Ahead of the peak holiday season, the South African Revenue Service (Sars) has issued a timely reminder encouraging all travellers to use the Sars Online Traveller Declaration System before entering or leaving South Africa, to help streamline processing at ports of entry.

The online system allowing travellers to complete their declaration of goods, including currency in advance, will enable smoother processing at ports of entry, whether land, air or seaports. 

Sars reminded prospective travellers that with increased travel volumes expected over the December period, this simple automated process will significantly reduce congestion and delays at border posts and ensure that travellers are prepared with the correct documentation.

Who Can Use the Online System

Travellers, including South African citizens and residents, who are entering or leaving the country can now complete and submit an online traveller declaration and receive electronic confirmation before they travel. Travellers with children or infants must also complete a declaration on their behalf.

The system was initially piloted at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), and OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in 2022 and has since been rolled out at all ports of entry across different modalities.

While the use of the online declaration system is currently optional, it is expected to soon become mandatory.

Travellers may still approach Customs at any port of entry for assistance.

Why Traveller Declarations Are Required

Travellers are required by law to make certain declarations of goods and cash on entering or leaving South Africa. The declaration process is in line with practices around the world and in compliance with the provision of the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964.

Sars says it has, for years, dabbled with different manual declaration forms that have increased the work of officers, led to particular risks, and resulted in unsatisfactory traveller experience when dealing with Customs. 

The online declaration process enables travellers to pre-declare goods purchased, received, or otherwise acquired. The automated process also has an added benefit of dealing with traveller information in a more secure manner and focussing resources on value-add activities, Sars noted.

Declare In 4 Easy Steps

It is quick and easy. All you need is your travel details.

Sars explains how it works:

• Step 1: Download the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) app or go to www.Sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/. Click on Complete Declaration.
• Step 2: After completing your personal details, click Next. Then choose your traveller type, personal or business, and fill in your details.
• Step 3: Declare goods, including currency, in your possession and pay any duties and VAT applicable.
• Step 4: Submit your declaration. You will receive confirmation via email or SMS. Print it or save it on your mobile device for easy access when it is requested by customs officers at the relevant port or border crossing. 

On arrival at a port, proceed to the Customs Control area as per the instruction in your declaration confirmation.

Those departing South Africa should go to the customs office to register goods for re-importation or proceed as instructed in the declaration confirmation they received. Travellers departing may also claim a VAT refund or acquit goods previously registered for temporary importation at this stage.

What You Will Need

• Passport details
• Travel details 
• Contact details 
• Details of travel companion(s) 
• Entity details for business travel 
• Goods, cash, and Bearer Negotiable Instruments (BNI) coming in or leaving the country

Key Benefits of the Online Traveller Declaration System

• Make it easy and simple for travellers to comply with their legal obligation 
• Create seamless process at ports of entry by use of risk management to manage the increasing number of trade and travellers 
• Focus Customs enforcement efforts on non-compliance 
• Dealing with traveller information in a secure manner
• Single view to travellers from whole of government approach

Another Step in Sars’ Modernisation Journey

Sars says the online declaration system is part of the broader Customs Modernisation Programme, SMART Border initiative which seeks to provide “pre-clearance” as far as possible to travellers to facilitate seamless passage through our ports.

This development also aligns South Africa with countries such as New Zealand, United States, Canada, and Australia who have similar processes in place.

Jashwin Baijoo, Associate Director at Tax Consulting South Africa, says this can be seen as part of the revenue collector’s vision of a smart, modernised Sars.

“Over the last 5 years, Sars has made significant progress in modernising its systems to make it easy and simple for taxpayers to transact with the organisation by providing clarity and certainty but also enhancing its capacity to detect any non-compliance,” he concluded.

Written by Tax Consulting SA