Vehicle Export Clearance Certificate

 

Exporting a vehicle from South Africa?

If you are exporting a South African-registered vehicle to another country, you may need official export clearance before the vehicle can leave South Africa.

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GetCleared.co.za assists vehicle owners, dealers and exporters with the vehicle export clearance process, including the preparation and submission of documentation and follow-up with the relevant authorities.

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Whether you are permanently exporting a vehicle or temporarily taking your vehicle across the border, we can help you understand the documentation required for your destination and handle the process on your behalf.

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What is a Vehicle Export Clearance Certificate?

A Vehicle Export Clearance Certificate is part of the documentation required when exporting a motor vehicle from South Africa.

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Depending on the destination and circumstances of the export, you may require an ITAC Export Permit, an Export Police Clearance, a SARPCCO clearance, or other supporting documentation.

 

These requirements help South African authorities verify the vehicle and ensure that vehicles being taken across international borders comply with applicable export and customs requirements.

 

Do I need vehicle export clearance?

You may need export clearance if you are:

• Permanently exporting a vehicle from South Africa

• Selling a South African vehicle to a buyer in another country

• Taking a vehicle across the border for permanent use abroad

• Exporting a vehicle to a neighbouring African country

• Temporarily taking your South African vehicle into another country

The exact requirements depend on the destination country, vehicle and type of export.

 

Exporting to another SARPCCO country

If you are exporting a vehicle to certain countries in the Southern African region, additional police clearance requirements may apply.

These can include destinations such as:

• Malawi

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

• Mozambique

• Botswana

• Namibia

• Tanzania

• Lesotho

• Eswatini

• Angola

 

For these destinations, you may require a SARPCCO vehicle clearance in addition to other export documentation.

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If you are unsure which clearance applies to your vehicle, GetCleared can assess your requirements before you proceed.

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ITAC Export Permit for Motor Vehicles

The International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) is responsible for South Africa's import and export control system.

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An ITAC export permit may be required when exporting a motor vehicle from South Africa. The application involves submitting the relevant vehicle and owner information together with supporting documentation.

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GetCleared can assist with the preparation and submission of the application and follow up on the process on your behalf.

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What documents do I need?

Requirements can vary depending on the vehicle and destination, but you will generally need information and documentation such as:

• Vehicle registration number

• Copy of the vehicle registration document

• Copy of your South African ID or passport

• Proof of residential address

• Valid vehicle licence

• Proof of ownership

 

Additional documents may be required if the vehicle is:

• Financed

• Registered in someone else's name

• Being exported on behalf of another person

• Being sold to an overseas buyer

• Subject to additional customs or import requirements

 

If you are exporting a financed vehicle, for example, you may need documentation from the financing institution confirming the export.

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Exporting a vehicle from South Africa while overseas

You do not necessarily need to manage the entire process yourself or travel between government offices.

 

If you are already outside South Africa, GetCleared can assist with the documentation and application process from here in South Africa, subject to the requirements of your particular export.

This can be especially useful for South Africans living abroad who need to arrange the export of a vehicle still registered in South Africa.

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How GetCleared can help

Vehicle export documentation can involve several steps and different authorities. GetCleared provides a document concierge service that helps you manage the process from one place.

We can assist with:

• Reviewing your export requirements

• Preparing your application

• Submitting documentation to the relevant authority

• ITAC export permit applications

• Vehicle police clearance requirements

• SARPCCO clearance where applicable

• Following up on applications

• Obtaining and securely delivering your documents

• Apostille, authentication or legalisation where required

 

Our role is to make the administrative side of your vehicle export simpler, particularly when you are dealing with the process remotely.

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How long does vehicle export clearance take?

Processing times depend on the type of clearance required, the destination country and the relevant authorities.

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GetCleared handles the submission and follow-up process on your behalf to help keep your application moving and reduce unnecessary delays.

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Because each vehicle export is different, contact us with your vehicle and destination details for a current processing estimate.

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Vehicle Export Clearance for Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other African destinations

We regularly assist with South African documentation intended for use outside the country.

If you are exporting a vehicle from South Africa to Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, Namibia or another African destination, tell us where the vehicle is going and we can help identify the documentation required for the export.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a Vehicle Export Clearance Certificate?

It is official documentation used as part of the process of exporting a motor vehicle from South Africa. Depending on the destination, different forms of export and police clearance may be required.

 

What is an ITAC Export Permit?

An ITAC Export Permit is an export control document issued through the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa for goods that require export control. Motor vehicles may require an ITAC export permit when being exported from South Africa.

 

What is SARPCCO clearance?

SARPCCO clearance is a police clearance process used for vehicles being exported within the Southern African region. It helps authorities verify the vehicle and its ownership before it crosses an international border.

 

Do I need both ITAC and SARPCCO clearance?

This depends on the destination and circumstances of the export. Some exports require an ITAC permit as well as police or SARPCCO clearance. GetCleared can assess your specific situation and advise you on the documentation required.

 

Can GetCleared arrange vehicle export clearance for Malawi?

Yes. We can assist with the South African side of the documentation and clearance process for vehicles being exported to Malawi. Contact us with the vehicle details and we will advise you on the applicable requirements.

 

Can you assist if the vehicle is financed?

Potentially, yes. A financed vehicle may require additional documentation or authorisation from the finance company before it can be exported. Send us the details of the vehicle and its financing status and we can advise you on what is required.

 

Can you apostille or legalise vehicle export documents?

Where applicable, yes. If your destination country or another authority requires an export-related document to be apostilled, authenticated or legalised, GetCleared can assist with the additional process.

 

Exporting a vehicle?

Let GetCleared handle the paperwork.

Send us your vehicle registration details, destination country and available ownership documents and we will assess what is required for your export.

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