SARS-approved bonded warehousing.

If you import slow-turn stock or re-export part of your imports to other African markets, bonded warehousing can release significant working capital. Customs duty and VAT only become payable when goods leave the bond — and re-exports skip SA duty entirely.

What is a bonded warehouse?

A bonded warehouse is a SARS-approved facility where imported goods can be stored without payment of customs duty and VAT. The duty is only paid when the goods are removed from bond for local consumption. If the goods are re-exported, no SA duty is payable at all.

When bonded warehousing makes sense

• Slow-turn imports — goods you import in bulk but sell over months. Pay duty only as you sell, not upfront.
• Re-export to SADC — if part of your import is destined for Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, etc., that portion never pays SA duty.
• Distribution centres — serving multiple African markets from a single SA bonded location
• Trading companies — holding stock for opportunistic sale to multiple African destinations
• Manufacturing inputs — raw materials and components used in goods that will be re-exported (under specific bond types)

Bond types we handle

• OS (Outward Storage) bond — the most common type. General storage of imported goods.
• SOS (Special Outward Storage) bond — for specific commodities (e.g., wines, spirits, tobacco).
• RIB (Removal in Bond) — transferring goods between bonded facilities
• SRR (Special Refund Rebate) processing — for specific manufacturing rebates

How it works

1. Goods arrive at Durban port and clear customs into bond (no duty paid)
2. Goods stored in our bonded warehouse for up to 24 months
3. When you’re ready: either remove goods for local consumption (pay duty + VAT at that point) or re-export (no SA duty)
4. Re-export documentation handled end-to-end including any cross-border SADC paperwork

Bonded warehousing has additional record-keeping and compliance requirements. We handle all of it — bond accounts, monthly reconciliation, SARS audits, and the documentation each removal requires.