2012-05-29 - Customs Information for Truck Drivers - Mozambique

This article is courtesy of the MCLI & SARS, contact details below  

Customs Information for Truck Drivers

SARS Customs is introducing a number of changes at the SA land border posts in 2012.

These changes are aimed at helping trade by speeding up the movement of trucks through the border posts, replacing stamps and paper with electronic processing and using Customs resources more effectively. A new passenger processing system is also being introduced which should make moving through our border posts simpler and speedier for all.

All drivers of commercial vehicles must take note of the following:

• Your agent or employer will give you a manifest (DA 187) and other documents and tell you to go to the port. NOTE: If your Agent hasn’t told you to go to the Port, you won't be allowed in!
• If the truck breaks down on the way and you have to put the goods on another vehicle, you must inform your Agent/Employer, who will amend the manifest.
• At the border, drive straight up to the gate. DO NOT park and walk to the gate.
• Give your documents, including the manifest, to the Customs officer at the gate.
• The officer will check the status on the system and if it is "release", the officer will give you a document to show at the gate exit.
• If the system shows that your goods have been stopped for inspection, drive to the Customs Control Area where your goods will be inspected by Customs.
• If the system shows that your goods have not been released or stopped for inspection, you will be escorted out by Customs until your agent has finalised processing.
• At the port, you must wear a reflector jacket as no-one is allowed in the Control Area without a reflector jacket.
• The rules of the Customs Control Area are that you are not allowed to cook, sleep, wash, socialise with visitors or remain in the area any longer than necessary. Anyone who breaks the rules will be fined.
• Once the inspection is done, you will be given a CN1 + CN2 form which you must show at the exit gate. Do not forget that your passport must still be stamped.

NOTE: At any stage within the Port, you may also be stopped for an inspection by other government agencies, eg South African Police Service, Department of Health or Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for an inspection. If that happens, you must approach the OGA immediately for clearance.

For queries, please contact: Office Hours: (07:00 – 22:00):
Adrian O’Farrell (W) 013 – 793 7848 or 082 417 8038 (aofarrell@sars.gov.za);
Marchelle van den Heever 072 015 5121 (mvandenheever@sars.gov.za)  

If not resolved, contact in the following order:

1. Senior Manager: Henson Msongweni, Mobile: 083 555 3357 Tel (w) 013 – 793 7841 (hmsongweni@sars.gov.za)
2. Regional Executive: Leon Potgieter (lpotgieter4@sars.gov.za)
3. Group Executive: Rae Cruikshank (rcruikshank@sars.gov.za)

NOTE: These escalation details are only valid until July 2012. When logging queries, please include a full description of the problem experienced, screenshots, examples and relevant LRN and case numbers.

For more information on Customs Modernisation, go to www.sars.gov.za > Customs and Excise> Customs and Border Management> Customs Modernisation or scan the barcode on the left with your smart phone using any free QR code reader software available on the Internet. 

Barbara Mommen