Importation of agricultural and regulated products into the Republic of South Africa during the festive season
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) is making a friendly call to all international travellers who will be visiting South Africa during the festive season, or returning to South Africa after the holidays, to comply with the country’s import requirements for agricultural and related regulated products.
Compliance will assist our country in preventing and/or minimising the potential risk of introducing alien invasive species, foreign pests and diseases that could be associated with imported plants, plant products, animals, animal products and other regulated goods.
South Africa, like other countries, has a crucial mandate and sovereign right to protect its territory, biodiversity and economy against harm, thus it regulates importation of animals and animal products, liquor products, plants and plant products, honey and honey products as well as any other potentially harmful materials from other countries into its territory.
This is in accordance with the country’s relevant legislation, which is aimed at preventing the introduction, establishment and spread of pests and diseases from other parts of the world. Once introduced into the country, the said elements are expensive and difficult to control, thus prevention is pertinent in this regard.
Furthermore, the importation of certain liquor products with an alcohol content of more than 1% into the county for drinking purposes is restricted, except on the authority of an import certificate issued by DAFF.
Please note that import conditions may differ according to the country of origin/ export, global pest distribution, type of products, etc. Travellers are therefore advised to contact the following DAFF offices for detailed information regarding the product/s to be imported:
- Animals and animal products:
Tel: +27 12 319 7514/7476
Fax: +27 12 319 8292
E-mail: VetPermits@daff.gov.za
- Plants and plant products:
Tel: +27 12 319 6102/6130/6207
Fax: +27 12 319 6370
E-mail: PlantHealthPermits@daff.gov.za
- Liquor products:
Tel: +27 12 319 6333/ +27 78 754 4488 or +27 60 527 3622
E-mail: MerciaR@daff.gov.za, NjokoS@daff.gov.za or WillieMath@daff.gov.za
Upon arrival in South Africa, all the imported consignments of the above mentioned regulated products must be presented to the DAFF inspectors at the port of entry for compliance inspections as per import conditions. The consignments may not be removed from the port of entry without written authorisation or before being granted entry by the DAFF inspectors.
For information on DAFF inspection services and procedures, please contact the Directorate Inspection Services at tel: +27 12 309 8701, fax: +27 12 309 8785 or e-mail: ErnestP@daff.gov.za.
For further information and media enquiries contact:
Makenosi Maroo
Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Tel.: (012) 319 6787
Cell: 072 475 2956
E-mail: MakenosiM@daff.gov.za
