SARS issues notices of intention to suspend customs numbers

The intended suspension is a result of the failure to update your company’s customs registration and licensing details by 31 March 2023 as required by SARS.

The communication from SARS regarding the required update was extremely poor and it appears that other than the publication on the SARS website, SARS relied on customs agents to advise their clients of the requirement.

We urge you as our client to address this as a matter of urgency. Failing to do so means you will not be able to import or export goods.

The remedy is to successfully update the company’s customs registration and licensing details on e-filing within 21 days, in which case the company will be compliant, or to make representations to SARS within 21 days, as to why the license should not be cancelled or suspended

To update the company’s customs registration and licensing details on e-filing:

• You need to activate the Customs agent code under Manage Tax Types on the e-filing portal.
• If you can activate the customs agent code on e-filing, the next step is activating the registration licensing accreditation (RLA) and proceeding with the onboarding process on the CTP platform.

The updating on the e-filing system is complicated by the fact that an OTP (one-time password) is sent by SMS or E-mail to a person delegated to your e-filing profile. If you are unable to receive the OTP you cannot attend to the update.

Should you need assistance with this process, kindly contact us urgently.

We will assist in the entire process, including making the necessary representation in terms of section 60(2)(b) of the Customs and Excise Act 1964 should there be complications with the registered details.

Kindly note due to the complexities and limited availability at SARS branches to deal with problem cases, we will deal with clients on a first come first serve basis.

If you don’t have a customs number (code) this does not affect you.