Border Control Operational Coordinating Committee
BCOCC
OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Enq:
Cell:
LM Labuschagne
079 506 8860
GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENTS
REQUIREMENTS
INDEX
Page
DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (DFA)
DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS (DHA) –
NATIONAL IMMIGRATION BRANCH (NIB)
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DOA)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) – PORT HEALTH
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES (SAPS)
SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICES (SARS) – CUSTOMS
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DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (DFA)
GUIDELINES ON THE USAGE OF STATE PROTOCOL LOUNGES
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MINISTER + 2
DEPUTY MINISTER + 1
Operational Hours: 06:00-22:00 and flights scheduled outside of these hours upon request
Reservation of the State Protocol Lounge (SPL) by fax on official reservation form obtainable
from the SPL, by Note Verbale or in writing on official documentation from the requesting guest
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
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Flight arrival times are monitored on a flight monitor and verified telephonically through Flight
Operations by the Protocol Officer assigned to each flight
VIP’s are met at the aircraft by a Protocol Officer and driven or conducted to the SPL
Accompanying greeting Embassy / Mission / International Organisation official to meet VIP at
the aircraft limited to one (1)
Number of local Embassy / Mission / International Organisation officials allowed inside SPL
limited to two (2)
Passports, tickets and luggage tags are handed to the Protocol Officer
Passports are taken to Immigration for processing by the Protocol Officer
Luggage is collected, identified and taken through Customs by the Protocol Officer
Passports are presented to Customs with the Customs Declaration Form together with the
luggage and brought to the VIP in the SPL
In the event that luggage is lost, an official from the delegation / Embassy / Mission is
conducted to the airline and has to complete all relevant documentation personally
VIP departs SPL
DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
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VIP’s hand over passports, tickets and luggage to the Protocol Officer, if not already checkedin by a representative from their Embassy / Mission
Number of local Embassy / Mission officials inside the SPL is limited to two (2)
Excess luggage costs are covered entirely by the VIP
The Protocol Officer takes the passports and boarding passes to Immigration for processing
Boarding times are monitored on the flight monitor and verified telephonically through the
airline boarding gates by the Protocol Officer
Boarding passes are taken to the allocated gates for pre-boarding
VIP’s are driven / conducted to their flights / aircraft by the Protocol Officer
Accompanying greeting Embassy / Mission / International Organisation official limited to one
(1)
Airlines are not obliged to wait for VIP’s if they are late
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DEPARTMENT OF HOME AFFAIRS (DHA) – NATIONAL IMMIGRATION BRANCH (NIB)
All visitors to South Africa must hold valid passports. All passports must be valid for at least 30
days beyond the expected date of departure from the Republic and must furthermore have at least
one unused visa page when presented for endorsements.
PASSPORT HOLDERS WHO ARE EXEMPT FROM VISAS FOR SOUTH AFRICA
The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) of the foreign
countries / territories / international organisations listed below are not required to hold a visa when
reporting to an immigration officer for an examination at a South African port of entry, subject to
the terms and conditions set out in this list, including inter alia the intended period of stay in the
Republic.
1. The holder of a national South African passport, travel document and document for travel
purposes.
2. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official or ordinary) of the
following countries / territories / international organisations is not required to hold a visa in
respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person
contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic & official visit] for an intended stay of 90 days or
less and when in transit:
African Union Laissez Passer
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Botswana
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxemburg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
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Paraguay
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Spain
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom of Great Britain, Northern Ireland, British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and
Jersey, Isle of Man and Virgin Islands.
Republic of Ireland
British Oversees Territories who are in possession of British passports namely: Anguilla,
Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands,
Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St Helena and Dependencies
(Ascension Island, Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha), Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno
Islands, the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and
the Turks and Caicos Island.
Uruguay
Venezuela
United States of America
3. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) of the
following countries / territories / international organisations is not required to hold a visa in
respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person
contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic & official visit] for an intended stay of 30 days or
less and when in transit:
Antigua and Barbuda
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Bolivia
Cape Verde
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Gabon
Guyana
Hong Kong
[only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas
passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports]
Hungary
Jordan
Lesotho
Macau
[only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region
passports (MSAR)]
Malaysia
Malawi
Maldives
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Peru
Poland
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Seychelles
Slovak Republic
South Korea
Swaziland
Thailand
Turkey
Zambia
Zimbabwe
[only in respect of government officials, including police on cross border
investigations]
4. Agreements have also been concluded with the following countries for holders of diplomatic
and official passport holders.
Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official and service passports of the following countries
do not require visas in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by
virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic & official visit] for the
period indicated and transit:
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Belarus
Bulgaria
Cyprus
Comoros
Croatia
Egypt
Guinea
Hungary
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Mexico
(120 days)
(30 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(30 days)
(90 days)
(120 days)
(30 days)
(30 days)
(90 days)
Madagascar
Morocco
Mozambique
Paraguay
Poland
Romania
Rwanda
Slovak
Slovenia
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Vietnam
(30 days)
(30 days)
(90 days)
(120 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(30 days)
(90 days)
(120 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
(90 days)
5.
Notwithstanding this Schedule, a foreigner whose visa exemption has been withdrawn shall
comply with the visa requirements until notified by the Department that his or her visa
exemption has been re-instated by the Department on petition or of its own accord.
6.
Visas are not required by passport holders of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia,
Zambia and Malawi who are entering the Republic as commercial heavy-duty vehicle
drivers provide their visits do not exceed 15 days and on condition that they can produce a
letter confirming their employment with a transport company on entry.
7.
Staff members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who travel on
SADC laissez-passers are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business
visits up to 90 days and transit.
8.
The following categories of the UN as well as their spouses, dependent relatives and other
members of the households are exempt from visa requirements when visiting the Republic
for periods not exceeding 90 days for purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued,
and for official business purposes and transits and when accredited for placement at a UN
mission in the Republic for the duration of their accreditation, provided they are in
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possession of the relevant letters or identification documents to identify themselves at ports
of entry as personnel of an UN agency.
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9.
Holders of United Nations Laissez-passers
Volunteers attached to the UN
Persons involved in any United Nations agency
Persons performing services on behalf of the UN
Members of military forces attending any military related matters with the South African
National Defence Force are exempt from visa and study permit requirements; irrespective
of their duration of stay provided they are in possession of letters of invitation from the
SANDF as well as letters of consent from the military force of which they are members.
They are also permitted to enter the country without passports.
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DoA)
No regulated products are to enter South Africa without an import permit from the Department of
Agriculture of South Africa. All imported products shall comply with the import conditions stated in
the permit. Enhanced enforcement of regulatory services will ensure that regulated products
without necessary documentation and inspection, are intercepted.
PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS:
PRODUCTS REGULATED IN TERMS OF THE AGRICULTURAL PESTS ACT, 1983
1.
PLANTS OR ANY LIVE OR DEAD PART THEREOF WHICH INTER ALIA INCLUDES:
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Rooted plants
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Propagation material (e.g. vegetative, seed, tissue cultures, etc)
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Cut flowers
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Dried plant material
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Timber and unprocessed timber products
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Bark
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Vegetable fibres (e.g. cotton fibre)
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Bamboo and rattan
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Leaf tobacco
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Any unprocessed part of a plant for consumption by humans or animals or for
medicinal purposes or imported to prepare a product for human or animal
consumption (e.g. fruits and vegetables whether fresh or dried, grains, herbs, spices,
rice, nuts, beans, peas and other legume seeds, sugarcane, sprouts, coffee beans,
etc)
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Processed products of plant origin which by their nature or the nature of their
processing may be a risk for the spread of pests (e.g. oil cake)
2.
GROWTH MEDIUMS (E.G. SOIL, PEAT MOSS, COMPOST, ETC)
3.
HONEY OR PRODUCTS CONTAINING HONEY
4.
BEESWAX WHETHER GRANULATED OR NOT
5.
USED APIARY EQUIPMENT
6.
EXOTIC ANIMALS: Means any vertebrate member of the animal kingdom which is not
indigenous to the Republic and include the eggs of such a member, but does not include an
animal to which the Livestock Improvement Act applies (Example Rats)
7.
INSECTS: Means any invertebrate member of the animal kingdom, irrespective of the
stage of development thereof (Example Snails, Earthworm)
8.
PLANT PATHOGENS:
Means any algae fungus, bacterium, virus mycoplasm,
spiroplasm, viroid or rickettsia-like organism, but does not include any pathogen that can
cause a disease in man or animal only.
9.
FRESH WATER FISH AND FRESH WATER CRUSTACEANS
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ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS OR ANIMAL-DERIVED PRODUCTS
The animal Diseases Act, 1984 (Act No.35 of 1984) control the importation of the below
mentioned.
Where applicable, the Meat Safety Act, 2000 (Act No40 of 2000), the animal Improvement Act,
1998 (Act No.62 1998) and Nature Conservation laws are enacted. The veterinary import permit
and the health certificate stating all conditions of import should accompany importation of animals
and animal products
1. Live animals
 Mammals
 Birds
 Reptiles
 Amphibians
2 Genetic material of animals
 Semen
 Embryos
3. Edible products of animals
 Fresh meat, biltong, canned meat, stock powders, polony, ham
 Fresh milk, milk powder, cheese, yogurt
 Eggs, products containing eggs
 Bone-meal, carcass meal
 Kitchen refuse
4. Inedible products of animals
 Hides, skins, wool, hair. feathers, hunting trophies, horns, hooves
 Products intended for pharmaceutical use – glands, organs
5. Biological material
 Pathology specimens – blood samples, biopsies, urine, any secretion or excretion of animals
 Any virus, bacterium, protozoon, fungus, parasite or other organism, which can cause or
transmit an animal disease.
 Any vaccine, serum, toxin, antigen or other product which is either derived from animals or
derived from organisms infectious to animals
6. Contaminated things
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Anything that has been in contact with animals and which could transmit animal’s diseases.
Second-hand cloth or material used for wrapping of animal products.
Empty second hand wool packs
Any bedding which have been used for animals
Any cage, crate, halter, saddle, rope, instrument, etc which have been in contact with
animals.
Any vehicle in which animals or animal product were transported.
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AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY SERVICES AT INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL
OPERATIONAL ACTION PLAN – SEDUPE K9 UNIT (DETECTOR DOGS) AT AIRPORTS
1.
THE CHANNEL FROM THE TARMAC TO THE CAROUSELS
1.1
Passengers arriving on existing scheduled flights will proceed per normal daily operational
procedures via international arrival terminals
Agriculture Detector Dog unit will be at the carousels sniffing for Agricultural Products.
These dogs are trained to detect any illegal agricultural products that may be stashed away
in passengers’ luggage as well as the hand luggage. When detecting agricultural products,
the detector dog will indicate it by sitting down next to that specific bag.
The Detector Dog Handler will then interview the passenger and enquire if they do have
any agricultural products to be declared. The Detector Dog Handler, will request the
passenger to open the bag up.
If any products are found without the required import documentation, it will be detained and
put into the DoA’s special bins, for destruction at a later stage.
Agricultural products found at the carousels with the required documentation and
corresponds it with the import permit will be inspected and released.
All detained products are then recorded in a detention register.
A certificate of destruction can also be sent to the passenger on request to indicate that the
product detained was indeed incinerated.
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OPERATIONAL ACTION PLAN - AIRPORTS
AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY SERVICES AT INTERNATIONAL ARRIVAL
1.
THE CHANNEL FROM THE TARMAC TO THE CUSTOMS SEARCH AREA
1.1
Passengers arriving on existing scheduled flights will proceed per normal daily
operational procedures via international arrival terminals
Dog unit will be at the carousels sniffing for Agricultural Products
Officials of NDA will be on duty at the carousels and at the Customs search area
Dumping bins will be placed at the arrival halls properly marked and at Customs search
areas
A shift manager will be on duty to oversee problems arising from operations
If the shift manager can not take a decision the problem must be reported to the port
manager. All incidents must be reported to the JOC and the NATJOC
Players, coaches and other officials associated with the team with properly marked
luggage will not be search at the custom search area only at the carousels by the
dogs of Agriculture to minimize the impact and smooth flow of these people
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1.7
B.
CUSTOMS SEARCH AREA
1.
In case where passenger failed to declare any regulated agricultural products:
1.1
The DoA official will request to search certain passengers and luggage for undeclared
agricultural products in their possession – DoA will do the physical search of all luggage;
Any undeclared agricultural products found will be inspected and assessed by the
DoA official;
If these products do not need an import permit it will be released to the importer provided
that the products are free from insects and pathogens and therefore poses no risk to the
Agricultural Industry;
If the products do need an import permit it will be confiscated and detained by the DoA for
destruction; and.
The DoA official will place the confiscated agricultural products in the dumping bin provided
in the green line.
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
2.
THE CHANNEL VIA THE RED LINE
If any passenger declares regulated agricultural products, without an import permit;
2.1
The passenger will either dump products in bins provided or will approach Customs or a
DoA official with agricultural products that have to be declared;
2.2
The DoA official will inspect and assess these declared products;
2.3
If such products do not need an import permit it will be released to the importer provided
that the products are free from insects and pathogens and poses no threat to South African
Agriculture; and
2.4.1 If such products do need an import permit it will be confiscated and placed in a dumping bin
for destruction, by the DoA.
3.
THE CHANNEL VIA THE RED LINE
If any passenger declares regulated agricultural products, with an import permit;
3.1
The passenger will approach Customs or DoA officials and present relevant import
documents;
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3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
3.7
3.8
3.9
The DoA official will check documents and inspect the imported products;
If the documents and the products comply with the SA import conditions it will either be
released or detained for quarantine according to the permit instructions;
If the document and the products do not comply with SA import conditions the products will
be detained for quarantine until a PRA (Definition) is done and a final decision is taken;
If the goods are detained the DoA official will complete a detention form in triplicate;
The importer will receive the original, the first copy will be filed and the second copy will
accompany the detained products to the laboratory;
Detained products will be stored in the Customs storage facility until collection or to be sent
to the laboratory by the DoA;
The detained products must be collected or send on a daily basis to the laboratory in
Pretoria for PRA; and
The PRA will determine whether the products will be released, quarantined or destructed.
AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY SERVICES IN THE STATE PROTOCOL LOUNGE
1.
1.1
1.2
1.3
STATE PROTOCOL LOUNGE (SPL)
A dumping bin will be placed at the SPL to facilitate the dumping of agricultural products;
Satellite Customs offices will be established in the SPL;
The Agricultural shift managers will request passengers to declare agricultural products and
check DoA required documentation; and
1.4.1 A DoA shift manager will be on duty to handle any problems arising from operations in the
SPL
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) – PORT HEALTH
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR PASSENGERS ENTERING INTO SOUTH AFRICA YELLOW FEVER
According to International Health Regulations, a valid Yellow Fever Certificate is required
from all passengers over one year of age coming from an endemic area.
The following actions can be taken for a passenger arriving in South Africa without a valid
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate.
Foreigners: Be kept under quarantine for 6 days (at own cost)
 Be vaccinated against Yellow Fever (at own cost)
 Be sent back immediately to the port of embarkation.
Returning SA Citizens: Be kept under quarantine for 6 days (at own cost)
 Be vaccinated against Yellow Fever (at own cost).
List of Countries for which a Yellow Fever Certificate is required for Entry into SA:Angola
Benin
Bolivia
Brazil
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Africa Republic
Chad
Colombia
Congo
Congo Democratic Republic
Cote d’ Ivore
Ecuador
Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia
French Guiana
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea – Bissau
Guyana
Kenya
Liberia
Mali
Niger
Nigeria
Panama
Peru
Rwanda
Sao Tome & Principe
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Somalia
Sudan
Suriname
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Venezuela
MEDICINE
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All scheduled medicine for personal use must be accompanied by a prescription issued
by a doctor.
A supply for 30 days will be allowed authorized by a Port Health Officer.
FOODSTUFFS AND COSMETICS
All foodstuffs and cosmetics must comply with the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants
Act (Act 54 of 1972).
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SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICES (SAPS)
All Departments responsible for hosting events must furnish SAPS with flight details of VIP
in attendance.
All foreign security personnel must adhere to the SA fire-arm policy which can be obtained
from DFA.
Only Airport VIP protection unit will be allowed to fetch or accompany VIP to or from
aircraft and no additional permits will be issued for that purpose.
14
SOUTH
AFRICAN
REVENUE
SERVICES
(SARS)
–
CUSTOMS
CURRENCY DECLARATION
Any person entering or leaving South Africa must declare cash to Customs
 Currency in excess of five thousand(R 5000, 00) RSA notes must be seized under the
Exchange Control Regulation 3(6) of the SARB.
 In terms of passengers departing, passengers removing foreign currency must provide
proof of purchase from an authorised dealer. Passenger should not exceed their
allowance of foreign currency equitable to R 500 000.00.
 Foreign citizen in possession of foreign currency, must show proof of the currency or
alternatively provide proof that the money was imported into the country when the Pax
arrived into S.A.
HANDLING OF DONATIONS TO CHARITY ORGANISATIONS (NGO)
 All charity organisations must present the DTI certificate of registration / import permit
for second hand goods on clearance of goods.
 Non-presentation of the DTI certificate, goods are to be detained and passenger given
7 days to make due clearance, failing which the goods are to be seized and removed to
the state warehouse.
For exemptions, contact Gideon Lourens on 012 422 400 or 012 422 6845.
EXCESS CURRENCY
This procedure seeks to enable effective control and administration of any South African
excess currency or foreign currency brought into or taken out of the Republic.
This procedure applies to every person who is about to enter / has entered, who is about
to exit / has exited the Republic from / to countries outside the common monetary area
through any recognised place of arrival / departure and who has in his / her possession
South African banknotes in excess of R5 000 or any foreign currency.
This procedure applies only to countries falling outside the Common Monetary Area
(CMA). There is no restriction of the movement of foreign currency and / or Rand within
the CMA.
DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS
Act
Appropriate officer
Authorised dealer
CMA
Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964
Any officer of Customs and excise or
immigration, any member of the South
African Police Service or any person
authorised by the Treasury to act as such
A person authorised by the Treasury to deal
in gold or foreign exchange
Common Monetary Area, which consist of
The Republic of South Africa;
The Republic of Lesotho;
The Republic of Namibia; and
The Kingdom of Swaziland
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Foreign currency
Gold
Goods
Money
Republic
SARB
Security
Treasury
Any currency which is not legal tender in
the Republic, including bills of exchange,
letters of credit, money orders, promissory
notes, traveller’s cheques or any other
instrument for payment in a currency unit
which is not legal tender in the Republic
Gold in any form, except in Regulations 2
and 5 of the Exchange Control Regulations
(gold other than wrought gold)
Includes all wares, articles, merchandise,
animals, currency, matter or things
Includes foreign currency or any bill of
exchange or other negotiable instrument
The Republic of South Africa
South African Reserve Bank
Shares,
stock,
bonds,
debentures,
debenture stock, unit certificates or any
document conferring or containing any
evidence of rights in respect of any security
The Minister of Finance or an officer in
National Treasury who by virtue of the
division of work in that Department deals
with the matter on the authority of the
Minister of Finance
POLICY
Although currency is included in the definition of goods, it cannot be classified in terms of
the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964 tariff, which means that no duty is payable
thereon. VAT is also exempt thereon.
The Exchange Control Regulations published in terms of Section 9 of the Currency and
Exchanges Act No. 9 of 1933 vests the control over the Republic’s foreign currency
reserves in the Treasury.
Exchange Control Regulation 3(1) stipulates that subject to any exemption which may be
granted by the Treasury, no person shall, without permission granted by the Treasury or a
person authorised by the Treasury and in accordance with such conditions as the Treasury
or such authorised person may impose –
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take or send out of the Republic any bank notes, gold, securities and foreign currency,
or transfer any securities from the Republic elsewhere;
send, consign or deliver bank notes, gold, securities or foreign currency to any person
for the purpose of taking, sending or removing such bank notes, gold, securities or
foreign currency out of the Republic;
take any South African bank notes into the Republic or send or consign any such notes
to the Republic; or
make any payments to, or in favour, or on behalf of a person resident outside the
Republic, or place any sum to the credit of such person.
16
Customs officers are empowered in terms of Regulation 1 of the Exchange Control
Regulations to search for and seize bank notes, gold, securities and / or foreign currency
that exceed the amounts allowed.
Exchange Regulations 3(5) and / or 3(8) states that bank notes, gold, securities and / or
foreign currency seized shall be forfeited for the benefit of the National Revenue Fund.
The Treasury may, in its discretion, direct that it be refunded or returned, in whole or in
part, to the person from whom it was taken or who was entitled to have custody or
possession thereof at the time it was seized. Excess currency seized must therefore be
handed over to the SARB.
Limitations on the movement of bank notes and foreign currency:
TYPE OF
CURRENCY
SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENTS
VISITORS
IN
OUT
IN
OUT
R5 000
R5 000
R5 000
To the value of R160
000 per adult and R50
000 per child under the
age of 12, per calendar
year out of the
Republic.
Prior clearance from an
authorised dealer (on
an official letterhead)
must be produced to
Customs as proof.
Without such clearance
only an amount
equalling R5 000 is
allowed per person.
Unlimited Unlimited on
condition that
the amount
was originally
declared when
entering the
South African R5 000
bank notes
Foreign
Unlimited on
Currency
condition that the
amount is
exchanged at an
authorised dealer
within 30 days of
entering the
Republic.
PROCEDURE
1.

SOUTH AFRICAN RESIDENTS
Declaration
o South African residents returning to or leaving from the Republic shall furnish a
Customs officer with full particulars of all goods in his / her possession. This
includes declaring whether or not he / she have with him / her any bank notes.
o The declaration made by such person shall for the purposes of the Act be
deemed to be due entry for home consumption or export, respectively.
o A formal verbal declaration may be made but must be supported by a written
declaration prior to a search being conducted.
o In the case where the resident is entering the Republic, the DA 331 must be
used for this written declaration.
o Such person must answer fully and truthfully all questions put to him / her by the
officer and, if required by the officer to do so, produce and open such goods for
inspection.
17
o If necessary the person may be searched.


Any person leaving or entering the Republic is only allowed to carry R5 000 in South
Africa bank notes with him / her.
No Kruger Rand coins may be exported from South Africa without the prior approval of
the Exchange Control Department of the South African Reserve Bank.
With regards to the above the following situations, as examples, may occur:
DECLARED BY RESIDENT
R10 000
Nil – R5 000
Nil

FOUND
SEARCH
R10 000
DURING ACTION TAKEN BY
CUSTOMS OFFICER
Seize R5 000
Hand R5 000 back
R10 000
Seize R5 000
The
person
mis- Hand R5 000 back
declared
/
under
declared.
R10 000
Seize R10 000
Caution must be taken
of
the
specific
circumstances
surrounding the case.
Exemptions
o It might happen that a resident has a certain Rand amount in excess of R5 000,
which he / she intends to use in paying import duties. This is acceptable where
he / she have made use of the Red Channel.
o Temporary export of household and personal effects as well as jewellery in
excess of R50 000 require a form NEP to be issued by an authorised dealer. In
excess of R200 000 requires the prior approval of the Exchange Control
Department of the SARB.
o Authorised dealers must bring to the notice of their customers that in terms of
the provisions of Exchange Control Regulation 2(4) foreign exchange provided
may only be utilised for the purpose for which it was made available. Foreign
currency may be purchased by a traveller 60 days before the date of departure.
o When providing foreign exchange, authorised dealers must inform their
customers that in terms of the provisions of Exchange Control Regulation 2(5)
any unused foreign exchange must be resold forthwith to an authorised dealer
on their return to this country.
o Residents who become entitled to sell or to procure sale of any foreign currency
shall within 30 days after becoming so entitled make a declaration in writing of
such foreign currency to the Treasury or to an authorised dealer.
o No person shall, except with permission granted by the Treasury and in
accordance with such conditions as the Treasury may impose enter into any
transaction whereby capital or any right to capital directly or indirectly is
exported from the Republic.
o The movement of bulk foreign currency and Rand from the Republic requires the
prior approval of the Exchange Control Department.
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2.
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3.
VISITORS
When visitors are in transit there is no obligation on them to declare any foreign
currency which they may have in their possession unless challenged by a Customs
officer. However, no action can be taken regarding a visitor in transit.
Declaration
o Visitors entering or leaving to the Republic shall furnish a Customs officer with
full particulars of all goods in his / her possession. This includes declaring
whether or not he / she have with him / her any bank notes.
o The declaration made by such person shall for the purposes of the Act be
deemed to be due entry for home consumption or export, respectively.
o A formal verbal declaration may be made but must be supported by a written
declaration prior to a search being conducted.
o In the case where the visitor is entering the Republic, the DA 331 must be used
for this written declaration.
o Such person must answer fully and truthfully all questions put to him /her by the
officer and, if required by the officer to do so, produce and open such goods for
inspection.
o If necessary the person may be searched.
There is no limitation on the amount of foreign currency entering the Republic.
o Where a visitor has declared foreign currency in his / her possession the
Customs officer must date stamp, print name and sign the original DA 331
verifying the amount in question, which must be retained by the visitor as proof.
o A copy thereof must be retained by Customs for record purposes.
o When leaving the Republic the visitor will then be in a position to justify the
amount of foreign currency which he / she may have in his / her possession.
There is no limitation on the amount of foreign currency that a visitor may have in his /
her possession when leaving the Republic, on condition that proof can be provided that
the amount involved was originally declared when entering the Republic or that the
amount was obtained from an authorised dealer (official printed document).
Visitors may take up to 15 Kruger Rand coins with them out of the Republic provided
they can prove that the coins were acquired with foreign currency brought with them
into the Republic.
APPEAL
Where currency has been seized the resident / visitor and / or his / her legal representative
may make representations to the Exchange Control Department of the South African
Reserve Bank as to why the whole or part of the bank notes should be refunded or
returned to him / her.
4.
REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANA
The Republic of Botswana does not form part of the Common Monetary Area and
therefore the same requirements apply to South African residents and visitors entering or
leaving the Republic as set out in paragraphs 5.1 and 5.2.
Even in cases where business transactions are concluded between the Republic and
Botswana (goods delivered and payment received) which results in receiving payment in
cash, the same conditions will apply.
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5.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on exchange controls an Exchange Control Manual has been
published and can be accessed at the following website address www.reservebank.co.za.
The Reserve Bank can also be contacted at (012) 313 3911 requesting the Exchange
Control Department.
6.
QUALITY RECORDS
Completed forms as listed below:
Number
DA 331
NEP Form
Title
Customs Declaration
No Exchange Provided For
(SARB form)
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