South Africa Arrival Card — Traveller Declaration in English
Complete your South Africa arrival card (Traveller Declaration) in English with our online form. Submit your application as soon as your trip is confirmed: we file it no earlier than 24 hours before your departure.
Welcome to South Africa
Since 1 July 2026, every traveller must present a new arrival card to enter the Rainbow Nation: the Traveller Declaration. Run by SARS, South Africa's tax and customs administration, it is completed online and is designed to speed up customs clearance. It applies to all travellers, children and infants included, on entry as well as on exit, and even to South African citizens. Its particularity: it can only be submitted no more than 24 hours before your departure from the country you are travelling from, a very short window that falls right in the middle of your final preparations.
Who must complete the Traveller Declaration?
Since 1 July 2026, the declaration applies to all travellers entering or leaving South Africa, by air, land or sea. It does not replace a visa: French nationals and other visa-exempt travellers can stay up to 90 days without a visa, and the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for them, while visa-required nationalities must obtain their ETA or visa in addition to the declaration. These are two separate formalities run by two administrations: SARS for the declaration, the Department of Home Affairs for the ETA.
Foreign travellers
Tourists, business travellers, family visits or studies: all foreign visitors must complete the declaration, whatever the purpose of their stay.
South African citizens and residents
Unlike some other countries, South Africa does not exempt its own nationals: citizens and residents must also complete the declaration.
Children and infants
Every traveller must be covered, babies included. A parent completes the declaration for their children, and several travellers can be grouped in a single application.
Transit passengers
Air or sea travellers in transit who do not leave the designated transit area are exempt from the declaration.
The 24-hour window
Why the Traveller Declaration is a last-minute formality
The main difficulty with the South African declaration is not the form but its timing: it can only be submitted no more than 24 hours before your departure from the country you are travelling from.
A very short window: you cannot sort out the formality weeks in advance. It falls the day before or the day of departure, in the middle of packing, getting to the airport and checking in.
Departure, not arrival: the 24 hours are counted from your departure from the country you are travelling from, not from your arrival in South Africa. On a long-haul flight or with a stopover, miscalculations are common.
The ArrivalCards solution: submit your application as soon as your trip is confirmed. We prepare and check your declaration, then file it on time, within the 24-hour window.
Key takeaway
The Traveller Declaration is submitted no earlier than 24 hours before your departure for South Africa, not before. Submit your application in advance on ArrivalCards: we file it at the right time.
Documents to complete the Traveller Declaration
Prepare these items for each traveller before you start.
- Passport valid for at least 30 days after your planned departure date, with at least 2 blank pages
- Flight booking: flight number and dates
- Hotel booking or your host's full address
- For a business trip: contact details of the host company or employer
- If you have currency to declare: bank withdrawal receipts
- If you have goods to declare: invoices, proof of origin or professional certificates
The customs section
Goods, currency and customs lanes: what you need to declare
The Traveller Declaration includes a customs declaration. The first question concerns your status: "nothing to declare" or "goods to declare".
One status per traveller: a single application can group several travellers, but the customs declaration remains strictly individual. Each traveller, children included, has their own status.
If you have something to declare: state the total amount and denomination of the currency you carry (euros, dollars, rand…), as well as the type and intended use of the goods (personal, professional or resale).
On arrival: take the "nothing to declare" lane or the "goods to declare" lane according to your situation. Customs officers may ask for supporting documents: bank withdrawal receipts, invoices, proof of origin or professional certificates.
- Currency: total amount and denomination
- Goods: type and intended use (personal, professional, resale)
- Bearer negotiable instruments: traveller's cheques, bearer cheques, money orders, bearer bonds
Required Information Table
| INFORMATION TO PROVIDE | PERSONAL DATA |
|---|---|
| PASSPORT AND IDENTITY | Surname, First name, Date of birth, Nationality, Passport number, Expiry date |
| TRAVEL | Flight number, Arrival date, Accommodation address (hotel or host), Travel companions |
| CONTACT DETAILS | Email address, Traveller's contact details |
| PURPOSE OF STAY | Tourism, business, family visit or studies; for a business trip, contact details of the host company or employer |
| CUSTOMS DECLARATION | "Nothing to declare" or "goods to declare" status, Currency (amount and denomination), Goods (type and intended use), Bearer negotiable instruments |
When should you complete the Traveller Declaration?
The declaration can only be submitted no more than 24 hours before your departure from the country you are travelling from, not 24 hours before your arrival. On ArrivalCards, you submit your application as soon as your trip is confirmed and we file it within that window.
Earliest
24 hours before departure from the country of origin
Optimal
Within the 24 hours before your departure, before check-in
Latest
Before boarding your flight to South Africa
Arriving in South Africa with the Traveller Declaration
In Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, clearance is smoother if your declaration was made before departure.
- 1
Before departure
Check that you have received the confirmation email for each traveller and keep it on your smartphone or printed.
- 2
Immigration
Present your passport and follow the instructions given in your electronic confirmation.
- 3
Baggage and customs
Collect your bags, then take the "nothing to declare" lane or the "goods to declare" lane, according to the status stated in your declaration.
- 4
On the way back
The declaration is also required when leaving South Africa: plan for it before you fly, drive or sail out.
Common mistakes with the Traveller Declaration
The formality is new, and a few pitfalls come up often among travellers.
Counting the 24 hours from arrival
The window opens 24 hours before your departure from the country you are travelling from, not before your arrival. On an overnight long-haul flight from Europe, the difference matters.
Trying too early
You cannot submit the declaration several days ahead, as you would a visa: it has to wait until the last 24 hours before departure.
One customs status for the whole family
Several travellers can be listed in one application, but the customs declaration remains individual: everyone, children included, has their own "nothing to declare" or "goods to declare" status.
Assuming South Africans are exempt
South African citizens and residents must also complete the declaration, including when travelling with foreign relatives.
Overlooking currency and goods
Currency, goods and bearer negotiable instruments (traveller's cheques, bearer cheques, money orders, bearer bonds) must be declared. Customs officers may ask for supporting documents.
Places to visit in South Africa
South Africa
Cape Town and Table Mountain form one of the most spectacular city settings in the world. The cableway or a hike takes you up to the summit plateau, with views over the bay, the Waterfront and Robben Island.
Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest reserves, is the place to spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) on self-drive or guided safaris.
The Cape Peninsula leads along the scenic Chapman's Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope, via Boulders Beach and its colony of African penguins.
The Garden Route runs along the Indian Ocean between Mossel Bay and Storms River: lagoons, coastal forests, cliffs and small seaside towns such as Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
The Cape Winelands, around Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, bring together historic wine estates, Cape Dutch architecture and renowned restaurants at the foot of the mountains.
Validity of the Traveller Declaration
The declaration is tied to one traveller and one specific trip.
Duration
Valid for the declared trip only
Entries
Required on entry and on exit
Extension
Cannot be extended: a new declaration for each new trip
Information about the South Africa arrival card
What is the Traveller Declaration?
The Traveller Declaration is the online traveller declaration run by SARS (South African Revenue Service), South Africa's tax and customs administration. It covers your passport details, travel details, contact details, travel companions, the entity hosting you on a business trip, and the declaration of goods, currency and bearer negotiable instruments. It must be submitted no more than 24 hours before your departure from the country you are travelling from, and you then receive an electronic confirmation with the instructions to follow on arrival.
Which nationalities are concerned?
Since 1 July 2026, all travellers entering or leaving South Africa must complete the Traveller Declaration, whatever their nationality, including South African citizens and residents. A declaration is required for every traveller, children and infants included. Only air or sea passengers in transit who do not leave the designated transit area are exempt.
Which points of entry are concerned?
The declaration applies at every point of entry and exit, by air, land or sea. Most international travellers arrive through O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town International Airport (CPT) or King Shaka International Airport in Durban (DUR).
Frequently Asked Questions — South Africa
What is the Traveller Declaration?
It is South Africa's online traveller declaration, often called an arrival card, run by SARS (South African Revenue Service). It covers your passport details, travel details, contact details, travel companions and a customs declaration of goods and currency.
Is the Traveller Declaration mandatory?
Yes, since 1 July 2026, for all travellers entering or leaving South Africa by air, land or sea, including South African citizens and residents.
When should I complete the Traveller Declaration?
No more than 24 hours before your departure for South Africa from the country you are travelling from. The deadline is counted from departure, not arrival. On ArrivalCards, you submit your application in advance and we file it at the right time.
Do children and babies need a declaration?
Yes, every passenger must be covered, infants included. Several travellers can, however, be grouped in a single application, each with their own customs status.
Do I need one if I am only transiting through South Africa?
No. Air or sea passengers in transit are exempt if they stay in the international transit area. If you leave it, the declaration is mandatory.
Does the Traveller Declaration replace a visa?
No. It is a traveller declaration, not a visa. Visa requirements depend on your nationality and must be checked separately.
How much does the Traveller Declaration cost?
The declaration is free on the official SARS portal. On ArrivalCards, the service fee is €29 incl. VAT per arrival card issued, excluding any consular fees. This fee includes the guided English-language form, verification of your details, submission within the 24-hour window and support from our team.
What must be declared at customs?
Currency (total amount and denomination), goods (type and intended use: personal, professional or resale) and bearer negotiable instruments such as traveller's cheques, bearer cheques, money orders or bearer bonds. If you carry none of these, your status is "nothing to declare".
Can I still fill in a paper form?
Only in exceptional cases: SARS systems are down, there is no internet connection at the point of entry or exit, or it is not reasonably possible to submit the declaration online.
What do I receive after submission?
An electronic confirmation by email, with the instructions to follow at the port of arrival. Keep it on your smartphone or print it, then take the "nothing to declare" or "goods to declare" lane according to your situation.
Document Timeline
History and evolution of the document.
2022
SARS introduces an online traveller declaration, offered on a voluntary basis to travellers entering or leaving South Africa.
2022
SARS introduces an online traveller declaration, offered on a voluntary basis to travellers entering or leaving South Africa.
2022 to mid-2026
The online version remains optional: travellers can use it to prepare for customs clearance, with no obligation.
2022 to mid-2026
The online version remains optional: travellers can use it to prepare for customs clearance, with no obligation.
1 July 2026
The Traveller Declaration becomes mandatory for all travellers entering or leaving by air, land or sea, including South African citizens and residents.
1 July 2026
The Traveller Declaration becomes mandatory for all travellers entering or leaving by air, land or sea, including South African citizens and residents.
Since July 2026
The paper form is only accepted if SARS systems are down, there is no connection at the point of entry or exit, or online submission is not reasonably possible.
Since July 2026
The paper form is only accepted if SARS systems are down, there is no connection at the point of entry or exit, or online submission is not reasonably possible.
Today
The declaration is submitted no more than 24 hours before departure from the country of origin. ArrivalCards prepares, checks and files it within that window as soon as your trip is confirmed.
Today
The declaration is submitted no more than 24 hours before departure from the country of origin. ArrivalCards prepares, checks and files it within that window as soon as your trip is confirmed.
How It Works
Simple, fast, and stress-free.
Fill in the online form
Complete our secure form with your personal information and travel details
Receive your arrival card by email
We process your application and send your electronic arrival card directly to your inbox
Present your card upon arrival
Upon arrival, simply present your electronic card to immigration authorities
A reliable and secure service.
Processing Time
Your arrival card is typically processed within 24 hours. We recommend applying at least 3 days before your travel date.
Requirements
Valid passport with at least 6 months validity, recent passport photo, travel itinerary, and accommodation details.
Fees
The service fee is €29 incl. tax per arrival card issued, excluding any consular fees. This covers form translation, application verification, and customer support.
Sources
- South African Revenue Service (SARS) — Traveller Declaration
- France Diplomatie — Afrique du Sud, entrée / séjour
Information checked in October 2026