Some 8 years since the initial implementation of the Manifest Acquittal System (MAS), SARS has recently engaged cargo manifest providers with a fresh urgency to prepare themselves for the impending mandatory requirements for the filing of cargo reports to Customs. The legislation has been in place for several years and a fully revamped cargo management system has since been developed by SARS. Cargo Reporters (shipping lines, airlines, ships agents, terminal operators, freight forwarders, consolidation/deconsolidation agents, depot operators, ground handling agents) are now called upon to ensure that their systems are able to meet the cargo reporting requirements of SARS. (The EDI Mapping requirements for CUSCAR is now available on the SARS website).

The first imperative is to ensure the integrity of data reported to SARS. Once this is at a satisfactory level, SARS will commence the matching of cargo and customs clearance information. Not unlike other customs jurisdictions, the availability of ‘clean data’ from both cargo reporters and declarant’s is imperative to facilitate manifest matching, risk assessment and the release of goods.

A further phase will thereafter introduce measures to ensure that South Africa meets its obligations in terms of the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards. This may require some modification to

• Data reporting requirements via EDI,
• Some changes to legislation,
• Introduction of formal licensing of cargo operators, and
• Introduction of a seal integrity programme as part of the aforementioned licensing arrangement.

SARS has prioritized air and sea modalities (imports only) for initial implementation, with rail and road modes to follow. The priority not only includes cargo reporting (manifest) requirements but also other reports such as vessel call notifications and advices, discharge lists, gate-in and gate out reports, and cargo outturn reports.

SARS cargo management system will be available for test purposes to all cargo reporters as of 1 March 2011. A period of at least 2 months has been contemplated for such testing, with live implementation occurring in May 2011.