由 lltx1822 Shipping E-cigarettes to South Africa
South Africa’s South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Department of Health regulate e-cigarettes. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are classified as tobacco products and require a license for importation, while non-nicotine devices are allowed with safety certifications.
Obtaining a license involves submitting product safety data and proof of compliance with local standards, a process that takes 2–3 months. E-liquids with nicotine must not exceed 20mg/ml, and labels must be in English, with warnings such as “Nicotine is addictive” and a list of ingredients.
Transporting e-cigarettes to South Africa requires compliance with Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules for lithium batteries. Air freight must adhere to IATA guidelines, with batteries properly insulated and labeled. Sea freight via Durban or Cape Town ports follows IMO regulations.
Customs documentation includes the import license, a commercial invoice with CIF value, and a certificate of origin. South Africa imposes a 15% VAT on e-cigarettes, plus a 20% customs duty. Note that South Africa prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, but this does not affect transportation. SARS may inspect shipments to check for counterfeit products, so including proof of authenticity is important.