Dear Valued Client
As from the 1st of April 2025, SARS requires information that normally appears on the customs worksheet to also reflect on the SAD 500, using information from the commercial invoices. Although our service providers will accommodate the new requests to make provision for correct clearances, you as the trader need to ensure that additional information is reflected on the invoice you receive from your supplier.
This includes, but is not limited to the following:
A. Invoice header details:
- Incoterms must reflect on the invoice
- Actual payment terms of the invoice, e.g. COD, paid in advance, deposits paid, 30 days, etc.
- Specific details of discounts such as cash discount, etc
- Specific details of dutiable- and non-dutiable charges to determine the FOB value
B. Invoice description details:
- The actual commercial description of the goods – not just a part number or a product code
- Correct invoice quantities and SKU (product code) information
The new requirements from SARS are mostly aimed at driving both tariff classification and valuation compliance by using expanded data sources combined with AI sophisticated analytics. The biggest impact will be with the framing of the bills of entry, but if the commercial invoice is not accurately reflecting the required data, it will prolong the framing time.
Should the bill of entry be framed without the specified information, it will have an increased probability of being selected for documentary inspection or audit or an increase in the number files being queried by SARS and requesting the agent to upload the commercial invoice as a supporting document.
Kindly ensure your invoices are compliant in that all required information is reflecting.
Kindly click the Read more section below to access the SARS policy indicating the required information to appear on a commercial invoice.