OR Tambo review: Customs department

Please can you assist me? A friend from the UK was visiting us recently and when she saw how little reading matter, stationery etc. a school that we had visited in Mamelodi she decided when she went back to Scotland to ask around family and friends to donate such items that their children were no longer using and were in near perfect condition. As a result of her plea, she filled 4 cartons of these items and sent them via DHL to my address in Pretoria SA. The school is in Mamelodi where my husband had been a minister before retirement and we have kept in touch and tried to assist many families, particularly child-headed families over the years.

These items have arrived in SA but cannot be released because we need an ITAC permit. I have no idea what this is or where to get one. I have been searching online but cannot seem to find where to access the forms. I wrote to ITAC and this is there response:

Good day

I refer to your application dated 05 December 2023.

Kindly be advised that in terms of the provisions of the International Trade Administration Act (Act 71 of 2002), the importation of new/used Books classified under tariff heading [protected], are not subject to ITAC import control measures, and may therefore be imported without an ITAC import permit.

This letter shall not absolve an importer from the obligations of also complying with the provisions of other legislation relating to the importation of goods into the Republic of South Africa. Kindly visit www.itac.org.za.

I am at a loss as to why they would deprive disadvantaged children the oppurtunity to have some books and stationery to assist their education. they say if I dont provide the permit within 14 days I will be fined R5000. we are pensioners and cannot afford this amount of money it is more than 1 months pension.

Please please can you assist us with this matter?

I thank you in advance

Rev Graham Duncan.

[protected]