Import exemption for liquor

You must apply for an import certificate for liquor if you want to import more than 12 litres of liquor for own use. The minimum amount you can import annually are 180 litres.

You do not have to apply for this certificate if the alcohol you want to import:

• has an alcohol content of more than one percent, forms part of your luggage and is for personal drinking
• does not exceed 12 litres in volume.

You are not allowed to use this certificate to sell or distribute liquor.

Import certificate for liquor

If you want to import liquor or liquor products in bulk or bottles (excluding beer) to South Africa you must have an import certificate before your liquor products can be released for delivery from the port of entry.

You apply for the import certificate only once, whereafter the same import certificate number can be used provided that the composition, content, bottle size and label of the product does not change.

Remove imported liquor

If you want to remove your imported liquor from the port of entry you must apply for a certificate from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) Extended Detention Division at the port of entry so that it can be moved to where you want to sell it in South Africa.

Once the DAFF Extended Detention Division has approved your application it will send your liquor to a bonded agriculture warehouse in a container and notify the inspector.

You must go to the warehouse and give the inspector the certificate of removal. You must unpack your liquor products from the container while supervised by the inspector.

You will not be able to move your liquor from the port of entry to a place of sale in South Africa without the certificate to remove liquor.

Blend liquor imported in bulk

To blend the liquor you imported in bulk for sales purposes you must get permission from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF). You can mix the imported liquor with a South African product, water or with another product from overseas.