The following goods may be imported into South Africa by passengers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco.
• 1l of spirits or liquor and 2l of wine.
• 50ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
• Other goods up to a value of ZAR3000. Additional goods up to R12,000 are charged duty of 20%.

Restricted items
Plants and plant material without import permit, including margarine, honey and other vegetable oils.

Narcotics; flick-knives; ammunition; explosives; meat, processed cheese and other dairy products; obscene literature. If you're coming over a land border, firewood is not allowed to be brought into South Africa.