Vehicle Clearance
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Vehicle Import and Export Clearance
Move Your Car Across Borders with Confidence
“I didn’t think bringing my car back from Dubai would be harder than moving myself.”
That’s what Lindelwa, a South African expat returning from the UAE, shared with us after her vehicle got held up at customs for over a month. She had the right shipping company, but no clearance documents. The frustration? Real. The delays? Expensive.
Whether you’re bringing in a new vehicle, exporting your own, or relocating abroad with your car, Global Visa Management is here to make the red tape simple.
Vehicle Clearance Explained
What Is Vehicle Import and Export Clearance?
If you’re moving a vehicle across South African borders—whether permanently or temporarily—you need to obtain clearance documentation that proves you’ve met legal, tax, and customs requirements.
- South African Revenue Service (SARS)
- National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Department of Transport
- In some cases, foreign embassies or customs bodies
Without these clearances, your car can be held at port, fined, sent back to origin country or worse—impounded.
Key Requirements
According to SARS and NRCS regulations, imported vehicles must meet the following:
Right-hand drive only
Left-hand drive vehicles are generally prohibited.
Letter of Authority (LOA)
Issued by NRCS—mandatory for clearance.
Import permit
Required from ITAC (International Trade Administration Commission).
Duties and VAT
Generally charged at ~30%–40% of value, unless exempt.
Proof of residence and ownership
Must prove the vehicle belongs to the importer.
SAPS Vehicle Police Clearance
Why It Matters
Before any vehicle can leave or enter South Africa, it must undergo a SAPS police clearance—confirming:
- The vehicle is not stolen
- The engine and chassis numbers match
- The vehicle is legally registered
We help fast-track SAPS appointments and ensure all documents are in order before submission—avoiding weeks of delays.
Border Clearance Tightening in SADC
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced tighter customs and registration controls in early 2025. This affects anyone exporting vehicles.
Why Us?
Why Choose Global Visa Management?
- We know the system—from SARS to SAPS to NRCS
- We’ve helped hundreds of expats and car importers
- We offer full support from paperwork to port release
- We’re real humans—no call center runarounds
Common Scenarios Where You Need Vehicle Clearance
Why It Matters
- Returning expats bringing back a personal vehicle
- Immigrants moving abroad with their vehicle
- Businesses exporting cars (e.g., to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia)
- Tourists who’ve overstayed their vehicle’s temporary permit
- Collectors and importers of vintage or luxury cars
- Students or contractors relocating for long-term assignments
Our Process
How It Works
Testimonials
From Job Offer to Vehicle Export in 4 Weeks
When Michael, a mining technician from Rustenburg, landed a 2-year contract in Ghana, he wanted to take his Isuzu bakkie with him. His employer didn’t assist with export clearances, and the shipping company said they “don’t do SAPS.” We jumped in, secured:
- SAPS police clearance
- Export permit
- SARS customs release
- Port documents
All within 4 weeks. Michael drove his bakkie off the dock in Accra with zero issues—and saved over R30,000 by avoiding storage penalties.
