The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has clarified the rollout of the new South African Traveller Online Declaration System.
SARS announced in mid-October that a new ‘travel pass’ system would be introduced in the country but, at the time, gave little to no detail on the process or to who it applies. This led to widespread confusion among travellers and operators in the travel sector.
In a briefing this week, the taxman clarified what the pass is and how it works.
SARS said that the pass is simply a new way to digitally declare goods, in the same way travellers currently have to do through customs in paper form.
With the new system, a new web-based application will be used to enable travellers entering and leaving the country to pre-declare goods purchased, received or otherwise acquired and pay applicable taxes.
Some goods that are required to be declared include things such as:
- Products purchased or acquired abroad;
- Goods remodelled or repaired abroad;
- Anything prohibited or restricted, or controlled under any law.
The system aims to collect travel information and, in return, grants a traveller pass via email, said SARS.
This new system is planned to be rolled out at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport on 29 November 2022. This will be on a voluntary basis, the tax authority added.
Travellers will still be allowed in South Africa without electronic online declaration. However, the original method of the declaration must then be followed.
The new approach aims to:
- Make it easy and simple for travellers to comply with their tax obligations;
- Strengthen government approach to detect and deter illicit activities;
- Create seamless processes at ports of entry;
- Create awareness of a culture of voluntary complaint.
Beyers Theron, the director of customs and border control at the tax authority, told the media that travel cards and declaration documents are becoming more commonplace around the world.
All visitors to the country are currently obliged to fill out a Traveler Card (TC-01) at the airport if they have any items to declare. This card is used in conjunction with your passport during the customs procedure – the online system seeks to change this.
Traditional declarations in paper form and notoriously known to take up travellers’ time and be a thorn in administrative processes, said Theron.
With the declaration process now being moved online, SARS stated that travellers could expect a more seamless experience when going on holiday or business trips at any port of entry or exit in South Africa.
As border crime runs rampant across the globe, more measures are being put in place to protect against illicit flows of goods – mandatory permits have become all the rave in Canada, Australia and even Mexico.
Under SARs new SMART border project, the new declaration system will be voluntary at all ports of entry in 2023 and 2024; however, it may become mandatory at some stage, said Theron.
The new declaration method saves the traveller time, while SARS will also cut down on administrative costs.
This move by SARS is in line with the government’s overall aim to strengthen South Africa’s borders. Through the new online declaration system and subsequent travel permit granting. Traveller data and information is gathered to ensure a level of security in the country.
