What is it?
EDI, or electronic data interchange, is essentially a “paperless” trading system. It involves the electronic transfer of data, by established message standards, from one computer application to another.
- It is a fully automated process that needs little or no intervention by either party
- Declarations can be accepted round-the-clock
- Quicker retrieval of cargo through the reduction of clearance times
- A reduction in manual administrative processes resulting in fewer errors and no duplication
- Harmonised business relationships with other bodies such as Transnet Port Terminals, Transnet Rail Terminals, airlines and container depots.
- Transports goods or travellers into or out of South Africa on board a vessel, aircraft, railway carriage or vehicle; or
- Loadon board a vessel, aircraft, railway carriage or vehicle any goods that are not in free circulation at any place in South Africa and then transports those goods to another place in South Africa or through South Africa. South African carriers removing goods in bond must first license with Customs in terms of Section 64D (see SC-TR-01-05).
Foreign carriers must appoint a registered agent in South Africa as his / her representative. The foreign carrier must submit a letter of appointment and DA 185 D with his / her application for registration.
A person managing or operating a Container terminal must first license with the National Ports authority (TRANSNET). Once a licence has been issued to such person, he / she must register with Customs as a cargo reporter for the submission of reports that relate to:
- Loading of containers onto vessels and off-loading of containers from vessels;
- Transhipment of containers;
- The storage of containers;
- The stacking and unstacking of containers;
- The receipt for shipment and the delivery of containers;
- The transfer of containers within the terminal; and
- The transfer of containers between terminals, if requested, including container or cargo transfers for Customs inspection purposes.
How does EDI Registration work?
SARS is legally mandated to enforce electronic communication. The following client types are required to register as an EDI user in terms of Section 101A to submit reports and declarations electronically to Customs.
The following client types are required to register with Customs to submit reports electronically via the Manifest Processing System (MPR):
- Airport authority;
- Carriers;
- Courier;
- Operators of: Groupage, Container Terminal, Wharf, Container and Degrouping Depot, Transit Shed;
- Railway authority; and
- Road Haulier.
- Importer and / Exporter; and
- Accredited and non-accredited agents.
If you are a first-time EDI applicant or if you are an existing EDI client who wishes to use the Internet to transfer data, read the following document: PKI application procedure – Client.
Which forms are required to register as an EDI user?
- DA 185 – Application form – Registration and licensing of Customs and Excise Clients – External Form
- DA 185.4A6 – Registration Client Type 4A6 – Electronic user – External Form
- EDI User Agreement
EDI applicants using an Internet sender address must present themselves with their ID book, application forms and relevant supporting documents to the nearest Customs Office or SARS Head Office to:
The EDI Business Administrator (Emelia Holtzhausen / Annamarie de la Rey)
Head Office
299 Bronkhorst Street
Lehae La SARS
Nieuw Muckleneuk
Brooklyn
Pretoria
0181
Emelia Holtzhausen
Cell: +27 83 555 3506
Annamarie de la Rey
Cell: +27 71 673 6072
Turnaround time
SARS Customs and EDI technical resources
- Customs-G016 – EDI User Manual June 2016 – External Guide
- Message Implementation Guidelines
- Declaration Processing System
Sent to SARS:
Related resources:
- Cargo Processing System
- Cargo Processing System
Sent to SARS:
