How South Africa’s new compulsory SARS traveller declaration works

What changed and why

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced a new digital customs system and made online declarations the default. The system is intended to modernise customs processing, reduce delays at ports of entry and improve compliance with customs laws. The online declaration largely replaces most paper customs forms.

Who must complete the declaration

The requirement applies to South African citizens, permanent residents, foreign visitors, business travellers and children and infants. Parents, legal guardians or caregivers may complete the declaration on behalf of children or anyone unable to do so because of illness, age or disability. The main exemption is for air or sea passengers who are merely transiting through South Africa and remain inside the designated international transit area.

When and how to submit

Travellers must submit the declaration electronically within 24 hours before departure either before leaving for South Africa or before leaving South Africa. For journeys with multiple flights, the declaration must be submitted within 24 hours before the final flight directly bound for South Africa.

Declarations can be completed via the SARS Traveller Management System on the SARS website, the SATMS mobile app, QR codes provided by SARS and self-service kiosks at selected ports of entry. Once submitted, travellers receive a confirmation with instructions for customs clearance, which should be kept either electronically or printed.

What information the form requests

The online form asks for:

• Passport or travel document details
• Travel itinerary
• Contact information
• Details of accompanying travellers
• Information about goods, currency or financial instruments requiring declaration

If the system flags items for extra scrutiny, travellers may be asked to provide further information before travelling.

Goods, cash and duty-free limits

Personal belongings do not need to be declared. Travellers must declare goods that exceed duty-free allowances or require customs inspection, including commercial goods or items for business use. Cash or bearer negotiable instruments above the legal threshold must also be declared; the system may request currency type, amount, Rand value and source of funds.

Current duty-free limits stated by SARS are:

• Goods worth up to R5,000 per person without paying duty or VAT
• Additional goods worth up to R20,000, which may attract customs duties and VAT
• Goods valued above R25,000 are subject to normal customs duties and VAT

The allowance applies once every 30 days per traveller, cannot be shared or combined between travellers and does not apply to travellers returning to South Africa after being away for less than 48 hours.

Paper forms and limited exceptions

Although online submission is now standard, paper declarations remain available in limited circumstances such as SARS system failures, internet connectivity problems, or where travellers are reasonably unable to submit electronically. Paper forms may also be used for some train travel and remote border crossings. Border officials or self-service terminals will assist affected travellers where available.

Rail passengers must complete electronic declarations before reaching South Africa’s first or last railway station, depending on the direction of travel. People entering or leaving through a non-designated place without customs officials must notify SARS through the online system first; SARS will advise whether they may proceed or must report to an official port of entry.

Business travel, temporary imports and VAT refunds

Business travellers transporting goods for trade, sale or commercial purposes must indicate this on the form, as additional customs procedures may apply. Travellers temporarily importing or exporting goods including foreign-registered vehicles entering South Africa by road must declare these items and may need to provide supporting documentation.

The introduction of online declarations does not change the VAT refund process. Travellers seeking VAT refunds must still declare the relevant goods through the online system before presenting them to Customs officials for inspection and verification at the port of departure.

Enforcement and traveller support

SARS warned that providing false information or failing to submit a declaration is a violation of customs legislation. Possible consequences include delays at the border, detention or forfeiture of goods, financial penalties and other enforcement action under customs laws.

SARS said travellers who require assistance can obtain help from Customs service counters, self-service kiosks where available, or by contacting SARS through its traveller support channels.

Online declarations are now the default and travellers must submit their declaration electronically within 24 hours before departure.