Expat Community > South Africa

OldCapetonian
Joined 2012
Posts: 4

Moving back to SA from UK......

12 years ago

I need someone to please point me in the right direction or perhaps advise?

My UK Settlement VISA was obtained in 2010 and we moved over to the UK in July 2011 for an indefinite period to assist with my wife's 88-yr old mum.
Sold our cars and motorcycle as well as furniture in SA - rented our house out and closed our business before moving.

During the process (before the move) I purchased a replacement 2nd Hand Motorcycle here in the UK in May/June 2011 during a visit to sort things out....
On arrival the end of July - we also purchased a 2nd hand Ford Fusion car to be able to transport the old lady around.

With my Settlement Visa - I was entitled to get Full Spousal Permanent Residency and a Work Permit........

Life here with the mother-in-law has been hell on earth for a year now. She's actually a really nice person - however Altzheimers and dementia is causing the problems that is putting a huge strain on our marriage and my wife (the Brit) wants to move back to Cape Town in November this year.

Now here's where the query comes in!

Technically - we did not Emigrate from SA. We still have our bank accounts but made sure we had settled all accounts and any SARS payments etc that was due before leaving - the time nad urgency of us getting over here did not offer sufficient time to go and jump the hoops for emigration.

Living over here for a year - having my bike registered - V5 as Keeper and Owner and insured since June 2011 means that it's been in my name for longer than a year by the time we go back.

Would I still qualify for duty-free import to SA when we go back?

As mentioned - I have Permanent Residency in the UK... but the Emigration issue worries me....

We'd probably need a container or at least half of one to take all the stuff we have accumulated back to SA......

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