The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has cleared up confusion regarding the introduction of the much-debated ‘travel pass’ that caused widespread panic in the tourism industry, clarifying that the new system is being piloted to digitise the process of voluntarily declaring goods or cash upon entering or leaving South Africa.

The project, which will be piloted at King Shaka International Airport from November 1, is part of a South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) designed to modernise customs procedures.

“SARS will launch a pilot implementation of an electronic online portal for travellers to make declarations on a voluntary basis, well ahead of their arrival or departure to/from South Africa. The new system will allow travellers to pre-declare goods purchased, received, or otherwise acquired,” SARS said in a statement on Thursday, October 20. 

“The new online traveller declaration system will, during the pilot phase, be fine-tuned based on insights gained as well as further engagement and feedback with various government departments and other stakeholders,” said SARS.

Pending a successful pilot, progressive implementation across all South African ports of entry will commence on April 1, 2023. 

For travellers who choose not to use the online portal on their mobile devices, SARS will make a paper form available as well as self-service counters.

Travellers who have not submitted pre-declarations will still be allowed to enter or leave the Republic, but “are encouraged to voluntarily declare pre-departure or arrival to avoid the inconvenience of making a declaration at a port of entry”.

The tax authority caused consternation and widespread panic among travellers and the tourism industry with an initial statement (that has since been removed from the SARS website) on October 12, announcing a new online Traveller Declaration that “would require all travellers, including  South African citizens and residents, children and infants, leaving or entering South Africa by air to complete and submit an online traveller declaration, as well as receive a traveller pass before they travel”. 

Industry relieved at clarification

The initial announcement blindsided the tourism industry, prompting SATSA CEO, David Frost, to write to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, seeking clarity on the implementation of the system.

Frost said the latest statement came as a relief to the tourism sector.

“Our members were concerned about the impact that the so-called travel pass would have on their guests and the industry at large. Today’s statement from SARS to some extent clarifies the purpose of the traveller management system, the process to pilot it and a new timeline, which gives us space for the consultation we had asked for,” said Frost.

SATSA is working alongside SARS and other stakeholders to ensure that no disruptions are caused to the flow of passengers travelling to and from South Africa.

“The pilot will be running concurrent to formal consultation with industry to ensure that there is no negative impact for our travellers with the implementation of a customs declaration process, such as exists elsewhere in the world. We look forward to working with SARS to ensure that our members’ concerns and comments inform the final SATMS before it is launched.”