For the Registration, Licensing and Accreditation webpage, click here.
Archive of RLA updates
- 26 August 2022 – Updating of registration or licensing details of existing customs clients on RLA System
It is a legislative requirement that all Customs and Excise registrants and licencees update their company or individual details, whichever the case may be, captured on the South African Revenue Service’s (SARS) Customs and Excise register. As you may be aware, SARS launched a new self-service automated system in 2020 to make it easier for stakeholders and intermediaries to register or license for Customs and Excise purposes. The Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system has undergone various enhancements since its launch and SARS is now able to migrate all clients, previously registered or licensed on through the manual process, to the RLA system. This will ensure that the Customs and Excise register is electronic and that these client types have access to a fully automated self-service facility. For more information see our letter to Trade. - 18 July 2022 – Onboarding of Cargo Reporters on Registration Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system
Cargo reporters have historically registered for cargo reporting purposes using the manual (DA8) process.
On 20 April 2020, SARS launched a secure online Customs Trader Portal (CTP) to submit registration and licensing applications to Customs through eFiling. Initially, due to anticipated volumes, the use of this channel was restricted to new applications only.
For more information, see our letter to Trade.
- 18 July 2022 – Onboarding of traders to Registration Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system
As previously communicated, SARS’ Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) team have embarked on an on-boarding process to re-register and re-licence existing clients into a new Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) System. To migrate your existing client types into the new updated RLA system, SARS requires your participation in the on-boarding process.
For more information, see our letter to Trade.
- 24 February 2022 – On-boarding of existing Customs clients to the new Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system
The implementation of the new RLA system was initially designed to cater only to clients submitting new applications. Clients who were already registered on the old system, i.e. via a DA185 application were not required to re-register on the new RLA system. The system was designed on a first-in-first-out principle and clients that required re-registering on the new RLA system would severely impact the turnaround times (TAT) of new applications due to operational capacity constraints. For more information, see our letter to Trade. - 2 December 2021 – Advance Import Payments information
The Customs Trader Portal for Registration and Licensing of Customs Clients Guide was updated with AIP information: RLA Customs Trader Portal – External Guide. -
10 September 2021 – Registration Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) update
On 10 September 2021, SARS will implement an additional enhancement to the Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system. For more information, see our letter to Trade.
- 23 April 2021 – Changes to Customs Registration Licensing and Designation
The second phase of the systems enhancements to the Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system has been implemented whereby the following categories of Customs clients can now also apply for registration or licensing electronically via eFiling:- Approved exporters;
- Customs warehouses (excluding CCA Enterprise storage warehouses);
- Manufacturers in terms of AGOA;
- Producers in terms of the SADC-EPA, SADC, SACU/EFTA, SACU-MERCOSUR and GSP Norway, Russia and Turkey;
- Reporters (e.g. transit shed operators, container operators, wharf operators, depot operators, sea cargo carriers, railway and airway authorities);
- Searchers searching for abandoned wrecks; and
- Special Economic Zone Operators.
The external policy SC-CF-19 – Registration Licensing and Designation has been updated.
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16 April 2021 – Update on the New Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) System
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16 April 2021 – Leaflet: SARS eFiling for quick and easy Customs registrations (Updated on 25 June 2021)
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16 April 2021 – NCAP RLA Webinar Presentation to Trade
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16 April 2021 – FAQs from RLA Webinar on 15 April 2021
- 27 January 2021 – RLA WEBINAR FAQS NOVEMBER 2020
- 10 November 2020 – NCAP RLA Webinar Presentation to Trade
- 29 October 2020 – RLA FAQs
- 4 May 2020 – Various DA 185 / DA 8 forms were updated when the Rules to the Customs and Excise Act, 1964 were amended on 24 April 2020. This allowed for the electronic submission of applications for registration and licensing. Please click here for the amended forms.
- 24 April 2020 – Registration Licensing and Designation: External Policy
- 20 April 2020 – FAQs: Customs Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA)
- 17 April 2020 – Updated Letter to Trade: Update on the new Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system
- 16 April 2020 – NCAP RLA: Accessing RLA via eFiling
- 16 April 2020 – Customs Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) Quick Guide
- 20 March 2020 – Registration of Cargo reporter
This week SARS announced that it is taking measures to ensure the safety of its staff and clients, including encouraging social distancing and limiting the number of people visiting SARS offices. As a result, if Customs clients wish to register as a cargo reporter, instead of couriering their registration documents or handing them in at SARS head office in Pretoria, they are asked to scan them and mail them to [email protected]. For queries, you can call 012-422 8388.
- 12 March 2020 – Update on Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA)
- 4 March 2020 – The new Registration, Licensing and Accreditation (RLA) system will go live on eFiling and in Customs branches from 20 April 2020. Watch this space for more information.
- 10 September 2019 – RLA External Trader Roadshow presentation
- August 2019 – RLA update: Implementation date postponed
