The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has activated a new Foreign Vehicle Declaration System at border posts in the North West province, with immediate effect. The initiative was officially commissioned by SARS Commissioner Dr. Johnstone Makhubu during an oversight visit to a crossing point shared with Botswana.
Under the new framework, foreign-registered vehicles entering South Africa are classified as goods subject to control under Section 15 of the Customs and Excise Act. Travelers can now access the traveler management system to declare their vehicles as non-commercial goods. The process requires submission of personal details—including passport numbers—along with vehicle information such as manufacturer and license plate registration.
Once the declaration is complete, the system issues a temporary import permit that serves as official confirmation of compliance. This permit remains valid for six months and permits multiple border crossings within that timeframe, eliminating the need for repeat declarations on each visit.
Dr. Johnstone Makhubu noted that the six-month validity window was designed with frequent cross-border commuters in mind, citing residents of Lesotho who live in locations like Maseru but work or attend school in South Africa. “The six months is to lessen the burden of having to declare every time,” he explained. He added that SARS will assess whether the duration should be extended based on future usage patterns.
While the current rollout requires travelers to collect a physical printout of their permit at the port of entry, SARS intends to transition to a fully digital delivery method. In the near term, approved permits will be sent directly to travelers via WhatsApp, removing the need for paper documentation.
To ensure inclusivity, SARS has equipped border officials with iPads and tablets to assist travelers who lack access to smartphones or internet connectivity. Staff members are deployed to proactively support visitors in completing their declarations using agency-provided devices. “We want to make it simple and easy for people to comply with the obligations that we have set,” Dr. Makhubu emphasized.
Early metrics indicate strong adoption: approximately 35,000 travelers nationwide have already registered on the platform and are processing their permits. SARS expressed confidence that this level of engagement would support a seamless rollout and minimize operational delays at entry points.
The Foreign Vehicle Declaration System represents a key component of SARS’ broader modernization strategy, aimed at strengthening regulatory compliance, enhancing border security, and simplifying administrative procedures for legitimate cross-border movement.