To ensure quick processing of people and goods at South African ports of entry (POE), travelers must take note of the following:

No person is allowed to take firearms through to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Botswana.  The South African Police Services (SAPS) officials are no longer permitted to keep firearms for temporary storage. 

1. Cross-border bus or taxi conveyance is liable for penalties (R15 000 per traveler) when they transport undocumented travelers, expired passport and no valid visa.
2. All travelers should ensure that they declare all goods in their possession with all necessary documentation such as invoices or proof of purchase. All imported second-hand clothing entering the country for purpose of trade/re-sale needs to be accompanied by a permit from the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti)
3. It is important for all drivers travelling in and out South Africa to carry at all times their driver’s license, proof of insurance and re-importation documents for bringing their vehicles back into South Africa:
   • An original and certified copy of vehicle registration papers in the name of the owner of the vehicle is required. 
   • A letter of authority from the registered owner if the vehicle is not owned by the driver, authorising the driver to take the vehicle out of the country. This should include an authorisation letter from the vehicle’s insurance company. 
   • A letter of authority from the financial institution/bank (must include dates of travel) together with the vehicle license papers if the vehicle is still being financed.
4. All valuable items such as motorbikes, cameras and laptops are to be declared at Customs.

Passports are issued at Home Affairs offices in various cities and towns.

1. In the case of a bona fide emergency situation, travellers may utilise Emergency Travel Documents to enter and depart from South Africa.
2. Emergency passports are not issued at the port of entry.  
3. No person, including children, will be allowed through the Ports of Entry without a valid passport which is machine readable (Foreign passports:  at least one page of the passport should be unused)
4. Foreign nationals entering South Africa should have a passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended visit to South Africa.
5. Only Machine Readable Travel Documents (MRTDs) may be used for travel as from November 2015.

1. No agricultural and animal products including live animals, even for personal consumption, are allowed to enter the South Africa without a permit. Such goods will be detained if permits are not available
2. All corpses or mortal remains of the deceased, need a permit to enter or depart the country
3. Travelers going abroad or coming into the country are only allowed to bring medicine which will last for 30 days if they are in possession of the doctor prescription
4. People travelling to and from countries with the risk of yellow fever, must be in possession of a yellow fever certificate

All minors or children (below 18) travelling in or out of South Africa, must have unabridged birth certificates (UBC), except where a visa was issued to a minor, the UBC forms part of the visa application and is not needed as a required supporting document. This is to protect children, ensuring we know who is taking them in and out of the country lawfully, and with permission of their parents.

Minors travelling with one parent

• A consent affidavit is required from an absent parent listed on the birth certificate
• If an absent parent listed on the birth certificate cannot provide consent, a court order must be obtained allowing the other parent to travel with the minor 

NB: In all instances, if an unabridged birth certificate has been applied for and cannot be produced or be obtained at the time of travel, an official letter stating this fact can be obtained from the nearest Home Affairs office before travelling through a port of entry.

 Unaccompanied minors

• A UBC and parental consent affidavits from both parents are required containing details of the person who will receive the child and in whose care the child will be in South Africa and such person’s residential and work address and full contact details in the Republic; and
• A copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the minor in the Republic. 

Suggested format for the parental consent affidavit can be downloaded here <<<

NB: Dedicated numbers to call for assistance regarding the unabridged birth certificate are:

• 072 634 0614
• 072 634 0589 
• 073 567 6208 
• 073 567 5968

Travelers who exceed the validity of their stay are declared “undesirable”. Travelers overstaying the validity of their visas will be declared undesirable as follows:

• A person who overstays for a period not exceeding 30 days, will be declared undesirable for a period of 12 months
• A person who overstays for the second time within a period of 24 months, will be declared undesirable for a period of two years
• A person who overstays for more than 30 days be declared undesirable for a period of five years.
• Travelers will only be allowed to enter South Africa once the period of undesirability outlined, has lapsed. 

EXTENDED OPERATIONAL HOURS:

Mr Calvin Mulaudzi

Senior Manager Border Management Agency PMO

Tel: 0824157073

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Mr Stephen Van Neel

Director: Ports of Entry

Tel: 012 406 7298/ 076 481 4672

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