Bonded Warehousing

Bonded Warehousing Durban — SARS-Approved Bonded Storage

SARS-approved bonded warehouse in Durban. Defer customs duty and VAT until goods leave bond. Re-export with no SA duty payable.

SARS-approved bonded warehouse in Durban — duty and VAT deferred storage

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 neighbouring markets — 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

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

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.

Common questions

A SARS-licensed facility where imported goods can be stored without paying customs duty or VAT until they’re removed for local consumption. If they’re re-exported instead, no South African duty is ever paid. It’s a cash-flow tool for importers holding stock, and a duty-free staging point for distributing into other markets.

Goods may generally remain in a customs and excise storage warehouse for up to two years from the date of entry, unless SARS grants an extension. Most clients use it for months rather than years — drawing stock down as it sells and paying duty on each removal.

Importers with slow-turn or seasonal stock who don’t want duty and VAT tied up in inventory; distributors serving other African markets who want to re-export without SA duty; and anyone importing high-duty goods where deferring the payment materially helps cash flow.

Yes — bond accounts, the entry for each removal, monthly reconciliation and SARS audits. You get the cash-flow benefit; we carry the paperwork.

Got cargo to move?

Send us your shipment details — we’ll come back same-day with a real quote.

Get a Quote Call +27 31 332 5052

Fully Accredited

Established 2019

Durban, KZN

Family-Run