South Africans have taken to social media to voice their disdain for Sars' new travel pass system. Photo: iStock
Sars Commissioner Edward Kieswetter explained the details of the travel pass, saying it was more than just a simple travel document and declaration.“It is the flow of money across our borders that is not properly disclosed for exchange control purposes and tax.”Sars boss Kieswetter explains why you'll need travel pass before entering or leaving SASars said a traveller is allowed to declare and carry a maximum of R25 000 unlimited foreign currency, whether leaving or entering the country.
“It might happen that a South African resident has a certain Rand amount more than R25 000 when leaving South Africa, which the traveller intends to use in paying import duties on their return. This is allowed where the traveller has made use of the Red Channel and can give a copy of the prior approval of the Exchange Control Department of ,” Sars said.“To the value of R1 million per adult and R200 000 per child under the age of 18, per calendar year out of South Africa.
“Should you have South African currency exceeding R25 000 or any foreign currency, this must be declared.”Kieswetter said the “travel pass is a single component in a response by the whole of government to improve the integrity of financial flows, and to improve capacity to detect illicit flows and to enforce laws and regulations.”
It's a storm in a teacup ... let's support SARS in the effort to curb tax losses for its office and the country. Those who are bringing in or taking out contraband or illegal aliens will obviously object ... just ignore them.
Has to be done as this ANC government is totally clueless when it comes to widening the tax base or creating employment and new revenue sources. Unsurprising of a leadership totally bereft of ideas. Milk the existing already overtaxed populace is all they know how to do.