Travelling to South Africa now comes with one extra step. From 1 July 2026, every traveller entering or leaving the country must complete a mandatory online customs declaration before departure, whether travelling by air, land, sea, or rail.
The new rule applies to foreign nationals, permanent residents, and South African citizens. For international travellers flying to Johannesburg or Cape Town, the declaration is now part of the pre-travel checklist alongside your passport, visa, and flight documents.
What You Need to Declare
The online form asks travellers to disclose customs-related items, including:
- Goods exceeding South Africa’s duty-free allowance
- Restricted or prohibited goods
- Reportable amounts of cash or currency
- Any other items that require customs declaration
If you have nothing to declare, you can simply submit a ‘Nil’ declaration.