The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has clarified that travellers who do not complete the new mandatory online travel declaration before travelling will n...
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has clarified that travellers who do not complete the new mandatory online travel declaration before travelling will not be denied entry into or departure from South Africa. Instead, Customs officials will assist them at ports of entry by directing them to self-service declaration terminals where they can complete the required process.
The clarification follows the introduction of the new travel declaration requirement, which came into effect on 1 July 2026. Under the new rule, all travellers entering or leaving South Africa through air, land, sea and rail ports of entry are required to submit an online traveller declaration before travelling. The declaration is processed through the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS).
SARS said the new system was introduced to strengthen data integration and improve the monitoring, analysis and reporting of cross-border activities. The revenue service said the online declaration forms part of efforts to modernise customs processes while improving the management of travellers crossing South Africa’s borders.
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According to SARS, travellers are required to complete the online declaration no more than 24 hours before departing from the country from which they are travelling. The declaration applies to all travellers using South Africa’s recognised ports of entry, regardless of whether they are arriving in or leaving the country.
When SARS first announced the new requirement, information on what would happen if a traveller failed to complete the online declaration before travelling appeared only in the frequently asked questions section. The revenue service stated that travellers who experienced a system failure, lacked internet access or had another reasonable reason for not completing the declaration would receive assistance at the port of entry.
SARS also stated that paper declaration forms may still be used in limited circumstances where necessary. This option is intended for situations where completing the online declaration is not possible because of technical or other reasonable challenges experienced by travellers.
In a later update, SARS moved to clarify that travellers would not be refused entry into or departure from South Africa simply because they had not completed the declaration before arriving at a port of entry. The clarification addressed concerns that some travellers could face travel disruptions if they were unable to submit the online form before their journey.
“Travellers will not be denied entry into or departure from South Africa solely because they have not completed a declaration before arriving at a port of entry,” SARS said. The revenue service added that “SARS Customs officials, supported by self-service declaration terminals, will be available to assist travellers who were unable to submit their declarations before travelling.”
SARS encouraged travellers to familiarise themselves with the new travel declaration requirements before beginning their journeys. It said completing the declaration in advance would help ensure a seamless and efficient travel experience while reducing delays at ports of entry. The authority said the online system remains mandatory despite the assistance available for those who are unable to complete it before travelling.
The South African Traveller Management System was introduced following a trial period that began in 2022. With the full implementation now in effect, SARS says the system is designed to improve customs administration while supporting the collection of traveller information across South Africa’s air, land, sea and rail ports of entry. The revenue service has reiterated that although the online declaration is compulsory, travellers who have genuine difficulties completing it before travel will receive assistance rather than being turned away.
