Bonded & non-bonded cargo

Clarify the customs status before the movement.

Enquire about bonded and non-bonded cargo with Dynamic Solvents in Cape Town, South Africa. Share the customs status, proposed procedure and release information so documentation, carriage responsibilities and handovers can be reviewed before arrangements are confirmed.

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Illustrative inspection of a sealed container door and locking rods.

Customs status changes the planning questions.

Bonded or transit movements concern customs-controlled goods under the relevant procedure, including movements where duties and VAT are temporarily suspended. SARS distinguishes national transit between customs-controlled areas from international transit through South Africa. See SARS transit guidance and goods-declaration guidance.

For non-bonded enquiries, share the current release status and applicable cargo controls rather than assuming that no documents are required.

Prepare these details.

Status and procedure.

Bonded, transit or non-bonded status; current location; intended destination; and the customs procedure or release information supplied by the importer, exporter or clearing agent.

Responsible parties.

Importer or exporter details, clearing-agent contact and the party responsible for the customs declaration. For bonded road carriage, identify the licensed remover responsible for the movement.

Movement documents.

Available declaration, release and movement references; documents required to accompany the load; and any customs-controlled handover or seal instructions.

Completion evidence.

Identify who provides and retains the relevant arrival or export evidence and resolves any outstanding acquittal requirement. Include the receiving party, timing and record contacts.

Establish the carriage role.

SARS states that carriers transporting bonded cargo to, from or through South Africa by road must be licensed as removers of goods in bond. A bonded enquiry therefore needs the carriage role and documentation arrangements to be confirmed for the actual movement. See SARS remover-of-goods guidance.

Prepare for the required records.

SARS transit guidance describes a customs road freight manifest and the processed declaration accompanying the vehicle, together with records required for the movement. SARS also explains the importance of proof of export where duties and taxes are suspended. Ask the responsible declarant which documents and completion evidence apply to your cargo. See transit and goods declarations.

Safety & compliance