SARS will be tracking your international trips from 1 July
Travellers will be required to submit an online traveller declaration.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced that, starting 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa through air, land, sea and rail ports will be required to submit an online traveller declaration before travelling.
“The implementation adopts a whole-of-government approach to strengthen data integration and facilitate inter-agency risk management, thereby enhancing the monitoring, analysis and reporting of cross-border activities,” says SARS.
International travellers will have to use the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) to declare goods in their possession, including currency.
Digital channels such as the SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration Portal, the SATMS mobile application and Scan-to-Declare QR codes will assist travellers in ensuring they meet their legal obligation to declare goods.
“Through convenience and digital accessibility, SATMS promotes voluntary compliance to simplify the declaration process and enhance the overall traveller border experience,” says SARS.
SARS emphasised that those travelling abroad will not be denied entry into or departure from South Africa simply because they did not submit the declaration before arriving.
"SARS Customs officials, supported by self-service declaration terminals, will be available to assist travellers who were unable to submit their declarations before travelling."
Travellers are, however, encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new requirements and complete their declarations in advance.
South African content creator Modern Money With Munya, who posts financial advice, took to Instagram to give residents an inside view of the new requirements.
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