WHAT IS AN 'EMBARGO' RELEASE?
An 'Embargo Release' in South Africa refers to a customs procedure that allows for the conditional release of goods that are under an embargo. This is typically granted in situations where goods are too bulky, fragile, dangerous, or require special handling by experts. It's also applicable for goods that need immediate refrigeration or are household effects, books, periodicals, and other printed matter packed in Full Container Load (FCL) containers
An Embargo release may be granted at the discretion of the NRCS – what this means is that you will save the daily storage costs, but you will have to keep the products in a safe place yourself – and NOT sell them until you have an LOA. Of course this means tied-up capital that you can’t spend on more sellable stock.
The answer is to have the LOA and be compliant before you import goods.