I think you should check by googling the question. There are certain plant restrictions, but you should get the info from the customs and excise web site for S.A.

I think it highly unlikely that you will be able to take live plant matter into S.A. As Cammomile says check with the S.A. customs and excise. I'm not sure rhubarb would do well in S.A. in any case.

You may find that taking them through customs in your luggage will have restrictions and will cause you problems at the airport but if you ship them to the address it may be ok. I have shipped many bulbs from S.A and all have been declared with no problems but a family member tried to bring some back and they were taken off them in S.A. because the airline would not allow passengers to carry live plants roots without the proper certificates so I assume that it would be the same going into S.A

I think S.A. has stricter rules about what they will allow in than we do Steve. Lowndes copy and past the link below into your web browser for some very clear info.

http://bit.ly/zfX6Wc

I think you would need to find a nursery to do the export for you.

I have taken plants and bulbs out of ZA without really thinking about customs. Not sure what the law is taking them into the UK/EU. Just succulent cuttings wrapped in tissue and African Flag plant bulbs. Also have taken seeds - 2 of my Canary Palms are from trees in Joburg. Never been stopped at customs at CT or Joburg or coming back via CDG/Heathrow/Schiphol but I assume if they did they would not be happy!

Taking them out of ZA and into the UK is a whole different ball game from importing them into ZA Kildermorie they have extremely strict rules.

Wonder why we let anything and it seems anyone into the UK then?

No idea… there are rules but if you have a bulb or three in your hold baggage who is to know! The States, Australia and New Zealand have very strict rules. Guess it is a bit late for us as all those Victorian plant hunters brought back huge amounts of plants - hence we now have the giant hogweed and the Japanese knotweed. Those guys have a lot to answer for!

I thought you couldn't bring plants etc back into the UK with soil attached and needed a licence for this - mind you I think this was a long time ago and don't know the up to date regs.

You do Cammomile but as I said if it is a couple of plants in your hold baggage - who knows!