The SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration System (SATMS) is a mandatory digital system implemented by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) that requires all inbound and outbound travellers to declare goods and currency electronically before crossing the border. It completely replaces the old paper-based customs forms previously handed out on airplanes and at border posts.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Who it applies to: All South African citizens, permanent residents, and foreign visitors. It applies across all modes of transport: air, land, sea, and rail.
• The timeframe: You must submit your digital form no more than 24 hours before your departure or your final leg of travel to South Africa.
• Where to fill it: You can use the official SARS Traveller Declaration Portal or download the SATMS mobile application from your phone's app store.
• Minors: Parents or legal guardians must complete a separate declaration for children and infants travelling with them.
• The Exception: Only travellers who are transiting through South African airports/ports without leaving the designated international transit area are exempt.

What You Need to Declare

You do not need to declare everyday personal items like your clothes, personal phone, or personal laptop. However, you must report:

• Goods exceeding allowances: Anything over the duty-free limit of R5 000 per person.
• Business assets: Any commercial goods or items carried for trade or resale purposes.
• Large cash amounts: Any physical cash, foreign currency, or negotiable instruments worth R100 000 or more.
• Vehicles: Foreign-registered vehicles driven across land borders must be pre-declared.

How the Process Works

[Fill form online (<24 hrs before)]

[Receive email confirmation]

 [Show confirmation to Customs at border]

1. Submit: Complete your personal information, travel itinerary, and item details on the SARS Portal.
2. Save: Check your email for a confirmation receipt containing specific customs clearance instructions. Save it to your smartphone or print it out.
3. Clearance: Upon arrival or departure at the border, follow the signage and present your confirmation digital pass to the customs officials if requested.

Note: You will not be denied entry or exit if you forget to complete it beforehand. SARS provides self-service kiosks and official assistance at ports of entry to complete the form manually on arrival, though this will likely cause travel delays.

Are you planning an upcoming trip? I can help you check the specific duty-free limits for items like alcohol and tobacco or guide you through the rules for business travel declarations.

The system became strictly mandatory on 1 July 2026 across all South African air, land, sea, and rail ports of entry.

The Implementation Timeline

• November 2022: SARS initially launched the digital portal as a voluntary pilot project at King Shaka International Airport.
• 2023: The voluntary system was progressively rolled out to other major international airports (like OR Tambo and Cape Town International), followed by land and sea border posts.
• 1 July 2026: The voluntary trial phase ended, making pre-travel electronic submission a legal requirement for all travellers.

This is mandatory even if you travel by car, train, bus or air.

The declaration must be made within the 24hours before you leave or enter SA. Management has passed t his info down to us even when we have to travel for the company.

The App on the phone is very user friendly.  I have already registered and only need to login, tap declaration and fill in the spaces.

You will recieve a mail of some sort to keep on your phone to have available when entering or leaving SA.

vergamaklik net die een wat jy by die grenspos moest invul vir jou kamera, ens.  Nou kan jy dit rustig by die huis doen en whala als werk maklikker

Swanie wrote:

vergamaklik net die een wat jy by die grenspos moest invul vir jou kamera, ens.  Nou kan jy dit rustig by die huis doen en whala als werk maklikker

Ek is oppad land uit vir 2 weke. Mede werks mense het al vertrek. Hulle sê dat die inful van die verklaring 'n pyn in die agterstewe is.

Sodra jy iets verklaar moet jy die een of ander dokumente aangeh en wat ookal.  Hulle moes 'n klomp tools en spes uitrusting verklaar van die werk en kon nie die dokumente aanheg nie.

Die SARS ou wat dit moes nagaan op die lughawe het hulle net verby laat gaan toe hulle 'n papier verklaring soos van ouds wou maak.

Ek sal maar sien hoe gaan dit as ek daar kom die naweek.

Leon wrote:

Ek is oppad land uit vir 2 weke. Mede werks mense het al vertrek. Hulle sê dat die inful van die verklaring 'n pyn in die agterstewe is.

Sodra jy iets verklaar moet jy die een of ander dokumente aangeh en wat ookal.  Hulle moes 'n klomp tools en spes uitrusting verklaar van die werk en kon nie die dokumente aanheg nie.

Die SARS ou wat dit moes nagaan op die lughawe het hulle net verby laat gaan toe hulle 'n papier verklaring soos van ouds wou maak.

Ek sal maar sien hoe gaan dit as ek daar kom die naweek.

GR8 point Swanie, doing it at home instead of doing it at the Border is now a plus for us.
Further more we have time to think while completing it and not be rushed while standing at the counter.