What we know so far
Every traveller entering or leaving South Africa by air, land, sea or rail must now submit an online declaration before they travel. The South African Revenue Service confirmed the requirement took effect on 1 July 2026.
The declaration runs through the South African Traveller Management System, known as SATMS. SARS said the system supports a “whole-of-government approach to strengthen data integration and facilitate Inter-agency risk management.”
SATMS was first piloted on a voluntary basis in 2022 at OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka international airports. It was later extended to sea and land ports before becoming mandatory nationwide.
SARS gazetted rule amendments under sections 15 and 120 of the Customs and Excise Act to formalise the system. The changes replace the old TC-01 and TRD1 paper forms with two new documents, the TD-01 traveller declaration and the TGD1 traveller goods declaration.
Why it matters
The rule applies to South African citizens, residents and foreign visitors alike. A parent, legal guardian or caretaker must complete the declaration for a minor or anyone unable to do so themselves.
Travellers must submit their declaration no more than 24 hours before departing the country they are travelling from. Those on multi-stop trips to South Africa must submit it no more than 24 hours before the final leg of their journey.
SARS said the declaration helps travellers meet a legal obligation to disclose goods, currency and other relevant items in their possession. It also aims to speed up processing at ports of entry and exit by allowing Customs to assess risk before travellers arrive.
Importantly, SARS confirmed that travellers will not be turned away for failing to declare in advance. Customs officials and self-service kiosks will be available to assist anyone who arrives without having submitted online.
Key details and figures
Travellers must provide passport or travel document details, travel details, contact information and details of any travelling companions. They must also indicate whether they are carrying goods, currency or bearer negotiable instruments.
Ordinary personal effects for personal use do not need to be declared. Goods up to R5,000 per person may be imported duty and VAT free. Additional goods up to R20,000 may still attract duty and VAT, and if the total value exceeds R25,000, normal Customs duties apply in full.
This allowance applies once every 30 days per traveller and does not apply to people returning to South Africa after an absence of less than 48 hours, according to SARS.
Air and sea travellers who are only transiting through South Africa, without leaving the designated transit area, are exempt from the declaration. A paper-based fallback remains available, but only where there is a system failure, no internet access at the port, or another reasonable ground for being unable to submit electronically.
Alongside the SATMS change, a separate legal shift also took effect on 1 July. President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed the commencement of section 30 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, along with sections 54, 55 and 70. The proclamation, Proclamation 317, was published in Government Gazette 54783 on 5 June 2026.
Section 30 requires domestic and foreign travellers to declare cash, currency or bearer negotiable instruments above R100,000 when crossing South Africa’s air, land or sea borders. Sections 54 and 55 create offences for failing to report cross-border cash movements, while section 70 gives authorities search, seizure and forfeiture powers.
The Financial Intelligence Centre has described the new obligation as cash conveyance reporting, or CCR. SARS Customs and Excise is now legally responsible for receiving these cash declarations from travellers and passing them on to the Financial Intelligence Centre.
What happens next
SARS said travellers who submit successfully will receive a confirmation with instructions for what to do on arrival at their port of entry or exit. It has advised travellers to keep that confirmation accessible on their phone or in printed form.
Travellers who fail to declare goods, currency or other relevant items, or who make a false declaration, risk delays, detention or forfeiture of goods, penalties, or further enforcement action under Customs legislation.
The Financial Intelligence Centre has framed the new cash reporting requirement as part of South Africa’s broader effort to curb illicit cross-border money movement, including alignment with international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force.
SARS has encouraged all travellers to familiarise themselves with the new requirements ahead of upcoming trips and to complete declarations in advance where possible, to avoid delays at busy ports of entry and exit.
