Dear Valued Client
We bring your attention to an important update now confirmed by major banking partners. The APN number will become mandatory from 1 December 2023 and will apply to all importers who make payments prior to shipment arrival into South Africa. When SCT handles your customs clearance, we will need to insert this APN number onto the Bill of entry to allow the reconciliation of your payments to the proof of entry into the country. Please provide a copy of the APN notification alongside the signed clearing instruction.
Please find attached initial notice as well as important changes below:
What is new in phase 1B?
• From 1 December 2023 import clients must give the related APN number to their paying bank when making import payments of R50 000 or more if the BOP category code is 101.
• Leading up to this date, banks will inform their clients whether the APN numbers must be indicated on the payment instruction on their digital and/or physical channels.
• It will also become mandatory for paying banks to record, validate and report APN numbers to SARB and SARS once payments have been concluded.
Important notes
• An APN number is valid for 30 days and the instruction to pay must be provided to the importer’s paying bank within this period.
• If the instruction to pay has not been provided or if the advance payment has not been made within the 30-day period, the importer must apply for a new APN number.
• When applying for an APN via eFiling, importers must indicate the bank through which the advance payment will be made.
• If importers do not provide the APN number, it may result in delays at the paying bank.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our Durban Office 0318180320 for assistance.