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South Africa
Check our destination guide for postal restrictions and requirements
Prohibitions
The following items are prohibited from importation, meaning they won't be allowed to enter the destination country, territory or region.
To check which items are considered dangerous and prohibited for sending from Australia, download our Prohibited and Restricted item list and packaging guide (1.1MB).
- Batteries (lithium)
- Clothing, used, intended for resale
- Flypaper
- Footwear, used, intended for resale
- Fruit
- Honey, royal jelly, conserves sweetened with honey
- Lottery tickets and advertising
- Prison-made goods
Transporting food of any kind is prohibited under International Courier.
Lithium batteries
Lithium batteries and devices containing them (e.g. laptops, mobile phones, wireless headphones and equivalent, power banks, tablets, etc.) are prohibited from being sent to South Africa.
Import restrictions
If an item is subject to import restrictions, it means that provisions must be met before it will be released from customs in the destination country, territory or region.
We recommend you confirm import restrictions with local authorities before posting:
South Africa requires an import permit for many goods. Before posting any item, senders should confirm that the addressee has any necessary permit. Senders should determine import restrictions from South African authorities before posting:
- Beeswax and hive-frames
- Cheese
- Liqueurs
- Meats and animal products
- Military equipment
- Plants and part of
- Rice
- Serums, vaccines and cultures of micro-organisms
- Tobacco and tobacco products
- Toys, resembling firearms
- Weapons
- Yeast
Okay to send? Send responsibly.
As the sender, it's your responsibility to make sure your items don't break any laws or rules – both within Australia and in the destination country.
Restrictions and conditions can change at short notice so the information on this page should be used as a guide only. For the latest information, you should check the UPU prohibitions & restrictions (PDF 3.2MB) or contact the destination country's customs, postal trade or government authority.
It's also your responsibility to check if the destination country imposes any duties, taxes, brokerage fees or any other fees on the item you're sending. If you're unsure, please contact the consulate office of the destination country.
Special documentation
In addition to our customs forms, authorities in the destination country, territory or region require further documentation for some items.
South Africa has no current requirements for special documentation.
Delivery locations & exclusions
Before sending to this destination, it’s worth noting a few more details about our international delivery services.
Delivery locations & exclusions data (Personal)
- International Express (carried via the EMS network) - Parcels delivers to all destinations
International Express - Parcels does deliver to a Post Office Box or Poste Restante.
For more information from the overseas carrier, check the Post Office South African website.
Make sure it's safe to send
Some items are considered dangerous and unsuitable for sending from Australia, even if they’re not prohibited by the destination country.
