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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 dangerous goods guide (1.2MB).

  • 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 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.

  • International Courier
    Check our International Courier page to find a participating Post Office.

    Shipments must be lodged at the counter by the participating Post Office cut-off time, which may vary by outlet. International parcels are charged according to actual weight. The maximum weight you can send is 20kg and the maximum girth is 140cm.

    International Courier Declaration and DHL Airway Bill forms, available at participating retail centres, need to be filled out by hand and attached to the shipment (instructions available in-store). For Customs declarations, articles may not be declared as containing "Personal effects".

    International Courier does not deliver to a Post Office Box or Poste Restante.

    Metropolitan delivery to (valid postcodes in brackets):
    • Johannesburg (2000 to 2076, 2086, 2090 to 2140, 2146 to 2198) Note: guarantee of delivery in 2 business days does not apply to 2004, 2036, 2047, 2051, 2053 or 2073.
    • Pretoria (0001 to 0119, 0126 to 0187) Note: guarantee of delivery in 2 business days does not apply to 0022, 0024, 0026, 0035, 0056, 0068, 0090, 0112, 0128, 0139, 1045, 0160, 0174 or 0178.
    • Port Elizabeth (6000 to 6020, 6045 to 6070) Note: guarantee of delivery in 2 business days does not apply to 6002, 6018 or 6063.

For more information from the overseas carrier, check the Post Office South African website.