The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has clarified goods to be declared by travellers under its mandatory electronic traveller declaration system and how the R5 000 duty-free threshold applies, following concerns from the travel industry about the new requirements.
The South African Traveller Management System (SATMS), which became mandatory on July 1 across all international airports, land borders, sea ports and rail crossings, replaces the paper-based customs declaration process. Travellers are required to submit an electronic declaration when entering and leaving South Africa.
While agents have mostly said the digital system is straightforward and easy to use, they have called for clearer guidance on whether personal items such as laptops, cameras and jewellery need to be declared. They also questioned why declarations can only be submitted within 24 hours of travel.
Siphithi Sibeko, Head of Media and official Spokesperson for SARS, told Travel News that travellers do not need to declare ordinary personal belongings such as clothing, toiletries, medication, personal jewellery and cell phones.
“However, travellers must declare any goods for business or commercial purposes, restricted or prohibited goods, new or used goods they acquired abroad and that exceed their duty-free allowance, goods they are taking out of South Africa temporarily and bringing back later or vice versa, samples or any other goods being imported into or exported from South Africa.
“Personal effects are generally not declared but certain categories of personal items – for example, expensive items exceeding allowances or goods temporarily exported and later re-imported – must still be declared and align with the customs and excise legislation.”
Where there is uncertainty about specific items, such as electronic equipment, jewellery or other valuable goods, Sibeko said travellers are encouraged to declare them to avoid possible delays or queries at the port of entry or exit.
How does the R5 000 allowance apply?
Sibeko said the R5 000 threshold is not a blanket exemption for personal belongings but part of the duty-free allowance for goods acquired abroad. Personal belongings worth more than R5 000 do not automatically have to be declared simply because of their value.
“If the goods brought into South Africa qualify for the traveller duty-free allowance and their value falls within the applicable allowance, they may be cleared without payment of customs duty and VAT subject to the conditions of the rebate item. If the value of the goods exceeds the allowance, only the excess portion may become liable to duties and taxes, depending on the nature of the goods and the applicable customs provisions.”
Sibeko stressed that, although personal effects generally do not need to be declared, “goods acquired while abroad, exceeding the duty-free allowance, are specifically excluded from the definition of personal effects and must be disclosed in the traveller declaration”.
As SATMS matures, SARS will consider opportunities to enhance communication, guidance documents and user support based on operational experience and stakeholder feedback, he pointed out.
