Customs clearance

Afrimed Shipping clears cargo through South African customs by preparing shipping documents, filing your SARS declaration, ensuring regulatory compliance, and settling duties and taxes — so your goods enter or leave the country legally and on schedule.

Customs Clearance | Afrimed Shipping
Customs Clearance | Afrimed Shipping
Customs Clearance | Afrimed Shipping
What steps are involved in customs clearance?

Customs clearing is the process of officially importing or exporting goods by complying with customs regulations, paying duties and taxes, and submitting the necessary paperwork to customs authorities. It ensures goods entering or leaving the country are legal and that the appropriate fees have been paid.

  1. Shipping documents are prepared and checked against SARS requirements
  2. The customs declaration (SAD 500) is submitted
  3. Duties and taxes are calculated and settled
  4. Clearance is obtained and goods are released for delivery or warehousing

How long does clearance take?

For most general cargo with complete documentation, this takes 1 to 3 working days once the vessel or flight has arrived. Inspected or detained cargo takes longer — see our cargo inspection service for how that’s handled.

Typical timeline

1–3 working days with complete documentation

Declaration filed

SARS SAD 500 customs declaration

Covers

Both import and export clearance

If detained

Handled via on-site cargo inspection and release coordination

Frequently asked
Questions people ask us

Clearance is delayed until the missing documents are supplied. We review your paperwork ahead of arrival specifically to catch this before it costs you time at the port.

 
 
 
 

Yes — we prepare and submit the declaration, calculate what’s owed, and settle duties and taxes as part of the clearance service.

 
 
 
 
Get a quote for your customs clearance shipment
Customs Clearance | Afrimed Shipping
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Available from 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday.

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