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Update regarding advance import payments (BOP code 101) of R50 000 and more

 

21 November 2023

In September 2023 we informed you that from 1 December 2023 you will need to provide a unique Advance Payment Notification (APN) number when instructing us to make an advance import cross-border payment if it is for R50 000 or more and the balance-of-payment (BOP) category is 101. 

In preparation for this requirement, we have updated the following physical application forms and digital channels to enable you to capture the APN:

 

Physical application forms

  • Form for outward-payment flows or BOP report foreign bills for collection – inwards (FBCI).
  • BOP declaration [to be used with inward telegraphic transfers (ITTs), outward telegraphic transfers (OTT) or letters of credit].
  • Form for outward-, cross-border or international-payment request.

 

Digital channels

  • Global Transactions in the Advance Payment Notification field.
  • Global Host-to-Host in the Transport Document Number field.
  • Global Enterprise CE in the Customer Instruction field.  
  • NedTreasury in the Transport Document Number field.
  • Nedbank Money app in the Advance Payment Notification field.
  • Nedbank Online Banking in the Advance Payment Notification field. 

 

Import notes:

  • We, as the paying bank, will record, validate and report the APN provided by the importer to the South African Reserve Bank at the time of payment.
  • The APN is valid for 30 days and the payment instruction must be provided to the importer’s paying bank within this period.
  • The importer must apply for a new APN if the payment instruction has not been provided or the advance payment has not been made within the 30-day period.
  • When applying for an APN on eFiling, the importer must indicate the South African bank through which the advance payment is being made.
  • Failure by clients to provide the APN at the time of payment may result in delays at the paying bank.
  • Under exceptional circumstances, the paying bank will help clients to generate an APN (called a bank-generated APN). However, the importer must subsequently apply for an APN via their eFiling profile and provide SARS with the bank-generated APN for the transaction.
  • APN numbers are not required for payments to Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini.
  • Guidelines and frequently asked questions on the APN application process are available on the SARS website at: https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/advance-import-payments.

 

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