Effective 1 July 2026, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has introduced a significant change to the customs clearance process for travellers entering or leaving South Africa. The new rules require most travellers crossing South Africa’s borders by road, rail, air or sea to complete an online Traveller Declaration before travelling. This initiative forms part of SARS’ ongoing customs modernisation programme aimed at improving border security, facilitating legitimate travel and trade, and enhancing compliance with customs legislation.
The updated entry and exit procedures entail the following specifics:
· Who it applies to: All South African citizens, permanent residents, and foreign visitors. Minors and those unable to complete it themselves can have a parent, legal guardian, or caregiver do it on their behalf.
· Where to declare: Forms can be submitted online via the SARS Traveller Declaration Platform, the SATMS mobile app, or by scanning available QR codes at borders.
· Exemptions: Passengers who remain strictly inside a designated transit area at an airport or seaport without formally entering South Africa do not need to fill out the declaration.
· What you must disclose: Travelers must supply basic passport details, residential addresses, contact information, route details, and a list of travel companions. You must also declare any commercial goods, items exceeding duty-free allowances, and cash or currency instruments exceeding R100,000.
· What happens if you forget: While the declaration is mandatory, SARS will not deny you entry or departure if you fail to complete the form before traveling. However, you will be directed to self-service terminals at the ports of entry, which could cause processing delays.
· Customs limits: Travelers can import goods worth up to R5,000 duty-free. Additional goods up to R20,000 may be allowed but attract duty and VAT, while goods valued over R25,000 are subject to standard Customs duties and VAT.
Why the change?
The new system is intended to modernise South Africa’s customs environment by reducing paperwork, improving border efficiency, strengthening risk management, supporting inter-agency cooperation and enhancing the overall traveller experience. By encouraging advance electronic declarations, SARS aims to speed up customs processing while improving the detection of undeclared goods, prohibited items and customs non-compliance.
What This Means for Businesses
Travellers should complete their online declaration before commencing their journey and ensure that all information submitted is complete and accurate. Businesses whose employees travel frequently should update their travel policies to incorporate the new SARS requirements and ensure compliance before travel.
Failure to do so could result in delays at ports of entry or departure while the declaration is completed, potentially disrupting business schedules and increasing travel costs.
