EMASWATI travelling to South Africa are now required to declare the vehicles they are travelling in, as well as any goods in their possession, following the implementation of a mandatory traveller declaration system that takes effect today.
The new border control measure, introduced by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), is aimed at strengthening customs compliance and improving the monitoring of goods entering and leaving the country.
In a statement issued yesterday, the Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) said the declaration requirement applies to all travellers entering or leaving South Africa through any port of entry, whether by road, rail, sea or air.
“The requirement forms part of South Africa’s Customs processes and applies to all travellers entering or leaving the Republic. SARS has indicated that the declaration requirement is aligned with South African Customs legislation, which requires all goods, including motor vehicles, to be declared when entering or leaving South Africa,” said ERS.
To facilitate compliance, SARS has introduced the Traveller Management System (TMS), an online platform through which travellers can submit their declarations before travelling.
ERS encouraged travellers to complete the declaration process in advance to minimise delays at border posts and ensure smoother movement across ports of entry.
“On submission of the declaration, a traveller should report to the point of entry within 24 hours. Once the declaration has been successfully submitted, SARS will send a notification to the traveller showing their passport number, which will be used as the reference number for authentication,” ERS stated.
Under the new system, motor vehicles used for travel must be declared upon entry into South Africa as temporary importations and declared again as re-exports when leaving the country.
Travellers will be required to provide information including passport details, travel and contact information, details of accompanying travellers where applicable, business information for work-related trips, as well as information relating to goods, cash and bearer negotiable instruments valued at E25 000 or more.
Declarations can be completed online through the SARS Traveller Declaration webpage or via the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) mobile application. Assistance will also be available at SARS counters located at points of entry.
ERS Director of Communications and Marketing, Ntobeko Manana, said the declaration requirement applies to all travellers entering or leaving South Africa and urged emaSwati to familiarise themselves with the new process before travelling.
The revenue authority further encouraged travellers to ensure all travel documents are in order and to comply with the new requirements to avoid disruptions at border crossings.
