South Africa: SARS expanded the new South African Traveller Management System to sea and land borders!

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that it has finalised the second phase of the implementation of the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS). The web-based application, which allows travellers to pre-declare goods they have acquired and pay the applicable taxes upon entering or leaving South Africa, is now also available at the country's sea and land ports. During the first phase of the project, the SATMS was only available at South Africa's airports, including OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. 

Although the new SATMS has now been rolled out at all South African air, sea and land ports, it will remain on a voluntary basis. Travellers will still be allowed in South Africa without the electronic online declaration. However, the original method of the declaration (Traveler Card (TC-01)) must then be followed.

South Africa: SARS introduces the new online Traveller Declaration System at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town!

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that the next phase of the the implementation of South Africa's new online Traveller Declaration System has started with the launch of the system at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 28 February 2023. It will be introduced at OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on 23 March 2023 and at other airports, as well as at land ports, namely Beit Bridge (South Africa/Zimbabwe) and Skilpadshek (South Africa/Botswana), in the second and third quarters of 2023. The Cape Town Seaport is also in line to implement the system during the last quarter of 2023. The new online Traveller Declaration System will continue to be used on a voluntary basis during the pilot phase until further notice. The results of the pilot project will be applied as SARS rolls out the system in line with Customs legislation.

South Africa's new online Traveller Declaration System was successfully implemented on 29 November 2022 as phase 1 pilot of the system at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. The system allows travellers, including South African citizens and residents, leaving or entering South Africa by air to complete and submit an online traveller declaration and receive electronic confirmation thereof before they travel. Travellers who are travelling with children or infants will also need to complete a declaration on their behalf. 

South Africa: SARS introduces the new South African Traveller Declaration System at King Shaka International Airport in Durban!

The website for the new South African Traveller Declaration System has now gone live. The new online system comes into effect at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban on 29 November 2020 and it is planned that it will be progressively introduced at all international airports in South Africa during 2023. The South African Traveller Declaration System may be used on a voluntary basis during the pilot phase until further notice. Travellers will still be allowed in South Africa without electronic online declaration. However, the original method of the declaration must then be followed.

The new South African Traveller Declaration System allows travellers, including South African citizens and residents, leaving or entering South Africa by air to complete and submit an online traveller declaration and receive electronic confirmation thereof before they travel. Travellers who are travelling with children or infants will also need to complete a declaration for them.

South Africa to launch a pilot implementation of its new online traveller declaration! [update #2]

update (18 November 2022): The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced in a briefing earlier this week that the new South African Traveller Online Declaration System simply offers a new way to digitally declare goods, in the same way travellers currently have to do through customs in paper form. This new system is planned to be rolled out at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban on 29 November 2022. It will be on a voluntary basis. Travellers will still be allowed in South Africa without electronic online declaration. However, the original method of the declaration must then be followed.

update (15 November 2022): South Africa's new Traveller Declaration System will be piloted at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban at the end of November 2022.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has released a new press release regarding its new online traveller declaration. During November 2022, SARS will launch a pilot implementation of an electronic online portal for travellers to make declarations on a voluntary basis, well ahead of their arrival or departure to/from South Africa. This pilot will initially be implemented at King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban. The new system will allow travelers to pre-declare goods purchased, received, or otherwise acquired. For travellers who choose not to use the on-line portal on their mobile devices, SARS will make available a paper form as well self-service counters at our terminals. A number of Customs Officers will also have hand-held devices to assist travellers, and facilitate passage. Travellers will be permitted to continue to use the travellers card if they so choose.
According to SARS, the new online traveller declaration system will, during the pilot phase, be fine-tuned based on insights gained as well as further engagement and feedback with various government departments and other stakeholders. Progressive implementation across all South African ports of entry, will commence as from 01 April 2023. We'll keep you posted!