South Africa has once again been awarded an opportunity to host the 2013 CAF Africa Cup of Nations soccer tournament. A total of 32 nations will be battling it out at this prestigious event. Thousands of visitors from participating nations will flock into our country to support their teams for the duration of the event and therefore, it is highly important for them to be well informed about South Africa’s import requirements for all regulated products.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) would like to inform all national teams and their supporters that all imports of animals and animal products, plants and plant products, honey and honey products as well as any other regulated goods may only be imported into South Africa by means of an import permit, unless exempted, and must be declared with DAFF inspectors for inspection at ports of entry before entering South Africa.
Travellers are therefore advised that, inspectors from DAFF will conduct lug¬gage and consignment inspections at the ports of entry by means of visual inspections and sniffer dogs to ensure compliance with the import permit require¬ments. These import control measures are in accordance with the Republic’s relevant legislation, which is aimed at preventing the introduction, establishment and spread of pests and diseases from other parts of the world.
Furthermore, the importation of certain alcoholic products with an alcohol content of more than one percent into the Republic for drinking purposes is restricted, except on the authority of an import certificate issued by DAFF (excluding beer, sorghum beer and medicine).
N.B. Conditions may differ according to the country of export, global pest distribution, type of products, etc. Travellers are therefore advised to call the DAFF for further information regarding the requirements for the products to be imported:
Animals and animal products:
Tel: 012 319 7514/7406/7632/7414
Fax: 012 329 8292
E-mail: BietjieM@daff.gov.za
Plants and plant products:
Tel: 012 319 6383/6396
Fax: 012 319 6370
E-mail: ShashikaM@daff.gov.za or AnitaSn@daff.gov.za
Liquor products:
Tel: 011 971 5138/ 012 319 6137
E-mail: SiboneloN@daff.gov.za or ThysL@daff.gov.za
All the consignments must be presented at the port of entry for such inspection as the executive officer regards as necessary. The consignments may not be removed from the port of entry without written authorisation or before being granted entry by DAFF.
For information on the DAFF inspection services and procedures please contact the Directorate: Inspection Services at:
Tel: 012 309 8735
Fax: 012 309 8787
E-mail: MaishaE@daff.gov.za
For media enquiries please contact :
Steve Galane
Acting Chief Director: Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tel: 012 319 7960
Cell: 083 635 7346
E-mail: SteveGAL@daff.gov.za
