Discussion · VoyageForum

Translated into English.

Original post

Voyarêve

Regular54 posts

2025-07-07

Hi there, I usually bring along a can or two of vegetables, sugar, tea, coffee, and even jam to start off my stay. Does anyone know if this is allowed when arriving in South Africa? I know that milk—even powdered—is banned, but I haven’t found answers about the other items. Thanks for your help.

Michel85200 Globetrotter ·2025-07-09

Hi there,

I’d never really thought about it before... but arriving by plane, aside from a pack of cookies and a bit of mineral water, I don’t have anything else. It’s super easy to buy pretty much anything in Pick n Pay or Spar stores... But the question got me thinking. I’ve actually traveled to Lesotho or Eswatini with "supplies" of food... and then re-entered South Africa with the same items. Anything food-related, especially uncooked, is generally illegal if it involves animal products or fresh plants. This includes red meats and pork in particular, soft-boiled eggs, dairy products (due to foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever, and avian flu). Seeds might also be an issue. It’s kind of like the rules in Australia (and that makes sense).

Here’s what I found:

Endangered plants and animals: Species of plants or animals that are listed as endangered, whether they are alive or dead, as well as any parts of or articles made from them. Food, plants, animals and biological goods: All plants and plant products, such as seeds, flowers, fruit, honey, margarine and vegetable oils. Also animals, birds, poultry and products thereof, such as dairy products, butter and eggs. (You’ll need a permit to bring fish into South Africa.)

That’s all I know.

michel85200

Start a new discussion Printable version Report this post Follow this discussion

Similar discussions

Bringing food in your luggage

You might also like

Bringing food in your luggage

Related discussions

You might also like