South Africa's New Traveller Declaration Rules

South African travel just got a little more digital.

Following SARS’s broader shift towards online customs administration, almost everyone entering or leaving the country must now submit an online traveller declaration before travelling. The new requirement, which took effect on 1 July 2026, applies to South African citizens, residents and foreign visitors travelling by air, land, sea or rail.

Children and infants must also be included, although a parent or guardian can complete the declaration on their behalf. Travellers who remain within a designated airport or seaport transit area are generally excluded.

The declaration must be submitted no more than 24 hours before departure, using the SARS Traveller Management System, the SATMS mobile application, the SARS MobiApp or available QR-code and self-service facilities. Travellers will need to provide passport or travel-document details, travel and contact information, companion details and, where relevant, information about goods, currency or business travel.

Even if you have nothing to declare, the form still needs to be completed. Travellers must disclose items such as goods above the duty-free allowance, commercial goods, restricted items, foreign-registered vehicles and currency or negotiable instruments above the permitted threshold. Ordinary personal effects for personal use generally do not need to be listed individually.

Once submitted, SARS will send a confirmation email with Customs instructions. Travellers should keep this safely, either electronically or in printed form, and update the declaration if anything changes.

A missed declaration will not, on its own, stop you from entering or leaving South Africa. But failing to make a complete and truthful declaration could lead to delays, penalties, detention or even forfeiture of goods.

In short: make it part of your pre-travel checklist, not a last-minute scramble at the border.