Oshoek – Emaswati and other travellers who drive foreign-registered vehicles into South Africa will need to declare those vehicles on the South African Revenue Service’s Traveller Management System before crossing the border, starting from the beginning of next month.
The new requirement, introduced by SARS, is aimed at aligning South Africa with standard international practice and modernising how the revenue service manages operations at ports of entry.
For Emaswati who frequently cross into South Africa for work, study, business, medical care or other lawful reasons, SARS has confirmed that temporary import permits with a validity period of six months will be available and can be used for multiple crossings during that period without the need to reapply at each entry point. 
SARS said in a statement that the process was designed to make compliance as simple as possible while improving oversight and consistency at the border.
“Where foreign vehicles are temporarily imported, temporary import permits with a validity period of six months may be issued, and such permits may be used for multiple crossings during that period without the need to reapply at each entry. Frequent cross-border travel for work, study, business, medical care or other lawful reasons does not affect the validity of the permit, provided it remains in force and is renewed before it expires. The process is designed to make compliance straightforward while improving oversight, consistency and fairness at the border,” SARS said.
The revenue service added that while travellers are encouraged to complete their declarations online before reaching the border, officials will be deployed at ports of entry to assist those who are unable to do so.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu warned that non-compliance would carry consequences.
“Compliance is not optional; vehicle owners who do not declare foreign registered vehicles or who provide false or incomplete information expose themselves to enforcement consequences and prolonged processing at the border,” he said.
He added that those who comply fully can expect a smooth crossing.
“I also wish to reaffirm that where vehicle owners comply with all the legal requirements, the process will be seamless, however where compliance is low, this may lead to delays in border crossing,” Makhubu said.
Emaswati seeking more information can visit https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/ or https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/
