Customs Online Traveller Declaration

What you need to know

The South African Customs online traveller declaration system has been successfully implemented at all South African air, land, and sea ports. It was initially piloted at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA), and OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) in 2022 and has since been rolled out at all ports of entry across different modalities.

This online declaration system represents an improvement over the manual declaration process, enabling travellers to fulfil their legal obligation of declaring goods, including currency, in their possession. The system also provides a more seamless experience through a simplified digital declaration process and enhanced risk management at ports of entry.

Travellers, including South African citizens and residents, who are entering or leaving  South Africa by air, land, or sea, can  now  able to complete and submit an online traveller declaration and receive electronic confirmation before they travel. Travellers with children or infants must also complete  declaration on their behalf.

While the use of the South African Customs online declaration system is currently optional, it will soon become mandatory. Travellers are encouraged to begin using the system now to pre-declare goods, currency, and other items before entering or leaving the country.

Watch a short Traveller Declaration System video on the SARS TV channel.

What you will need

Have the following detailed information when completing your online declaration:

Passport details	Travel details	Contact details	Details of travel companion	Entity details for business travel

Before you travel

Travellers can complete the South African Traveller Declaration

Travellers entering or leaving South Africa by air, land or sea will need to complete a traveller declaration. The online traveller declaration process will collect and process your travel information and provide an electronic response via email confirming declaration. Travellers arriving in South Africa will receive customs instructions that will guide and inform them about customs requirements on arrival. Travellers leaving the country are required to follow the instructions received in their declaration with confirmation once they are at the port of entry.

The system may be used on a voluntary basis, as it is still being piloted. The results obtained during this pilot period will be used when we roll out the system fully in line with Customs legislation.

If you need assistance with completing the declaration, you may send an email to [email protected]. You can also visit the service counters at the airport if you need help.

Complete your declaration

How to submit an online traveller declaration

Step 1: Confirm your travel into or from South Africa.

Step 2: Once confirmed, you are ready to submit an online traveller declaration.

Step 3: Select ‘Complete Declaration’, capture and submit your declaration. If travelling with family or friends, make sure a declaration is submitted for each person travelling. Each traveller must capture a valid email address to receive a confirmation of declaration.

Step 4: Once you receive the confirmation of declaration via email, print it out or save it on your mobile device for easy access when it is requested by customs officers at the ports.

Step 5: Undertake your trip.

Arriving in or leaving South Africa

Arrivals – what to do once you’ve arrived at a South African port

Step 1: On arrival at a port, proceed to immigrations.

Step 2: Next, proceed to the Customs Control area as per the instruction in your declaration confirmation.

Step 3: Exit the port of entry.

Departures – what to do when departing South Africa

Step 1: On arrival at the port, proceed to the customs office to register goods for re-importation or proceed as per the instruction received in your declaration confirmation. You may also claim your VAT refund or acquit goods previously registered for temporary importation at this stage.

Step 2: Proceed to immigration.

What to do once you’ve completed your declaration

Once you have completed the South African Traveller Declaration, a confirmation of your declaration will be emailed to you. It will contain instructions of what you need to do once you are at the relevant port of entry, be it a land, sea- or airport.

Useful links

• Webinar on South African Traveller Declaration – If you missed the recent webinar on the online Traveller Declaration system, you can view it on the SARS TV channel. Or you can view the Traveller Declaration system presentation delivered during the webinar here. The webinar provided more information about the new traveller declaration system. 
• Media release issued on 20 October 2022 – SARS takes a further step towards improving the integrity of trade and traveller facilitation as part of implementing Smart Borders.
• Travellers webpage
• Arrival in SA webpage
• Departure from SA webpage
• Inspections for Travellers webpage
• Duties and Taxes for Travellers
• Small Business Traders and Travellers webpage
• Prohibited and Restricted Counterfeit Goods

Need help?

• Email the South African Traveller Declaration team at [email protected].
• See the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.