Deadline for electronic submission of manifests still awaited

The must-do switch-on date for customs’ new electronic manifest acquittal system (MAS) has not yet been announced by SA Revenue Service (Sars). Dave Watts, Kwa Zulu Natal (KZN) executive of the SA Association of Freight Forwarders (Saaff), told FTW: “My information is that no decision has been made as to when to invoke the requirement for electronic submission of manifests. “Most shipping lines are either presently compliant, or in the process of testing systems and interface.” Although October 1 was originally deadlined for the electronic switch-on of customs’ new manifest acquittal system (MAS), technical delays interrupted that big moment. According to Watts, all that happened on D-day was that the appropriate legislation was gazetted. But Sars have not yet enforced it, and until they do there is no mandatory rule for everyone to submit all customs documentation electronically. “I don’t think customs is likely to order the go-ahead until everything and everyone is ready,” said Watts. And the industry is running at full speed to become electronically compatible with the new system – which Watts described as not only a good idea but an absolute necessity. “With the millions of shipments coming into the country each year, you just can’t clear and acquit them all manually.”