Media release: Joint media statement between South African Revenue Service and National Consumer Commission on Track and Trace System

12 November 2026 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the National Consumer Commission (NCC) met and agreed on a coordinated strategic approach to the legislative and procurement processes for a Track and Trace system.

The meeting clarified the respective roles of the two institutions in addressing the illicit economy, particularly following the publication of a Discussion Document on Proposed Track and Trace Regulations for public comment and the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana’s announcement that SARS would initiate a tender process to acquire a Track and Trace system. The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), Mr Parks Tau published the draft Regulations on Track and Trace as a discussion document for public comment following the NCC’s recommendation for Regulations on Track and Trace. These two complementary processes are aimed at tackling illicit trade.

SARS and the NCC reaffirmed that their statutory mandates are complementary and that they will work together to strengthen South Africa’s response to illicit and non-compliant trade.

SARS’s process to secure a cigarette Track and Trace capability is imminent, with the Request for Proposal (RFP) to be issued under its customs, excise and revenue-protection mandate. The two institutions are aligning technical standards, information-sharing, governance and enforcement arrangements to avoid duplication, minimise compliance costs and ensure a coherent government approach.

These steps are critical to implementing the National Illicit Economy Disruption announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address in February this year. The Track and Trace system will complement SARS’s existing strategic initiatives to combat the illicit economy, particularly illicit trade in cigarettes, fuel and alcohol in a phased approach. The NCC will use the system to enforce the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act. The growing illicit market in excisable products has severely harmed legitimate businesses.

Ends

 Issued jointly by NCC and SARS

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