Destinations › South Africa › Cape Town › Rules
Cape Town, South Africa
3 laws, restrictions, and customs in Cape Town that travellers often break without knowing — and the fines or consequences that follow.
Stopping on South African highways at night — even for a breakdown — is extremely dangerous. 'Highway robbery' targeting vehicles that have stopped is documented. Use roadside emergency services and keep moving to a lit petrol station if possible.
Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban all have areas where street crime, mugging, and carjacking are elevated risks. Johannesburg CBD is particularly risky after hours.
Bringing counterfeit branded goods (watches, bags, clothing) into South Africa is illegal. Customs officers at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo and Cape Town airports confiscate them.
