New mandatory online traveller declaration takes effect July 1
SARS has made the online traveller declaration compulsory from July 1. Here's who must complete it and what information you need.
Travellers entering or leaving South Africa will now be required to complete an online traveller declaration before beginning their journey.
The new rule came into effect on July 1, as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) officially made its online traveller declaration system compulsory after several years of pilot testing.
The declaration forms part of South Africa’s customs process and is designed to simplify border procedures while improving the monitoring of goods, cash and other items being brought into or taken out of the country.
Who must complete the declaration?
The requirement applies to almost everyone travelling across South Africa’s borders by air, land, sea or rail, including:
- South African citizens
- Permanent residents
- Foreign nationals
Parents or guardians may complete the declaration on behalf of children or anyone unable to do so themselves.
Who is exempt?
The only general exemption is for air and sea passengers who are simply passing through South Africa and remain inside the designated international transit area without entering the country.
When to submit
Travellers must submit the declaration no more than 24 hours before departing for South Africa or before leaving the country.
Those travelling on connecting flights should complete the declaration within 24 hours of the final leg of their trip to South Africa.
After submitting
After submitting the form, travellers will receive an email confirming their declaration, along with instructions from customs.
SARS advises travellers to either print the confirmation or keep a digital copy on their mobile device to present if requested by customs officials.
Why the change?
The digital system is intended to reduce paperwork, speed up border processing and strengthen customs risk management at ports of entry.
The online declaration also allows customs officials to assess declarations before travellers arrive at the border.
The traveller declaration system was first introduced on a voluntary basis at selected airports in 2022 before being expanded to land and sea ports. It is now mandatory nationwide.
What you need to complete
Here is what travellers may need to prepare before entering or leaving South Africa:
1. Declaration type
Travellers must indicate whether they:
- Have goods and/or currency to declare
- Have no goods and/or currency to declare
2. Mode of travel
You will need to provide:
- Mode of travel (Air, Land, Sea or Rail)
- Port of entry or exit
- Mode of transport (for example, commercial flight or private vehicle)
3. Personal details
Such as:
- Travel document type (passport, ID, etc.)
- Travel document number
- Name and surname
- Date of birth
4. South African address
Travellers must also provide their address in South Africa or where they will be staying.
5. Travel details
Information about the trip, possibly including:
- Whether you are travelling for personal or business purposes
- Where you are travelling from
- Any transit country or stopover
- Your final destination
6. Currency declaration (if applicable)
If you are carrying currency that must be declared, you will need to provide information like:
- The amount
- Currency type
- Source of the funds
- Reason for carrying the money
7. Goods declaration (if applicable)
If you have goods to declare, the form may ask for:
- Description of each item
- Quantity
- Serial numbers (where applicable)
- Value
