On 24 January 2024, the Director: Customs Border Operations, Ports of Entry, Customs & Excise Compliance at the South African Revenue Service (SARS) reminded all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which becomes due by end of the financial year, 28 March 2024.
The letters to traders and agents read:
“Dear Trader/Agent
SUBJECT: 13TH DEFERMENT PAYMENT AT THE END OF THE 2023/2024 FINANCIAL YEAR
This letter serves as a reminder to all Customs clients who are deferment account holders to kindly adhere to the 13th deferment payment requirements, which becomes due by end of the financial year, 28 March 2024.
The Customs External Standard-Deferment document (SC-DT-B-02) effective 29 March 2019 stipulates that, in addition to the twelve (12) regular payment dates chosen by the client, there will be a thirteenth payment in March.
The statement period for the thirteenth payment of this financial year (2023/2024) will close on 27 March 2024 at 00:00 (Midnight). It is the obligation of every account holder to ensure that their reconciliations are done timeously, and that payment is received no later than 15:00 on 28 March 2024.
The e-statements will be available from 04:00 on 28 March 2024 for account holders who are on e-Filing. Account holders not on e-Filing, are advised to make prior arrangement for their statements to be e-mailed to them by their Customs Branch Office.
Furthermore, stakeholders are advised specifically in cases where their bank does not transfer direct payment immediately, that they should ensure that the payments are made sufficiently in advance in order to meet the payment deadline as above, failing which a deferment suspension will be applied in line with the policy.
Your cooperation in this regard is highly appreciated.
Sincerely.