Declarations must be submitted no more than 24 hours before departure. For journeys with connecting flights to South Africa, travellers must complete the declaration within 24 hours before departure on the final leg of their journey.
Declarations can be submitted through the SARS Traveller Management System on the Sars website, the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) mobile app, by scanning a QR code on an internet-enabled device or, where available, at self-service kiosks.
After submitting a declaration, travellers will receive confirmation and instructions that should be kept on a mobile device or in printed form and presented at the relevant port of entry or exit.
The requirement applies to South African citizens, permanent residents and foreign travellers entering or leaving the country by air, land, sea or rail.
Parents or legal guardians may complete declarations on behalf of children, while carers or assisting persons may submit declarations for travellers who are unable to do so themselves.
Air and sea passengers transiting through South Africa without leaving designated transit areas are exempt from the requirement.
Business travellers must also complete the declaration. Those carrying commercial goods or goods for business purposes may be subject to additional customs requirements.
Ordinary personal effects for personal use do not need to be declared.
However, travellers must declare goods, currency or other items that exceed duty-free allowances or require Customs attention.
Travellers temporarily importing or exporting goods, including foreign-registered vehicles entering South Africa by road, must also declare those items and may need to provide supporting documentation.
Paper declarations will only be accepted where there is a Sars system failure, internet connectivity is unavailable, or a traveller is otherwise reasonably unable to submit the declaration electronically.
SARS warned that failing to submit a declaration, or making a false declaration, could result in delays, penalties, the detention or forfeiture of goods, or other enforcement action under customs legislation.
The introduction of online traveller declarations does not affect existing duty-free allowances.
Travellers may import goods worth up to R5,000 without paying duty or VAT. Additional goods worth up to R20,000 may be subject to duty and VAT, while goods exceeding R25,000 are subject to normal customs duties and VAT.
The allowance applies once every 30 days per traveller and cannot be transferred or combined between travellers.
