# South Africa: import VAT

> South Africa charges VAT on imports at a standard rate of 15%. South Africa has its own customs tariff, which 4 countries and territories also apply. South Africa uses the South African rand (ZAR).

Source: https://border.bot/countries/south-africa
Last updated: 11 October 2026

[Countries](https://border.bot/countries) / [South Africa](https://border.bot/countries/south-africa)

## Key facts

- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
- Import VAT/GST: VAT 15%
- Customs tariff: Own national tariff
- Countries using this tariff: 4
- Last updated: 11 October 2026

## Currency and customs tariff

South Africa uses the South African rand (ZAR).

South Africa has its own customs tariff, which 4 countries and territories also apply.

The countries and territories that apply the South Africa tariff are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia.

[Botswana](https://border.bot/countries/botswana), [Eswatini](https://border.bot/countries/eswatini), [Lesotho](https://border.bot/countries/lesotho), [Namibia](https://border.bot/countries/namibia)

## Import VAT and other taxes in South Africa

South Africa charges VAT on imports at a standard rate of 15%.

## What changed recently

The newest release on this page, the import taxes for South Africa, went live on border.bot on 11 October 2026.

## Frequently asked questions

### What currency does South Africa use for customs?

South Africa uses the South African rand (ZAR).

### What is the VAT rate on imports into South Africa?

South Africa charges VAT on imports at a standard rate of 15%.

### Which customs tariff does South Africa use?

South Africa has its own customs tariff, which 4 countries and territories also apply. The countries and territories that apply the South Africa tariff are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia.

## Sources and updates

The import taxes for South Africa come from border.bot release 1 (edition reference snapshot), imported from a file, and have been live since 11 October 2026.

This page was last updated on 11 October 2026.

Guidance from published tariff data, not a binding ruling. For a decision customs must follow, apply to the destination’s customs authority for a binding tariff ruling.

Machine-readable: https://border.bot/countries/south-africa.json