Welcome to Customs & Excise
SARS’s Customs division plays an integral role in facilitating the movement of goods and people entering or exiting the borders of the Republic.
the Customs Branch contact details. If you need to escalate beyond branch offices, please email osc@sars.gov.za.
Updates on Customs branch, ports, borders etc. closures:
- 10 March 2021 – Van Rooyensgate port has been closed until further notice.
- 9 March 2021 – Groblersbridge port will close on 11 March 2021 from 10:00 to 14:00 (four hours).
- 23 February 2021 – Groblersbridge port is reopening on 25 February 2021 at 14:00.
- 8 February 2021 – Groblersbridge port is closed until further notice due damage from flooding.
Please use alternative ports e.g. Skilpadsnek/Pioneer, Ramatlabama, Kopfontein/Tlokweng and Beitbridge. - 8 February 2021 – Skilpadshek port will reopen at 15:00 today.
- 8 February 2021 – Skilpadshek port has been closed until further notice.
- 7 February 2021 – Groblersbridge port closed at 19:00 and will reopen tomorrow at 06:00.
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11 February 2021 – Letter to trade – Closure of Groblersbridge Border Post
10 February 2021 – 13th Deferment payment at the end of the 2020/21 financial year
12 January 2021 – AfCFTA agreement implementation stakeholder engagement information
4 January 2021 – The Agreement establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was published effective from 1 January 2021 as per Notice R1433 in Government Gazette 44049 of 31 December 2020
30 December 2020 – Updated Travellers’ leaflet
16 November 2020 – Directive relating to the release of Clothing, Textile, Footwear and Leather (CTFL) goods
The South African Revenue Service (SARS), in partnership with other government
agencies, is engaged in ongoing efforts to combat the illicit trading in Clothing, Textile,
Footwear and Leather (CTFL) goods, including the undervaluation thereof.12 November 2020 – Update: Letter to trade, issued on 9 November 2020 – Discontinuation of CN2 at Beitbridge border post
SARS Customs has temporarily discontinued the use of the CN2 gate pass at the Beitbridge border post as of 8 November 2020.- 30 September 2020 – Opening of ports of entry for international movement of persons and goodsThe National Border Management Coordinating Committee issued a directive on 28 September 2020 to all its Ports of Entry Managers. The directive related to the announcement by the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, on 16 September 2020, that travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other purposes will be allowed with effect from 1 October 2020.The directive stated that the movement of people through the ports must be subject to the protocols as guided by the relevant regulations.
- 28 September 2020 – Enforcement of Section 64D – Bonded Goods to be in sealed containers
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- 18 February 2021 – Excise Duty/Levy submission and payment dates for 2021
- 25 January 2021 – Return and Submission of HTML5 forms via eFiling – External Manual
- 19 August 2020 – Payment deferment extension periods: Excise Duty
SARS Excise Alcohol and Tobacco Licensees are notified about the latest payment deferment extension periods due to restrictions on the sale of these products under the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions:
Customs and Excise Menu
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- About Customs
- Accreditation for Preferred Traders
- African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Authorised Economic Operator Programme
- Clearance Declaration
- Customs Offices
- Customs Query Resolutions process
- Duties and Taxes
- Import, Export and Transit
- Inspection
- Legislative Framework
- New Customs Legislation update
- Offences, Penalties and Disputes
- Prohibited and Restricted Goods
- Rates of Exchange
- Refunds and Drawbacks
- Registration, Licensing and Accreditation
- Report a Customs Crime
- Reporting of Conveyances and Goods (RCG)
- Rules of Origin
- Sending and receiving goods in the post
- State Warehouse
- Tariff
- Trade Statistics
- Travellers
- Valuation
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- About Excise
- Ad Valorem Products
- Air Passenger Tax
- Alcohol Products
- Diamond Export Levy
- Diesel Refund System
- Environmental Levy Products
- Excise Offices
- Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy on Petroleum Products
- Health Promotion Levy on Sugary Beverages
- International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund Levy (IOPCF)
- Petroleum Products
- Tobacco Products