On 17 April the Head of Customs Border Operations at the South African Revenue Service (Sars) announced that following the communique dated 12 March, it confirmd that the new Customs Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system would be implemented on 20 April 2020.
However, the amended Rules will be published on Friday, 24 April 2020, and thus the system will be operationalised when the amended rules are published. Traders can submit applications as of 20 April, but their outcome will be held back until 24 April.
The implementation of RLA is in line with Sars’ strategic objectives of making it easy for traders to comply and fulfil their obligations and for Sars to modernise its systems to provide streamlined digital services. The main focus of the rollout on 20 April will be the introduction of eFiling as a channel for submission of new registration and licensing applications. This ensures that services continue to be available during the lockdown period in order to minimise face-to-face contact.
The rollout of the system will be enabled for Customs branches from 24 April; however, due to lockdown regulations during which branches are only operating on an appointment basis, they urge clients to make use of eFiling for new applications to register or license for a Customs client type. This first phase of implementation focuses on new applications for 45 client types only. Please take note: Excise applications are not included in this implementation.
Sars advised that clients who wish to submit urgent applications to register or license as importers/exporters of essential goods during the current COVID-19 pandemic, should do the following: (i) Submit applications via email to BMvubu@sars.gov.za or NMotete@sars.gov.za or avandermescht@sars.gov.za; (ii) This should include (a) A completed DA185; (b) Relevant supporting documents (please keep size to a minimum); and (c) A commercial Invoice clearly stating the value and the description of goods in question; and (iii) Once this has been processed, Sars will provide the applicant with a client number on an expedited basis.
All applications relating to importing/exporting of essential goods will take priority over other applications during this lockdown period.
Sars said that clients wishing to submit applications on the RLA system were encouraged to register for eFiling in the meantime (if not already registered).
Story by: Riaan de Lange