Anyone entering or leaving South Africa will now be required to complete an online traveller declaration before travelling, as the South African Revenue Service (SARS) rolls out a nationwide mandatory digital customs system.
The new requirement came into effect on 1 July 2026, marking the full implementation of the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), which has been gradually introduced since its pilot launch in 2022.
According to SARS, the online declaration forms part of the country’s broader customs modernisation programme and is designed to simplify border procedures while improving compliance with customs regulations.
Previously, travellers could choose whether to use the digital system during its pilot phase at selected airports before it was expanded to sea and land ports. The system is now compulsory for almost all travellers crossing South Africa’s borders.
Travellers must submit their declaration no more than 24 hours before departing on the final leg of their journey to or from South Africa.
Digital customs process now compulsory
The declaration requirement applies to South African citizens, permanent residents and foreign nationals travelling by air, land, sea or rail.
Parents, legal guardians or authorised caregivers may complete declarations on behalf of minors or individuals unable to submit the information themselves.
Travellers will be required to provide passport or travel document details, travel information, contact details, accompanying traveller information where applicable, and declarations relating to goods, currency or bearer negotiable instruments being transported.
SARS said ordinary personal belongings intended for personal use generally do not need to be declared. However, travellers must disclose goods, cash or other regulated items that exceed duty-free allowances or require customs inspection.
Current duty-free allowances permit travellers to import goods valued at up to R5,000 without paying customs duty or VAT. Goods valued between R5,001 and R25,000 may still qualify for import but could be subject to customs duties and value-added tax. Items exceeding R25,000 will generally attract normal customs duties and VAT.
The duty-free allowance is available only once every 30 days and does not apply to travellers returning to South Africa after being outside the country for less than 48 hours.
Travellers who experience technical problems, internet connectivity issues or other reasonable obstacles may receive assistance from customs officials or use self-service terminals at participating ports of entry. Paper declarations will remain available only in limited exceptional circumstances.
New cash declaration threshold also takes effect
Alongside the mandatory online declaration, additional financial reporting requirements also came into force on 1 July following a presidential proclamation activating Section 30 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.
Under the new rules, travellers entering or leaving South Africa with cash, currency, goods or bearer negotiable instruments exceeding R100,000 must declare those assets through the SARS customs traveller management system.
The declarations will be shared with the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) as part of measures aimed at strengthening financial oversight and combating money laundering and other illicit financial activities.
SARS has warned that travellers are legally required to provide complete and accurate declarations. Failure to declare goods or currency, or submitting false information, may result in delays at border crossings, confiscation of goods, financial penalties or other enforcement action.
Authorities have encouraged travellers to retain the electronic confirmation received after submitting their declaration and present it, either electronically or in printed form, when requested by customs officials.
Source: BusinessTech