-like plants, Tillandsia, and orchids. Ivory or elephant leather (for example: ivory sculptures or carvings, elephant leather bags or elephant feet that have been converted into umbrella stands). More info can also be found on the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Products of Animal origin Animal diseases such as swine fever, bird flu or foot and mouth disease are widespread worldwide. There is therefore a constant risk of diseases being introduced that could threaten wildlife.For this reason, the import of live animals and products of animal origin is only permitted after prior inspection by the responsible veterinary authorities and with the required health certificates. In addition, imports are restricted to certain customs offices. When meat or milk, or meat or dairy products such as sausage or cheese are imported for personal consumption they must meet the same veterinary requirements as those applying to commercial imports.This means that travellers who are carrying such products may only enter the European Union through those points of entry where a veterinarian is on duty. The necessary health certificates and a validated Common Veterinary Entry Document – CVED must also accompany the products. This includes Biltong, Droëwors and Evaporated milk from South Africa More information about Biltong from countries outside the EU There seems to be some confusion when referring to an English Zoll page. To quote the relevant paragraph “Products such as the following are excepted from these regulations, and so travellers can import them within the regulation quantity thresholds without any hesitation other animal products than meat or milk and/or meat or milk products up to a weight of two kilogrammes (honey, for example)..” This section must be read carefully and taken into context of the whole page – it does not imply you can bring in 2kg of meat products, but that other animal products like honey are exempt and you can bring in 2kg of honey. The German page is even more clear on this, you can also refer to the Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2122 “Ausgenommen von diesen Regelungen sind z.B. die nachfolgenden Waren. Sie können daher grundsätzlich im Rahmen der angegebenen Höchstmenge durch Reisende mitgebracht werden: Säuglingsnahrung in ungeöffneten Verkaufsverpackungen bis zu zwei Kilogramm, andere als die in Anhang I Teil 2 delegierte Verordnung (EU) 2019/2122 genannten Waren bis zu einem Gewicht von zwei Kilogramm (z.B. Honig).” If you believe you can bring Biltong into Germany, please declare it at customs upon arrival. Customs officials will provide you with the most current information and guidelines. Also, see the EU Rules on the Your Europe official European Union website. It states clearly “If you travel to the EU from a non-EU country, you are not allowed to bring any meat or dairy products with you.” References The German Customs “Zoll” Home page BMEL (Federal Ministry of food and Agriculture) – Importation of products of animal origin for personal consumption and also German regulations on the import of food. Commission Regulation (EC) No 206/2009 regulates the non-commercial introduction of all animal products into the EU. This regulation has been directly applicable law since 1 May 2009. Your Europe – The official website of the European Union Online Tools With the travel tax calculator, you can quickly and easily find out which goods are permitted when entering Germany and what you will probably have to pay if you exceed the travel allowance. The most important customs regulations are summarized on the customs website. The website provides comprehensive information on various topics related to customs, such as what you can bring back from abroad, what the allowances are for specific goods, and what items are prohibited. Being a mindful traveller requires considering the impact of our tourism on the environment. You can use the Species Protection on Vacation