Customs Single Window Solution

What is Single Window?

As part of the Customs Modernisation Programme (CMP), SARS Customs embarked on a Single Window Project.

Single Window is a World Trade Organisation (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) defined as a measure that allows parties involved in international trade and transport to lodge standardised information once to Government at a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.

Whilst the creation of the envisaged National Single Window (NSW) is still some time away, SARS is already started the journey by laying down the fundamental building blocks in relation to its own processes and those of partner agencies through a development of the Single Window Portal.

The first focus area was the development of the Other Government Agencies (OGAs) Inspection Workflow which enables SARS to electronically generate OGA inspection cases and share those with the Border Management Authority (BMA) and enable BMA to provide inspection case outcomes through a secure interface.

Other focus areas envisaged include the collaboration between SARS and Transnet that will result in marine carriers and other port users only submitting reports once to fulfil the requirements of both parties. 

Other Government Agencies active in the ports will also be able to share data to create efficiencies in port throughput pursuant to the objectives of Operation Vulindlela.

Implementation Approach

Phase 1:

• Inspection workflow with the BMA and OGAs
• Single Window Portal, digitalise the Prohibited and Restricted (P&R) Goods list process
• Tracking of declarations and/ or Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) related applications
• Access to trade related information
• Browsing of the P&R information

Phase 2:

• Enhancement of the Single Window portal
• RLA Clickthrough
• Permits and certificates
  • Permit/ certificate and quota balance view

Future phases:

• Modernisation of application of permits/ certificates
• Enhancement of the Inspection Workflow
• Enhancement of goods inspection booking
• Customs Declaration submissions (for SMME’s)
• Single Window portal Registration
• Other Customs Services
• Agency correspondence

Affected Other Government Agencies

• Department of Agriculture (DoA)
• Border Management Authority (BMA) specialized functions:
  • Port Health
  • Agriculture
  • Environment
  • Immigration
• Department of Health
• Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Environment (DFFE)
• Transnet
• South African Police Service (SAPS)
• Department of Home Affairs (DHA)
• Cross Border Road Transport Agency (CBRTA)
• South African National Defence Force (SANDF)
• State Security Agency (SSA)
• International Trade Administration Commission of SA (ITAC)
• Department of Agriculture (DoA)

Customs Single Window Inspection workflow solution

What is the Single Window OGA Inspection workflow?

As part of the Customs Modernisation Programme, the Single Window initiative will extend the SARS automated inspection and case management workflow to Other Government Agencies (OGAs).

The introduction of the Single Window electronic inspection process, which includes the sharing of data and supporting documents electronically with the BMA Agriculture specialised function as part of phase 1 with other government agencies to be onboarded in future phases, ‘in place’ of the existing ‘Detain for OGA or status 4’ manual process.

When was it implemented?

The electronic inspection workflow was implemented in September 2023, however the trader phased take on testing is still in place with selected plant inspection importers testing the workflow. This restricted phase enables refinement of the process before a full launch can be implemented.

How it works?

Once SARS has generated the OGA inspection case and notified the traders, traders must classify/label documents when uploading them on EasyScan so that only the OGA required documents can be shared. In cases where the documents are not classified or ‘other’ is selected, all uploaded documents will be shared with the respective OGA.  

A standardised list of documents required by Department of Agriculture – Plant Inspector for the case (dependent on imported product type):

• Plant import permits
• Invoices
• Packing list
• Registration certificate
• Phytosanitary certificate
• Import certificate

Sea Modality additional required documentation:

• • Bill of entry
  • SAD 500

Benefits of Single Window

For SARS:

• Enhanced inter-agency collaboration
• Reduced cargo dwell time in ports
• Enhanced compliance
• Enhance customs and border security
• For OGA enhanced inter-agency collaboration
• Timely awareness of inspections
• Automation of processes

For Trade:

• Improved trader convenience
• Reduced costs
• Quicker processing turn-around times (shorter port dwell time)
• Reduce the administrative burden on traders
• Improve overall efficiency on international trade

Illustration to show the positioning of the Single Window solution:

Kindly note that the phase implemented in September 2023 only includes the inspection workflow functionality, the rest will be phased in gradually.

Need help? 

• Call the Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277
• See the Frequently Asked Questions with contacts