Good Transit or Transshipment

Published by GlobalTrade Customs (Pty) Ltd

Cargo Transit and Transshipment in South Africa: Navigating SARS Customs Clearance

Understanding Goods in Transit and Transshipment Under SARS Customs

In South Africa’s global trade environment, cargo often moves through the country—or between customs-controlled points—without being formally imported. These movements fall under two key customs regimes: transit and transshipment. Both are managed under the South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs framework, ensuring that duties and taxes are only collected when goods enter the domestic market.

While these regimes enable efficient logistics, they also involve stringent control, documentation, and security requirements. Understanding these procedures is vital for importers, exporters, and freight forwarders looking to maintain compliance and avoid costly delays or penalties.

What Is Cargo in Transit?

Goods in transit refer to goods transported across South Africa under customs control, typically from a port of entry (such as Durban, Cape Town, or Gqeberha) to a licensed bonded warehouse or another exit point.

In this process:

• Duties and VAT are suspended until the goods are cleared for import or re-export.
• Movement is conducted under bond, using approved routes and carriers.
• SARS requires proper declarations, manifests, and proof of export/acquittal.

What Is Transshipment?

Transshipment occurs when goods are unloaded from one vessel, aircraft, or vehicle and reloaded onto another for onward movement to another destination country. The goods remain under SARS supervision throughout and never formally enter the South African market.

Transshipment is common in major ports such as Durban, Cape Town, and Ngqura, where international cargo is consolidated or redistributed for regional transport across Africa.

SARS Customs Requirements for Transit and Transshipment

SARS enforces strict controls on transit and transshipment to protect revenue and prevent smuggling. Key requirements include:

• Correct Customs Declarations: Use the appropriate SAD 502 (Transit Declaration) or SAD 505 for specific control types.
• DA 187 Customs Road Freight Manifest: Must accompany all bonded road movements.
• Bond or Security: Provide financial security through a customs bond or guarantee to cover potential duty liabilities.
• Seal Integrity: Containers and vehicles must remain sealed; any tampering must be reported to SARS immediately.
  Proof of Export (Acquittal): Provide documentary evidence that goods exited South Africa or arrived at the designated bonded warehouse.

Failure to comply with these steps can result in administrative penalties, delays, or seizure of goods.

The Difference Between Removal in Bond and Transshipment

Process	Definition	Example
Removal in Bond (RIB)	Movement of goods under customs control from one point in South Africa to another bonded facility or port.	Durban Port → Johannesburg Warehouse
Transshipment	Transfer of goods from one international carrier to another at a South African port without entering the local market.	Vessel A → Vessel B at Durban Port

 

Both require SARS approval and documentation, but transshipment generally involves shorter storage times and is confined to port areas.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Using unlicensed carriers or removers of goods in bond
• Submitting incorrect or incomplete SAD forms
• Failure to submit proof of export or acquittal within SARS deadlines
• Seal discrepancies or route deviations during road transit

Avoiding these mistakes helps maintain compliance, prevents penalties, and ensures smooth cargo flow across customs points.

How GlobalTrade Customs (Pty) Ltd Can Help

At GlobalTrade Customs, we specialize in facilitating compliant, efficient, and secure movement of goods under SARS transit and transshipment regimes.

Our expertise includes:

• Preparing and lodging SAD 502 and DA 187 forms accurately and timeously.
• Coordinating removal in bond movements through licensed transporters.
• Managing SARS electronic messages (CUSRES) to track submission statuses.
• Monitoring proof of export and acquittal to close transit files seamlessly.
• Providing route-specific SOPs and compliance checklists for port-to-warehouse or cross-border shipments.

With our knowledge of customs legislation and hands-on operational experience, we ensure your goods move through South Africa’s ports, airports, and land borders smoothly — with full SARS compliance and minimal administrative delays.

Partner with Experts in Customs Transit Compliance

Whether your cargo moves from Durban to Johannesburg or through Cape Town to Namibia, GlobalTrade Customs (Pty) Ltd ensures full compliance with SARS customs clearance processes for transit and transshipment movements.

GlobalTrade Customs — your partner in compliance and bonded cargo management.