Travellers entering or leaving South Africa are now required to complete an online traveller declaration before their journey under a new customs system.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) said the online declaration is mandatory for all travellers, including South African citizens, permanent residents and foreign visitors.
The declaration must be submitted no more than 24 hours before departing from the traveller’s country of origin.
Travellers can complete the declaration online through the SARS website, the SARS Traveller Management System (SATMS) mobile application, or by scanning a QR code available at selected ports of entry.
The declaration requires travellers to disclose any goods, currency or other items that must be declared to customs authorities.
According to SARS, the new system is aimed at modernising border management, improving customs compliance and making the movement of travellers through ports of entry more efficient.
The only travellers exempt from the requirement are those transiting through South Africa by air or sea who remain within the designated international transit area and do not formally enter the country.
No tags for this post.
