Travelling to or from South Africa now comes with an important new customs step.
Since 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa through airports, land borders, seaports and rail ports of entry are required to submit a traveller declaration online before travelling.
The declaration is completed through the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), operated by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The rule applies broadly. It covers South African citizens, permanent and temporary residents, foreign tourists, business travellers, students, workers, families and most other people crossing the country's borders.
But the declaration is not a new visa.
It is a Customs declaration, designed to help travellers disclose goods, cash, currency, bearer negotiable instruments and other items that may require Customs attention.
There is also an important practical safeguard:
SARS says a traveller should not be denied entry into or departure from South Africa solely because they did not complete the declaration before reaching the port.
Customs officials and, where available, self-service terminals can assist people who were reasonably unable to submit the declaration in advance.
Still, SARS strongly recommends completing it before travel to reduce delays.
TRAVEL AND IMMIGRATION
South Africa’s New Online Traveller Declaration: Who Must Submit It
Aug 7, 2026
Aug 7, 2026
32 min read
Published
Updated:
Travelling to or from South Africa now comes with an important new customs step.
Since 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa through airports, land borders, seaports and rail ports of entry are required to submit a traveller declaration online before travelling.
The declaration is completed through the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), operated by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The rule applies broadly. It covers South African citizens, permanent and temporary residents, foreign tourists, business travellers, students, workers, families and most other people crossing the country's borders.
But the declaration is not a new visa.
It is a Customs declaration, designed to help travellers disclose goods, cash, currency, bearer negotiable instruments and other items that may require Customs attention.
There is also an important practical safeguard:
SARS says a traveller should not be denied entry into or departure from South Africa solely because they did not complete the declaration before reaching the port.
Customs officials and, where available, self-service terminals can assist people who were reasonably unable to submit the declaration in advance.
Still, SARS strongly recommends completing it before travel to reduce delays.
Quick Answer
From 1 July 2026, most people entering or leaving South Africa must submit an online traveller declaration.
The declaration should generally be completed no more than 24 hours before departure from the country from which you are travelling.
If your trip to South Africa has connecting flights, SARS says the declaration should be submitted no more than 24 hours before the departure of the last leg travelling directly to South Africa.
Each traveller must be covered by a declaration, including children and infants.
A parent or guardian can complete the declaration for a child.
Travellers who remain entirely inside a designated international transit area during an air or sea connection are generally excluded.
The declaration can be completed through:
The SARS online Traveller Management System
The SATMS mobile application
The SARS MobiApp
Scan-to-Declare QR codes
Self-service facilities at certain ports where available
After submission, SARS sends an electronic confirmation with instructions for Customs processing.
What Changed on 1 July 2026?
South Africa had already been testing and expanding its digital traveller declaration system before July 2026.
The major change is that from 1 July 2026, online traveller declarations became required for travellers entering or leaving the country, subject to limited exceptions.
SARS says the system now forms part of a wider government approach to improve cross-border data integration, risk management and Customs processing.
The digital declaration replaces much of the older reliance on manual Customs declaration procedures.
Instead of waiting until reaching the airport or border to provide Customs information, travellers can submit the required details in advance.
Who Must Submit the South Africa Online Traveller Declaration?
In general, the requirement applies to anyone entering or leaving South Africa through an official port of entry.
This includes:
South African citizens
Permanent residents
Temporary residents
Foreign tourists
Business travellers
International students
Foreign workers
Families
Cross-border traders
Returning South African residents
People travelling by road
Air passengers
Sea passengers
Rail passengers
The declaration applies whether you are entering South Africa or leaving it.
That departure requirement is particularly important because some travellers may assume Customs declarations are only required on arrival.
Do Children and Infants Need Their Own Declaration?
Yes.
SARS states that each traveller must be covered by a declaration, including children and infants.
A parent or legal guardian may complete and submit the declaration on behalf of a child.
This means a family of four should not assume that one declaration covers the entire family.
Each traveller needs a declaration connected to their own travel details.
SARS also allows a caretaker or another assisting person to complete a declaration for someone who cannot reasonably complete it themselves because of age, illness, disability or another qualifying circumstance.
The person submitting the declaration on another traveller's behalf is responsible for the accuracy of the information provided.
Who Is Exempt?
The most important exemption applies to certain transit passengers.
SARS says air or sea travellers who are only transiting through South Africa and who do not leave the designated transit area do not have to submit a traveller declaration.
For example, a passenger who lands at a South African airport, remains airside in the official international transit area and continues to another international destination may fall within this exemption.
However, do not automatically assume you are exempt simply because your ticket says "transit."
If you must:
Clear immigration
Collect checked luggage
Leave the transit area
Re-check bags
Stay overnight outside the airport
Enter South Africa before continuing your journey
then you may no longer be treated as remaining exclusively inside the designated transit area.
Check with your airline and SARS if your connection is unclear.
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When Must You Complete the Declaration?
SARS says the online declaration must be submitted no more than 24 hours before departure from the country from which you are travelling.
That wording matters.
Direct Flight to South Africa
If you are flying directly from Lagos to Johannesburg, you should submit the declaration within the 24 hours before your departure from Lagos.
Connecting Flight
If you are travelling Kinshasa → Addis Ababa → Johannesburg, the relevant timing is generally the final leg directly to South Africa.
SARS says the declaration should be submitted no more than 24 hours before the departure of the last leg travelling directly to South Africa.
Leaving South Africa
Travellers departing South Africa must also complete the required declaration within the applicable pre-departure period.
The safest practice is to complete the declaration after your travel arrangements are final but within the SARS 24-hour window.
What Information Do You Need?
SARS says travellers generally need information covering identity, travel, contact details and Customs matters.
Prepare the following before starting:
Passport or Travel Document
You may need:
Passport or travel-document number
Issuing country
Full name
Date of birth
Travel-document type
Enter the information exactly as it appears on the passport or official travel document.
Travel Details
The declaration may request:
Port of entry or exit
Date of travel
Country of departure
Destination country
Transit countries
Flight, vessel, train or vehicle information where applicable
Contact Details
Prepare:
Mobile number
Country dialling code
Email address
An accurate email address is important because the system sends the declaration confirmation electronically.
South African Address
Travellers entering South Africa may need to provide the address where they will stay.
This can include:
Hotel
Apartment
Private residence
Student accommodation
Business accommodation
Travel Companions
The system may request information about people travelling with you, including:
Name
Passport number
Passport issuing country
Remember that providing companion details does not replace the requirement for each traveller, including children, to be covered by a declaration.
Purpose of Travel
The Customs form can include categories such as:
Holiday
Business
Study
Employment
Transit
Resident
Diplomat
Crew
Other
Choose the category that accurately reflects your journey.
What Goods Must Be Declared?
The online declaration is primarily a Customs compliance tool.
SARS says ordinary personal effects for your own use generally do not need to be declared merely because you are carrying them.
However, you may need to declare goods or items requiring Customs attention, including:
Goods above the duty-free allowance
Prohibited or restricted goods
Commercial goods
Goods intended for trade or sale
Trade samples
Temporary imports or exports
Goods being taken abroad for repair or modification
Goods returning after temporary export
Foreign-registered vehicles in circumstances where declaration is required
Currency above applicable thresholds
Bearer negotiable instruments
Items requiring permits or special Customs processing
If you are unsure whether an item must be declared, ask a SARS Customs official rather than guessing.
What Is the Current Duty-Free Goods Allowance?
According to SARS's current 2026 traveller-declaration FAQs:
Goods up to R5,000 per person may be imported without duty or VAT under the stated traveller allowance.
Additional goods up to R20,000 may be admitted but can be subject to duty and VAT.
Where the total value exceeds R25,000, normal Customs duties and VAT can apply.
SARS also states that the allowance is generally available only once per person during a 30-day period and does not apply to people returning after an absence of less than 48 hours.
Duty-free allowances are applied per traveller.
They cannot be combined between travellers.
Because Customs thresholds can change, always check the current SARS traveller guidance immediately before publication or travel.
How Much Cash or Currency Can You Carry?
SARS's current traveller FAQs state that travellers may carry up to R100,000 in local or foreign currency, or bearer negotiable instruments, without prior approval.
Amounts above the applicable legal threshold must be declared.
The online system can request:
Currency type
Amount
Rand equivalent
Source of funds
Whether the money is carried for you, another person or an organisation
Other exchange-control or financial rules may also apply, so travellers moving large amounts of money should check the current SARS and South African Reserve Bank requirements.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete the South Africa Traveller Declaration
Step 1: Go to the Official SARS Traveller Declaration Page
Use the SARS Traveller Management System directly through the official SARS website or the official SARS electronic-services portal.
Avoid websites claiming to be "South Africa entry form" or "traveller declaration agents" if they are not clearly connected to SARS.
Step 2: Choose the Correct Declaration Type
The live SARS system allows travellers to indicate whether they have:
Goods and/or currency to declare, or
No goods and/or currency to declare
Answer truthfully.
A "nothing to declare" selection does not remove your legal responsibility if you are actually carrying goods or currency requiring declaration.
Step 3: Enter Your Travel Direction
Confirm whether you are:
Entering South Africa, or
Leaving South Africa
Step 4: Enter Your Personal Details
Provide your passport or travel-document information and contact details accurately.
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Step 5: Enter Your Journey Details
Provide the requested:
Departure information
Arrival information
Port
Travel date
Flight, vehicle, vessel or train information where relevant
Transit information
Step 6: Add Accommodation and Companion Information
Enter your South African address and travel companion information if requested.
Step 7: Declare Goods and Currency
Answer the Customs questions carefully.
Where the system asks for additional detail, you may need to specify:
Item description
Quantity
Model
Value
Serial number
Currency type
Amount
Purpose of import or export
Step 8: Review Everything
Check:
Passport number
Full name
Travel date
Port of entry
Currency amount
Goods details
Email address
SARS requires a proper and truthful declaration.
Step 9: Submit
Submit the declaration electronically.
Step 10: Save the Confirmation
SARS sends a confirmation containing Customs instructions.
Save it to your phone or print a copy.
Do not rely only on being able to retrieve your email at the airport or land border, where mobile connectivity may be unreliable.
What Happens After Submission?
Your declaration confirmation will contain instructions telling you what to do at the relevant port.
When Entering South Africa
Travellers will generally:
Complete immigration processing.
Follow the Customs instructions provided in the declaration confirmation.
Proceed to the appropriate Customs area or exit channel.
When Leaving South Africa
Departing travellers should follow the Customs instructions in their confirmation.
Travellers may also need to visit Customs before departure to:
Register goods for later re-importation
Close temporary-importation procedures
Complete VAT-refund verification
Resolve declared commercial or restricted goods
Do not ignore instructions simply because your declaration was completed online.
The online system does not eliminate Customs inspection powers.
What If Your Travel Details Change?
If information changes before you complete Customs processing, SARS says you must update the declaration so that the information remains correct.
Examples include:
New flight
Different border post
Changed travel date
Different accommodation
Additional declarable goods
Changed currency amount
Do not knowingly travel using a declaration that contains information you know is no longer accurate.
What If You Forget to Complete the Declaration?
This is one of the most important points.
SARS states that travellers will not be denied entry into or departure from South Africa solely because they did not complete the declaration before arriving at the port.
If you could not submit the form because of:
System failure
Lack of internet access
Another reasonable obstacle
SARS Customs staff can assist at the port.
Self-service terminals may also be available.
In limited circumstances, a paper declaration can still be used.
However, this should not be treated as permission to ignore the online requirement.
Completing it in advance is the safer option and can reduce processing delays.
When Can a Paper Declaration Still Be Used?
SARS says paper declarations are limited to situations such as:
SARS system failure
No internet connectivity at the relevant location
A traveller being otherwise reasonably unable to submit electronically
In those cases, Customs may allow the prescribed paper form to be completed in the Customs processing area.
The online system is now the primary route.
What Happens If You Make a False Declaration?
A false Customs declaration can have serious consequences.
SARS warns that failure to properly declare goods, currency or other relevant items can result in:
Border delays
Additional inspections
Detention of goods
Forfeiture or seizure of goods
Financial penalties
Other enforcement action under Customs legislation
A traveller should never hide goods simply because they are worried about paying duty.
When in doubt, declare the item and ask Customs for guidance.
Business Travellers and Cross-Border Traders
Business travellers must also complete the declaration.
The system may ask whether you are travelling in a business capacity.
Commercial goods require extra care.
SARS defines commercial goods broadly as items being transported for:
Trade
Sale
Business use
Another commercial purpose
Even if you describe yourself as an informal trader, goods can still be considered commercial based on their nature, volume or quantity.
Cross-border traders should therefore not assume ordinary tourist allowances apply to merchandise carried for resale.
Travelling With a Foreign-Registered Vehicle
Foreign-registered vehicles can trigger additional Customs requirements.
Since 1 June 2026, SARS has required foreign-registered vehicles used by travellers to be declared through the Traveller Management System in applicable circumstances.
Travellers driving into South Africa should prepare vehicle-registration and ownership information and check the dedicated SARS foreign-vehicle guidance before reaching the border.
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A vehicle declaration is a separate practical issue from the traveller's general passport and journey details.
Can You Still Claim a Tourist VAT Refund?
Yes.
SARS says the online traveller declaration system does not prevent eligible visitors from claiming a VAT refund.
Travellers seeking a refund should declare the relevant goods through the system and present themselves to Customs for the required verification.
After Customs verification, the traveller may proceed to the VAT Refund Administrator where available.
Do not pack refund goods in checked luggage before completing any required inspection if the refund process requires Customs to see the items.
What About Train Travel?
Rail passengers are also included.
SARS says travellers entering or leaving South Africa by train should submit the declaration electronically before reaching the relevant first or last railway station in South Africa, depending on the direction of travel.
Where electronic submission is not possible for a recognised reason, the prescribed alternative process may be used.
Scam Warning: Use Only Official SARS Channels
Travellers should be cautious of websites, messages or social-media posts offering to "complete the South Africa entry declaration" for a fee.
The SARS declaration is a government Customs process.
Warning signs include websites that:
Pretend the declaration is a visa
Claim payment guarantees entry
Ask for banking PINs or one-time passwords
Demand payment through WhatsApp
Request eFiling passwords
Use domains that resemble SARS without actually being sars.gov.za
Threaten immediate deportation if you do not pay an agent
SARS says it will not request passwords, banking PINs, OTPs or eFiling login credentials through email, SMS, social media or telephone.
Use official SARS channels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the South Africa traveller declaration mandatory?
Yes. SARS states that from 1 July 2026 travellers entering or leaving South Africa through air, land, sea and rail ports must submit a traveller declaration online, unless a limited exception applies.
Is the traveller declaration a visa?
No. It is a Customs declaration. Your visa, ETA, passport or visa-exemption requirements are separate immigration matters.
Do tourists have to complete it?
Yes. Foreign tourists are included.
Do South African citizens have to complete it?
Yes. The requirement applies to South African citizens as well as residents and foreign travellers.
Do permanent residents have to complete it?
Yes. Residents entering or leaving South Africa are included.
Do children need a form?
Yes. Each child and infant must be covered by a declaration. A parent or legal guardian can submit it for them.
When should I complete it?
Generally, no more than 24 hours before departure from the country you are travelling from. If you have connecting flights to South Africa, SARS says to use the final leg travelling directly to South Africa for the 24-hour timing rule.
Do connecting passengers need to complete it?
Air and sea passengers who remain entirely within the designated international transit area are excluded. If you enter South Africa or leave the transit area, normal requirements may apply.
Can I complete it at the airport?
SARS expects travellers to submit online before travelling. However, Customs staff and self-service facilities may assist travellers who could not submit in advance for a reasonable reason.
Will I be refused entry if I forgot?
SARS specifically says travellers will not be denied entry or departure solely because the declaration was not completed before arriving at the port. You may still be required to complete it or receive assistance before Customs processing.
Is there a fee to submit the declaration?
The declaration itself is a Customs reporting process. Duties, VAT or other charges may arise if you are carrying goods that exceed allowances or otherwise attract Customs charges.
What if I have nothing to declare?
The SARS system includes a declaration option for travellers with no goods or currency to declare. You must still complete the required traveller process accurately.
Can one declaration cover my whole family?
No. Each traveller must be covered separately, including children and infants.
What happens after I submit it?
You receive an electronic confirmation with instructions. Save the confirmation on your phone or print it and follow the Customs directions at the port.
What if I am carrying more than R100,000?
SARS's current traveller guidance states that currency or bearer negotiable instruments above the applicable threshold must be declared and may require additional approval or documentation.
Can I combine my duty-free allowance with my spouse?
No. SARS says traveller allowances apply per person and cannot be transferred or combined.
Official South Africa Traveller Declaration Links
SARS Traveller Declaration information: https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/
Official online Traveller Management System: https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/traveller
SARS FAQs for declarations required from 1 July 2026: https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/faqs-for-the-required-online-traveller-declarations-from-1-july-2026/
SARS traveller customs guidance: https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/travellers/
SARS guide to the traveller declaration: https://www.sars.gov.za/guide-to-traveller-declaration/
XTRAfrica Verification Note
This guide was verified on 7 August 2026 against current information published by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
SARS confirms that from 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa by air, land, sea and rail are required to submit an online traveller declaration before travel.
The current SARS guidance also confirms:
The declaration generally applies to citizens, residents and foreign travellers.
Each child and infant must be covered by a declaration.
The form should be submitted no more than 24 hours before the relevant departure.
Air and sea passengers remaining completely inside a designated transit area are exempt.
Travellers who were reasonably unable to submit electronically can receive assistance at ports.
Failure to make a truthful Customs declaration can lead to delays, penalties, detention or forfeiture of goods and other enforcement action.
SARS currently lists a R100,000 currency threshold and specific traveller goods allowances, but these figures should be reviewed whenever SARS updates its customs rules.
This article should be reviewed whenever SARS changes:
Duty-free allowances
Currency thresholds
Online declaration procedures
Paper-declaration exceptions
Customs legislation
Supported declaration channels
Port procedures
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