South Africa’s mandatory online travel declaration is now in effect

Anyone travelling into or out of South Africa now has an extra step to complete before crossing the country’s borders.

South Africa’s mandatory online traveller declaration officially came into effect on 1 July 2026, meaning eligible travellers are now required to submit their details electronically before travelling.

As reported by BusinessTech, the change follows the nationwide rollout of the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), which has moved from a voluntary pilot programme to a compulsory customs process.

Who must complete the declaration?

According to SARS, the online declaration applies to most people entering or leaving South Africa by air, land, sea or rail. This includes South African citizens, permanent residents and foreign travellers.

The declaration must be completed within 24 hours before departure from the country where the relevant leg of the journey begins.

Where necessary, a parent, legal guardian, caregiver or another assisting person may complete the declaration on behalf of a minor or someone who is unable to do so independently.

There are, however, limited exceptions.

According to SARS, travellers who qualify for paper-based exemptions do not need to submit the declaration online. Air and sea passengers who remain within designated transit areas while passing through South Africa are also exempt.

What information is required?

 Travellers must provide:

• Passport or travel document details.
• Travel information.
• Contact details.
• Details of travelling companions, where applicable.
• Information relating to goods, currency or bearer negotiable instruments if these need to be declared.

SARS said ordinary personal belongings intended for personal use do not need to be declared. However, goods, currency or other items that exceed traveller allowances or require Customs attention must be declared through the system.

Traveller allowances remain in place

According to SARS, travellers may import goods worth up to R5 000 without paying duty or VAT.

Additional goods valued at up to R20 000 may still be permitted but could be subject to duty and VAT.

If the total value exceeds R25 000, normal Customs duties and VAT will apply.

SARS noted that the allowance may only be used once during a 30-day period and does not apply to travellers returning after being outside South Africa for less than 48 hours.

Additional cash declaration requirement

The online declaration system is also being used for another legal requirement that came into effect on 1 July 2026.

According to the information released, President Cyril Ramaphosa has commenced section 30 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, requiring travellers carrying cash, goods, currency and/or bearer negotiable instruments above R100 000 across South Africa’s air, land or sea borders to declare them through the Customs and Excise traveller management system.

SARS will receive these declarations and make the information available to the Financial Intelligence Centre.

Keep your confirmation available

After submitting the online declaration, SARS will send travellers a confirmation outlining what they need to do when arriving at or leaving a port of entry or exit.

According to SARS, travellers should keep the confirmation on their phone or have a printed copy available and follow the instructions provided at the relevant border post.

If someone is unable to complete the declaration electronically because of a system failure, lack of internet access or another reasonable circumstance, SARS said assistance may be available from Customs officials or through self-service terminals where available. Paper declarations will only be accepted in exceptional cases.

SARS also reminded travellers that providing accurate information is a legal obligation. According to the revenue service, failing to declare relevant goods or currency, or submitting false information, could result in delays, penalties, enforcement action or the detention or forfeiture of goods.

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Source: BusinessTech

Featured Image: Philippe Bonnaire / Pexels