By King’s Correspondents
CAPE TOWN, SA – The Southern African Customs Union (SACU) is on track to introduce seamless single declarations at borders by 2027.
This initiative is part of a broader customs modernisation programme designed to eliminate duplication and accelerate the free movement of goods across the region.
SACU Executive Secretary Dumsani Masilela expressed strong optimism about progress during a post-9th SACU Summit press conference in Cape Town. Responding to questions about operational improvements, he highlighted the significant advancements driven by digitisation and automation within technical committees.
“There is a concerted effort to harmonise procedures because traders want a smooth experience when crossing borders. The vision is a seamless, nonstop border environment. While the concept was refined from an initial idea of a completely borderless system to a more practical seamless nonstop model, the core objective remains the efficient free movement of goods,” Masilela said.
He highlighted a key milestone already achieved as the establishment of interconnectivity between member states’ customs systems. Using the World Customs Organization Harmonised System, Masilela said most configurations align, despite variations in national software packages facilitating smooth data integration.
For the 2026/2027 work programme SACU expects to roll out a single declaration system at borders. Currently traders must declare goods on one side of the border and repeat the process on the other. Masilela said this double-declaration process creates loopholes, particularly around export VAT, which is zero-rated and can incentivise fraudulent practices, such as inflating values on exit and altering them on entry.
Interfacing the systems will minimise such risks and significantly reduce transit times, Masilela explained, adding that the programme also addresses the broader reality at borders where traders interact not only with customs officials but also with authorities responsible for agriculture, home affairs and health.
He stated, “A coordinated border management framework integrates these agencies to ensure quicker turnaround times and a more efficient overall experience.”
The developments form part of SACU’s drive towards deeper regional integration and economic resilience. By streamlining border processes the union aims to boost trade, cut unnecessary costs and enhance competitiveness for businesses operating across Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa.
Traders and industry stakeholders have long called for such reforms and the 2027 target for seamless single declarations represents a tangible step towards the desired trader-friendly border environment.
