The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will from today, June 1, require all foreign-registered vehicles entering or leaving South Africa to be declared on the SARS Traveller Management System before arrival at the border.
According to SARS Commissioner Johnstone Makhubu, the move is aimed at improving risk-based screening and strengthening coordination with other authorities.
SARS said travellers will still need to present themselves to customs officials at the border for verification and inspection, where required, even if declarations are completed online in advance.
“Compliance is not optional; vehicle owners who do not declare foreign-registered vehicles or who provide false or incomplete information expose themselves to enforcement consequences and prolonged processing at the border,” Makhubu said.
However, the short implementation timeline has raised concerns within the tourism industry, particularly for self-drive itineraries and cross-border car rentals.
In guidance issued to members on May 28, SATSA said the practical implications for tourism could be significant, especially for itineraries involving neighbouring countries such as Botswana and Namibia.
SATSA noted that many cross-border rental itineraries involve vehicles only being allocated shortly before collection because of fleet logistics, late returns or vehicle substitutions.
The industry body questioned whether travellers would have the required vehicle information in time to complete declarations before travel and what would happen if vehicles were changed after declarations had been submitted.
SATSA also raised concerns about how rental companies would be able to assist with declarations or pre-register fleets, how non-English-speaking or less digitally confident travellers would be supported and how border posts would handle travellers who arrive without completing the process in advance.
SATSA has urged members to review upcoming cross-border bookings, engage urgently with rental partners, ensure travellers carry the necessary documentation and allow additional time for border crossings during the initial implementation period.
On May 29, SATSA issued a further update following engagement with Motus Car Rental.
According to the update, customers renting vehicles from Motus brands, Europcar and Tempest, will receive the necessary supporting vehicle documents and cross-border authority letters when collecting vehicles.
However, travellers will still need to personally complete the SARS declaration after receiving the vehicle.
Motus has advised travellers to carry a valid passport, driver’s licence, rental agreement, cross-border authorisation letter, vehicle documents and proof of the SARS declaration when travelling.
When a different driver returns the vehicle across the border, an additional declaration process may be required by SARS, SATSA added.
SATSA will continue engaging with SARS and other stakeholders for further clarity as implementation begins.
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