On 30 December 2025, the South African Revenue Service SARS announced that with the anticipated high volume of traveller and trade movement expected as holidaymakers return, particularly through land border posts, airports and harbours, traders and travellers should leverage pre-clearance processes. By utilising the SARS Online Traveller Declaration OTD system, traders and travellers can declare their goods in advance.
According to SARS, this approach makes it easier for both traders and travellers to meet their legal obligations while creating a seamless process at border points.
Using the OTD system can significantly reduce waiting and queuing times at ports of entry.
