Media Releases for 2026
For the Media release archive from 2007 to 2025, click here.
SARS intercepts suspected drug consignments at Port of Durban in targeted pre-dawn operation
Published Date: 06/06/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has intercepted consignments suspected to contain illicit drugs during a targeted Customs and Excise operation at the Port of Durban in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Nearly 39 000 Foreign Registered Vehicles already registered as SARS launches the process from 1 June 2026
Published Date: 01/06/2026From today, 1 June 2026, all travellers crossing South Africa’s borders must submit an online customs declaration and declare any foreign-registered vehicles they bring into the country. This launch of the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) new digital Traveller Declaration System, together with stepped-up education of customs rules at every port of entry, marks a major step in modernising border controls, streamlining legitimate trade and travel, and curbing non-compliance.
SARS clarifies implementation of China’s Zero-Tariff Export Scheme
Published Date: 30/05/2026The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service, Dr Johnstone Makhubu, said that SARS has finalised the legal and operational framework to administer China’s zero-tariff scheme. The Rules in terms of section 46A of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, regulating the issuing of certificates of origin are available on the SARS website. From 1 June 2026, SARS will be issuing Rules of Origin certificates for qualifying exports.
SARS releases the preliminary trade statistics for April 2026
Published Date: 29/05/2026South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R15.2 billion in April 2026. This surplus was attributable to exports of R190.6 billion and imports of R175.4 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
SARS refutes false claims of a data breach
Published Date: 25/05/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is aware of social media posts and online reports claiming that its systems have been breached. SARS continuously monitors its systems for any suspicious activity and has conducted a thorough investigation in response to these reports. These claims are false and unsubstantiated.
SARS modernises cross-border customs declarations for foreign vehicles from 1 June 2026
Published Date: 19/05/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will, from 1 June 2026, require all foreign-registered vehicles to be declared on the SARS Traveller Management System (TMS) prior to them entering or leaving South Africa.
NCC and SARS sign MoU to strengthen compliance
Published Date: 06/05/2026The National Consumer Commission (NCC) and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance consumer protection against the proliferation of non-compliant goods entering the South African market. The MoU aims to improve enforcement, promote consultation, collaboration, and enhanced information sharing, in line with both entities’ respective mandates and to the extent permitted by law.
SARS salutes Workers and their Contribution as new Commissioner begins term committed to Fairness and Trust
Published Date: 01/05/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) marks Workers’ Day by expressing gratitude to the workers who drive the country’s economy and whose taxes sustain public services. This is the organisation’s message as the new Commissioner, Dr Johnstone Makhubu, assumes office on his first day in this role, mindful of the heavy responsibility entrusted to him and the institution by all South Africans.
Trade Statistics for March 2026
Published Date: 30/04/2026South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R31.9 billion in March 2026. This surplus was attributable to exports of R187.9 billion and imports of R156.0 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
SARS to help employers and third-party data providers to submit accurate declarations
Published Date: 21/04/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS), in line with its strategic objectives to provide clarity and certainty and make it easy for taxpayers to transact with the organisation, is assisting all employers and other third-party data providers to improve their data declarations. The submission period for these entities kicked off 1 April 2026 and runs to 31 May 2026.
SARS secures High Court Preservation Order as Corruption Crackdown Intensifies
Published Date: 09/04/2026SARS’s Illicit Economy Strategy targets corruption and fraud in government departments as high-priority focus areas. Through an ex parte application in the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria, under section 163 of the Tax Administration Act, SARS has secured a preservation order against two of its former officials, who had resigned from the organisation in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Trust Deregistration and Tax Compliance
Published Date: 09/04/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is reminding all trusts registered in South Africa that, in terms of tax legislation, they are required to submit Income Tax Returns for every year of assessment. This obligation applies even where a trust had no economic activity during the relevant year.
Appointment of Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as SARS Commissioner
Published Date: 02/04/2026The South African Revenue Service Commissioner (SARS), Mr. Edward Kieswetter, warmly welcomes the appointment of Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu as the new SARS Commissioner from 1 May 2026, for a period of five years. Dr Makhubu was appointed as a Deputy Commissioner: Taxpayer Engagement and Operations from 1 May 2023.
The Introduction of the newly appointed SARS Commissioner-Designate
Published Date: 02/04/2026SARS Media Advisory: The South African Revenue Service (SARS), invites all media to the introductory press conference to be hosted by Commissioner Mr. Edward Kieswetter for the newly appointed SARS Commissioner-Designate, Dr Ngobani Johnstone Makhubu.
SARS crosses historic R2 Trillion mark in Net Revenue Collection in our democracy
Published Date: 01/04/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has collected R2.010 trillion and thus surpassed the R2 trillion in net revenue collection for the 2025/26 financial year, crossing a historic point in three decades. Over the past seven years, revenue collections have grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%, with a tax-to-GDP ratio of 25.9%, and tax buoyancy ratio of 1.73. Since 1997, of the R25.1 trillion collected, R11.5 trillion was collected in the last seven years.
Trade Statistics for February 2026
Published Date: 31/03/2026South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R36.9 billion in February 2026. This surplus was attributable to exports of R168.1 billion and imports of R131.2 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
Announcement of the Preliminary Revenue Collection Results for the 2025/26 Financial Year
Published Date: 23/03/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner, Mr Edward Kieswetter, will announce the preliminary revenue collection figures for the 2025/26 financial year on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, at 14:00.
SARS steps up effort to disrupt illicit economy, draws red line against corruption and non-compliance with Tax and Customs law
Published Date: 17/03/2026The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is fully behind the National Illicit Economy Disruption Programme announced by President Ramaphosa in his SONA address. SARS is committed to eradicating all forms of corruption, collusion, and criminal subversion of customs and tax processes, internally and externally. SARS’s Illicit Economy Strategy prioritises corruption and fraud in government departments.
Trade Statistics for January 2026
Published Date: 27/02/2026South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R9.3 billion in January 2026. This surplus was attributable to exports of R155.8 billion and imports of R146.5 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
SARS welcomes the revised revenue estimate for the 2025/26 fiscal year
Published Date: 25/02/2026The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Edward Kieswetter, welcomes the revised revenue estimate presented by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana. SARS will spare no effort to achieve the revised revenue estimate as it monitors South Africa’s fiscal environment and key macroeconomic indicators. SARS will align its strategy and operations to sustain its revenue performance and protect the fiscus.
President Ramaphosa undertakes a visit to the SARS National Command Centre
Published Date: 04/02/2026President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 05 February 2026, undertake an oversight visit to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) National Command Centre in Brooklyn, Pretoria.
Trade Statistics for December 2025
Published Date: 30/01/202630 January 2026 – South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R23.2 billion in December 2025. This surplus was attributable to exports of R164.3 billion and imports of R141.1 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
