Travellers from South Africa to Ireland, whether coming directly or via an airport in an EU country, with baggage that has not been cleared through Customs at that airport, must, regardless of nationality or country of residence, clear Customs in Ireland by going through the Red or Green channel, as appropriate.

The Red/Green channel system operates as follows:

Go through the Green channel if you are sure that you have:
- no more than the allowance to which you are entitled (see below)
- no prohibited or restricted goods

Go through the Red channel if you:
- are in doubt
- have more than the allowances to which you are entitled
- have any prohibited or restricted goods

Entry into either channel is deemed to be a Customs declaration.

Prohibited/restricted goods

Certain goods may not be imported, or imported only under licence. The principal items are firearms, ammunition, explosives, dangerous drugs, indecent or obscene books, etc., plants or bulbs, live or dead animals, poultry or birds, hay or straw or articles packed with these materials, meat or meat products.

Duty-free and VAT-free allowances for goods brought from South Africa are:

• Cigarettes 200
• Cigarillos 100
• Cigars 50
• Grammes of Tobacco 250
• Alcoholic drinks (excluding beer)
• Spirits (e.g. whiskey, gin, vodka) 1 litre
• or Intermediate products (e.g. sparkling or fortified wine, port, sherry, some liqueurs) 2 litres
• Still wine 2 litres
• Perfume 50g/60 mls
• Toilet Water 0.25 litres/250 mls
• Other goods (including beer) to the value of E175 per adult or E90 for under 15-year-olds.
• Under 17-year-olds are not entitled to any allowance for tobacco products or alcoholic drinks, including wine and beer.