SMD Travel

18/03/2026

Kindly note SMD Travel will be closed tomorrow, 19 March.

We will be open on Friday 20 March again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

06/02/2025

https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/watch-out-fake-airline-apps?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-news-2025-02-05&utm_content=article-title

BEWARE OF FAKE AIRLINE APPS

Travel scams are becoming more sophisticated, with fraudsters creating fake airline apps to trick unsuspecting travellers. Cybercriminals are using social media ads to lure users into downloading

24/12/2024

Wishing all our family, friends and clients Happy Hanukka, Merry Christmas, blessed Yule and a safe festive season.

💜

07/11/2024

TRAVEL ALERT: Lebombo Border closed

The Lebombo Border Post between South Africa and Mozambique has been temporarily closed due to security concerns after vehicles were torched on the Mozambican side yesterday, November 5.
Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner Dr Michael Masiapato said the decision prioritised the safety of cross-border transporters and travellers.
The BMA is working closely with Mozambican authorities and South African law enforcement to monitor the situation and reopen the border when safe.
"All stakeholders should avoid using the Lebombo Border and consider alternative routes to Mozambique until the situation stabilises," advised Masiapato, noting that seven Mozambican officials had sought refuge in South Africa.
The BMA and SARS will provide real-time updates through official channels.

Stacy Mallach DeWet

09/07/2024

https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/ireland-axes-visa-free-travel-sa?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-news-2024-07-08&utm_content=article-title

SMD Travel

Effective tomorrow - 10 July 2024

South African and Botswanan passport holders must obtain a visa before travelling to the Republic of Ireland from tomorrow (July 10), Irish Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee has announced. The

10/06/2024

TRAVEL ALERT!!! OR Tambo International Airport: Possible delays at immigration checkpoints

According to multiple sources, OR Tambo International Airport is transitioning to a biometric system today, Monday 10th June 2024. It has been reported that this change may temporarily impact processing times for international arrivals and departures.

Travellers are advised to arrive at the airport well in advance of their scheduled international flights to accommodate potential delays at security checkpoints and immigration processing points.

Although no official communication has been issued by Airports Company South Africa at this time, ASATA will share any updates or official statements as soon as they become available.

Stacy Mallach DeWet

26/01/2024

https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/breaking-news-el-al-stops-all-sa-flights

Direct flights between Israel and South Africa will stop from April 1. El Al has announced that it will halt its flights from that date. According to Israeli news service israelhayom.com, the

23/01/2024

https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/another-travel-agent-arrested

Another dodgy agent arrested!

More incentive to book with a reputable agent that you know!!!!

The recent allegations concerning Shahied Davids, allegedly the latest travel agent scammer, (dubbed the ‘Umrah Swindler’), has prompted calls from the travel industry for the government to intervene

10/01/2024

Yet another travel scammer!!!!

MORE proof that if prices seem too good to be true, it's almost always a scam!

ONLY book with travel agents you KNOW!!!!

SMD Travel is owner operated - almost 22 years in the travel industry.

Centurion travel agent Lorraine Eloff (who also goes by the name Fourie) has appeared on fraud and theft charges in Wynberg Court on December 11. The amount in question? R638 880. Travel News’s

29/12/2023

equipment
form


We received a notification earlier today that travellers arriving at Cape Town Airport were asked for payment by customs officials, for bringing camera equipment into South Africa, although this equipment belonged to these travellers and was not being imported into South Africa.

With high volumes expected through South Africa's ports of entry and exit, officials will likely be enforcing policies very strictly in the coming weeks. Please find some useful reminders and resources below:

Declaring electronic equipment in South Africa

Travellers arriving in South Africa are advised to declare their electronic equipment, including cameras and laptops, even if they intend to take these items with them upon their departure from South Africa.

Although customs officials may not always enforce this rule for travellers with standard personal electronics, it is best practice to comply, avoiding potential hassles and delays. There is currently no specific value threshold for declaring electronic equipment.

Declaration process
Online Traveller Declaration System: https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/
Manual Declaration: Complete the physical Traveller Card (TC01 form) upon arrival at customs
Returning home: When departing South Africa, travellers are not required to declare the same equipment again if this was declared upon arrival and proof (online confirmation or stamped TC01 form) has been retained

Refundable cash deposits or import duties on goods

Ensure your travellers are aware they may need to pay refundable cash deposits or import duties on certain goods brought into South Africa temporarily. Refunds are provided once the goods are shown to have left the country.

You can access the SARS Traveller Leaflet here which provides essential information on prohibited items, restrictions, duty-free allowances, and other pertinent customs details. It is critical that you share this with your clients to review before their travel to South Africa.

What you need to know The online Traveller Declaration System introduced in November 2022 has been successfully implemented at King Shaka International Airport (KSIA), Cape Town International Airport (CTIA) and OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA). The online declaration system is an improvement f...

14/12/2023

https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/call-immediate-action-after-durban-beach-closures?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-news-2023-12-14&utm_content=article-title

Stacy Mallach DeWet

In response to the abrupt closure of six popular beaches in Durban during the peak holiday period, leading tourism industry groups are urging the government to take immediate action. The eThekwini