On 28 November 2022, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced an amendment to the Rules under Section 15 to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 relating to clarifying the status of an electronic traveller declaration submitted by travellers voluntarily participating in the pilot phase of the electronic South African traveller management system.
The amendment relates to the insertion of Rule 15.03A to the Act, 1964
15. 03A. (1) For purposes of this rule –
“electronic traveller declaration” means an online declaration submitted by travellers via the SARS electronic South African traveller management system, accessible through any device with internet connectivity;
“electronic South African traveller management system” means a SARS electronic system for the management of online traveller declarations in the pilot phase; and
“pilot phase” means a period during which travellers may voluntarily participate in the pilot implementation of the electronic South African traveller management system at various ports of entry or exit, commencing at King Shaka International Airport on 29 November 2022.
(2) (a) Any traveller entering or leaving the Republic at a port of entry or exit where the testing of the electronic South African traveller management system is implemented during the pilot phase may voluntarily participate in such testing by submitting an electronic traveller declaration.
(b) Submission by a traveller of an electronic traveller declaration in terms of paragraph (a) is regarded as submission of form TC-01 (Traveller Card) for purposes of the rules under section 15.