Dear Valued Clients and Partners,

The SARS “Customs Modernisation Journey” has gained significant momentum in recent months.
“The main drive for the “new” phase Customs Modernisation is to focus on initiatives that can be implemented quickly and have the greatest positive operational / fiscal / enforcement / technology impact”

In this regard and as a South African Trader, you would have noticed an increase in the number of advisories being published by SARS stating that “SARS Digital Platform upgrades…” would be underway, with the last advisory published 23/04/2025 and the relevant upgrades attended to over the past weekend.

One of the significant enhancements implemented relates to “Invoice Details on Customs Declarations” which became mandatory effective 01/04/2025. Whilst their notification does not provide the exact detail of the requirements, it has been clarified that the following data is to be declared on the Commercial Invoice supporting the Import and/or Export Declaration:

• Invoice Number
• Invoice Date
• Name & Physical address of the Supplier
• Name & Physical address of the Consignee
• Full Description (*) of the product, including Brand name
• Payment Terms (i.e. 60 days, advance payment, etc.)
• Incoterms
• Currency
• Full breakdown of charges
  (*) this includes the composition or make-up of the item, i.e. “50 x Men’s Large, White 100  cotton T-shirts”

Additionally, SARS have commenced the verification of VAT registration details:

• Registration number must be a 10-digit number that starts with a 4
• VAT Registration number is linked to the registered Importer/Exporter Customs Code

We would hereby like to draw your attention to this critical matter as incomplete and/or non-validated details will result in the rejection of the Customs Entry, which could result in additional costs being incurred.

Yours in Logistics,
Pioneer Freight