South Africans who want to export their South African-bought cars to another country must apply for a Vehicle Export Clearance Certificate, which is also known as an Export Clearance (ITAC) (sometimes in addition to a SARPCCO clearance). This post will help you better understand the vehicle clearance certificate process, why these permits are essential, and how Apostil.co.za can help you obtain your vehicle export permit in record time.

💡 Download the ITAC IE362 Application Form here.

How a vehicle export process from South Africa works

SAPS Licensing (customs) and ITAC (International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa) require vehicle owners to present export documentation if they want to do one of the following:

  • Permanently export a vehicle from South Africa
  • Go on holiday/temporarily travel to/in a foreign country with their own vehicle, in which case they need a Temporary Export Certificate

An appointed member of the South African Police Services issues vehicle export clearance documentation and these documents must be presented at a SAPS office, depending on where your car is registered, in order to obtain an Export Police Clearance or SARPCCO clearance.

ITAC in Pretoria issues export permits for vehicles, and although fax copies of export permits are legally acceptable, cross-border agencies prefer the originals to help combat vehicle theft and fraud.APPLICATION FOR EXPORT PERMIT MOTOR VEHICLE

What is the difference between an Export Police Clearance and a SARPCCO Clearance?

ITAC is the International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa. They ensure that Import and Export Control measures that arise from domestic laws and International Agreements are enforced.

Before you can export certain goods out of South Africa, you must have a permit ensuring you comply with the applicable export control measures. These permits also help control the outflow of goods of strategic nature or stolen goods. Vehicles are of strategic nature and often stolen. This is why the ITAC Vehicle Export Clearance is such a vital step in combatting cross-border movements of stolen goods.

Cars that are being exported to SARPCCO countries must be exported with ‘police clearances’ valid for these countries. A SARPCCO clearance is required if a vehicle is exported to one of the following SARPCCO countries:

List of SARPCCO Countries:

  • Angola
  • Botswana
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Tanzania
  • South Africa
  • Swaziland
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

However, if you are exporting your vehicle to a country outside of the SARPCCO regions, you will merely need an ITAC vehicle clearance certificate.

Why is a Vehicle Clearance Certificate so important?

There were some significant criminal and safety risks that used to accompany South African motor vehicle exportation before 1999. Since the implementation of new export rules came into effect, all vehicles being exported from South Africa must go through police clearance, as set out by the guidelines from the South African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO). Before South African car owners can export a vehicle from a SARPCCO country, they are required to obtain a Police Clearance Certificate. Depending on your destination country, you will either receive an Export Clearance or a SARPCCO clearance.

Vehicle Export Clearance South Africa

A Vehicle Export Clearance South Africa example.

How to apply for a Vehicle Export Clearance permit

Applying for a Police Clearance for your vehicle on its own is a tedious and time-consuming process. Not even to mention delays in the export permit process. Apostil.co.za can assist in taking care of the clearance for your vehicle’s export.

The ITAC IE362 Application for Export Permit form – Motor Vehicles is required for the process.

For us to assist you, you will need to provide us with the following documents: (all emailed in scanned PDF format).

Essential:

  • Vehicle registration number
  • Country/City where the vehicle is registered
  • A copy of your ID and your passport
  • Proof of address not older than three months

These documents can also assist or speed things up:

  • Proof of ownership of the vehicle, or if it is still under finance, an original purchase contract
  • Certificate of any tracking devices or Data Dot devices fitted to the vehicle
  • A copy of the valid car license

An important note on DataDot

You cannot export your vehicle from South Africa if it has not been fitted with DataDot. Although many vehicles manufactured before 2013 were not fitted with DataDot identification and authentication technology, export laws require that all vehicles be fitted with DataDot before exports will be permitted.

If your car is not currently fitted with DataDot, we can also assist you with this since we have fitment centers in all major provinces. Alternatively, we can send fitment professionals out to your home to have your vehicle fitted with DataDot in the comfort of your home.

This is yet another step in helping to combat the illegal movement of smuggled and stolen goods (including vehicles) between the borders of South African Regional Police Chief Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) countries.

After we receive your documentation, we will apply for an Export Permit for Motor Vehicles from ITAC on your behalf. We will also submit the relevant documents from the Department of Transport and the Department of Trade and Industry to Customs and Excise.

Apostil.co.za can assist with your Vehicle Export Clearance Certificate for South Africa

We handle everything, including applying for an ITAC Vehicle Export Clearance Permit for Motor Vehicles and submitting your documents to the Department of Transport, the Department of Trade and Industry, and Customs and Excise.

Without the help of documentation specialists, this process can take anywhere from two months.

Apostil.co.za can assist you in getting your Vehicle Clearance Certificate in between 4 and 15 working days of applying (excluding courier time). We can also have it apostilled in as little as 48 hours. See our pricing and contact us now.