Customs and Excise

SARS’s Customs division plays an integral role in facilitating the movement of goods and people entering or exiting the borders of the Republic. See the Customs Branch contact details or if you need to escalate beyond branch offices, please email [email protected].

The Excise division facilitates the levying of duties on certain locally manufactured goods as well as on their imported equivalents.

9 March 2023 – Thank you for participating in the Trade Facilitation Indicators Survey

Thank you for participating on the SARS, Customs & Excise: Trade Facilitation Indicator survey. We truly appreciate your feedback, which will assist SARS understand the Customs and Excise Division’s efficiency and effectiveness of trade facilitation administration across the following areas: Information availability, Involvement of the Trade Community (Consultations), Advanced rulings, Appeal procedures, Fees and charges, Formalities (documents, automation & procedures), Internal and External co-operation, Governance, and Impartiality to provide enhanced Trade Facilitation. We can only improve our service to you through this engagement. To see the letter, click here.

10 February 2023 – Trade Facilitation Indicators Survey
A survey will be distributed to a selected group of traders. On the Current Surveys, SMSs and emails webpage, see an extract of the cover letter for confirmation that it’s legit and not a scam. The survey will run from 13 – 28 February 2023.
26 January 2023 – 13th Deferment payment at the end of the 2022/2023 financial year

A reminder to all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to kindly adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which becomes due by end of the financial year, 31 March 2023. See the letter to Trade here.
29 November 2022 – New online Traveller Declaration form is live
The new online Traveller Declaration System is being introduced at all South African international airports, commencing with King Shaka International Airport today, 29 November 2022. The system will be progressively implemented with other international airports planned during 2023. The system may be used on a voluntary basis during the pilot until further notice. The results of the pilot project will be used as we roll out the system in line with Customs legislation.
Travellers are encouraged to use the new declaration system, which can be accessed via any device that has an internet connection.
See the Traveller declaration webpage with the link ‘Complete Declaration’.
24 November 2022 – Single Window Project – Trader consent to share data with Other Government Agencies

The Single Window Project is a major initiative that will be implemented in
phases. The first phase involves collaboration with the Border
Management Authority (BMA) and The Department of Agriculture, Land
Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD). This phase will automate the
current manual inspection case process that flows from SARS to OGA’s
starting with the DALRRD. For more information, see our Letter to Trade.

20 October 2022 – Media Release: SARS takes a further step toward implementing Smart Borders
Travellers are required by law to make certain declarations of goods and cash on entering or leaving South Africa. The declaration process is in line with practices around the world and in compliance with the provision of the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964 which makes it mandatory for any person entering and leaving the Republic to declare any goods in their possession.
See the full media statement here.

16 February 2023 – Excise Submission and payments dates for 2023/2024

The Excise submission and payment dates for 2023/2024 have been published.
5 August 2022 – Taxing of Alcohol Powder Products

The current excise duty regime applies a flat excise rate of 34.7c/kg for traditional African beer powder. As there are similar products on the market, and in the interest of equity, these alcohol powder products will be included in the tax net with an excise rate equivalent to that of the traditional African beer powder from 1 October 2022. In terms of the National Treasury’s proposal, alcohol powder products classified as preparations for use in the manufacturing of alcoholic beverages will be taxed. See the letter to trade here.
14 April 2022 – Marking of imported unmarked illuminating kerosene / specified aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents

SARS wishes to clarify the process to deal with the licensed warehousing for the marking of imported unmarked illuminating kerosene / specified aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents (AHS).See our letter to Trade here.
11 April 2022 – End of temporary registrations issued in terms of Note 4A of Schedule No.6 Part 1D

All temporary registrations issued during the period as specified ceased with immediate effect when the state of national disaster ended. Clients who wish to continue utilising rebate item 621.08 must follow the standard registration process to continue to receive ethyl alcohol under rebate. For the detail, click here.
4 February 2022 – Excise Payment Dates for 2022
18 August 2021 – FAQs for Tax Relief on Excise Duty

To see more items, click here.

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