What is the duty-free allowance for bringing Jordan sneakers into South Africa as a traveller?

South African travellers can import up to R5 000 worth of new or used goods duty-free in accompanied baggage. If the value exceeds this allowance, customs duty and import VAT will apply.

What additional costs should I budget for when buying Jordan sneakers abroad and shipping them to South Africa?

You should budget for international courier fees (typically R300 to R1 200), customs duty (which can be around 30% for footwear), and import VAT at 15% on the total landed value, including shipping and duty.

How can I check if the Jordan sneaker style I want is available locally on Bash before deciding to buy abroad?

You can explore the Brands section or Men/Women categories on Bash to see local prices and availability, helping you compare whether buying abroad still saves money after all fees.

What baggage fees might I incur if I pack Jordan sneakers in my checked luggage when flying?

If you exceed your airline's baggage allowance, excess-baggage or second-bag fees can range from around R300 to R1 500, depending on the route and carrier.

Can you give an example of the total landed cost of Jordan sneakers bought abroad and shipped to South Africa?

For a pair costing R4 000 abroad with R600 courier fees, if customs duty is 30% (R1 380) and import VAT is 15% on R5 980 (R897), the total landed cost is about R6 877. This shows how duties and taxes significantly increase the final price.

Jordan sneakers travel cost - what South Africans should budget

Practical, South Africa-focused guide to the real costs of buying or bringing Jordan sneakers home: allowances, likely duties, VAT and baggage or shipping fees.

Published:June 24, 2026

Updated:September 2, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Ox Street on Pexels

Know the allowance

Travellers can bring up to R5 000 in new/used goods duty-free; higher rules apply for some neighbouring countries.

Jordan sneakers travel cost: a quick reality check

We often hear from customers who want to bring Jordan sneakers home after a trip or buy them online from abroad. The true cost is a mix of the shoe price, shipping or baggage charges, and taxes or duties on arrival - and those last two can add up. Below we break down the parts you can control and the predictable fees you should plan for.

Typical scenarios we see

Buying Jordans overseas and packing them in your checked luggage;
Buying online and having the shoes shipped to South Africa;
Buying while travelling and declaring the shoes at customs as a purchase above your allowance.

What the traveller allowance covers

If the shoes are for your personal use and you bring them in accompanied baggage, South African travellers can import up to R5 000 worth of new or used goods duty-free (higher limits apply from some neighbouring SACU countries). If the value exceeds that allowance, customs duty and import VAT normally apply. ([sars.gov.za](https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/travellers/duties-and-taxes-for-travellers/))

Customs duty and import VAT - what to expect

Import VAT is charged at 15% of the customs value plus certain additions; customs duty on footwear is commonly charged at a significant ad valorem rate (for many types of shoes this can be in the tens of percent range), so you should expect both VAT and duty to increase the total landed cost noticeably. Exact duty depends on classification and country of origin.

Packing Jordans in luggage: the baggage cost angle

If you pack Jordans in checked baggage you avoid courier import fees, but you might face overweight/extra-bag fees when flying. Fees vary by carrier and route; on major South African sectors excess-baggage charges can be a modest flat fee or several hundred rand or more for intercontinental travel. Check your airline’s allowance before you fly.

Where to look on Bash while you plan

If you want to compare local options or check whether a style is already available at home, start with our Brands section or the Men/Women categories to see local prices and availability: Brands and Men. These pages help you decide whether buying abroad still saves money after fees.

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How to estimate the total cost - a practical method

We recommend this simple step-by-step calculation so you can compare buying overseas versus locally.

Step 1 - Start with the advertised price

Take the retail price you would pay abroad (example: a general-release Jordan pair might range from R2 500 to R6 000 when converted into rand after card fees). Use that as your base. Note that resale or limited releases can be much higher - treat those separately as special cases.

Step 2 - Add shipping or baggage fees

Shipping: international courier-to-door quotes often range from around R300 to R1 200 depending on speed, insurance and carrier - some offer DDP (duties paid) quotes that simplify clearance.
Checked luggage: if buying while away and packing in your bag, budget for excess-baggage or second-bag fees if you exceed the allowance - these can be roughly R300-R1 500 depending on route and airline.

Step 3 - Add customs duty + import VAT

If the declared value is above your R5 000 traveller allowance, expect import VAT at 15% on the landed value plus customs duty. For footwear, a conservative planning figure is to allow for ~30% duty in some cases plus 15% VAT on the declared value and shipping - that can add around 45% or more to the declared shoe price, depending on duty applied and how customs values the goods. Always treat these as estimates and check SARS guidance for your particular situation. (sars.gov.za)

Example worked estimate

Say the shoes cost R4 000 abroad and you paid R600 to courier them (no duty-paid service). Declared customs value = R4 600. If duty for that classification were 30% (estimate) = R1 380; import VAT 15% on (R4 600 + R1 380) ≈ R873. Total landed cost = R4 000 + R600 + R1 380 + R873 = R6 853 (approx). This shows how quickly landed cost can approach or exceed local retail, so run numbers before you buy.

Practical tips we use and recommend

Ask the seller/shipper for an itemised invoice and HS code if possible - that makes customs valuation smoother.
Consider DDP shipping (duties and VAT prepaid) to avoid surprise clearance fees and courier admin charges.
If you’re travelling, use the R5 000 duty-free allowance per person for casual single purchases; combine purchases across travellers only where rules permit. (sars.gov.za)
Compare the landed cost to local retail on Bash and in our Brands articles so you know whether the trip actually saves money.

When it still makes sense to buy abroad

Buying overseas can be worth it for limited releases, sizes not stocked locally, or when currency and promotions create a big price gap. For routine releases, the landed cost often narrows savings. Check both the net cost after taxes and the convenience (warranty, returns) before deciding.

Quick checklist before you buy: invoice & HS code, courier DDP vs CIF terms, airline baggage allowance if packing, compare to local price on Brands or relevant category.

Sources

SARS - Duties and Taxes for Travellers (official guidance)
PwC South Africa - VAT overview (import VAT context)
South African Airways - Additional baggage examples
Afrotools - Import duty guide (footwear duties, estimate)

Last updated: September 2, 2026

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Jordan sneakers travel cost - what South Africans should budget

Know the allowance

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

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Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Expect VAT + duty

Compare landed cost

Jordan sneakers travel cost: a quick reality check

Typical scenarios we see

What the traveller allowance covers

Customs duty and import VAT - what to expect

Packing Jordans in luggage: the baggage cost angle

Where to look on Bash while you plan

How to estimate the total cost - a practical method

Step 1 - Start with the advertised price

Step 2 - Add shipping or baggage fees

Step 3 - Add customs duty + import VAT

Example worked estimate

Practical tips we use and recommend

When it still makes sense to buy abroad

Sources

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