In 2011 SARS replaced its Manifest Acquittal system (MAS) with a revised Automated Cargo Management (ACM) System as part of a far-reaching Customs Modernisation Programme. Interactions between SARS, industry representative bodies, road hauliers, service providers and customs clearing agents (brokers) relating to the automation of the road manifest have been occurring regularly since mid-August 2011. This has included workshops with role-players throughout the country, a committed road haulier registration campaign, as well as bi-weekly SARS/industry modernisation technical work sessions. The collaborative efforts of all the parties involved led to the development of the electronic Road Freight Manifest (e-RFM) and the transmission of the first e-RFM test messages to the ACM system on 15 October 2011. This was followed by the receipt of live messages on 17 November 2011. On 21 April 2012 the electronic manifest was further enhanced in order to include the mandatory reporting of crew details. The implementation of the e-RFM is scheduled to commence on 18 May 2012 when the ACM system will become active at the following land border offices: Kopfontein and Ramatlabama (Botswana), Vioolsdrift and Nakop (Namibia), Nerston, Mananga, Mahamba, Jeppes Reef and Golela (Swaziland) and Caledonspoort, Qachasnek and Van Rooyenshek (Lesotho). For the initial phase of the implementation, road hauliers who have not submitted an e-RFM to the ACM system will be processed in terms of the manual process (as is currently the case), while those who have submitted an e-RFM to the ACM system will be processed on the basis of the electronic manifest. Road hauliers must ensure that their manifest numbers are compiled in the prescribed manner and that they are unique for a period of two years. Similarly, clearers must ensure that their bills of entry reference the manifest number correctly. More detail in this regard can be found on the ACM webpage – see below. The aim of this pilot phase is to monitor the use of the electronic Road Freight Manifests at these land border posts. However, once the pilot phase is completed, it will become mandatory for all road hauliers to submit their manifests electronically – as has already been communicated to trade on several occasions. At the appointed date and thereafter, road Hauliers whose cargo is not reported by means of an e-RFM will be unable to process their trucks across the border until that reporting requirement has been complied with. The date for e-RFM becoming mandatory will be communicated in due course. However, those who have not yet registered to use SARS’s ACM system are urged to do so as soon as possible as you will not be able to submit manifests electronically without first registering.