ENTERING THE REPUBLIC: ACCOMPANIED PASSENGERS' BAGGAGE

Upon entering South Africa all goods should be declared to a Customs official at the port of entry. When dutiable goods are in their possession, the relevant duties and Value Added Tax (VAT) must be paid thereon. However, there are certain duty-free allowances, which provide for passengers to bring in certain goods free of the payment of duty and VAT. See "Duty Free allowances" in this section

Passengers may select to enter the Red or the Green Channel upon arrival in the Republic. When required by an officer to do so any person entering the Republic shall unreservedly declare all goods in his/her possession, which he/she brought with him/her to the Republic.

By merely selecting the Red Channel, the passenger is indicating that he/she has goods to declare in excess of the duty free allowance. The Customs and Excise officer in the Red Channel must ascertain the value of the goods declared by the passenger and access the duties payable on the excess. Duties are also payable on goods such as jewellery, which as been repaired, remodelled or exchanged abroad.

By selecting the Green Channel, passengers are indicating that the goods in their possession fall within the duty free allowance.