Organisation : South African Revenue Service [SARS]
Facility Name : Customs Online Traveller Declaration
Country : South Africa
Website : https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/
What is SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration?
The South African Customs online traveller declaration system has been successfully implemented at all South African air, land, and sea ports. It was initially piloted at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), and OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in 2022 and has since been rolled out at all ports of entry across different modalities.
Related / Similar Facility : SARS Advance Import Payment Notification
This online declaration system represents an improvement over the manual declaration process, enabling travellers to fulfil their legal obligation of declaring goods, including currency, in their possession. The system also provides a more seamless experience through a simplified digital declaration process and enhanced risk management at ports of entry.
What You Will Need For Customs Online Traveller Declaration?
Have the following detailed information when completing your online declaration:
** Passport details
** Travel details
** Contact details
** Details of travel companion
** Entity details for business travel
Before You Travel:
** Travellers can complete the South African Traveller Declaration
** Travellers entering or leaving South Africa by air, land or sea will need to complete a traveller declaration.
** The online traveller declaration process will collect and process your travel information and provide an electronic response via email confirming declaration.
** Travellers arriving in South Africa will receive customs instructions that will guide and inform them about customs requirements on arrival.
** Travellers leaving the country are required to follow the instructions received in their declaration with confirmation once they are at the port of entry.
** If you need assistance with completing the declaration, you may send an email to travellerescalations@sars.gov.za.
** You can also visit the service counters at the airport if you need help.
How To Submit An Online Traveller Declaration?
Step-1: Confirm your travel into or from South Africa.
Step-2: Once confirmed, you are ready to submit an online traveller declaration.
Step-3: Select ‘Complete Declaration’, capture and submit your declaration. If travelling with family or friends, make sure a declaration is submitted for each person travelling. Each traveller must capture a valid email address to receive a confirmation of declaration.
Step-4: Once you receive the confirmation of declaration via email, print it out or save it on your mobile device for easy access when it is requested by customs officers at the ports.
Step-5: Undertake your trip.
Arriving in or leaving South Africa:
Arrivals – what to do once you’ve arrived at a South African port:
Step-1: On arrival at a port, proceed to immigrations.
Step-2: Next, proceed to the Customs Control area as per the instruction in your declaration confirmation.
Step-3: Exit the port of entry.
Departures – what to do when departing South Africa:
Step-1: On arrival at the port, proceed to the customs office to register goods for re-importation or proceed as per the instruction received in your declaration confirmation. You may also claim your VAT refund or acquit goods previously registered for temporary importation at this stage.
Step-2: Proceed to immigration.