SARS is providing a platform for our stakeholders and public at large to report any unethical behaviour, corruption or suspicious activity in Customs. In the Customs Integrity Perception Survey, the feedback was that there is no action to the cases reported. So, cases reported here will be monitored to ensure that there is not only action but also feedback to the people who reported.
These reports can relate to any stage in the Customs value chain.
Three days after receipt of the complaint/ report, Customs &E Excise will contact the reporter and give feedback – [email protected].
The South African Revenue Service (SARS), in collaboration with the Revenue Service Lesotho (RSL), will be conducting Time Release Studies (TRS) at selected border posts during May and June 2025. These studies form part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the efficiency of cross-border trade and facilitating legitimate movement of goods and persons.
The TRS sessions are planned to take place as follows:
The Commissioner of SARS is aware that certain clients and traders are continuing to operate their businesses and, specifically, certain requirements as outlined in the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 (the Act), under the auspices of certain concessions (deviations, agreements, or special allowances) that have been granted in the past by Customs and Excise Offices.
These practices have been reviewed in the past and it is now the intention of the SARS Commissioner to formally withdraw all concessions on which certain clients are relying on.
For more information, see the letter to Trade.
19 March 2025 – Invoice details on customs declarations
Following a period of engagement, development, and testing with industry and technical service providers, SARS requests that trade now include invoice data in all electronic customs declarations submitted to SARS.
As of 1 April 2025, customs declarations not containing invoice data will have an increased probability of being selected for documentary inspection or audit, and of such declarants being requested to upload invoices as supporting documentation.
23 January 2025 – 13th deferment payment at the end of the 2024/2025 financial year
This letter serves as 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 2025.
For more information, see the letter to stakeholders.