South Africa’s Car Import Rules: What Buyers Need to Know

I still remember a friend of mine showing up at OR Tambo airport with the biggest grin on his face. He had just returned from London and was bragging about the deal of a lifetime he’d found on a second-hand BMW M3. He couldn’t stop talking about how he was going to bring it back to South Africa and drive it through the streets of Johannesburg. The excitement was real—until reality hit him. A mountain of paperwork, strict government restrictions, and hefty duties stood between him and his dream ride. That’s when he realized importing cars into South Africa isn’t nearly as straightforward as it sounds.

The truth is, South Africa’s import rules are some of the strictest in the world. There’s a good reason for this: the government wants to protect its local car manufacturing industry, which employs thousands and contributes significantly to the economy. At the same time, buyers with specific tastes or those hunting for better deals abroad often find the regulations confusing, and sometimes even discouraging. If you’re thinking about importing a car, here’s what you should know before jumping in headfirst.

Why the Rules Are So Tight

South Africa has a thriving automotive manufacturing base. Brands like Toyota, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have factories here, and the government isn’t eager to undermine those investments by allowing cheap imports to flood the market. Import rules, in many ways, are a shield to protect local jobs and keep the economy stable.

That said, from the consumer’s point of view, the system can feel unnecessarily complicated. Someone like my friend, who just wanted to drive a rare model not sold locally, had to jump through hoops that made him question whether the deal was worth the hassle.

Importing New Cars vs. Used Cars

One of the first things buyers learn is that importing a brand-new car is nearly impossible unless you fall into very specific categories, like diplomats or multinational companies setting up fleets. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) is strict about this. They want new cars to be bought through official dealerships in South Africa.

Used cars, on the other hand, are heavily restricted but not entirely off-limits. Importing a used car for private use is generally prohibited unless it fits into special exemptions. This surprises many first-time buyers who assume they can just buy a car overseas, pay shipping, and register it here. That’s not how it works.

Exemptions That Allow Imports

Now, this is where things get interesting. There are a few exemptions that open the door—though not very wide—for bringing in vehicles.

Immigrants relocating to South Africa: If you’re moving here permanently and already own a car abroad, you may be allowed to bring it with you, provided you’ve owned it for at least a year.

Returning residents: South Africans who have been living abroad for more than a year and owned a car during that time can often bring it back with them.

Inherited vehicles: Believe it or not, if you inherit a car from a family member abroad, you can sometimes import it under special circumstances.

Classic and vintage cars: Cars older than 40 years are treated differently. They’re often imported as collector’s items rather than daily drivers.

Each of these exemptions requires an application to the DTIC for what’s called an Import Permit. Without this permit, your car won’t make it past customs.

I once met a guy in Cape Town who brought in a vintage Jaguar E-Type under the classic car exemption. He told me the paperwork was a nightmare—proof of age, photos, and multiple letters of motivation—but in the end, he got his permit. The car now sits proudly in his garage, and he swears the effort was worth it.

The Role of the ITAC Permit

Before your car even leaves its overseas port, you’ll need approval from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC). This permit basically says: “Yes, we acknowledge this vehicle is allowed into the country under one of the approved categories.” Without it, your car will get stuck at customs, and trust me, you don’t want to deal with that kind of limbo.

Getting the permit isn’t quick. It involves filling out forms, submitting documents, and waiting. Sometimes the decision-making feels opaque, and applicants are left in suspense for weeks. A colleague of mine once joked that getting ITAC approval felt like applying for a visa—lots of paperwork, lots of waiting, and no guarantee of success.

Customs Duties, VAT, and Taxes

Even if you clear the ITAC hurdle, there’s the matter of money. Importing a car comes with duties and taxes that can quickly wipe out whatever bargain you thought you were getting overseas.

Here’s a simplified breakdown:

Import duty on cars is about 25% of the vehicle’s customs value.

On top of that, you’ll pay 15% VAT.

For luxury vehicles, an ad valorem tax applies, which can push the total even higher.

So, let’s say you buy a car for $20,000 in the U.S. Add another $2,000 for shipping and insurance. Customs uses that $22,000 figure as the base. With duties and VAT, you could be paying close to $30,000 by the time the car is cleared in South Africa. That doesn’t include port charges or clearing agent fees.

One importer I spoke to admitted he almost cried when he saw the final bill for his imported Lexus. He thought he was saving money compared to buying locally, but after duties and taxes, the savings evaporated.

Clearing Agents and Their Importance

If you take one piece of advice from this article, let it be this: get a good clearing agent. These are the people who handle the actual customs clearance once your car arrives. They know which forms to submit, how to negotiate with customs officials, and how to minimize delays.

I once tried to cut costs by using a cheap, inexperienced agent. Big mistake. My car sat in Durban port for an extra week because the paperwork wasn’t submitted correctly. Each day cost me storage fees. By the time the car was finally released, I had paid more in penalties than I’d saved on the agent’s low fee. Never again.

Compliance with Local Standards

Another thing buyers overlook is compliance with South African road standards. Imported cars must meet local safety and emissions requirements. If your vehicle doesn’t comply, you might struggle to register it for road use.

For example, right-hand drive is the standard in South Africa, and left-hand drive vehicles are generally not allowed unless they qualify as vintage or collector’s items. I once saw a left-hand drive Mustang imported by a collector. It was stunning, but it’s strictly a showpiece—it can’t be legally driven on public roads here.

Shipping Considerations

Let’s not forget the actual logistics of shipping. Cars are typically shipped either via RoRo (Roll-on, Roll-off) or in containers. RoRo is cheaper but less secure, as the car is exposed during transit. Containers offer more protection, which is often preferred for higher-value vehicles.

Transit time from major U.S. ports to South Africa usually ranges from four to six weeks, though delays are common. Weather, port congestion, and paperwork issues can stretch the timeline. If you’re planning to import a car for a special event, don’t cut it too close—you’ll almost certainly be disappointed.

Hidden Costs and Frustrations

Beyond the obvious duties and shipping fees, there are plenty of smaller costs that add up. Port handling charges, inspection fees, documentation costs, and inland transport (if you live far from the port) can add thousands of rand to your final bill.

Then there’s the emotional cost. Importing a car requires patience, persistence, and sometimes the ability to laugh at the absurdities. I’ve seen cars stuck in port because of something as silly as a missing stamp on a form. These small oversights can drive you crazy, but they’re part of the process.

So, Is It Worth It?

That’s the million-rand question. For most everyday buyers, the answer leans toward no. The duties, restrictions, and hassle usually outweigh the potential savings. But for enthusiasts chasing rare models, immigrants relocating, or collectors hunting for classics, it can still make sense.

I always tell people: run the numbers honestly. Don’t just calculate the overseas price plus shipping. Factor in duties, VAT, agent fees, compliance checks, and potential delays. If it still makes sense after that, go ahead. But if the numbers scare you, you’re probably better off buying locally.

Final Thoughts

South Africa’s car import rules aren’t designed to make life easy for buyers. They exist to protect local industry, but they can feel daunting if you’re trying to bring in a vehicle from abroad. With the right permits, a reliable clearing agent, and a realistic budget, it can be done—but it’s not for the faint of heart.

My friend with the London BMW eventually gave up on his dream import after realizing the true costs. He bought a local model instead, and while it wasn’t quite the car he had imagined, he admitted the peace of mind was worth it. Others, like the Jaguar E-Type collector, will gladly brave the paperwork and duties for the joy of owning something rare.

At the end of the day, importing a car into South Africa is less about money and more about motivation. If it’s just about getting wheels on the road, local options are easier and often cheaper. But if it’s about passion, rarity, or sentiment, then maybe, just maybe, the hassle is worth it.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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