The South African Revenue Service (SARS) says it will introduce an ‘online traveller declaration system’ that all travellers need to comply with.<\/p>\n
The new system<\/a><\/strong> will simplify passenger movement at South African airports, SARS said, and will come into effect from 1 November 2022.<\/p>\n The system aims to collect travel information and, in return, grants a traveller pass via email, said SARS.<\/p>\n It requires that all travellers – including South African citizens and residents, children and infants – leaving or entering South Africa by air complete the declaration. SARS said that once completed and submitted, travellers will receive a pass before they board.<\/p>\n The new online system will be rolled out in all South African international airports, starting with OR Tambo International Airport from 1 November, and then to others in the first quarter of 2023, the revenue service said.<\/p>\n “Upon arrival in South Africa, there will be instructions at the airports that will guide and inform travellers what to do next,” it said.<\/p>\n Currently, in terms of the declaration of goods at the airport, all people who arrive in the country are required to complete a Traveller Card<\/a><\/strong> (TC-01) if they have something to declare – the card is then used alongside your passport in the customs process.<\/p>\n Some goods that are required to be declared include things such as:<\/p>\n When departing from South Africa<\/a><\/strong>, residents are further required by SARS to register valuables before their trip – this can be done at the customs office in international departures before handing luggage in.<\/p>\n However, tourists to South Africa can reclaim Value-Added Tax (VAT) on the goods bought during their visit to the country, added SARS.<\/p>\n SARS has been beefing up its tax policy and working with other institutions to ensure stricter compliance with tax law. The latest Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) annual report<\/a><\/strong> showed that over R41.6 million in penalties was imposed by SARS on certain people and businesses over 2021 – many of which were instances of non-compliance.<\/p>\n SARS has a history of keeping tabs on taxpayers. In mid-September, Tax Consulting SA noted that the taxman can track a person’s<\/a><\/strong> flights as part of stricter emigration processes.<\/p>\n Nikolas Skafidas, a tax expert from the group said that expatriate taxpayers awaiting approval for their non-resident status might have their flights tracked into and out of South Africa by the tax authority.<\/p>\n He said that flight details could possibly be used by SARS when questioning the validity of an applicant’s claim that they intend to reside outside of South Africa permanently.<\/p>\n\n
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