Johannesburg: Nearly 39,000 foreign-registered vehicles have already been registered on the South African Revenue Service's (SARS) new digital Traveller Declaration System. As of 1 June 2026, all foreign-registered vehicles must be declared on the SARS system before entering or leaving South Africa. According to South African Government News Agency, the launch of this system marks a significant development in modernizing border controls, streamlining legitimate trade and travel, and curbing non-compliance. The new requirements are based on Section 15 of the Customs and Excise Act, 1964, which mandates travellers to declare all goods, including vehicles, upon entering or leaving the country. SARS Commissioner, Dr. Johnstone Makhubu, along with his senior team, was present at key border posts such as Skilpadshek and Kopfontein Border in the North West, and Maseru Bridge and Ficksburg Bridge ports of entry in Bloemfontein, to monitor implementation and support front-line officers. Dr. Makhubu emphasized the le gal basis and fairness of these requirements, asserting that the obligation to declare goods and vehicles is firmly rooted in South African law. Even vehicles from neighboring Southern African Customs Union (SACU) countries must be declared, as SACU arrangements facilitate trade but do not eliminate customs control. A vehicle registered outside South Africa remains a foreign vehicle under South African law and must be declared accordingly. From 1 June 2026, all foreign-registered vehicles entering South Africa must be declared to Customs and be issued a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) at the border. A TIP allows a foreign vehicle to be used legally in South Africa temporarily, valid for up to six months at a time. Foreign motorists who cross the border regularly for legitimate purposes do not need to re-register the same vehicle daily if they hold a valid TIP. The revenue service has ensured there is no fee for obtaining a TIP or for submitting an online traveller declaration, keeping compliance straightforw ard and free of charge. To meet these requirements, travellers must submit a simple digital declaration of their goods and vehicles before travel via the SARS website or the SARS MobiApp. After pre-declaring, travellers receive a personal reference number to present at the border. This digital process is part of SARS' modernisation efforts, aimed at making border crossings smoother and more predictable. Travellers without access to the online system in advance are assisted by SARS officers at ports of entry through on-site digital kiosks and staff ready to help capture their information. Traditional border controls remain in place to verify declarations, and travellers and vehicles must present themselves to a Customs officer and may undergo inspection if required.