E-Filing Compliance Matters
Action needed to clear your shipment – SARS RLA Compliance
Dear Valued Customer,
We know your business relies on efficient and fast customs clearance for your international trade activities. To clear your shipments, you are required to update your SARS eFiling profile.
Here’s what’s happening:
In August 2022, SARS communicated that customs clients should update their registration or licensing on the RLA function on eFiling (Registration, Licensing and Accreditation). This will include all importers and exporters to declare their trading relationships through the RLA function on eFiling.
What do you need to do?
Link your e-Filing profile to all your business entities, including your import/export codes, VAT number, and your nominated clearing agent (or multiple agents).
Your nominated clearing agent will receive a notification on their e-Filing dashboard, and this must be accepted within seven (7) working days. Please select the applicable code, to enable DHL to act as your Clearing Agent, and NOT as an import or exporter of record, on your behalf. DHL’s CU code is CU00426789.
A few important things to note:
Updates can take up to 5 business days to go live, as per SARS.
Since 25 April 2025, SARS has started suspending the accounts of traders who haven’t completed this, causing clearance delays.
Let’s get you started:
Use [this guide (PDF)] to walk through the linking process step by step on the Customs Trader Portal.
Stay up to date with official SARS news and updates: South African Revenue Service
Copy and paste the following link into your URL to watch a learn-how-to update the RLA system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN-sZWOFkpw
Why act now?
If your shipment isn’t cleared within 14 days of arriving in South Africa, clearance thereafter may incur additional SARS-related costs for late clearance, penalties, and storage fees.
Please do not hesitate to contact SARS at rlaregistrations@sars.gov.za should you have any trouble accessing or updating the RLA function on SARS eFiling..
Regards,
DHL Express South Africa