As of 01 July 2026, all persons entering and exiting South Africa are required to complete an on-line declaration. This has to be completed no more than 24 hours before arrival or departure.
Effectively, the main concern is for travellers who have things to declare. If you have nothing to declare, you still need to complete the declaration, and it should be a straight-forward arrangement.
The South African Revenue Service said the system does not intend to delay or restrict legitimate travellers but to move compliance processes away from ports of entry by allowing declarations to be completed before arrival. The platform also enables travellers to pay any applicable duties and VAT online.
Parents or legal guardians may complete declarations on behalf of children or people unable to do so themselves.
Air and sea passengers transiting through South Africa without leaving designated transit areas are exempt.
As part of the changes, the cross-border cash declaration threshold has increased from R25 000 (US$1 523) to R100 000 (US$6 091) in line with regulations.
Travellers carrying cash or bearer negotiable instruments above R100 000 must obtain prior authorisation from the South African Reserve Bank and declare the funds in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act and the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.
Ordinary personal effects do not need to be declared although travellers must declare goods that exceed duty-free allowances or require customs processing.
Paper declarations will only be accepted where SARS systems are unavailable, internet access is not available or travellers are otherwise unable to submit electronically.
Further Information:
https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/faqs-for-the-required-online-traveller-declarations-from-1-july-2026/
Link to the on-line declaration form:
https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/traveller
There is also an App (Android and Apple):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.za.gov.sars.efiling&hl=en
https://apps.apple.com/za/app/sars-mobile-efiling/id554610898
Effectively, the main concern is for travellers who have things to declare. If you have nothing to declare, you still need to complete the declaration, and it should be a straight-forward arrangement.
The South African Revenue Service said the system does not intend to delay or restrict legitimate travellers but to move compliance processes away from ports of entry by allowing declarations to be completed before arrival. The platform also enables travellers to pay any applicable duties and VAT online.
Parents or legal guardians may complete declarations on behalf of children or people unable to do so themselves.
Air and sea passengers transiting through South Africa without leaving designated transit areas are exempt.
As part of the changes, the cross-border cash declaration threshold has increased from R25 000 (US$1 523) to R100 000 (US$6 091) in line with regulations.
Travellers carrying cash or bearer negotiable instruments above R100 000 must obtain prior authorisation from the South African Reserve Bank and declare the funds in accordance with the Customs and Excise Act and the Financial Intelligence Centre Act.
Ordinary personal effects do not need to be declared although travellers must declare goods that exceed duty-free allowances or require customs processing.
Paper declarations will only be accepted where SARS systems are unavailable, internet access is not available or travellers are otherwise unable to submit electronically.
Further Information:
https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/faqs-for-the-required-online-traveller-declarations-from-1-july-2026/
Link to the on-line declaration form:
https://tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/traveller
There is also an App (Android and Apple):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=air.za.gov.sars.efiling&hl=en
https://apps.apple.com/za/app/sars-mobile-efiling/id554610898
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