If you’ve been Googling “how much is an import licence in South Africa”, you’ve probably seen wildly different prices — and none of them seem to match each other. One site makes it sound like the “licence” is a fixed fee.
Another one quotes a few thousand rand. Then someone else tells you the real costs are duties and VAT, not the licence at all.
Here’s the truth: most people are not talking about the same thing when they say “import/export licence cost.” In South Africa, what people call a “licence” is often SARS customs registration, and that’s only one part of the overall picture.
Depending on what you’re importing or exporting, you may also need permits (for controlled goods), and then there are the real-world shipment costs that hit you whether you DIY or use an agent.
In this guide, I’m going to break the cost down in plain English — what’s government-related, what’s goods-related (duties/VAT), and what’s service/logistics — so you can budget properly and avoid surprise costs halfway through the process.
First: what people mean by “import/export licence” (and why that changes the cost)
In everyday conversation, “import/export licence” usually refers to SARS Customs registration as an importer/exporter (done through the Registration, Licensing and Accreditation process).
But if your goods are controlled/restricted, you may also need ITAC permits (Import & Export Control).
So when someone says, “It costs R____,” they might be talking about:
- SARS registration (government side),
- ITAC permit(s) (government side, product-specific),
- customs duty/import VAT (government charges on the goods),
- clearing/shipping/logistics fees (private service fees),
- or a consultant’s service fee to handle the whole process.
The 5 cost buckets you should budget for
Here’s the simplest way to think about import/export “licence cost” in South Africa:
SARS Customs registration cost (often R0)
ITAC permit cost (often R0, but check current fee policy)
Customs duty + import VAT (varies by goods/value/tariff code)
Clearing agent / freight / port fees (varies by shipment type)
Service-provider/consultant fee (what most “quotes” actually are)
Now let’s unpack each one.
1) SARS Customs registration: what it costs
SARS’s own RLA FAQ is clear: there is no cost for customs registration.
So if you’re seeing “import/export licence cost” figures online, those are usually service fees (someone charging to do the application/admin for you), not a SARS fee.
Important note for foreign importers
If you’re a foreigner importing into South Africa, SARS states you must nominate a registered agent located in South Africa before you’ll be registered as an importer.
That doesn’t mean SARS charges you — it just means you may have additional admin/service cost on your side to meet the requirement.
2) ITAC permits: what they cost (and why the info looks “contradictory” online)
ITAC’s FAQs say: “There is no cost involved for import or export permits. Permits are issued free of charge.”
Gov.za also states ITAC doesn’t charge service fees for import permits (but you still pay customs duties to SARS).
So why do you sometimes see permit “fees” listed?
Because ITAC has also published Administrative Fee Guidelines showing proposed processing fees for certain applications (for example, a listed processing fee of R339 for import/export permit applications, and higher amounts for specific permit types like waste/scrap metal permits).
The practical takeaway:
- Don’t assume you’ll definitely pay ITAC a fee (their FAQs still say permits are issued free).
- But also don’t assume it will always be R0 for every scenario forever — check the current position at the time of application, especially if your goods fall into more tightly controlled categories.
3) Customs duty + import VAT: the “big one” that people forget
Even if SARS registration costs you nothing, importing goods usually involves customs duty (and often import VAT), calculated by SARS based on the value and tariff classification of the goods.
Gov.za puts it simply: ITAC may not charge a service fee for a permit, but you still pay customs duty to SARS, calculated as a percentage of the goods’ value (based on the Customs & Excise Act schedules).
This is why two people can both say “I got my import licence” and have totally different “costs”:
- Person A imported a low-duty item and paid little.
- Person B imported a high-duty item and paid a lot.
- Both are talking about goods charges, not the “licence” itself.
4) Clearing + freight + port fees: the “logistics reality”
This bucket depends on how you import/export:
- Courier parcel vs air freight vs sea freight
- Full container vs consolidated shipment
- Which port/airport, and storage/handling timelines
Common examples of costs in this bucket:
- Clearing agent professional fees (if you use one)
- Terminal handling / documentation / port charges
- Storage/demurrage if goods are delayed
ITAC even notes you can do your own clearing, but the process involves multiple customs/harbour/airport formalities, and they suggest consulting SARS or freight-forwarding bodies for guidance.
Translation: you can DIY, but there’s a learning curve — and mistakes get expensive when goods are sitting.
5) Consultant / service-provider fees: what most “licence cost” quotes really mean
When a company quotes you a once-off price for “import/export licence”, they are usually charging for:
- clarifying whether you need SARS registration only or SARS + ITAC permits
- preparing the application(s)
- chasing feedback / fixing rejections
- keeping your documents consistent (a big cause of delays)
- advising on what’s required before you ship
That’s why “prices” can vary a lot — you’re not just paying for a form, you’re paying to avoid back-and-forth and delays.
Realistic examples (so you can sanity-check your budget)
Here are a few common scenarios:
Example A: Small business importing for resale (non-restricted goods)
- SARS registration: usually R0 government cost
- ITAC permit: often not needed (depends on goods)
- You still budget for duty/VAT (depends on tariff/value)
- Clearing/logistics fees: depends on shipment type
- Service fee (optional): depends on who does the admin
Example B: Goods that require an import/export permit
- SARS registration (still part of the story)
- ITAC permit: check current cost stance (FAQs say free; fee guidelines exist)
- Add duty/VAT + clearing/logistics + service fee
Example C: Foreigner importing into SA
- SARS requires a registered SA agent to be nominated
- That typically increases “service/admin” cost even if government-side registration is R0.
FAQs people ask when they’re price-checking
Is there a yearly renewal fee?
SARS customs registration validity is indefinite, and SARS states the cost of registration is “no cost.”
Permits (when needed) are different — they’re usually issued for a specific purpose/period.
Why do some sites say it costs R2,700+?
Because they’re quoting their service fee (admin + handling), not a SARS fee.
Can I do it myself?
Yes — but the paperwork and compliance steps matter, and the real risk is delays (storage fees, missed delivery windows, supplier disputes). ITAC also notes the clearing process involves formalities and suggests consulting the relevant bodies if you DIY.
Want a clear quote for your exact situation?
The fastest way to stop guessing is to confirm:
whether you need SARS registration only, or SARS + ITAC permits, and
what your likely duty/VAT exposure looks like based on the goods category.
That’s exactly what our Brendmo package is for: we clarify the correct route upfront, then handle the admin properly so your shipment doesn’t get stuck halfway.
