Before you travel to South Africa, you'll need to complete a mandatory online customs form through the South African Revenue Service (SARS) portal.
What is the South Africa Traveller Management System?
South Africa requires all travelers to complete a free online declaration form before going through immigration. This form replaces the traditional paper version and takes just a few minutes to complete online.
How to complete the form
- Visit the official website for SARS.
- Click "Complete declaration" and follow the on-screen instructions to fill out your declaration.
- Save your declaration confirmation — once you've submitted the form, you'll receive the confirmation of declaration via email. Print it out or save it on your mobile device for easy access when it's requested by customs officers.
- Apply via the official mobile app — you can opt to apply via the South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) App instead of online. Download the official app from the Apple Store or the Google Play store.
Tip: Complete the form on the day of your departure to ensure your QR code remains valid and does not expire.
Need help completing the form?
You can review common FAQs for the form on the official website here. You can also review a helpful guide of the application the process:
- Step-by-step video tutorial: Watch on YouTube
Where can I find more information?
Additional details about South Africa's entry requirements can be found in your online account or the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app under the "Entry Requirements" section.
You can also see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching your tour name.
Questions?
If you have questions about this entry requirement, send us a message and we'll help you figure out the best path forward!