South Africa’s richest woman slates SARS’s new traveller requirements

South Africa’s richest woman, Magda Wierzycka, has slated the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS’s) online traveller management system (SATMS).

Wierzycka is a South African billionaire businesswoman, actuary, and anti-corruption activist. She is the co-founder and CEO of Sygnia.

In a recent social media post, she said she was unsure what to declare on leaving South Africa, a sentiment shared by many others who travel overseas.

“In desperation, I have taken photos of my suitcase contents with the Cape Town skyline in the background. Can we upload photos? SARS, please clarify,” she said.

Wierzycka added that she was deeply uncomfortable with the South African Revenue Service knowing her travel plans ahead of time.

“There are security issues involved for some people. I have visited 78 countries. None require this,” she said.

Wierzycka’s comments followed an announcement from SARS that its online South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) would be mandatory on 1 July 2026. 

“From 1 July 2026, all travellers entering or leaving South Africa are required to submit an online traveller declaration before travelling,” it said.

“The implementation adopts a whole-of-government approach to strengthen data integration and facilitate Inter-agency risk management.”

The South African Revenue Service said that this is aimed at enhancing the monitoring, analysis, and reporting of cross-border activities.

“The South African Traveller Management System (SATMS) enables travellers to meet their legal obligation to declare goods in their possession,” it said.

This includes currency through digital channels such as the SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration Portal and the SATMS mobile application.

“SATMS promotes voluntary compliance to simplify the declaration process and enhance the overall traveller border experience,” it said.

Travellers will not be denied entry into or departure from South Africa solely because they have not completed a declaration before arriving at a port of entry.

SARS Customs officials and self-service declaration terminals will be available to assist travellers who were unable to submit their declarations before travelling.