On 23 January 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) reminded all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which become due by the end of the financial year, 31 March 2025.
For more detailed information, the letter from SARS’ Director: Customs Border Operations, Ports of Entry, Customs and Excise Compliance, dated ’23 January 2024’ reads:
Dear Trader/Agent
SUBJECT: 13TH DEFERMENT PAYMENT AT THE END OF THE 2024/2025 FINANCIAL YEAR
This letter serves as a reminder to all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to kindly adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which become due by the end of the financial year, 31 March 2025.
The Customs External Standard-Deferment document (SC-DT-B-02), effective 29 March 2019, stipulates that, in addition to the twelve (12) regular payment dates chosen by the client, there will be a thirteenth (13th) payment in March.
The statement period for the thirteenth payment of this financial year (2024/2025) will close on 28 March 2025 at 00:00 (Midnight). It is the obligation of every account holder to ensure that their reconciliations are done timeously and that payment is received no later than 15:00 on 31 March 2025.
The e-statements will be available from 04:00 on 29 March 2025 for account holders who are on e-filing. Account holders not on e-filing are advised to make prior arrangements for their statements to be emailed to them by their Customs Branch Office.
Furthermore, stakeholders are advised, specifically in cases where their bank does not transfer direct payment immediately, that they should ensure that the payments are made sufficiently in advance in order to meet the payment deadline as above, failing which a deferment suspension will be applied in line with the policy.
Your co-operation in this regard is highly appreciated.
Sincerely,