A major figure within SARS has apologised for the amount of confusion caused by the announcement that they would be implementing a new Traveller Declaration system.
READ: Saffas will soon need a travel pass before departing or entering SA
SARS made an announcement on 12 August that they would be implementing this new online system. The written apology came from Mark Kingon, head stakeholder in relations integrity and anti-corruption at SARS.
In the letter to the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA), Kingon wrote: ‘I want to sincerely apologise for the confusion caused due to the publication last week on the SARS website and the subsequent media reports and queries this has resulted in, especially from your members.’
There is still no clarity on what this declaration system will entail, but SATSA CEO David Frost revealed SARS wrote to him noting that: ‘[It] will enable travellers who are entering or leaving South Africa to register a traveller profile, pre-declare goods purchased, received or otherwise acquired, and to pay any applicable duties and taxes through the online web-based platform,’ Tourism Update reported.
‘The implementation of the digitised traveller management system serves as one of the major pillars to improve compliance and to encourage travellers to move towards SARS’ strategic attempt of voluntary compliance. The system will be safe, secure and will serve as an efficient record-keeping tool of traveller information,’ the letter from SARS read.
SARS will be making further announcements, IOL reported, which could hopefully shed light on the declaration.
‘The travel pass is a single component in a response by the whole of government to improve the integrity of our financial flows, and to improve our capacity to detect illicit flows and to enforce our laws and regulations,’ SARS commissioner, Edward Kieswetter said.
Picture: Getaway Gallery
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