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When must I complete a SARS Traveller Card, TD-01?
When must I complete a SARS Traveller Card, TD-01?
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Direct answer
SARS says the TD-01 Traveller Card is used by travellers entering or leaving South Africa who are required to make a traveller declaration, particularly where the South African Traveller Management System, or SATMS, online declaration is unavailable. It is a Customs declaration, not an optional travel form. Complete it accurately, declare required goods and currency, and sign it before handing it to the relevant Customs Officer.
SARS's guide says the TD-01 must be completed in English, using a black or blue pen and capital letters. Each traveller signs their own card, while a parent or legal guardian assists a minor. Keep your passport, travel documents, permits and supporting records ready for inspection.
What this means in practice
The card helps Customs assess the traveller's identity, journey and declarations. It can cover personal details, travel details, South African address information, companions, reason for travel, goods and currency. The form does not decide whether a particular item is duty-free, restricted, commercial or temporary. It asks you to disclose the relevant facts.
Do not treat a paper card as a workaround for a declaration obligation. The need to declare goods or currency remains whether the electronic or paper route is used. SARS warns that failure to declare, or providing false information, can result in penalties or seizure of goods.
Prepare before reaching the counter. A traveller carrying goods for trade, samples, temporarily imported equipment, items for repair, foreign currency or bearer negotiable instruments should keep the supporting information close at hand. If you are uncertain whether an item needs to be declared, SARS says to ask a Customs Officer.
Step-by-step
- Check the channel available for your journey. Follow port instructions on whether SATMS is available. If you are given or directed to a TD-01, use the paper card rather than assuming an earlier electronic attempt is sufficient.
- Use your travel document as the source for personal details. Enter the port of entry or exit, date of travel, document type, passport number, issuing country, journey and personal details exactly as they appear in your records.
- Complete address and travel-companion information carefully. If you are staying in South Africa, prepare the address information in advance. Do not guess fields that are unclear. A guardian should complete or assist the card for a minor as the form requires.
- State the reason for the journey using the option that actually applies. The form lists examples such as holiday, business, transit, employment and study. A travel purpose is not a substitute for the separate goods or currency declaration.
- Declare relevant goods and currency. The guide lists prohibited or restricted goods, goods above duty-free allowances, currency above applicable limits, temporary imports or exports, goods for repair, samples, goods for trade, and re-importation or re-exportation as declaration categories. Identify the facts accurately and bring permits or documents if relevant.
- Give enough detail for the goods and currency section. Describe the goods, type or model, quantity and comments. For currency or bearer negotiable instruments, record the type, amount and relevant comments. Do not split information between travellers to avoid disclosure.
- Read the declaration before signing. Confirm that the information is true and correct, enter the completion date and sign. Keep the passport, permits, invoices and other evidence ready, and answer a Customs Officer honestly.
Documents and records to keep
Take your passport or other travel document, itinerary, address details where needed, and relevant permits, invoices, temporary-import/export documents or repair records. A business traveller should also keep records that explain commercial samples or goods for trade.
Keep a copy or photograph of a completed card only where it is lawful and practical to do so without delaying the process. The main record is not a personal travel scrapbook. It is evidence of what was declared, so do not alter it after completion.
Important limits and exceptions
This guide does not calculate a duty-free allowance, determine whether an item is prohibited, or decide whether currency requires an authorisation. Those outcomes depend on the current rules and the facts. The SARS webpage also states that its PDF guide prevails if the webpage and PDF conflict.
The card does not remove the officer's power to inspect goods, ask questions or require supporting information. A completed TD-01 is not an assurance that the traveller may import, export or use a particular item without the permit or approval that may apply.
When to get tailored advice
Ask a Customs Officer before submitting a declaration if you are unsure about goods, currency, commercial samples, temporary equipment, repairs or permits. Obtain specialist advice ahead of travel where the goods have a material value or commercial use. TaxProof can help a business prepare a records checklist, but cannot give border clearance or decide a Customs declaration.