Thinking of sending goods from South Africa to our neighbours? Where your parcel’s headed makes all the difference. South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana are part of the same customs union, so your goods move seamlessly across the border, with no import duties adding delays or extra costs.
Mozambique, though, plays by different rules: it’s outside that union, so you need to be ready for customs duties and a bit more red tape. Understanding these differences isn’t just helpful, it’s what keeps your shipment on the move, not stuck at a border post.
With DHL Express, you’re covered on all three routes, and export clearance is included in the service. Want to know what you’ll pay before you send? The MyGTS Pre-Shipment Planner gives you an upfront estimate of duties and taxes, so you’re not caught off guard.
Why SACU matters: The line that changes the game
South Africa, Namibia, and Botswana are all members of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), alongside Lesotho and Eswatini. Inside SACU, parcels from South Africa to Namibia or Botswana aren’t hit with customs duties. Simple as that. Mozambique, while part of the SADC family, isn’t in SACU, so imports from South Africa are dutiable there.
This difference shapes the cost and paperwork for each shipment. It’s the first thing to check when quoting a customer. DHL Express takes care of the export declaration, wherever you’re sending, and MyGTS lays out the landed cost before you commit.
Shipping To Namibia: Quick, Simple, And Hassle-freed
Sending to Namibia? It doesn’t get much easier. No customs duty for South African goods, just 15% import VAT, collected by the Namibia Revenue Agency at the border.
The paperwork is straightforward: a invoice, packing list, and waybill, plus a certificate of origin or permit for certain goods. All documents are accepted in English. Express shipments commercialusually clear within days, and with DHL Express, you get doorstep delivery and end-to-end tracking.
Shipping To Botswana: Duty-free, No Fuss
Botswana, part of SACU, means it’s duty-free for South African goods. Import VAT sits at 14%, collected by BURS. Documentation? Pretty much the same as Namibia: commercial invoice, packing list, waybill, nothing fancy. Even though Botswana is landlocked, DHL Express gets your parcel there quickly, with air freight skipping the delays of road transport. And you and your customer can track the shipment every step of the way.
Shipping To Mozambique: More Paperwork, More Rules, Sorted by DHL
Mozambique requires a bit more prep. Being outside SACU, your goods face import duty (0% to 25%, depending on the HS code) and 16% import VAT (IVA).
There’s more paperwork, too. Along with your commercial invoice and packing list, you’ll need a Single Administrative Document. Your importer must have a Mozambican tax number and access to the electronic single window, and certain goods need pre-shipment inspection. Labels? Portuguese is the official language.
Here’s a plus: under the SADC Free Trade Area, South African goods with a valid SADC certificate of origin could qualify for reduced or zero duty, but only if the documentation is spot on. DHL Express handles clearance, and MyGTS calculates the duties and IVA ahead of time.
Don’t Skip The Documentation
Wherever your parcel’s going, the commercial invoice is your ticket. Make sure it’s clear, with the right HS code, country of origin, and an accurate declared value. If your details are vague or off, your shipment could get stopped at the border. MyDHL+ helps you get your paperwork right from the start, and with Shipment Value Protection, your goods are covered while in transit.
One DHL Account. All Borders. No Hassle.
If you’re sending regular shipments across the region, a single DHL business account just makes sense. You’ll get better rates, one invoice, customs expertise, and support, plus tracking for every item.
With DHL Express, you can focus on growing your business. We’ll tackle the borders.
FAQs
Getting your goods out of Mzansi and into the world means having your paperwork in order. For most shipments, you’ll need a commercial invoice and an air waybill. A packing list is often useful too. Depending on what you’re sending and where it’s headed, customs might also request permits, certificates of origin, or specific product licences. Not sure which forms go where? Our guide, Get Your Goods Moving: Documentation Essentials for South African Exporters, unpacks what each document does and highlights the common pitfalls that can slow things down at the border.
Absolutely. With DHL Express, customs clearance is part of our international service. Our team helps prepare and process the paperwork needed for both export and import, helping your shipment move smoothly across the border. Just remember, it’s up to the sender to provide accurate, detailed information about what’s in the parcel. If you want to learn more about how DHL makes cross-border trade easier for South African businesses, have a look at Getting International Shipping Right with DHL. It’s packed with practical advice on compliance, digital shipping tools, and building a smoother international shipping process.
If there are duties or taxes to pay on your shipment, DHL Express will send you clear payment instructions based on how you booked your shipment.
If you’re a guest shipper or the recipient, keep an eye out for an email or SMS containing a secure payment link through DHL's On Demand Delivery (ODD) service.
If you’re a business account holder, duties and taxes are typically invoiced through DHL MyBill after delivery, unless you’ve arranged prepayment or the charges are being billed to the receiver.
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