A new rule has quietly changed how every traveller, local or foreign, moves through South Africa's borders. Here's what you need to do before your next trip.
**Since 1 July 2026, **everyone entering or leaving South Africa by air, land, sea or rail has been required to submit an online traveller declaration before travelling.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced the rule as part of its new South African Traveller Management System (SATMS).
It applies to citizens, residents and foreign visitors alike.
The declaration must be submitted within 24 hours before your departure, and it applies even to children and infants.
The requirement covers every traveller crossing South Africa’s borders.
There’s only a limited paper-based exception, for cases like a SARS system failure or no internet access.
If your trip has a connecting flight, the 24-hour window applies to the final leg that travels directly to or from South Africa, not your original departure.
Parents, legal guardians or another responsible adult can complete the declaration on behalf of children, infants, or anyone who can’t submit it themselves.
This rule fully excludes air or sea passengers who are only transiting through South Africa without leaving the designated transit area.
Travellers can complete their declaration through the SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration Portal or the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) mobile app.
Travellers can also use a Scan-to-Declare QR code where offered.
At ports that offer them, self-service kiosks give travellers another option for completing the declaration on the spot.
Once submitted, SARS sends an electronic confirmation with instructions for what to do at your port of entry or exit.
It’s worth keeping that confirmation saved on your phone or printed out.
Reassuringly, SARS has confirmed travellers won’t be denied entry or departure purely for not completing the declaration before reaching the port.
Still, building in a little extra time is a good idea if you expect to need help on the day.
I always appreciate when these kinds of changes come with a genuine safety net built in, rather than a hard cutoff that catches travellers off guard. Still, better to sort it before you’re standing in a queue at the airport.
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