If you're flying into or out of South Africa, there's a new form you have to fill in — and a warning worth heeding before you hand over money for it. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has put out a statement reminding travellers that the online Traveller Declaration costs nothing to submit, after reports surfaced of third-party websites charging people to complete it on their behalf.
According to SARS, some independent providers have been charging unsuspecting travellers a fee to help fill in the declaration. The revenue service was blunt about it: these providers have no affiliation with SARS, and any money they collect is not an official SARS charge. Everything can be done for free, either on the SARS website or through the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) MobiApp.
The declaration itself isn't optional. Since 1 July 2026, anyone entering or leaving South Africa — whether by air, land, sea or rail — has been required to submit an online Traveller Declaration before travel, with a few exceptions. It's part of SARS's broader push to modernise customs: the digital form is meant to make it easier to declare goods and currency, while giving the authorities a better handle on border risk.
The practical advice from SARS is straightforward. Fill in your declaration before you set off, not at the border. And if you need help, go straight to official SARS channels — assistance there is free. Third-party help isn't illegal, but it's optional, and paying for it means paying for something you can do yourself in a matter of minutes.
For anyone planning a trip to South Africa, this is one of those small admin tasks worth knocking out early. Bookmark the official SARS site rather than clicking the first search result, since lookalike sites are exactly how these fees catch people out. And if a site asks for payment for a 'SARS traveller declaration', that's your cue to close the tab.
