6 min read · Updated 20 August 2026
What is an ITAC export permit?
It is the authorisation issued by South Africa's International Trade Administration Commission that permits a used vehicle to leave the country. Second-hand vehicles are controlled goods: without the permit, customs will not release the vehicle for export, regardless of who owns it or what has been paid.
Which vehicles need one?
Used passenger vehicles, bakkies, light commercials and most other second-hand motor vehicles being permanently exported. The controls exist to regulate the outflow of used goods, so the permit is tied to the specific vehicle — its VIN and engine number — rather than to the exporter in general. A permit issued for one vehicle cannot be used for another.
What documents are required?
- The vehicle registration certificate showing the current registered owner.
- A police clearance certificate for the vehicle, confirming it is not stolen and that the VIN and engine numbers match the record.
- Proof of purchase — the invoice or agreement of sale.
- Identification for the exporter and, where applicable, the buyer's details for the destination country.
- De-registration of the vehicle from the South African register as part of the export process.
How long does it take?
A complete application is usually issued within a few working days. The elapsed time that matters to a buyer, though, is the whole documentation chain — the police clearance has to be obtained first, and that is the step most likely to set the schedule.
The two mistakes that send applications back
1. Applying before the police clearance is issued
The clearance underpins the permit. Starting the permit application without it simply moves the waiting from one queue to another, and creates the impression that the export is progressing when it is not.
2. A mismatch between the papers and the metal
If the VIN or engine number on the registration document does not match what is physically stamped on the vehicle — a common issue on vehicles that have had an engine replaced — the clearance fails and the permit cannot be issued. This is why a physical inspection before purchase is worth more than any paperwork check.
The ITAC permit is one of four documents needed on the South African side: the export permit, the police clearance certificate, the SADC certificate of origin (which establishes South African origin and, for SACU destinations, removes customs duty entirely) and the customs export entry.
Who applies — you or the exporter?
Either. In practice, buyers who are not resident in South Africa use an exporter or clearing agent, because the application requires South African documentation and the vehicle has to be de-registered locally. Where we handle the sale, we prepare and lodge the full set as part of the landed cost, and the permit and clearance travel with the vehicle in the document file.
Export controls, required documents and processing times change. This guide reflects the position in August 2026 and is general information, not formal advice. The authority publishes its own requirements at itac.org.za. Confirm current requirements with ITAC or your clearing agent before committing to a purchase.
We handle the permits.
Export permit, police clearance, certificate of origin and customs entry — prepared, lodged and included in the price we quote you.