South African Revenue Service has advised South African travellers to register their high-value items – such as laptops, cellphones, cameras and golf clubs – for re-importation when leaving the country.
This in order to avoid having to provide proof of local purchase or ownership when returning to the country.
Sars said that while no traveller could be penalised for not registering their goods when leaving the country, they could however be challenged by a customs officer to provide proof (in the form of an invoice or insurance record etc.) upon return.
“It is within the mandate of the customs officer to establish whether the goods fit the description of ‘new or used goods acquired whilst abroad’ which would have a duty implication and, if not declared, also a penalty implication,” said a Sars spokesperson.
The revenue authority added that where the officer was not satisfied that proof could be established, the items would be detained until such proof could be presented. Alternatively, if an individual wanted to retain the items, a security amount to cover duty and VAT could be paid and this would be refunded once proof was presented to Customs.
Travellers can register their goods by filling out a Traveller Card (TC-01) which a customs officer will capture online on the traveller declaration system (TRD1). This is then authenticated by signing a digital pad and a copy is printed as proof of the registration.
“Following this process saves the traveller the burden of having to be questioned on their personal effects when they return,” the Sars spokesman said. “If the traveller is a frequent traveller, this process remains valid for six months.”
