MANZINI – EmaSwati travelling to South Africa through any ports of entry between the two countries will from June 1, have to declare the vehicles travelling in along with any goods.
The thousands of travellers who cross the borders separating Eswatini from South Africa shall be required to follow a registration process stipulated by the South African Revenue Services (SARS).
The new regulation, known as the South African Traveller Management System, also applies to personal goods which will be declared by travellers.
Among many things, it is part of the SA Government’s approach to detect and deter illicit activities, including illicit financial flows.
The South African Traveller Management System is a new online traveller declaration system introduced in South Africa to assist travellers to meet their legal obligations. The system allows travellers to pre-declare goods purchased, received or otherwise acquired.
The system seek to provide ‘preclearance’ as far as possible to travellers to facilitate seamless passage through the ports.
This will be at no cost to the motorists, though fear is growing that it may increase the time spent at the border, and likely trigger long queues for drivers who may not be able to register online before undertaking the trip.
While the exact daily or annual vehicle counts vary, Oshoek (Ngwenya) is the busiest Eswatini-South Africa crossing, typically processing hundreds of commercial trucks and thousands of personal vehicles daily.
In total, the borders handle roughly 700 000 travellers per year in each direction across all posts, according to a report by SA’s Department of Transport.
Starting June 1, 2026, it will be a compulsory requirement for all travellers entering or leaving South Africa by land, air, rail or sea to declare their personal goods, including their motor vehicles.
Vehicles must be declared as a temporary importation upon entry and as a re-export upon exit. Required information includes passport, travel and contact details, alongside declarations for goods, cash or negotiable instruments worth E25 000 or more.
It is worth noting that all these declarations will be of the South African side of the ports of entry. However, visitors to the kingdom are also expected to declare any cash in excess of E25 000.
The Eswatini Revenue Service (ERS) issued a statement yesterday advising motorists to comply with the new regulation.
ERS Director Communications and Marketing Ntobeko Manana said SARS has announced the enforcement of the declaration of personal goods by travellers when entering or leaving South Africa, including motor vehicles used for travelling. She said this is a compulsory requirement and applies at all points of entry into South Africa, effective June 1, 2026.
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... what if I do not declare?
MANZINI – One of the questions asked by travellers is the consequences of refusing to comply with the SATMs and declare accordingly before entering South Africa.
A response from SARS on its website states that such may cause delays at the border. “SARS, under the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964 is mandated to facilitate legitimate trade and travel as well as protect the economy and society. The implementation of South African Traveller Management system enables travellers to meet the legal obligation to pre-declare goods in their possession.
“Failure to make a proper declaration as required under the customs law is an offence that may results in the detention and forfeiture of such goods not declared, imposition of an administrative penalties and/or criminal prosecution depending on the seriousness of the offence,” the company said.
SARS has the responsibility to strengthen controls in line with international standards using risk management to manage the increasing number of trade and travel, as well as detect any illicit movement of goods and currency.
Leading up to the enforcement of pre-declarations on Monday, the Traveller Online Declaration system was implemented on a pilot phase, during which travellers completed declarations on a voluntary basis.
As the system goes live travellers who have not submitted a pre-declaration will still be allowed to enter or leave the republic. However, they are encouraged to submit their declarations before departure to avoid the inconvenience of completing the process at a port of entry.
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EmaSwati travelling to South Africa through any ports of entry between the two countries will from June 1, have to declare the vehicles travelling in along with any goods.