Preparing for an African safari involves more than packing the right clothing and cameras. Keeping up with the latest travel requirements is equally important, and a recent change introduced by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is one that all visitors should be aware of.
South Africa has introduced an Online Traveller Declaration system for customs. This digital process is designed to streamline customs procedures for travellers entering and leaving the country, while allowing Customs officials to process declarations more efficiently.
If South Africa is part of your itinerary, here’s what you need to know before you travel.
Who needs to complete the Online Traveller Declaration?
The declaration applies to almost everyone travelling into or out of South Africa, including:
If a child is unable to complete the declaration, a parent or legal guardian may do so on their behalf.
The declaration should be submitted within 24 hours before departing your country of origin.
If your journey includes connecting flights before arriving in South Africa, complete the declaration before boarding the final flight to South Africa.
Submitting it during this timeframe helps ensure your information is available to Customs officials when you arrive.
The online declaration is straightforward to complete. You should have the following information available:
For most visitors travelling on safari, completing the form takes only a few minutes.
Once your declaration has been successfully submitted, SARS will send you a confirmation email.
Keep this confirmation available on your mobile phone or print a copy before you travel, as Customs officials may ask to see it when you arrive in or depart from South Africa.
In most cases, no.
Clothing, cameras, laptops, mobile phones, and other personal items that you are bringing for your own use generally do not need to be declared, provided they fall within the normal duty-free allowances.
However, if you are carrying items that exceed the permitted allowances or are transporting goods or currency that must be declared under South African Customs regulations, these should be included in your Online Traveller Declaration.
If you are unsure whether something should be declared, it is always preferable to declare it rather than risk delays at Customs.
Travellers who remain within the designated international transit area and do not formally enter South Africa are not required to complete the Online Traveller Declaration.
If your itinerary requires you to pass through immigration and Customs before continuing to another destination, you should complete the declaration.
While SARS encourages travellers to submit the declaration before travelling, assistance may be available at the port of entry or departure if you experience technical difficulties.
Completing it before you leave remains the simplest way to avoid unnecessary delays after your flight.
Travel requirements continue to evolve, and we know that keeping track of every new procedure can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re planning a family safari with multiple flights and destinations.
At Nurture Africa Safaris, we strive to keep you informed about changes that may impact your journey. Our goal is to make your arrival as seamless as possible so you can focus on your experiences ahead, rather than the paperwork. Our goal is to ensure your arrival is as seamless as possible, allowing you to focus on the experiences ahead rather than the paperwork.
If you have any questions about the Online Traveller Declaration or any other travel documentation for your safari, we’re always happy to help.
Complete your Online Traveller Declaration through the South African Revenue Service (SARS) before travelling and keep your confirmation email accessible throughout your journey.
Safe travels, and we look forward to welcoming you to Africa.
