After some strong lobbying, it has finally been acknowledged that it is not necessary for yachts which have previously cleared into South Africa, to visit the Customs office in Cape Town.

Published 7 years ago, updated 5 years ago

During the past summer season, the marina at Simon’s Town has had a lot of trouble with the Customs department in Cape Town. They were insisting that all cruising yachts coming down the coast from Richard’s Bay or Durban, were required to visit the local South African Revenue Office in the local town/city.

This involved Simon’s Town visitors having to bus or train to Cape Town.  With the current chaos in the public transport system in the area, having to travel to Cape Town is far from quick or easy.

The False Bay Yacht Club has worked tirelessly to get acknowledgement from the South African Authorities that it is not necessary for yachts which have already cleared into South Africa, to visit the Customs Office in Cape Town when they arrive in Simon’s Town.

The following statement has been judged correct by a senior member of the SARS office covering Western and Eastern Cape.

“Any boat arriving in RSA must do so at a “Port of Entry” (Cape Town, PE, EL, Durban and Richard’s Bay).

Once ”checked in” with Customs and Immigration at one of these ports they are free to move along our coast unhindered on a DA4 form from the port of entry.

In order to leave RSA for a foreign port, they must “check out” at any  “Port of Entry” and get full clearance.”

Petrus Mouers

Manager: Customs Specialized Unit W& EC

South African Revenue Service

Tel  021 413 6498 / 083 555 0986

Cell  083 555 0986   Fax  010281637

Our thanks to Spilly Spilhaus, Marina Manager of the False Bay Yacht Club, for contacting us with this news.

http://www.fbyc.co.za/