‘Time for a review of duty-free allowance’

I refer to the article on Sars’ duty policy for travellers (FTW October 23, 2009). In this case I agree that the customs officer was quite correct in his approach to Ms Ashokumar. However I believe that the duty-free allowance of R3 000 should be increased, since this amount has been in place since July 17, 1998. Considering world inflation standards and the fluctuation of the South African rand, the duty-free allowance in respect of returning travellers should at least be in the ratio of double the present rate. If a person has to visit the United States of America or the United Kingdom, the R3 000 dutyfree allowance will not buy him or her much. Ricky Omar