In a letter to all stakeholders, dated 11 May, titled “Discontinuation of General Codes”, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) Director: Customs Border Operations, Ports of Entry & Customs Compliance announced the following:
The ePenalty letter to trade dated 29 April 2022 has reference. SARS, in consultation with the South African Express Parcel Association (SAEPA), the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), and the Air Cargo Operators' Committee (ACOC), have agreed to discontinue the Non-Registered Cargo Reporter Code “ZZZ99999” from 1 June 2022, and the Ex Courier-Code “000” from 20 June 2022.
This measure will allow all parties to collectively improve cargo reporting and tax compliance, and to bring the current ePenalty pilot to a close on 31 July 2022.
All couriers, freight forwarders, clearing agents and importers submitting customs clearance declarations to SARS using these codes are urged to take the necessary corrective measures relating to the registration of cargo reporters and the proper reflection of master air waybill numbers, respectively.
For more information about Reporting of Conveyances and Goods (RCG), please go to: https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/about-customs/reporting-of-conveyances-and-goods
