Send Cosmetics (Commercial) → 🇿🇦 South Africa
Can I post Cosmetics (Commercial) to South Africa?
Personal-quantity cosmetics can be posted to South Africa; product registration applies to selling, not to personal parcels.
Personal-use quantities; bulk or repeated identical shipments are treated as commercial imports
- Commercial invoice or proof of purchase showing the transaction value
Required at the destination customs authority
Full Details
Posting cosmetics to South Africa in personal quantities is permitted — registration and notification regimes govern marketing cosmetics, not personal parcels. South African Revenue Service (SARS) — Customs and Excise applies the ordinary parcel framework to an accurate CN22/CN23 declaration: import VAT/GST at 15% applies above the exemption threshold, plus duty on above-threshold consignments. South Africa's de minimis threshold for customs duty and VAT relief is ZAR 500 (approximately USD $27 at current rates). Goods valued below ZAR 500 can be imported duty- and VAT-free. Commercial imports above ZAR 500 are subject to customs duty and VAT (15%). SARS has been working to tighten low-value import rules for e-commerce. Aerosols and nail varnish are dangerous-goods limited quantities for air mail; bulk or repeated identical parcels are treated as unregistered commercial imports.
Keep parcels to personal quantities and declare contents specifically ('face cream', not 'gift'). Check carrier rules for aerosols and nail varnish — they are the commonly refused items in this class.
Personal-use quantities; bulk or repeated identical shipments are treated as commercial imports
- —Commercial invoice or proof of purchase showing the transaction value
South African Post Office (SAPO) and SARS assess international parcels. VAT (15%) and customs duty apply to goods above ZAR 500. High-value items and commercial shipments require full customs entry. SAPO has had operational challenges — DHL and courier services are often preferred.
Sending Cosmetics (Commercial) to other countries
Cosmetics (Commercial)
🇺🇸 United States
Personal-quantity cosmetics can be posted to United States; product registration applies to selling, not to personal parcels.
Cosmetics (Commercial)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Personal-quantity cosmetics can be posted to United Kingdom; product registration applies to selling, not to personal parcels.
Cosmetics (Commercial)
🇨🇦 Canada
Personal-quantity cosmetics can be posted to Canada; product registration applies to selling, not to personal parcels.
Cosmetics (Commercial)
🇦🇺 Australia
Personal-quantity cosmetics can be posted to Australia; product registration applies to selling, not to personal parcels.
Cosmetics (Commercial)
🇳🇿 New Zealand
Personal-quantity cosmetics can be posted to New Zealand; product registration applies to selling, not to personal parcels.
Cosmetics (Commercial)
🇹🇭 Thailand
Personal-quantity cosmetics can be posted to Thailand; product registration applies to selling, not to personal parcels.