The mailboxes below let you send enquiries to Customs at Sea Ports of Entry. These mailboxes are monitored by SARS Customs employees to improve communication and turnaround times. If you do not get a response, follow the escalation process below.
Sea Modality Queries
Sea Modality Branch | Mailbox names | Purpose of Mailbox |
Sea Modality Compliance Centres (Durban and Cape Town) | External queries specific to declaration-based cases for the Sea Modality Compliance Centres | |
Sea Modality IAA Enquiries | Submission of all DA51 IAA applications for cases related to the Sea Modality as well as all queries relating to the respective cases | |
Durban Enquiries | External queries specific to the port, including Inwards and Outwards Processing, Submission of manifests, state warehouses, CN1, and L&R-related queries | |
Durban Bookings | Booking enquiries relating to cargo examinations, e.g. scanner bookings, as well as physical-inspection bookings for system-generated stops and manual stops | |
City Deep — Johannesburg | External queries specific to the port, including Inwards and Outwards Processing, submission of manifests, and state warehouse queries | |
City Deep — Johannesburg | Booking enquiries relating to cargo examinations, e.g. scanner bookings, as well as physical-inspection bookings for system-generated stops and manual stops | |
Cape Town Port Enquiries | External queries specific to the port, including Inwards and Outwards Processing, Submission of manifests, state warehouse, CN1, L&R, refunds, deferments, DA304, DA490, TRD1, and ROO queries | |
Cape Town Port Bookings | Booking enquiries relating to cargo examinations, e.g. scanner bookings, as well as physical-inspection bookings for system-generated stops and manual stops | |
Pretoria Port Enquiries | External queries specific to the port, including Inwards and Outwards Processing, submission of manifests, and state warehouse queries | |
Pretoria Port Bookings | Booking enquiries relating to cargo examinations, e.g. scanner bookings, as well as physical-inspection bookings for system-generated stops and manual stops | |
Richards Bay Port Enquiries | External queries specific to the port, including bookings, L&R, and CN1 requests | |
Eastern Cape Port Enquiries | External queries specific to the port, including Inwards and Outwards Processing, submission of manifests, state warehouses, L&R, and CN1 queries | |
Eastern Cape Port Bookings | Booking enquiries relating to cargo examinations, e.g. scanner bookings, as well as physical-inspection bookings for system-generated stops and manual stops |
Do’s and Don’ts of Sending Query Emails
- Important: In the subject line, please insert the operational activity or area, with the applicable SSM case number/details, that the enquiry relates to.
- Compliance Centre Escalations: [email protected] ; [email protected]
- Send queries about updates on declaration-based cases.
- Before sending a query, check the system for the latest messages from Customs.
- Give the case number in the subject line.
- Booking mailbox: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected]
- Use these mailboxes to book a physical inspection; subject line example: Book for exam + case number
- Book scanner exams; subject line example: Book for exam + case number
- Supporting documents for JOC and manual detentions; subject line example: Supporting documents + case number
- Supervision bookings; subject line example: Supervision (this includes all EWPs, destructions under supervision, etc.)
- Enquiry mailbox: [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected] ; [email protected]
- All queries for state warehouses (SWH), including releases and bookings for goods into and out of the SWH; subject line example: SWH + details of query
- Submission of manifests; subject line example: Manifest + details of vessel
- Shipping requests; subject line example: Shipping + details of query (Inwards, Outwards, Transires, Landing Orders, OPL Movements, etc.)
- Overcarried Cargo; subject line example: Overcarried cargo + details of clearance
- Any other query not listed above: Please be specific in the subject line
- IAA Mailbox: [email protected]
- Submission of DA51 + details of complainant
- Follow-up on DA51 already submitted + reference number allocated
- Please do not use any other mailbox or communication platforms to send Customs enquiries if these have not first been submitted through the provided mailboxes.
All queries can be escalated to the Operational Owners only under these circumstances
- If you are escalating a query because it received no response within 24 hours, contact the Branch Managers below directly for support. You will be helped only if you give proof that you had used the correct mailbox and received no answer.
- After escalating to the correct Branch Manager for support, and no feedback has been received within 24 hours, escalate your query to the Head of the Modality. You will be helped only if you give proof that you had used the correct mailbox and received no answer.
- Turnaround times apply from the time you submit all required information (e.g. providing supporting documentation, placing of containers for inspection, etc.).
Sea Modality Operational Owners for Escalations only
Seaport of Entry | Branch Manager | Contact Details |
Cape Town Compliance Centre | Nicholas Madlebe | |
Durban Compliance Centre | Thembi Msani | |
Western Cape (CTN, MSB, SAL) | Hilton Deyce | |
KZN — DBN | Vischal Lalla | |
Eastern Cape (PEZ, ELN) | Zanemvula Miza | |
Gauteng (JHB, GMR, PTA) | Andrew Moroke | |
KZN — RIC | Liza Labuschagne | |
Head: Sea Modality | Mohamed Ally |
