Does SARS charge for importer registration?

No. SARS charges no fee to register as an importer, and you may apply yourself on SARS eFiling. Our fee is for preparing the application, walking you through lodging it, and following it up until your number comes through.

Do I actually need my own code?

SARS states that any person importing goods into South Africa must register as an importer. Clearing under a third party's code moves the goods, but the customs record then belongs to them and not to you.

How long does it take?

A team member confirms your documents within 2 working days. SARS turnaround is outside our control; most registrations are issued within about 2 to 3 weeks.

What could stop the application?

Most stalls are caused by an unappointed public officer or an inactive eFiling profile. We check both before we start and tell you if something needs fixing first.

Does this cover import permits too?

No, that is separate. Used or second-hand goods, waste and scrap require an ITAC import permit; most new goods do not. We tell you which applies to what you are importing.

R950 - delivered within 336h

SARS Importer's Code Registration

SARS requires any person importing goods into South Africa to register as an importer. Without your own customs client number you cannot clear commercially in your own name, and clearing under somebody else's code leaves you with the goods but not the record. We prepare the full application and the supporting documents, walk you through lodging it on your own eFiling profile, and stay with it until your number comes through. Registration is lodged from the company's own eFiling profile and needs an appointed public officer, so we check that first - it is where most applications stall.

Check that your public officer and eFiling profile are in place before we start
Preparation of the importer registration application
Step-by-step walkthrough of lodging it on your eFiling profile, and follow-up until the number comes through
Your customs client number delivered to your email
A plain explanation of what the code does and does not cover
Guidance on whether the goods you intend to import also need an ITAC permit

A team member contacts you within 2 working days to confirm the documents. SARS turnaround is outside our control; most registrations are issued within 2 to 3 weeks.

Your details

We use these answers only to prepare your document. Payment is handled securely by PayFast.

After payment we ask 1 short question about your business so we can write it. You can save and finish that later.

Frequently asked questions

Does SARS charge for importer registration?: No. SARS charges no fee to register as an importer, and you may apply yourself on SARS eFiling. Our fee is for preparing the application, walking you through lodging it, and following it up until your number comes through.
Do I actually need my own code?: SARS states that any person importing goods into South Africa must register as an importer. Clearing under a third party's code moves the goods, but the customs record then belongs to them and not to you.
How long does it take?: A team member confirms your documents within 2 working days. SARS turnaround is outside our control; most registrations are issued within about 2 to 3 weeks.
What could stop the application?: Most stalls are caused by an unappointed public officer or an inactive eFiling profile. We check both before we start and tell you if something needs fixing first.
Does this cover import permits too?: No, that is separate. Used or second-hand goods, waste and scrap require an ITAC import permit; most new goods do not. We tell you which applies to what you are importing.