Too many questions and too few solutions has created plenty of distrust in regards to the new pre-declaration process that will probably be phased in in any respect ports of entry in the nation from subsequent yr.
The tourism business was caught on the again foot when information of the South African Traveller Management System grew to become public. Those in the expat neighborhood additionally voiced considerations in regards to the process.
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) says the system is a part of a broader customs modernisation programme and seeks to present “pre-clearance” for travellers to and from SA.
Aiming to tackle the confusion in the general public area, the income service issued an announcement on the finish of final week in which it clarifies the process.
Pilot venture
Sars will launch a pilot venture at King Shaka International Airport on 1 November, that permits travellers to pre-declare items – whether or not bought, acquired or “otherwise” acquired – on a web-based portal earlier than getting into or leaving the nation.
“Sars is of the view that the process of pre-declaration will enable travellers to have a swift and seamless movement when they arrive, and those departing, will also experience a smooth boarding process,” it says in the assertion.
The Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (Satsa) was initially fairly outspoken in regards to the new process and the way it has been handled. On Friday, following Sars’s clarification assertion, Satsa chief working officer Hannelie du Toit stated it was looking for additional readability from Sars on the problem. “It would be premature for us to weigh in just yet,” she added.
Confusion, and previous rumours
Hugo van Zyl, unbiased tax and change management specialist, says it’s a pity the announcement was clouded by uncertainty and (contained) incorrect data. It created distrust, he says.
“I am not against digital transformation, but the manner in which it has been dealt with is concerning. The question is whether the right legislation is in place, how secure is the system, and how will the government agencies share the information?”
He refers to the earlier journey card, saying there have been plenty of rumours the data on these playing cards was leaked to organised criminals who focused and hijacked guests to South Africa at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg.
“How secure will the new system be, as we know the criminal factor at our airports is quite pertinent?” he asks.
“We do not have answers, only more questions.”
Sars says travellers who select not to use the web portal on their cellular units will probably be in a position to fill in a kind and there will even be self-service counters on the airport terminals.
Customs officers will even have hand-held units to help travellers and to “facilitate passage”.
‘Smart’ borders
Sars says it goals to create “SMART borders” as a part of its modernisation programme.
This would require sure interventions akin to:
- Collaboration with airways for entry to further sources of passenger information, in order to improve its danger profiling;
- Deploying scanning tools to automate the administration and monitoring of commerce and journey by means of the borders; and
- The implementation of a “single window” that can be utilized by authorities departments to simplify the submission of required declarations and to change data amongst authorities companies.
Some media articles hinted at the truth that the federal government is pulling out all of the stops to be certain that SA shouldn’t be greylisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
The FATF discovered a number of deficiencies in SA’s insurance policies to fight cash laundering and terrorism financing.
Van Zyl says he won’t deny the likelihood that the November pilot at King Shaka airport might be associated to authorities efforts to tighten monetary laws to stop the nation from being greylisted.
“In principle I do not have a problem with the new process, because we need to ensure that criminal elements are not allowed to flourish in SA.”
Customs is liable for the “monitoring of financial flows through ports of entry, to detect and make it costly for those engaged in illicit financial flows and to enforce the country’s laws and regulations”.
Sars says travellers who haven’t submitted pre-declarations will nonetheless be allowed to enter or depart the nation, however are “encouraged” to voluntarily declare pre-departure to keep away from the inconvenience of creating a declaration at a port of entry.
Integrity of SA’s monetary system
Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter says different international locations such because the US, New Zealand and Australia have already carried out comparable programs.
He believes the system will help in sustaining the integrity of the home economic system and contribute to the integrity of the nation’s monetary system.
Engagements between Sars and the related stakeholders will proceed to tackle any challenges or considerations.
The on-line declaration system will probably be fine-tuned through the pilot section and progressive implementation throughout all South African ports of entry will start from April subsequent yr.
