New SARS Online Travel Declaration: What Every South African Traveller Needs to Know

If you’re planning an international trip, there’s one extra task to add to your pre-flight checklist.

From 1 July 2026, all travellers entering or leaving South Africa must complete a mandatory online traveller declaration before they travel. Introduced by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the new digital system is designed to modernise border management, speed up customs processing and simplify the travel experience.

Whether you’re heading off on a European summer holiday, a business trip or returning home from overseas, here’s what you need to know.

Who needs to complete the declaration?

The online traveller declaration applies to almost everyone crossing South Africa’s borders by:

• Air
• Road
• Rail
• Sea

This includes:

• South African citizens
• Permanent residents
• Foreign visitors

Parents or legal guardians must complete separate declarations for children and infants travelling with them.

The only general exemption applies to travellers transiting through South Africa by air or sea who remain within the designated international transit area.

When should you submit it?

The declaration must be completed within 24 hours before entering or leaving South Africa.

If your journey includes multiple flights, SARS advises completing the declaration within 24 hours before the final leg of your trip into South Africa.

What information will you need?

Before you begin, have the following ready:

• Passport or travel document
• Flight or travel details
• Contact information
• Details of anyone travelling with you
• Information about goods or currency that require declaration

Completing the form takes only a few minutes if you have everything prepared.

Do you need to declare everything?

No.

Personal belongings intended for your own use generally do not need to be declared.

The declaration focuses on goods, cash or other items that exceed duty-free allowances or require Customs attention.

What happens next?

After submitting the form, you’ll receive an electronic Traveller Pass by email, together with any customs instructions relevant to your trip.

It’s a good idea to save the confirmation on your phone or print a copy before you travel.

Why the change?

The new digital declaration forms part of SARS’ wider drive to modernise South Africa’s border management.

By allowing travellers to submit information before arriving at a port of entry, customs officials are able to process travellers more efficiently while strengthening security and reducing paperwork.

For travellers, the goal is simple: less time standing in queues and a smoother journey through customs.

As international travel continues to recover, completing your traveller declaration before leaving home is now just as important as checking in online or making sure your passport is valid.

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