Importation of agricultural regulated products into the RSA during the festive season

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform & Rural Development (DALRRD) is making a friendly call to all international travellers who will be visiting South Africa during the festive season, or returning to South Africa after the holidays, to comply with the country’s import requirements for agricultural and related regulated products/articles. Compliance will assist our country in preventing and minimising the potential risk of introducing alien invasive species, foreign pests, and diseases that could be associated with imported plants, plant products, animals, animal products, and other regulated goods.

South Africa, like any other country, has a crucial mandate and sovereign right to protect its territory, biodiversity, and economy against harm, thus it regulates importation of animals and animal products, liquor products, plants and plant products, honey and honey products, as well as any other potentially harmful materials from other countries into its territory. This is in accordance with the country’s relevant legislation, which is aimed at preventing the introduction, establishment, and spread of pests and diseases from other parts of the world. Once a quarantine pest or disease is introduced into the country, it is difficult and expensive to control and manage it, thus prevention is imperative.

Furthermore, the importation of certain liquor products with an alcohol content of more than 1% into the country for drinking purposes is restricted, except on the authority of an import certificate issued by DALRRD.

Please note that import conditions may differ according to the country of origin/export, global pest distribution, type of products etc. Travellers are therefore advised to contact DALRRD offices for detailed information regarding the product to be imported, through:

• Animals and animal products:

Tel:  +27 12 319 7476/ 7500/ 6313

Fax:  +27 12 319 8292, E-mail:  VetPermits@daff.gov.za

• Plants and plant products:

Tel: +27 12 319 6102/ 6130/ 6207/ 6313

Fax: +27 12 319 6370, E-mail: PlantHealthPermits@daff.gov.za

• Liquor products:

Tel: +27 11 971 5138/ +27 12 319 6137

E-mail: NjokoS@daff.gov.za

Upon arrival in South Africa, all the imported consignments of above mentioned regulated products must be presented to the DALRRD inspectors at the port of entry for compliance inspections as per import conditions. The consignments may not be removed from the port of entry without written authorisation or before being granted entry by the DALRRD inspectors.

For information on DALRRD inspection services and procedures, contact the Directorate Inspection Services at tel: +27 12 309 8701, fax: +27 12 309 8785 or

e-mail: ErnestP@daff.gov.za

For more media inquiries contact:

Reggie Ngcobo – Media Liaison Officer

Mobile: 082 883 2458

For technical enquiries

Mpho Sekgala

Deputy Director: Biosecurity Promotion and Awareness

Directorate: Food Import and Export Standards

Tel: +27 12 319 6295

MphoS@daff.gov.za