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Tax refunds for tourists departing South Africa by air or sea 
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Who can claim?
Non- resident foreign passport holders, older than 7 years of age, on a temporary visit to South Africa are able to claim a VAT Refund, provided that VAT was levied by the supplier, and the supplier is a VAT registered vendor.  South African residents and passport holders are excluded.
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How to claim your refund?
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1. Documentation
Simply identify yourself as a tourist to the shop assistant, and request a Tax invoice for the goods you have purchased.  A Tax invoice must contain all the following information:
  • The words “Tax invoice”
  • The seller’s VAT registration number
  • The seller’s name and address
  • A full description of the goods purchased
  • The amount of VAT charged, or a statement that VAT is included in the total cost of the goods
  • A Tax invoice number
  • Date of issue of the Tax invoice
  • The cost of the goods in Rands
  • In the case of purchases over R 500.00, the purchaser’s name and address and the quantity or volume of the goods must appear on the invoice.
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2.  Inspection
Inspections must be evidenced by an endorsement on the relevant tax invoice by a VAT Refund official or a South African customs official.

Should you depart from one of the three International airports (Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town), you must present your purchases as well as the relevant tax invoices to a VAT Refund official for inspection.  If your purchases are too large to be kept as hand-luggage and are to be transported as part of checked luggage, you must present the goods and relevant tax invoices to a South African customs official prior to the goods being checked in.

Should you depart from one of the airports or harbours listed below, you must present your purchases and the relevant tax invoices to a South African customs official.
Other airports:  Lanseria, Bloemfontein, Gateway, Nelspruit, Mmabatho, Port Elizabeth, Upington
Harbours:  Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban, East London, Richards Bay, Mossel bay,  Saldanha

Remember:  No inspection - No refund!  Goods exported via any other departure point do not qualify for a VAT refund.
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3. Claim your VAT refund
On departure from one of the three International airports, present your claim at the VAT refund office.  Your refund will be made by rand cheque payable anywhere in the world, except South Africa.  The cheques may be cashed at the airport banking facility, into a major currency of your choice.  Details will be provided by the VAT Refund Administrator’s office at the airport.

Remember:  No refund will be made if the claim is not submitted before departure.

(However, in extreme circumstances you may submit your claim by post for consideration.  Such claims must be accompanied by a full completed “export declaration form” as proof that the goods have been declared for Customs purposes in the country to which the goods are exported.  You must also enclose a letter of explanation, a copy of your passport showing your personal details as well as the entry and exit endorsements into and from South Africa.  These postal refund claims will only be considered if received by the VAT Refund Administrator within 90 days of the date of export.  The VAT Refund Administrator will forward theses claims to the Commisionar for consideration.)
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General information
Only claims where the value of the goods exported at one time is R 250,00 or more, will be considered for a VAT refund. The commissioner determines the value of refund cheques issued on departure.  Refunds exceeding this limit will be posted. Goods consumed and services rendered in South Africa, do not qualify for a VAT refund. The items purchased must be exported within 90 days of the date of issue of the Tax Invoice.
An administration fee of 1.5 % of the VAT inclusive value of the claim will be deducted, subject to a  minimum of R 10,00 and a maximum of R 250,00. Only original Tax Invoices will be considered for a refund.
Special rules apply to registerable items and second-hand goods, which will result in a postal refund once the Commissioner has determined the amount refundable. Information contained herein is subject to change or variation without notice.

For further information contact the VAT Refund Administrator (Pty) Ltd, Johannesburg Tel.: +27 - 11 - 390 2970   Fax: +27 - 11 - 390 2787   E-Mail: info@taxrefunds.co.za

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