TSHWANE – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has dismissed claims published by News24 suggesting that the country faces a jet fuel licensing crisis that threatens supply at airports such as East London.

In a statement SARS said the article misrepresents the facts and incorrectly places blame on the revenue service for delays in licensing storage facilities.

According to SARS, there is no licensing crisis. On 14 October 2024, Commissioner Edward Kieswetter granted special permission for the importation of aviation and illuminating kerosene from 21 October 2024 to 20 October 2025, in response to declining local production. This dispensation was extended again this year to safeguard fuel supply during the transition in the industry, which now relies heavily on imports.

Despite these measures, only three entities applied for fuel storage licences over the past year, and only those three renewed their licences after the extension. SARS said it continues to support importers, and in early November intervened when fuel was brought into unlicensed facilities. The affected importers were assisted with the licensing process. A major importer applied on 19 November for the tanks it had been using, and its licence was expedited and issued on 27 November.

In East London, SARS is assisting a facility that has applied for a new licence but has not yet deregistered its previous one. The agency also confirmed that a jet fuel consignment detained at the Burgan Terminal in Cape Town was released on 25 November, with the importer now applying for the required licence.

SARS stressed that compliance with customs and excise laws is non-negotiable, noting that non-compliance endangers both the fuel supply chain and public safety. Kieswetter urged all industry stakeholders to work closely with SARS to avoid disruptions and ensure that all fuel movements comply with the Customs and Excise Act.