SARS explains how the new 'travel pass' for South Africa works

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has clarified the new South African Traveller Online Declaration System’s rollout.

SARS announced in mid-October that a new ‘travel pass’ system would be implemented in the country, but provided little to no detail on the process or who would be affected. This caused widespread consternation among travellers and travel industry operators.

The taxman clarified what the pass is and how it works in a briefing this week.

According to SARS, the pass is simply a new way to digitally declare goods, similar to how travellers must currently do through customs in paper form.

A new web-based application will be used with the new system to allow travellers entering and leaving the country to pre-declare goods purchased, received, or otherwise acquired and pay applicable taxes.

Some goods that are required to be declared include things such as:

• Products purchased or acquired abroad;
• Goods remodelled or repaired abroad;
• Anything prohibited or restricted, or controlled under any law.

According to SARS, the system’s goal is to collect travel information and, in exchange, grant a traveller pass via email.

This new system is scheduled to be installed at Durban’s King Shaka International Airport on November 29, 2022. The tax authority added that this will be done voluntarily.

Travellers will be permitted to enter South Africa despite the lack of an electronic online declaration. However, the original declaration method must be followed.

The new approach aims to:

• Make it easy and simple for travellers to comply with their tax obligations;
• Strengthen government approach to detect and deter illicit activities;
• Create seamless processes at ports of entry;
• Create awareness of a culture of voluntary complaint.

Beyers Theron, the tax authority’s director of customs and border control, told the media that travel cards and declaration documents are becoming more common around the world.

If they have any items to declare, all visitors to the country are currently required to fill out a Traveler Card (TC-01) at the airport. During the customs procedure, this card is used in conjunction with your passport; the online system seeks to change this.

Traditional paper declarations are notorious for taking up travellers’ time and being a thorn in administrative processes, according to Theron.

SARS stated that with the declaration process now being moved online, travellers can expect a more seamless experience when entering or exiting South Africa at any port of entry or exit.

As border crime becomes more prevalent around the world, more safeguards are being put in place to prevent illicit goods flows – mandatory permits have become popular in Canada, Australia, and even Mexico.

The new declaration system will be voluntary at all ports of entry in 2023 and 2024 under SAR’s new SMART border project, but it may become mandatory at some point, according to Theron.

The new declaration method saves time for travellers while also reducing administrative costs for SARS.

This move by SARS is consistent with the government’s overall goal of fortifying South Africa’s borders. Through the new online declaration system and subsequent issuance of travel permits. Traveller data and information is collected to ensure the country’s security.

To successfully complete the declaration on the online system, travellers will need the following:

• Passport details;
• Travel details;
• Contact details;
• Travel companion’s passport numbers;
• Entity/Business details when travelling on a business trip;
• Goods including currency, when, entering, or leaving the country.

What it will look like

The first step of the online declaration form is as follows:

Applicants will be required to declare certain goods to SARS; the tax authority will provide a full list of restricted or prohibited goods on the app and SARS website, according to SARS.

Here’s an example of a mobile app version: