SARS customs queries · Detained cargo · What to do next.
SARS Detained or Queried Your Shipment — Here’s What Happens Next
A SARS detention or query does not mean your goods are seized. It means SARS needs additional information before releasing them. Most cases resolve within days when handled correctly — the three steps are: stop, assess, respond.
Check your detention risk before you ship →
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1. Stop
Do not attempt to collect or redirect the goods until SARS has released them.
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2. Assess
Understand exactly what SARS is querying — document request, valuation, HS code, or inspection.
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3. Respond
Submit the requested documents through your clearing agent promptly and completely.
Why does SARS detain goods?
SARS detains goods when the customs declaration is incomplete, the declared value appears inconsistent with the transaction, the HS classification looks incorrect, a prohibited or restricted import is suspected, or the goods are selected for a routine physical inspection. Most detentions are documentation issues resolved within 48–72 hours of correct submission.
How do I respond to a SARS query?
Responses must go through your registered clearing agent via the SARS electronic system. The response must include the documents SARS requests — typically the commercial invoice, proof of payment, packing list, and any supporting documentation for the declared value or classification. Responding promptly and completely is the fastest path to goods release.
How long can SARS hold my goods?
There is no fixed statutory limit on how long SARS may hold goods pending an investigation or query. In practice, most administrative queries resolve within one to three weeks. If SARS suspects a serious duty underpayment or restricted goods, detention can extend to months while the investigation runs. Storage costs accumulate throughout.
What are the storage costs while goods are held?
Storage costs accumulate daily at the port or depot where goods are held. Cape Town port rates typically run R200–R600 per day for LCL cargo; container demurrage adds R500–R1,500 per day per TEU after the free period expires. These costs are the importer’s responsibility regardless of the query outcome.
Get a free initial read on your detention notice
WhatsApp us a photo of your SARS detention notice or query letter. We will tell you what it means, what documents you need, and what to expect — at no charge.
What we can and cannot influence
- We can: Prepare and submit the correct documents promptly, communicate with SARS inspectors, advise on valuation and classification, and track the status of your query
- We cannot: Override SARS’s inspection decision, accelerate a physical inspection once scheduled, or guarantee release timelines for serious query types
Related: Customs clearance guide · Urgent clearance — same-day response · Cape Town clearing agent · SARS detention response guide · Import duties explained · HS code search · SARS tariff book PDF