Travellers entering or leaving South Africa now have another piece of pre-travel admin to add to their passport, boarding pass and ‘did I pack my charger?’ checklists
By Neesa Moodley
3 Jul 2026
South Africa’s new online traveller declarations are meant to make the customs process more convenient, more accessible and less dependent on paper forms. (Photo: Shelley Christians)
From 1 July 2026, all travellers moving through South Africa’s air, land, sea and rail ports of entry are required to submit an online traveller declaration before they travel
The declaration forms part of the South African Traveller Management System, known as SATMS. It is being rolled out as a whole-of-government system aimed at improving the monitoring of cross-border movement, strengthening data-sharing between state agencies and supporting risk management at ports of entry
In plain English, the state wants better information, earlier, about who is moving across South Africa’s borders and what they are carrying
For travellers, the system is meant to make it easier to meet the legal obligation to declare goods in their possession. This includes currency, as well as other goods that must be declared to customs
Declarations can be submitted through the South African Revenue Services’s (SARS) Customs Online Traveller Declaration Portal, the SATMS mobile application or by using Scan-to-Declare QR codes
SARS has urged travellers to familiarise themselves with the new requirements and complete their declarations ahead of time. You can watch the SARS video guide:
SARS says the system is intended to make the customs process more convenient, more accessible and less dependent on paper forms. It also says the digital declaration process is aimed at encouraging voluntary compliance and improving the overall border experience
However, travellers who do not complete the online declaration before reaching a port of entry will not be refused entry into or departure from South Africa for that reason alone
That is an important point for anyone who only discovers the new requirement while standing in a queue with a suitcase, a grumpy child and 12% phone battery
SARS Customs officials will be available at ports of entry to assist travellers who were unable to submit their declarations before travelling. Self-service declaration terminals will also be available
But the practical advice is simple: do it before you travel
You can find the online SARS declaration form here
Completing the declaration in advance should reduce the risk of delays, confusion or extra admin at the border, particularly during peak travel periods when queues can already test the limits of human patience. DM
- Business Maverick
