SARS Travel Declaration: What You Need to Know
Key Takeaways:
The online traveller declaration is now a mandatory process required by SARS.
If you are entering or exiting South Africa by air, land, or sea, you must complete this declaration no later than 24 hours before your trip.
You do not need to declare personal belongings, such as laptops and cellphones.
You can complete SARS online traveller declaration via the SARS website, MobiApp or SATMS app, which can be downloaded through Google or Apple Store.
On 1 July 2026, SARS made it mandatory for anyone entering or leaving South Africa to complete its online Traveller Declaration. The change has caused some confusion among South African travellers, many of whom are trying to understand what they need to declare and what the new requirements mean for them. Previously, completing the declaration was voluntary, but it is now a mandatory part of the travel process.
This new requirement may sound a little complicated at first, however, it’s fairly straightforward once you know what’s expected. Here are a few key things to know about the SARS online Traveller Declaration.
What Is the SARS Traveller Declaration?
The SARS traveller declaration is a digital customs form required by all individuals entering or exiting South Africa by land, sea, rail or air. Travellers are required to submit their declaration no later than 24 hours before departure. There is a common misconception that this is a new customs process, however, this is a voluntary process that has now become mandatory by SARS. The rollout of the digital “traveller management system” (SATMS) is meant to modernise customs, speed up border processing, and keep better track of goods coming in and out of South Africa.
Who Needs to Complete a Traveller Declaration?
South African citizens and residents travelling abroad must declare certain goods, currency and other items to SARS when entering or leaving the country. The requirement also applies to international travellers entering South Africa.
It’s important to note that declaration requirements can vary depending on what you are carrying, including certain goods, currency, and restricted or prohibited items.
What Do You Need to Declare?
To meet their legal obligations to SARS, travellers will need to provide their passport and travel document details, contact information, and details of any goods, currency or traveller’s cheques they are declaring before travelling.
You do not need to declare personal belongings, such as your personal laptop and cellphone, but you will need to declare the following:
Goods you’ve purchased that are worth up to R5000 – no duty or VAT payable
R5000 to R20 000 in additional goods, may be subject to duty and VAT
Goods worth more than R25 000; normal customs duties and VAT applies
Travellers entering South Africa are entitled to certain duty-free allowances for goods they bring into the country for personal use. This allowance can be used once per person within any 30-day period. However, it does not apply if you return to South Africa after being away for less than 48 hours.
None of these requirements are new; they are simply now being enforced. What has changed, however, is that travellers carrying more than R100,000 in cash or traveller’s cheques across South Africa’s borders will need to declare it. SARS is also required to share this information with the Financial Intelligence Centre.
How Do I Submit My Traveller Declaration?
There are a few ways to compete the traveller declaration:
The Travellers Management System via the SARS website.
Download the South African Traveller Management System App (SATMS) and complete the information on your mobile app.
Complete the declaration on the SARS MobiApp
Once you have hit submit, SARS will email you the confirmation details. You can print this out or save it.
What Happens If You Don't Complete the Declaration?
Failure to declare goods, currency and other relevant items or falsifying information is a breach of customs law. This can lead to delays, financial penalties, your goods being seized, or other enforcement actions.
Additional FAQs Around The Online Traveller Declaration
Who is not required to submit a traveller declaration?
Travellers who are only transiting via air or sea, and who do not leave the transiting area are exempt from completing this declaration.
Do I need to submit a Traveller Declaration if I have nothing to declare?
Yes. You still need to submit a Traveller Declaration even if you have nothing unusual to declare. Ordinary personal effects for your own use do not need to be individually declared. The form asks for your travel and passport details, as well as whether you have any goods, currency or other items that need to be declared.
What if I forget to submit my declaration?
This is not a visa process, so you will not be denied entry. There are SARS custom officials and self-service terminals that will allow you to complete the declaration immediately.
When must I submit the online declaration?
You should do this 24 hours before leaving or entering South Africa.
How many times do I need to submit a declaration?
As of 1 July 2026, you need to submit a separate Traveller Declaration for each movement across the South African border. This means you’ll need to submit a Traveller Declaration when entering and leaving South Africa.
Do I need to declare my personal belongings?
No. Personal belongings like laptops, Apple watches, cellphones or cameras are personal effects, not purchases you need to declare simply because you’re travelling with them. However, if you’re travelling with an unusually valuable, identifiable item, such as an expensive camera, watch or laptop, SARS allows South African residents to register it with Customs before leaving the country. This provides proof that the item was already in your possession when you return.
Does each traveller need to submit their own Traveller Declaration?
Yes. Each traveller must submit their own Traveller Declaration. This means every member of your family or travelling group will need to complete a declaration when entering and leaving South Africa. However a parent, legal guardian, caretaker or an individual assisting a person may complete the declaration on behalf of a minor or a person who cannot do it themselves.
What happens if my flight details have changed after submitting?
If your flight details change after submitting your declaration, you’ll need to update it. For example, if you’re flying with Qatar and your flight number or routing changes after submitting, SARS requires you to update your electronic declaration.
I’ve bought gifts while travelling, do I need to declare this?
Yes, gifts you buy while travelling overseas count towards your allowance. The allowance covers items for your own use or as gifts, but not commercial goods or items you’re carrying on behalf of someone else. In other words, if a friend asks you to bring something back for them, it can create a different customs issue.
Can I combine my travel allowance with another traveller?
No, you cannot combine your allowances for one item. Each traveller has a R5,000 allowance, so you cannot split a R9,000 handbag between two travellers and claim it as R4,500 each.
Examples of what you can expect when declaring
Scenario A: R30,000 made up of several separate items
Suppose you buy six separate items for R5,000 each, giving you a total of R30,000.
The items could broadly be treated as follows:
So, what would you pay?
You would pay R4,000 on Items 2–5, plus the normal duty and VAT applicable to the remaining R5,000 item.
The precise amount on that last item depends on what it is, as different tariff codes have different duty rates.
You therefore cannot simply calculate:
R30,000 − R25,000 = R5,000 × a generic percentage.
Customs looks at the actual items that fall outside the traveller concession and applies the relevant rates to those items.
*20% flat-rate Customs duty applies to goods acquired abroad that exceed your duty-free allowance, up to a total value of R20,000.
Scenario B: You buy one R30,000 item
Let's say you buy one R30,000 watch.
You cannot split the value of the watch across the different allowances, such as:
R5,000 duty free
R20,000 at the 20% flat rate
Only the remaining R5,000 normally taxed
SARS expressly states that where a single item exceeds R25,000, the duty-free and flat-rate allowances cannot be used to reduce the value of that item.
Instead, the full R30,000 value is assessed under the applicable Customs duty and VAT rules.
This distinction is particularly important when buying expensive items such as electronics, watches, bags and jewellery.
The Takeaway
If you are travelling to and from South Africa, you will need to add another task to your travelling to-do list. But thankfully, SARS has created a system that provides a seamless experience as this customs process goes from voluntary to compulsory.
Understanding what you need to declare and making sure your information is accurate can help make your journey smoother and keep you compliant with SARS requirements.
If you're unsure how the Traveller Declaration applies to your circumstances, speaking to a tax professional can help you understand your obligations before you travel.
Eqeight is here to help you work through the nitty-gritty, ensuring you remain compliant with your tax obligations.
