The South African Revenue Service (SARS) now requires owners of foreign-registered vehicles to declare them when entering or leaving the country [1].

This shift in border protocol aims to modernize customs declarations and tighten control over the movement of vehicles across national boundaries. By digitizing the process, the agency intends to ensure stricter tax compliance and reduce the risk of illegal vehicle imports [4, 5].

Effective June 1, 2026 [1], all drivers of vehicles registered in other countries must use the SARS Traveller Management System (TMS) for temporary importation [1, 2, 3]. The rule applies to all border crossings, including those reported in Maseru, Lesotho [2].

The new system replaces older methods of reporting, moving the process into a centralized digital framework. This requirement is mandatory for any vehicle that is not registered within South Africa, regardless of the duration of the visit [1, 3].

SARS said the modernization of the customs declaration system is designed to streamline the flow of traffic at borders while maintaining security [5]. The agency said it is implementing these measures to better track the temporary entry of goods and ensure that foreign vehicles are exported back out of the country within the legal timeframe [4].

Travelers are advised to familiarize themselves with the TMS interface before reaching the border to avoid delays. The implementation follows a series of announcements made in May 2026 to prepare motorists for the transition [1].

“Foreign-registered vehicles must be declared on the SARS Traveller Management System.”

The transition to the Traveller Management System represents a broader push by South Africa to digitize border security and revenue collection. By requiring a digital footprint for every foreign vehicle, SARS can more effectively identify vehicles that enter the country legally but are never exported, which is a common method for tax evasion and illegal vehicle sales.