On 30 December 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced that with the anticipated high volume of traveller and trade movement expected as holidaymakers return, particularly through land border posts, airports and harbours, traders and travellers should leverage pre-clearance processes. By utilising the SARS Online Traveller Declaration (OTD) system, traders and travellers can declare their goods in advance.
According to SARS, this approach makes it easier for both traders and travellers to meet their legal obligations while creating a seamless process at border points.
Using the OTD system can significantly reduce waiting and queuing times at ports of entry.
The OTD can be accessed at:
- https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/ or
- via the SARS eFiling MobiApp.
SARS will also have dedicated officials on the ground to assist with this process.
SARS has expressed its appreciation to South Africans for their compliance, which has maintained seamless border operations.