{"id":37758,"date":"2025-12-31T05:45:26","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T03:45:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/?p=37758"},"modified":"2026-01-01T14:10:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T12:10:28","slug":"what-is-an-import-export-licence-in-south-africa-licence-vs-permit-explained-sars-vs-itac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/what-is-an-import-export-licence-in-south-africa-licence-vs-permit-explained-sars-vs-itac\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is an Import\/Export Licence in South Africa? Licence vs Permit Explained (SARS vs ITAC)"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"37758\" class=\"elementor elementor-37758\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t        <section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b29f9bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ct-header-fixed-none ct-row-max-none\" data-id=\"5b29f9bf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n            \n                        <div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default \">\n                    <div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7b850948\" data-id=\"7b850948\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n            <div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n                        \t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24c66b47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24c66b47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.10.2 - 29-01-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p data-start=\"700\" data-end=\"983\">If you\u2019ve been searching things like <strong data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"779\">\u201cwhat is an import and export licence\u201d<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"783\" data-end=\"832\">\u201cdo I need an import license in South Africa\u201d<\/strong>, you\u2019ve probably noticed something frustrating: different websites use <em data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"913\">licence<\/em>, <em data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"923\">permit<\/em>, <em data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"931\">code<\/em>, and <em data-start=\"937\" data-end=\"950\">certificate<\/em> like they\u2019re all the same thing.<\/p><p data-start=\"985\" data-end=\"1014\">In South Africa, they\u2019re not.<\/p><p data-start=\"1016\" data-end=\"1355\">And the biggest trap is this: <strong data-start=\"1046\" data-end=\"1147\">most people say \u201cimport\/export licence\u201d when what they actually need is SARS Customs registration<\/strong> (as an importer\/exporter). Then, <em data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1204\">only in certain cases<\/em>, you may also need an <strong data-start=\"1227\" data-end=\"1242\">ITAC permit<\/strong> because the goods you\u2019re importing\/exporting are controlled or restricted.<\/p><p data-start=\"1357\" data-end=\"1432\">This post is the \u201cplain English\u201d explainer \u2014 so you can quickly figure out:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1464\">what the \u201clicence\u201d really is,<\/li><li data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1464\">what a permit is (and when it applies),<\/li><li data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1464\">who issues what,<\/li><li data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1464\">and whether you even need to register at all.<\/li><\/ul><h5 data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1599\">The 30-second answer<\/h5><p data-start=\"1600\" data-end=\"1635\">In most normal business situations:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"1638\" data-end=\"1803\"><strong data-start=\"1638\" data-end=\"1685\">\u201cImport\/Export licence\u201d (what people mean):<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sars.gov.za\/customs-and-excise\/registration-licensing-and-accreditation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SARS<\/a> Customs importer\/exporter registration via the <strong data-start=\"1738\" data-end=\"1762\">RLA eFiling platform<\/strong>.<\/li><li data-start=\"1638\" data-end=\"1803\"><strong data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1861\">\u201cImport\/Export permit\u201d (when goods are controlled):<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/itac.org.za\/pages\/services\/import--export-control\/export-control\/faqs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ITAC<\/a> Import &amp; Export Control permits.<\/li><li data-start=\"1638\" data-end=\"1803\"><strong data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"1967\">\u201cExport certificate\u201d:<\/strong> often a <em data-start=\"1976\" data-end=\"1986\">separate<\/em> document requirement depending on the destination country (for example, a <strong data-start=\"2061\" data-end=\"2086\">Certificate of Origin<\/strong> is commonly handled via chambers\/authorities depending on the certificate type.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bcf1f28 fluentform-widget-submit-button-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-fluent-form-widget\" data-id=\"bcf1f28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"fluent-form-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-wrapper fluentform-widget-align-default\">\n\n                            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-heading\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"fluentform-widget-title\">\n                        Need a Professional Consultation for Your Import \/ Export Licence?                    <\/h3>\n                                                            <p class=\"fluentform-widget-description\">\n                        Fiil the form below and we will be in touch shortly.                    <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            <div class='fluentform ff-default fluentform_wrapper_5 ffs_default_wrap'><form data-form_id=\"5\" id=\"fluentform_5\" class=\"frm-fluent-form fluent_form_5 ff-el-form-top ff_form_instance_5_1 ff-form-loading ffs_default\" data-form_instance=\"ff_form_instance_5_1\" method=\"POST\" ><fieldset  style=\"border: none!important;margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;background-color: transparent!important;box-shadow: none!important;outline: none!important; min-inline-size: 100%;\">\n                    <legend class=\"ff_screen_reader_title\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;height: 0!important;text-indent: -999999px;width: 0!important;overflow:hidden;\">Contact Form (Contact Us)<\/legend>        <div\n                style=\"display: none!important; position: absolute!important; transform: translateX(1000%)!important;\"\n                class=\"ff-el-group ff-hpsf-container\"\n        >\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\">\n                <label for=\"ff_5_item_sf\" aria-label=\"Subscribe\">\n                    Subscribe                <\/label>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--content\">\n                <input type=\"text\"\n                       name=\"item_5__fluent_sf\"\n                       class=\"ff-el-form-control\"\n                       id=\"ff_5_item_sf\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\" class=\"fluent-form-token-field\" name=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\">\n        <input type='hidden' name='__fluent_form_embded_post_id' value='37758' \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" name=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" value=\"fc093c4311\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\" \/><div data-type=\"name-element\" data-name=\"names\" class=\" ff-field_container ff-name-field-wrapper\" ><div class='ff-t-container'><div class='ff-t-cell '><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_names_first_name_' >First name<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"names[first_name]\" id=\"ff_5_names_first_name_\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=false><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_email' aria-label=\"Email\">Email<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"ff_5_email\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Email address\" data-name=\"email\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_phone' aria-label=\"Phone Number\">Phone Number<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"phone\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Phone number\" data-name=\"phone\" id=\"ff_5_phone\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_description' aria-label=\"Message\">Message<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><textarea aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true name=\"description\" id=\"ff_5_description\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"How can we help you?\" rows=\"3\" cols=\"2\" data-name=\"description\" ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group ff-text-left ff_submit_btn_wrapper'><button type=\"submit\" class=\"ff-btn ff-btn-submit ff-btn-md ff_btn_style\" >Send Now<\/button><\/div><\/fieldset><\/form><div id='fluentform_5_errors' class='ff-errors-in-stack ff_form_instance_5_1 ff-form-loading_errors ff_form_instance_5_1_errors'><\/div><\/div>            <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n                window.fluent_form_ff_form_instance_5_1 = {\"id\":\"5\",\"settings\":{\"layout\":{\"labelPlacement\":\"top\",\"helpMessagePlacement\":\"with_label\",\"errorMessagePlacement\":\"inline\",\"cssClassName\":\"\",\"asteriskPlacement\":\"asterisk-right\"},\"restrictions\":{\"denyEmptySubmission\":{\"enabled\":false}}},\"form_instance\":\"ff_form_instance_5_1\",\"form_id_selector\":\"fluentform_5\",\"rules\":{\"names[first_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[middle_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[last_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"email\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"},\"email\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\"}},\"phone\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"description\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global_message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":true}}},\"debounce_time\":300};\n                            <\/script>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6cb16d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6cb16d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"2228\" data-end=\"2282\">What is an import\/export \u201clicence\u201d in South Africa?<\/h3><p data-start=\"2284\" data-end=\"2416\">In South Africa, there isn\u2019t always a single \u201clicence card\u201d you receive that magically authorises you to import and export anything.<\/p><p data-start=\"2418\" data-end=\"2735\">What most people mean by \u201cimport\/export licence\u201d is <strong data-start=\"2470\" data-end=\"2539\">being registered with SARS Customs as an importer\/exporter\/trader<\/strong>, because SARS runs the customs registration system for traders and requires prospective importers\/traders to submit their details through <strong data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2696\">RLA on eFiling<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"2737\" data-end=\"2758\">So when someone asks:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2793\">\u201cwhat is import export licence?\u201d<\/li><li data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2793\">\u201cwhat is import license?\u201d<\/li><li data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2793\">\u201cwhat\u2019s an export license?\u201d<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"2853\" data-end=\"2962\">\u2026they\u2019re usually asking: <strong data-start=\"2878\" data-end=\"2962\">\u201cWhat do I need to be recognised as an importer\/exporter for customs clearance?\u201d<\/strong><\/p><h5 data-start=\"2964\" data-end=\"3005\">Who issues the import\/export licence?<\/h5><p data-start=\"3006\" data-end=\"3163\">For the \u201clicence\u201d people usually mean: <strong data-start=\"3045\" data-end=\"3061\">SARS Customs<\/strong> (through the Registration, Licensing and Accreditation system).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8578eb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8578eb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3215\">What is an import permit or export permit?<\/h3><p data-start=\"3217\" data-end=\"3339\">A <strong data-start=\"3219\" data-end=\"3229\">permit<\/strong> is different from SARS registration. A permit is usually <strong data-start=\"3287\" data-end=\"3338\">permission to import or export controlled goods<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"3341\" data-end=\"3590\">In South Africa, ITAC\u2019s Import &amp; Export Control function deals with permits for certain categories of goods, and they publish procedures and FAQs for export permits (including how to apply and turnaround times).<\/p><h5 data-start=\"3592\" data-end=\"3629\">Who issues import\/export permits?<\/h5><p data-start=\"3630\" data-end=\"3713\">Commonly: <strong data-start=\"3640\" data-end=\"3648\">ITAC<\/strong> (Import &amp; Export Control).\u00a0<\/p><h5 data-start=\"3715\" data-end=\"3773\">Where do I apply for an import permit \/ export permit?<\/h5><p data-start=\"3774\" data-end=\"3988\">ITAC explains where the export permit application forms are found and how they\u2019re submitted, and they describe their export permit processing procedures and average timeframes.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e363d9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7e363d9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"3995\" data-end=\"4052\">Licence vs permit: how do you know which one you need?<\/h3><p data-start=\"4054\" data-end=\"4085\">A simple way to think about it:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"4089\" data-end=\"4271\">If you\u2019re importing\/exporting as a <strong data-start=\"4124\" data-end=\"4143\">trader\/business<\/strong> (even a small one), you normally need the right <strong data-start=\"4192\" data-end=\"4221\">SARS customs registration<\/strong> in place.\u00a0<\/li><li data-start=\"4089\" data-end=\"4271\">If your goods are <strong data-start=\"4292\" data-end=\"4317\">restricted\/controlled<\/strong>, you may also need an <strong data-start=\"4340\" data-end=\"4355\">ITAC permit<\/strong> (and sometimes other supporting permissions depending on the product category).\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"4477\" data-end=\"4575\">This is why people get confused: they call both steps a \u201clicence,\u201d but they\u2019re not the same thing.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ddabcd fluentform-widget-submit-button-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-fluent-form-widget\" data-id=\"4ddabcd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"fluent-form-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-wrapper fluentform-widget-align-default\">\n\n                            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-heading\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"fluentform-widget-title\">\n                        Need a Professional Consultation for Your Import \/ Export Licence?                    <\/h3>\n                                                            <p class=\"fluentform-widget-description\">\n                        Fiil the form below and we will be in touch shortly.                    <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            <div class='fluentform ff-default fluentform_wrapper_5 ffs_default_wrap'><form data-form_id=\"5\" id=\"fluentform_5\" class=\"frm-fluent-form fluent_form_5 ff-el-form-top ff_form_instance_5_2 ff-form-loading ffs_default\" data-form_instance=\"ff_form_instance_5_2\" method=\"POST\" ><fieldset  style=\"border: none!important;margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;background-color: transparent!important;box-shadow: none!important;outline: none!important; min-inline-size: 100%;\">\n                    <legend class=\"ff_screen_reader_title\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;height: 0!important;text-indent: -999999px;width: 0!important;overflow:hidden;\">Contact Form (Contact Us)<\/legend>        <div\n                style=\"display: none!important; position: absolute!important; transform: translateX(1000%)!important;\"\n                class=\"ff-el-group ff-hpsf-container\"\n        >\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\">\n                <label for=\"ff_5_item_sf\" aria-label=\"Updates\">\n                    Updates                <\/label>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--content\">\n                <input type=\"text\"\n                       name=\"item_5__fluent_sf\"\n                       class=\"ff-el-form-control\"\n                       id=\"ff_5_item_sf\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\" class=\"fluent-form-token-field\" name=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\">\n        <input type='hidden' name='__fluent_form_embded_post_id' value='37758' \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" name=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" value=\"fc093c4311\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\" \/><div data-type=\"name-element\" data-name=\"names\" class=\" ff-field_container ff-name-field-wrapper\" ><div class='ff-t-container'><div class='ff-t-cell '><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_2_names_first_name_' >First name<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"names[first_name]\" id=\"ff_5_2_names_first_name_\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=false><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_2_email' aria-label=\"Email\">Email<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"ff_5_2_email\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Email address\" data-name=\"email\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_2_phone' aria-label=\"Phone Number\">Phone Number<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"phone\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Phone number\" data-name=\"phone\" id=\"ff_5_2_phone\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_2_description' aria-label=\"Message\">Message<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><textarea aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true name=\"description\" id=\"ff_5_2_description\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"How can we help you?\" rows=\"3\" cols=\"2\" data-name=\"description\" ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group ff-text-left ff_submit_btn_wrapper'><button type=\"submit\" class=\"ff-btn ff-btn-submit ff-btn-md ff_btn_style\" >Send Now<\/button><\/div><\/fieldset><\/form><div id='fluentform_5_errors' class='ff-errors-in-stack ff_form_instance_5_2 ff-form-loading_errors ff_form_instance_5_2_errors'><\/div><\/div>            <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n                window.fluent_form_ff_form_instance_5_2 = {\"id\":\"5\",\"settings\":{\"layout\":{\"labelPlacement\":\"top\",\"helpMessagePlacement\":\"with_label\",\"errorMessagePlacement\":\"inline\",\"cssClassName\":\"\",\"asteriskPlacement\":\"asterisk-right\"},\"restrictions\":{\"denyEmptySubmission\":{\"enabled\":false}}},\"form_instance\":\"ff_form_instance_5_2\",\"form_id_selector\":\"fluentform_5\",\"rules\":{\"names[first_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[middle_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[last_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"email\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"},\"email\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\"}},\"phone\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"description\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global_message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":true}}},\"debounce_time\":300};\n                            <\/script>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b56f37d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b56f37d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"4582\" data-end=\"4629\">Do I need an import licence in South Africa?<\/h3><p data-start=\"4631\" data-end=\"4788\">This is a big one \u2014 because plenty of people are just buying items online for personal use and don\u2019t want to accidentally \u201cbecome a business\u201d in SARS\u2019s eyes.<\/p><p data-start=\"4790\" data-end=\"5160\">SARS has been very clear that <strong data-start=\"4820\" data-end=\"4869\">private individuals can import personal goods<\/strong> under <strong data-start=\"4876\" data-end=\"4901\">Customs Code 70707070<\/strong> up to a total value of <strong data-start=\"4925\" data-end=\"4946\">R150,000 per year<\/strong>. If you exceed that cumulative value in a calendar year, additional declarations under that code get rejected and you need to apply electronically for a formal customs code.\u00a0<\/p><p data-start=\"5162\" data-end=\"5181\">So, in plain terms:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"5184\" data-end=\"5359\">If you\u2019re importing <strong data-start=\"5204\" data-end=\"5222\">personal goods<\/strong> and you stay within SARS\u2019s conditions, you may not need to register as an importer right away.\u00a0<\/li><li data-start=\"5184\" data-end=\"5359\">If you\u2019re importing for <strong data-start=\"5386\" data-end=\"5405\">business\/resale<\/strong>, or importing regularly at commercial volumes, you should assume you\u2019ll need the correct SARS customs registration setup.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf207f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf207f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"5576\" data-end=\"5625\">Who needs an import licence (and who doesn\u2019t)?<\/h3><p data-start=\"5627\" data-end=\"5671\">Most of the time, the split looks like this:<\/p><p data-start=\"5673\" data-end=\"5724\"><strong data-start=\"5673\" data-end=\"5724\">You usually need SARS importer registration if:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li data-start=\"5727\" data-end=\"5812\">you\u2019re importing for a business (resale, manufacturing inputs, commercial shipments),<\/li><li data-start=\"5727\" data-end=\"5812\">you\u2019ll be importing regularly,<\/li><li data-start=\"5727\" data-end=\"5812\">or you want fewer delays and fewer \u201cstuck at customs\u201d surprises because your paperwork is aligned from day one.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"6001\" data-end=\"6049\"><strong data-start=\"6001\" data-end=\"6049\">You may not need to register immediately if:<\/strong><\/p><ul><li data-start=\"6052\" data-end=\"6239\">you\u2019re importing personal goods for personal\/home use and you meet SARS\u2019s conditions (including the annual value limit under the 70707070 process).<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76c00d3 fluentform-widget-submit-button-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-fluent-form-widget\" data-id=\"76c00d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"fluent-form-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-wrapper fluentform-widget-align-default\">\n\n                            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-heading\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"fluentform-widget-title\">\n                        Need a Professional Consultation for Your Import \/ Export Licence?                    <\/h3>\n                                                            <p class=\"fluentform-widget-description\">\n                        Fiil the form below and we will be in touch shortly.                    <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            <div class='fluentform ff-default fluentform_wrapper_5 ffs_default_wrap'><form data-form_id=\"5\" id=\"fluentform_5\" class=\"frm-fluent-form fluent_form_5 ff-el-form-top ff_form_instance_5_3 ff-form-loading ffs_default\" data-form_instance=\"ff_form_instance_5_3\" method=\"POST\" ><fieldset  style=\"border: none!important;margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;background-color: transparent!important;box-shadow: none!important;outline: none!important; min-inline-size: 100%;\">\n                    <legend class=\"ff_screen_reader_title\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;height: 0!important;text-indent: -999999px;width: 0!important;overflow:hidden;\">Contact Form (Contact Us)<\/legend>        <div\n                style=\"display: none!important; position: absolute!important; transform: translateX(1000%)!important;\"\n                class=\"ff-el-group ff-hpsf-container\"\n        >\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\">\n                <label for=\"ff_5_item_sf\" aria-label=\"Updates\">\n                    Updates                <\/label>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--content\">\n                <input type=\"text\"\n                       name=\"item_5__fluent_sf\"\n                       class=\"ff-el-form-control\"\n                       id=\"ff_5_item_sf\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\" class=\"fluent-form-token-field\" name=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\">\n        <input type='hidden' name='__fluent_form_embded_post_id' value='37758' \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" name=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" value=\"fc093c4311\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\" \/><div data-type=\"name-element\" data-name=\"names\" class=\" ff-field_container ff-name-field-wrapper\" ><div class='ff-t-container'><div class='ff-t-cell '><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_3_names_first_name_' >First name<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"names[first_name]\" id=\"ff_5_3_names_first_name_\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=false><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_3_email' aria-label=\"Email\">Email<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"ff_5_3_email\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Email address\" data-name=\"email\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_3_phone' aria-label=\"Phone Number\">Phone Number<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"phone\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Phone number\" data-name=\"phone\" id=\"ff_5_3_phone\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_3_description' aria-label=\"Message\">Message<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><textarea aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true name=\"description\" id=\"ff_5_3_description\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"How can we help you?\" rows=\"3\" cols=\"2\" data-name=\"description\" ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group ff-text-left ff_submit_btn_wrapper'><button type=\"submit\" class=\"ff-btn ff-btn-submit ff-btn-md ff_btn_style\" >Send Now<\/button><\/div><\/fieldset><\/form><div id='fluentform_5_errors' class='ff-errors-in-stack ff_form_instance_5_3 ff-form-loading_errors ff_form_instance_5_3_errors'><\/div><\/div>            <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n                window.fluent_form_ff_form_instance_5_3 = {\"id\":\"5\",\"settings\":{\"layout\":{\"labelPlacement\":\"top\",\"helpMessagePlacement\":\"with_label\",\"errorMessagePlacement\":\"inline\",\"cssClassName\":\"\",\"asteriskPlacement\":\"asterisk-right\"},\"restrictions\":{\"denyEmptySubmission\":{\"enabled\":false}}},\"form_instance\":\"ff_form_instance_5_3\",\"form_id_selector\":\"fluentform_5\",\"rules\":{\"names[first_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[middle_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[last_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"email\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"},\"email\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\"}},\"phone\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"description\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global_message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":true}}},\"debounce_time\":300};\n                            <\/script>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0563a5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0563a5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"6246\" data-end=\"6293\">How many times can I import to South Africa?<\/h3><p data-start=\"6295\" data-end=\"6397\">People often ask this like there\u2019s a fixed number (like \u201c3 times per year\u201d or \u201c10 parcels per month\u201d).<\/p><p data-start=\"6399\" data-end=\"6533\">In reality, the more practical answer is: <strong data-start=\"6441\" data-end=\"6533\">it\u2019s not about \u201chow many times,\u201d it\u2019s about what route you\u2019re using and the total value.<\/strong><\/p><p data-start=\"6535\" data-end=\"6789\">For private individuals using the personal-goods route, SARS\u2019s key limit is the <strong data-start=\"6615\" data-end=\"6662\">R150,000 cumulative value per calendar year<\/strong> under code 70707070, after which you must apply for a formal customs code to continue.\u00a0<\/p><p data-start=\"6791\" data-end=\"6990\">If you\u2019re importing as a business\/trader, the question becomes less about \u201chow many times\u201d and more about \u201care you registered correctly and clearing properly?\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-550fd21 fluentform-widget-submit-button-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-fluent-form-widget\" data-id=\"550fd21\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"fluent-form-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-wrapper fluentform-widget-align-default\">\n\n                            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-heading\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"fluentform-widget-title\">\n                        Need a Professional Consultation for Your Import \/ Export Licence?                    <\/h3>\n                                                            <p class=\"fluentform-widget-description\">\n                        Fiil the form below and we will be in touch shortly.                    <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            <div class='fluentform ff-default fluentform_wrapper_5 ffs_default_wrap'><form data-form_id=\"5\" id=\"fluentform_5\" class=\"frm-fluent-form fluent_form_5 ff-el-form-top ff_form_instance_5_4 ff-form-loading ffs_default\" data-form_instance=\"ff_form_instance_5_4\" method=\"POST\" ><fieldset  style=\"border: none!important;margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;background-color: transparent!important;box-shadow: none!important;outline: none!important; min-inline-size: 100%;\">\n                    <legend class=\"ff_screen_reader_title\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;height: 0!important;text-indent: -999999px;width: 0!important;overflow:hidden;\">Contact Form (Contact Us)<\/legend>        <div\n                style=\"display: none!important; position: absolute!important; transform: translateX(1000%)!important;\"\n                class=\"ff-el-group ff-hpsf-container\"\n        >\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\">\n                <label for=\"ff_5_item_sf\" aria-label=\"Contact\">\n                    Contact                <\/label>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--content\">\n                <input type=\"text\"\n                       name=\"item_5__fluent_sf\"\n                       class=\"ff-el-form-control\"\n                       id=\"ff_5_item_sf\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\" class=\"fluent-form-token-field\" name=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\">\n        <input type='hidden' name='__fluent_form_embded_post_id' value='37758' \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" name=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" value=\"fc093c4311\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\" \/><div data-type=\"name-element\" data-name=\"names\" class=\" ff-field_container ff-name-field-wrapper\" ><div class='ff-t-container'><div class='ff-t-cell '><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_4_names_first_name_' >First name<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"names[first_name]\" id=\"ff_5_4_names_first_name_\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=false><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_4_email' aria-label=\"Email\">Email<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"ff_5_4_email\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Email address\" data-name=\"email\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_4_phone' aria-label=\"Phone Number\">Phone Number<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"phone\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Phone number\" data-name=\"phone\" id=\"ff_5_4_phone\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_4_description' aria-label=\"Message\">Message<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><textarea aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true name=\"description\" id=\"ff_5_4_description\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"How can we help you?\" rows=\"3\" cols=\"2\" data-name=\"description\" ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group ff-text-left ff_submit_btn_wrapper'><button type=\"submit\" class=\"ff-btn ff-btn-submit ff-btn-md ff_btn_style\" >Send Now<\/button><\/div><\/fieldset><\/form><div id='fluentform_5_errors' class='ff-errors-in-stack ff_form_instance_5_4 ff-form-loading_errors ff_form_instance_5_4_errors'><\/div><\/div>            <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n                window.fluent_form_ff_form_instance_5_4 = {\"id\":\"5\",\"settings\":{\"layout\":{\"labelPlacement\":\"top\",\"helpMessagePlacement\":\"with_label\",\"errorMessagePlacement\":\"inline\",\"cssClassName\":\"\",\"asteriskPlacement\":\"asterisk-right\"},\"restrictions\":{\"denyEmptySubmission\":{\"enabled\":false}}},\"form_instance\":\"ff_form_instance_5_4\",\"form_id_selector\":\"fluentform_5\",\"rules\":{\"names[first_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[middle_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[last_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"email\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"},\"email\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\"}},\"phone\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"description\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global_message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":true}}},\"debounce_time\":300};\n                            <\/script>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-86e9cc7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"86e9cc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"6997\" data-end=\"7047\">What is the purpose of an import\/export permit?<\/h3><p data-start=\"7049\" data-end=\"7124\">If you\u2019re wondering why permits exist in the first place, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p><p data-start=\"7126\" data-end=\"7503\">Permits are generally there to <strong data-start=\"7157\" data-end=\"7209\">control and regulate certain categories of goods<\/strong>. Export control, for example, is often tied to preventing illegal movement of controlled items, ensuring compliance with trade rules, and managing strategic goods categories (ITAC publishes export control guidance and sector-specific export guidelines).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fcd844 fluentform-widget-submit-button-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-fluent-form-widget\" data-id=\"5fcd844\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"fluent-form-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-wrapper fluentform-widget-align-default\">\n\n                            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-heading\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"fluentform-widget-title\">\n                        Need a Professional Consultation for Your Import \/ Export Licence?                    <\/h3>\n                                                            <p class=\"fluentform-widget-description\">\n                        Fiil the form below and we will be in touch shortly.                    <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            <div class='fluentform ff-default fluentform_wrapper_5 ffs_default_wrap'><form data-form_id=\"5\" id=\"fluentform_5\" class=\"frm-fluent-form fluent_form_5 ff-el-form-top ff_form_instance_5_5 ff-form-loading ffs_default\" data-form_instance=\"ff_form_instance_5_5\" method=\"POST\" ><fieldset  style=\"border: none!important;margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;background-color: transparent!important;box-shadow: none!important;outline: none!important; min-inline-size: 100%;\">\n                    <legend class=\"ff_screen_reader_title\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;height: 0!important;text-indent: -999999px;width: 0!important;overflow:hidden;\">Contact Form (Contact Us)<\/legend>        <div\n                style=\"display: none!important; position: absolute!important; transform: translateX(1000%)!important;\"\n                class=\"ff-el-group ff-hpsf-container\"\n        >\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\">\n                <label for=\"ff_5_item_sf\" aria-label=\"Subscribe\">\n                    Subscribe                <\/label>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--content\">\n                <input type=\"text\"\n                       name=\"item_5__fluent_sf\"\n                       class=\"ff-el-form-control\"\n                       id=\"ff_5_item_sf\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\" class=\"fluent-form-token-field\" name=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\">\n        <input type='hidden' name='__fluent_form_embded_post_id' value='37758' \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" name=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" value=\"fc093c4311\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\" \/><div data-type=\"name-element\" data-name=\"names\" class=\" ff-field_container ff-name-field-wrapper\" ><div class='ff-t-container'><div class='ff-t-cell '><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_5_names_first_name_' >First name<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"names[first_name]\" id=\"ff_5_5_names_first_name_\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=false><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_5_email' aria-label=\"Email\">Email<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"ff_5_5_email\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Email address\" data-name=\"email\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_5_phone' aria-label=\"Phone Number\">Phone Number<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"phone\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Phone number\" data-name=\"phone\" id=\"ff_5_5_phone\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_5_description' aria-label=\"Message\">Message<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><textarea aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true name=\"description\" id=\"ff_5_5_description\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"How can we help you?\" rows=\"3\" cols=\"2\" data-name=\"description\" ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group ff-text-left ff_submit_btn_wrapper'><button type=\"submit\" class=\"ff-btn ff-btn-submit ff-btn-md ff_btn_style\" >Send Now<\/button><\/div><\/fieldset><\/form><div id='fluentform_5_errors' class='ff-errors-in-stack ff_form_instance_5_5 ff-form-loading_errors ff_form_instance_5_5_errors'><\/div><\/div>            <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n                window.fluent_form_ff_form_instance_5_5 = {\"id\":\"5\",\"settings\":{\"layout\":{\"labelPlacement\":\"top\",\"helpMessagePlacement\":\"with_label\",\"errorMessagePlacement\":\"inline\",\"cssClassName\":\"\",\"asteriskPlacement\":\"asterisk-right\"},\"restrictions\":{\"denyEmptySubmission\":{\"enabled\":false}}},\"form_instance\":\"ff_form_instance_5_5\",\"form_id_selector\":\"fluentform_5\",\"rules\":{\"names[first_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[middle_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[last_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"email\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"},\"email\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\"}},\"phone\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"description\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global_message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":true}}},\"debounce_time\":300};\n                            <\/script>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcb8f24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fcb8f24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"7510\" data-end=\"7560\">How long does it take to get an export licence?<\/h3><p data-start=\"7562\" data-end=\"7612\">This depends on what you mean by \u201cexport licence\u201d:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"7616\" data-end=\"7768\">If you mean an <strong data-start=\"7631\" data-end=\"7653\">ITAC export permit<\/strong>, ITAC states export permits may take <strong data-start=\"7691\" data-end=\"7716\">up to 15 working days<\/strong> to issue.\u00a0<\/li><li data-start=\"7616\" data-end=\"7768\">If you mean <strong data-start=\"7783\" data-end=\"7812\">SARS customs registration<\/strong>, SARS\u2019s RLA system is the official route to register as an importer\/trader (we cover the full step-by-step process and realistic timelines in the next post).<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f913c9b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f913c9b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"8019\" data-end=\"8058\">How long is an export licence valid?<\/h3><p data-start=\"8060\" data-end=\"8092\">Again, it depends what you mean:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"8096\" data-end=\"8325\"><strong data-start=\"8096\" data-end=\"8128\">SARS \u201cregistration\u201d validity<\/strong> can be <strong data-start=\"8136\" data-end=\"8150\">indefinite<\/strong> in certain registration contexts (SARS explains \u201cregistration period is indefinite\u201d in its customs registration\/licensing guidance).<\/li><li data-start=\"8096\" data-end=\"8325\"><strong data-start=\"8328\" data-end=\"8346\">Export permits<\/strong> can be <strong data-start=\"8354\" data-end=\"8370\">time-limited<\/strong>. For example, ITAC\u2019s \u201cGuidelines for Import &amp; Export Control\u201d states export permits are valid for customs clearance\/exportation for a period <strong data-start=\"8512\" data-end=\"8556\">not exceeding 60 days from date of issue<\/strong> (in that guideline).\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"8621\" data-end=\"8799\">Practical tip: even when you <em data-start=\"8650\" data-end=\"8657\">think<\/em> you\u2019re dealing with a \u201clicence,\u201d always confirm whether you\u2019re talking about a <strong data-start=\"8737\" data-end=\"8753\">registration<\/strong> (ongoing) or a <strong data-start=\"8769\" data-end=\"8779\">permit<\/strong> (often time-bound).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a350dd fluentform-widget-submit-button-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-fluent-form-widget\" data-id=\"6a350dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"fluent-form-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-wrapper fluentform-widget-align-default\">\n\n                            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-heading\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"fluentform-widget-title\">\n                        Need a Professional Consultation for Your Import \/ Export Licence?                    <\/h3>\n                                                            <p class=\"fluentform-widget-description\">\n                        Fiil the form below and we will be in touch shortly.                    <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            <div class='fluentform ff-default fluentform_wrapper_5 ffs_default_wrap'><form data-form_id=\"5\" id=\"fluentform_5\" class=\"frm-fluent-form fluent_form_5 ff-el-form-top ff_form_instance_5_6 ff-form-loading ffs_default\" data-form_instance=\"ff_form_instance_5_6\" method=\"POST\" ><fieldset  style=\"border: none!important;margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;background-color: transparent!important;box-shadow: none!important;outline: none!important; min-inline-size: 100%;\">\n                    <legend class=\"ff_screen_reader_title\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;height: 0!important;text-indent: -999999px;width: 0!important;overflow:hidden;\">Contact Form (Contact Us)<\/legend>        <div\n                style=\"display: none!important; position: absolute!important; transform: translateX(1000%)!important;\"\n                class=\"ff-el-group ff-hpsf-container\"\n        >\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\">\n                <label for=\"ff_5_item_sf\" aria-label=\"Notify\">\n                    Notify                <\/label>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--content\">\n                <input type=\"text\"\n                       name=\"item_5__fluent_sf\"\n                       class=\"ff-el-form-control\"\n                       id=\"ff_5_item_sf\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\" class=\"fluent-form-token-field\" name=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\">\n        <input type='hidden' name='__fluent_form_embded_post_id' value='37758' \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" name=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" value=\"fc093c4311\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\" \/><div data-type=\"name-element\" data-name=\"names\" class=\" ff-field_container ff-name-field-wrapper\" ><div class='ff-t-container'><div class='ff-t-cell '><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_6_names_first_name_' >First name<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"names[first_name]\" id=\"ff_5_6_names_first_name_\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=false><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_6_email' aria-label=\"Email\">Email<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"ff_5_6_email\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Email address\" data-name=\"email\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_6_phone' aria-label=\"Phone Number\">Phone Number<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"phone\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Phone number\" data-name=\"phone\" id=\"ff_5_6_phone\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_6_description' aria-label=\"Message\">Message<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><textarea aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true name=\"description\" id=\"ff_5_6_description\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"How can we help you?\" rows=\"3\" cols=\"2\" data-name=\"description\" ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group ff-text-left ff_submit_btn_wrapper'><button type=\"submit\" class=\"ff-btn ff-btn-submit ff-btn-md ff_btn_style\" >Send Now<\/button><\/div><\/fieldset><\/form><div id='fluentform_5_errors' class='ff-errors-in-stack ff_form_instance_5_6 ff-form-loading_errors ff_form_instance_5_6_errors'><\/div><\/div>            <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n                window.fluent_form_ff_form_instance_5_6 = {\"id\":\"5\",\"settings\":{\"layout\":{\"labelPlacement\":\"top\",\"helpMessagePlacement\":\"with_label\",\"errorMessagePlacement\":\"inline\",\"cssClassName\":\"\",\"asteriskPlacement\":\"asterisk-right\"},\"restrictions\":{\"denyEmptySubmission\":{\"enabled\":false}}},\"form_instance\":\"ff_form_instance_5_6\",\"form_id_selector\":\"fluentform_5\",\"rules\":{\"names[first_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[middle_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[last_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"email\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"},\"email\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\"}},\"phone\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"description\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global_message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":true}}},\"debounce_time\":300};\n                            <\/script>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85c2149 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"85c2149\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 data-start=\"8806\" data-end=\"8868\">The safest way to handle this (especially if you\u2019re unsure)<\/h3><p data-start=\"8869\" data-end=\"8893\">If you\u2019re stuck between:<\/p><ul><li data-start=\"8896\" data-end=\"8931\">\u201cDo I need only SARS registration?\u201d<\/li><li data-start=\"8896\" data-end=\"8931\">\u201cDo I also need an ITAC permit?\u201d<\/li><li data-start=\"8896\" data-end=\"8931\">\u201cAm I okay importing as a private person?\u201d<\/li><\/ul><p data-start=\"9013\" data-end=\"9151\">\u2026you don\u2019t want to guess, because the cost of being wrong is usually <strong data-start=\"9082\" data-end=\"9090\">time<\/strong> (delays, rejected declarations, goods held, back-and-forth).<\/p><p data-start=\"9153\" data-end=\"9284\">A proper compliance check upfront is usually the fastest way to make sure you\u2019re on the right route for <em data-start=\"9257\" data-end=\"9263\">your<\/em> goods and situation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e04328 fluentform-widget-submit-button-custom elementor-widget elementor-widget-fluent-form-widget\" data-id=\"9e04328\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"fluent-form-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\n            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-wrapper fluentform-widget-align-default\">\n\n                            <div class=\"fluentform-widget-heading\">\n                                        <h3 class=\"fluentform-widget-title\">\n                        Need a Professional Consultation for Your Import \/ Export Licence?                    <\/h3>\n                                                            <p class=\"fluentform-widget-description\">\n                        Fiil the form below and we will be in touch shortly.                    <\/p>\n                                    <\/div>\n            \n            <div class='fluentform ff-default fluentform_wrapper_5 ffs_default_wrap'><form data-form_id=\"5\" id=\"fluentform_5\" class=\"frm-fluent-form fluent_form_5 ff-el-form-top ff_form_instance_5_7 ff-form-loading ffs_default\" data-form_instance=\"ff_form_instance_5_7\" method=\"POST\" ><fieldset  style=\"border: none!important;margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;background-color: transparent!important;box-shadow: none!important;outline: none!important; min-inline-size: 100%;\">\n                    <legend class=\"ff_screen_reader_title\" style=\"display: block; margin: 0!important;padding: 0!important;height: 0!important;text-indent: -999999px;width: 0!important;overflow:hidden;\">Contact Form (Contact Us)<\/legend>        <div\n                style=\"display: none!important; position: absolute!important; transform: translateX(1000%)!important;\"\n                class=\"ff-el-group ff-hpsf-container\"\n        >\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\">\n                <label for=\"ff_5_item_sf\" aria-label=\"Subscribe\">\n                    Subscribe                <\/label>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ff-el-input--content\">\n                <input type=\"text\"\n                       name=\"item_5__fluent_sf\"\n                       class=\"ff-el-form-control\"\n                       id=\"ff_5_item_sf\"\n                \/>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\" class=\"fluent-form-token-field\" name=\"__fluent_protection_token_5\">\n        <input type='hidden' name='__fluent_form_embded_post_id' value='37758' \/><input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" name=\"_fluentform_5_fluentformnonce\" value=\"fc093c4311\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\" \/><div data-type=\"name-element\" data-name=\"names\" class=\" ff-field_container ff-name-field-wrapper\" ><div class='ff-t-container'><div class='ff-t-cell '><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_7_names_first_name_' >First name<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"names[first_name]\" id=\"ff_5_7_names_first_name_\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"First Name\" aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=false><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_7_email' aria-label=\"Email\">Email<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"ff_5_7_email\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Email address\" data-name=\"email\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_7_phone' aria-label=\"Phone Number\">Phone Number<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><input type=\"text\" name=\"phone\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"Phone number\" data-name=\"phone\" id=\"ff_5_7_phone\"  aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group'><div class=\"ff-el-input--label ff-el-is-required asterisk-right\"><label for='ff_5_7_description' aria-label=\"Message\">Message<\/label><\/div><div class='ff-el-input--content'><textarea aria-invalid=\"false\" aria-required=true name=\"description\" id=\"ff_5_7_description\" class=\"ff-el-form-control\" placeholder=\"How can we help you?\" rows=\"3\" cols=\"2\" data-name=\"description\" ><\/textarea><\/div><\/div><div class='ff-el-group ff-text-left ff_submit_btn_wrapper'><button type=\"submit\" class=\"ff-btn ff-btn-submit ff-btn-md ff_btn_style\" >Send Now<\/button><\/div><\/fieldset><\/form><div id='fluentform_5_errors' class='ff-errors-in-stack ff_form_instance_5_7 ff-form-loading_errors ff_form_instance_5_7_errors'><\/div><\/div>            <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n                window.fluent_form_ff_form_instance_5_7 = {\"id\":\"5\",\"settings\":{\"layout\":{\"labelPlacement\":\"top\",\"helpMessagePlacement\":\"with_label\",\"errorMessagePlacement\":\"inline\",\"cssClassName\":\"\",\"asteriskPlacement\":\"asterisk-right\"},\"restrictions\":{\"denyEmptySubmission\":{\"enabled\":false}}},\"form_instance\":\"ff_form_instance_5_7\",\"form_id_selector\":\"fluentform_5\",\"rules\":{\"names[first_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[middle_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"names[last_name]\":{\"required\":{\"value\":false,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"email\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"},\"email\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field must contain a valid email\"}},\"phone\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":false,\"global_message\":\"This field is required\"}},\"description\":{\"required\":{\"value\":true,\"message\":\"This field is required\",\"global_message\":\"This field is required\",\"global\":true}}},\"debounce_time\":300};\n                            <\/script>\n                        <\/div>\n\n            \t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n        <\/section>\n        \t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve been searching things like \u201cwhat is an import and export licence\u201d or \u201cdo I need an import license in South Africa\u201d, you\u2019ve probably noticed something frustrating: different websites use licence, permit, code, and certificate like they\u2019re all the same thing. In South Africa, they\u2019re not. And the biggest trap is this: most people [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37759,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[112],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-export-import-licences"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Import-vs-permit-in-South-Africa.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37758"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37918,"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37758\/revisions\/37918"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37759"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brendmo.com\/secretarial\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}