Importing a Car to South Africa from the UK: ITAC Permits and Duty

South Africa applies one of the most restrictive used vehicle import policies of any major right-hand drive market covered in our guides. Under the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) import control regulations, the general rule is that used vehicles cannot be imported into South Africa without a specific import permit, and permits are only granted in defined circumstances — most commonly for South African citizens or permanent residents returning from living abroad (a 'change of residence' import), inheritance, or specialist/vintage vehicles that meet specific criteria.

This means the straightforward 'buy a used UK car and ship it to South Africa' model that works in many other markets generally does not apply here for ordinary consumers. Anyone considering an import needs to establish, before purchasing a vehicle, whether they qualify for one of the recognised exemption categories and secure the necessary ITAC permit in advance, since customs will not release an unpermitted used vehicle and it may be subject to forced re-export.

Expatriates and returning South Africans relocating with a vehicle they have genuinely owned and used abroad for a qualifying period (commonly at least 12 months) are the largest group of customers we assist with this route, since the change-of-residence exemption is the most commonly used and accessible permit category for private individuals.

The ITAC permit application requires supporting documents proving your qualifying circumstance — for a change-of-residence import this typically includes proof of the vehicle's ownership and use abroad for the required period, evidence of your permanent return to South Africa (such as a returning residence visa or proof of previous South African residency), and the vehicle's registration documents. Processing times can vary considerably, so applying well ahead of any planned shipping date is essential; shipping before a permit is confirmed risks the vehicle sitting at port accruing storage costs, or in the worst case being refused entry.

Once granted, the permit is generally valid only for the specific vehicle and applicant named, and is not transferable, so it cannot be used to bring in a different or additional vehicle.

Where an import is permitted, South Africa applies standard customs duty of around 25% on the value of imported passenger vehicles (subject to preferential rates under specific trade agreements, though the UK does not currently have a comprehensive preferential arrangement covering vehicles with South Africa in the same way it does with some other Commonwealth markets), plus Value Added Tax at 15% on the total value including duty.

An additional ad valorem excise duty also applies to passenger vehicles, calculated on a sliding scale based on the vehicle's value, which increases the effective tax burden further on higher-value cars. Change-of-residence imports are, however, typically granted rebate of the standard customs duty (though VAT generally still applies), which is one of the main financial advantages of using this exemption category rather than attempting a standard commercial import.

Once customs clearance is complete, vehicles must meet National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) requirements confirming roadworthiness and safety compliance before registration with the local traffic department can proceed. Registration itself requires the customs clearance certificate, proof of the ITAC permit used for import, a roadworthy certificate from an approved testing centre, and proof of identity and address.

Durban is the largest and most commonly used port for vehicle imports given its container and RORO handling capacity, with Cape Town also available for shipments destined for the Western Cape. Sailing times from the UK to Durban typically run from around 18 to 25 days depending on routing.

Because South Africa's import controls are unusually strict, we always advise customers to confirm their eligibility and secure an ITAC permit before booking a shipment, and our team can point returning residents and expatriates towards the correct documentation route for the change-of-residence exemption. We ship to both Durban and Cape Town and can time the sailing to align with your confirmed permit and relocation plans.