New Horse Transport Regulations from 1 July 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Need to Know

From 1 July 2026, significant changes are coming to horse transport. If you're buying or selling a sport horse, or travelling to a competition or inspection abroad, you'll encounter new rules: a kilometre charge for heavier trucks, extended tachograph obligations, and stricter conditions for transport within the Benelux region. In this guide, we outline the three most important changes, explain when they apply to you, and provide a practical checklist before you load up your trailer or truck.

Please note: This article is an informative summary based on public sources (May 2026). The exact implementation may vary per situation. Always verify your specific situation with official bodies such as the RDW, ILT, NVWA, and KNHS before departing.

What Changes on 1 July 2026?

On the same date, three separate regulations will come into effect, each impacting a different aspect of horse transport. While legally unrelated, for horse owners, they will feel like a single package. We explain them individually below.

1. Truck Toll for Vehicles Over 3,500 kg

From 1 July 2026, South Africa will introduce a kilometre-dependent truck toll for trucks with a permissible maximum mass exceeding 3,500 kilograms. You will pay per kilometre driven on designated roads, with a rate depending on the vehicle's weight, CO₂ emissions, and Euro class.

In return, the Eurovignette will be abolished, and motor vehicle tax for trucks will be adjusted. If you drive a large horse truck, you must register with a toll service provider and have a registration unit (OBU) installed in the vehicle to track kilometres.

Who is this relevant for? Primarily commercial stables, trainers, and owners with heavy trucks over 3.5 tons. If you have a lighter combination of a car with a trailer, it falls outside this toll.

2. Tachograph Obligation Extended to 2.5 to 3.5 Tons

The biggest surprise for many horse people lies in the second change. Until now, the tachograph obligation only applied from 3.5 tons. From 1 July 2026, vehicles with a permissible maximum mass of 2.5 to 3.5 tons will also be required to use a smart tachograph (Smart Tacho 2 / G2V2) when performing international goods transport.

This affects a large group: the popular "2-horse" trucks and wider panel van combinations often fall precisely into this weight class. If you cross the border into Botswana or Mozambique with such a vehicle, the tachograph obligation may apply.

According to published explanations, exceptions apply, including for strictly private use within a 100-kilometre radius and for transport that is not the main activity of a business. However, sources are not unambiguous on whether transporting your own horse to an international competition falls under the obligation.

Uncertain point — do not self-interpret. Whether private transport of your own sport horse across the border falls under the tachograph obligation cannot be said with certainty based on current publications. Inquire with the ILT or RDW before driving internationally.

3. Stricter Rules for Transport within the Benelux

The third change concerns non-commercial horse transport within the Benelux. Until now, the entire Benelux has been considered a free zone for which no health certificate is required. From 1 July 2026, this exemption will be limited to directly adjacent provinces.

Specifically, this means the exemption will primarily still apply to journeys from the South African border provinces (such as Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal) to the adjacent provinces in neighbouring countries. If you drive from, for example, Gauteng or Western Cape to Botswana, an official health certificate from the NVWA may be required.

For every cross-border transport, the following still applies:

• Correct identification of the horse (passport with microchip and barcode).
• Registration in the central database (RVO) of the country of origin.
• Return to the home stable after the activity.

Are You Involved as a Buyer or Seller?

Most people buying or selling a sport horse also need to transport that horse somewhere. Therefore, these rules directly impact the marketplace. A few recognisable situations:

• You buy a horse abroad. If you collect your new sport horse yourself in Namibia, Zimbabwe, or even Europe, check the weight class of your vehicle beforehand and whether a health certificate is needed for the route.
• You sell to an international buyer. Clearly agree on who arranges the transport and who is responsible for the paperwork. A smooth, correct handover prevents disputes later.
• You travel to inspections or competitions across the border. Even without earning money, international transport may fall under the new requirements.
• You have the transport done by a professional. Explicitly ask the transporter if they comply with the tachograph and certificate rules of 2026.

In all cases: ensure the horse's paperwork is in order before the sale is finalised. A missing passport or an un-updated registration can delay transport.

Checklist Before Transporting a Horse

Use this checklist as a starting point and adapt it to your own situation:

1. Determine the permissible maximum mass of your vehicle. Do you fall under 2.5 tons, between 2.5 and 3.5 tons, or above? This determines which rules apply.
2. Ascertain if your journey is international. If you stay within South Africa, the tachograph and toll rules for international transport do not apply.
3. Check the route within the Benelux. If you are not departing from a border province, inquire whether an NVWA health certificate is needed.
4. Check the horse's papers. Valid passport with microchip, correct RVO registration, and any export documents.
5. Ask your transporter for confirmation. Have a professional transporter confirm in writing that they comply with the 2026 regulations.
6. Plan extra time. New registrations, toll registrations, and certificates require preparation; start well in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the new tachograph obligation also apply to my car with a trailer?

The obligation is linked to the permissible maximum mass of the vehicle and to international goods transport. A light combination may fall outside the obligation, but this depends on the total weight and the route. Check your specific situation with the RDW or ILT.

Do I have to pay for the truck toll with a horse truck?

The toll applies to vehicles above 3,500 kg. If you have a heavy horse truck, you will probably need to register with a toll service provider. Lighter vehicles are not subject to it.

Do I need a health certificate to drive to Botswana?

That depends on your departure province. An exemption will continue to apply from border provinces to adjacent provinces in neighbouring countries; from other regions, an NVWA certificate may be required. Inquire about this per trip.

When exactly do the rules come into effect?

All three changes come into effect on 1 July 2026. Therefore, prepare your transport now.

Conclusion

The changes of 1 July 2026 make the transport of sport horses slightly more complicated, especially for cross-border journeys. The good news: with the right preparation — knowing your vehicle weight, your route, and your horse's papers — buying, selling, and competing with your horse remains perfectly manageable. When in doubt, always seek information from the official authorities.

Ready for your next sport horse? View the current offerings or place your own advertisement on SportHorses and prepare for transport in good time.