Customs

In a letter dated 15 October 2010 and titled ‘Usage of Customs Client Number’ SARS informed that:
(i) SARS issues Customs Client Numbers in terms of Section 59A(1) “Registration of Persons Participating in Activities Regulated by this Act”, and Section 60 “Licence Fees According to Schedule No.8” of the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964 (‘the Act’). [Schedule No.8 to the Act relates to ‘Licences’.];
(ii) Once issued, the onus is placed on the client to safeguard the usage of his/her Customs Client Number;
(iii) In terms of Section 4(3) “General Duties and Powers of Officers” of the Act, SARS shall not divulge any client’s registration information relating to any person, firm or business to any party other than to the client;
(iv) It remains the client’s prerogative to ensure that the service provider or agent that he/she has appointed is provided with the correct registration details including the Customs Client Number allocated by SARS. This will ensure that Customs declarations are processed successfully and timeously.