The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has made electronic traveller declarations mandatory at all international airports, land borders, sea ports and rail crossings from July 1, replacing the paper-based declaration system.
The South African Traveller Management System, piloted over several years, requires travellers entering or leaving South Africa to submit an online declaration no more than 24 hours before travel unless they qualify for limited paper-based exceptions.
The system has been developed in partnership with the Border Management Authority, Financial Intelligence Centre and South African Reserve Bank to improve data integration, strengthen risk management and enhance the monitoring of cross-border activities, including currency movements.
SARS said the system does not intend to delay or restrict legitimate travellers but to move compliance processes away from ports of entry by allowing declarations to be completed before arrival. The platform also enables travellers to pay any applicable duties and VAT online.
The mandatory declaration applies to South African citizens, residents and foreign travellers travelling by air, land, sea or rail. Parents or legal guardians may complete declarations on behalf of children or people unable to do so themselves. Air and sea passengers transiting through South Africa without leaving designated transit areas are exempt.
As part of the changes, the cross-border cash declaration threshold has increased from R25 000 (US$1 523) to R100 000 (US$6 091) in line with SARB regulations. Travellers carrying cash or bearer negotiable instruments above R100 000 must obtain prior authorisation from the SARB and declare the funds in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act and the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.
Ordinary personal effects do not need to be declared although travellers must declare goods that exceed duty-free allowances or require customs processing.
Paper declarations will only be accepted where SARS systems are unavailable, internet access is not available or travellers are otherwise unable to submit electronically.
According to SARS, travellers who fail to submit a declaration or make a false declaration could face delays, penalties or the detention or forfeiture of goods under customs legislation.
