What’s New?

• 27 January 2021 – RLA WEBINAR FAQS NOVEMBER 2020
• 10 November 2020 – NCAP RLA Webinar Presentation to Trade
• 29 October 2020 – FAQs: Customs Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA)
• 4 May 2020 – Various DA 185 / DA 8 forms were updated when the Rules to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 were amended on 24 April 2020. This allowed for the electronic submission of applications for registration and licensing. Please click here for the amended forms.
• 24 April 2020 – Registration Licensing and Designation: External Policy
• 20 April 2020 – FAQs: Customs Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA)
• 17 April 2020 – Updated Letter to Trade: Update on the new Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system
• 16 April 2020 – NCAP RLA: Accessing RLA via eFiling
• 16 April 2020 – Customs Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) Quick Guide
• 12 March 2020 – Update on Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA)
• 4 March 2020 – The new Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system will go live on eFiling and in Customs branches from 20 April 2020. Watch this space for more information.
• 10 September 2019 – RLA External Trader Roadshow presentation
• August 2019 – RLA update: Implementation date postponed

Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA), which is part of the New Customs Acts Programme (NCAP), is the new electronic platform for the management of registration/licensing applications. The new electronic registration/licensing process will now be implemented under the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act, no 64 of 1964. This will allow for easier transition into the Customs Control and Duty Acts of 2014 (date of implementation still to be determined).

Release 1 of RLA will cover 45 client types (predominantly Importers and Exporters) who will be able to submit NEW applications for registration/licensing/reporting via eFiling.  The impacted client types will also be able to have applications captured by Customs staff at their preferred Customs branch.   

When is the implementation?  

The introduction of eFiling as a new registration channel for the 45 client types mentioned above is expected to go live on 20 April 2020.  Branch submissions for the affected client types will be implemented on the same date at Customs offices around the country. For a full list of Customs offices, click here.  

Who is impacted and what steps must I take?  

For the first release, 45 client types will be able to submit using the new electronic registration system for new applications. Click here for a list of the affected client types for Release 1.
Client types that are not impacted will continue to submit their applications for registration/licensing/reporting according to the current process at Customs branches.

Existing Customs clients can therefore continue trading and will not be affected. Only new client type applications (for the 45 listed client types) will be processed on the new system until further notice.

In due course, existing clients will be notified when they should move over to the new system. This process will require a client to provide SARS with updated information.    If you have any questions about RLA, feel free to mail them to NewCustomsActs@sars.gov.za.    

See a list of RLA FAQs.