Before you fly: the SARS traveller declaration

From 1 July 2026, everyone entering or leaving South Africa must complete an online traveller declaration before they travel. SARS, the South African Revenue Service, runs it. The system has been in use at airports since 2022, and from 1 July 2026 using it is required.

Who it applies to

South African citizens and residents, and visitors. It covers travel by air, land, sea and rail, including flights between Mauritius and South Africa. Each traveller needs a declaration, including children and infants. A parent or guardian completes it for a child.

Passengers who only change planes or ships, and stay in the designated transit area, do not need one.

When to do it

Submit it no more than 24 hours before you depart. On a journey with connections to South Africa, the 24 hours counts back from the last flight into the country. So it is a job for the day before you fly, not the week before.

How to do it

Use the Traveller Management System on the SARS website, the South African Traveller Management System app, or the SARS MobiApp. Some ports also have QR codes and self-service kiosks.

Have these ready: passport details, travel details, contact details and the details of anyone travelling with you. Each traveller needs an email address, because SARS emails the confirmation.

What happens next

SARS emails a confirmation with instructions for the port. Keep it on your phone or print a copy. On arrival, you pass immigration and then follow the instructions to the customs control area. When leaving, follow the instructions at the customs office.

What to declare

Ordinary personal effects for your own use do not need declaring. Goods above your allowance do. SARS lists goods up to R5 000 per person as free of duty and VAT, and further goods up to R20 000 as allowed but liable to duty and VAT. Allowances are per person and cannot be shared. Check SARS for the current figures and conditions.

SARS also sets R100 000 as the most you may carry in or out of South Africa in local or foreign currency, or in bearer negotiable instruments, without prior approval. Business travellers carrying commercial goods may face further customs requirements.

If you cannot do it in advance

SARS says no traveller is refused entry or departure only because the declaration was not completed beforehand. Officers and self-service terminals at the port can help, and paper forms remain for limited cases such as system failures or no internet access. SARS still encourages everyone to complete it in advance. Failing to declare, or declaring falsely, can lead to delays, detention or forfeiture of goods, and penalties.

This is general information, not customs advice. Rules can change, so check the official pages before you fly.

Sources, checked on 11 November 2026: the SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration page and the SARS FAQs for the required online traveller declarations.

Questions about your own trip? Write to us.

Grant · Godefroy Africa