Every document customs wants to see, before your shipment leaves origin.

A practical checklist covering registration, the documents needed for every shipment, the customs declaration itself and the permits that only apply to certain goods, so a missing form is never the reason your container sits at the port.

What you need registered with SARS before you import anything.
The five documents required on every single shipment.
When you need an import permit and when you do not.
One question to settle before you sign, so demurrage that is not your fault does not become your cost.

Get the checklist

What is inside

Four clear sections to help you check what is in place and what still needs attention before your shipment leaves.

Registration

The SARS eFiling and RLA steps before importing a single container, including what foreign importers must have in place.

Every shipment

Commercial invoice, bill of lading, packing list, insurance and origin documents, with the detail that gets entries stopped when missing.

The declaration

What the SAD 500 covers and how it fits with what a clearing agent lodges.

Permits, if they apply

ITAC permits, NRCS certificates, health or phytosanitary certificates and how to tell whether goods need them.

Built by TSI Central Station, one accountable operator for import, export and domestic freight across South Africa, in business since 2006.