South Africa: Local Regulations Regarding Storage of Alcohol Publications Steamship Mutual Published: January 15, 2018 Contact author Download article pdf Image South African correspondents P&I Associates have reported a recent trend of customs officials taking a very strict line on alcohol not kept in the ship’s store. It is not uncommon for ships calling at South African ports to be searched by customs officers. Some recent searches at the port of Durban led to discoveries of relatively small quantities of alcohol in crew cabins, giving rise to the potential for penalties and other difficulties. Local regulations require that alcohol on ships calling at South African ports must be kept locked in the ships’ stores. Crew members must not keep any alcohol in their cabins.  It is important for members to strictly observe such local regulations.