Sars confers with industry over new MAS system

As part of its plan to perfect the electronic manifest acquittal system (MAS), the SA Revenue Service (Sars) is currently meeting with airfreight agents, cargo handlers and airlines, according to Alwyn Rautenbach, MD of Airlink Cargo and chairman of Air Cargo Operators’ Committee (Acoc). This basic two-way dialogue is designed to make sure that the customs authority and the system users are all in tune, he told FTW, and that MAS is able to fulfil its intended function smoothly and accurately. “Sars is busy listening to the problems amongst the users,” Rautenbach added, “and to what they want to do. “They are also discussing the tactical issues involved in using the MAS system, and how to get it working perfectly.” Rautenbach also suggested that, when you implement a system, there are always hiccups as it beds down. “Sars and the users are in the process of sorting these out. They are also looking at the changes and enhancements that are being made to the system.”