SMTAX | Get Your Import License Registered

Online Import License
Quick & Easy - R2 500/once-off

We handle all the paperwork and correspondence to SARS. Please note that if your application is selected for SARS verification, the process may take up to 21 working days to finalise.

Service Includes:

→ SARS eFiling Setup

→ Public Officer Registration

→ Import License Application

→ SARS Correspondence & Meetings

→ Post-registration Guidance & Support

Click Here to Get Started

No Fixed Contracts | Cancel Any-time | Trusted by +70 000 SMEs

Rated 5-star by entrepreneurs

"Very easy and user friendly to use so if there was a 10 star rating it would have gotten it from me for the service I recieved"

Warren Frieselaar

"It was quick and hassle free less than 10min. Keep it that way.thanks SMTAX"

Gert Louw

"SMTAX is very helpful and easy to apply quick & fast"

Nkululeko Sithole

"Easy online application. Totally affordable rates for small business , personal human response when making contact. Stuck to deadlines indicated.""

CEO: Homemade CPT

"The service i received from Smtax was professional and the representative I spoke with was patient and answered all my questions. Great service and very convenient."

Sonwabe Mhletywa

"It was a wonderful experience working with you guys. Thank you so much, hoping to work with you guys again. I received all my documents, and I am currently waiting for Nedbank to call me regarding the business account. Thank you so much, you deserve my 5 stars."

Kgosi Lentswe Macogo

"The service i received from Smtax was professional and the representative I spoke with was patient and answered all my questions. Great service and very convenient."

Sonwabe Mhletywa

What is an Import License Registration?

Import licensing provides protection from legal disputes and financial losses for businesses engaged in international trade. An import license is a permit to import an indicated quantity of certain goods over a specified period of time (typically one year). Any person (local or foreign) who imports goods into South Africa must register as an importer, including the importation of continuous transmission commodities (CTC).

How Does Import License Registration Work?

To register for an Import License, your business must submit the required application and supporting documents to SARS. Once registered, you will receive a Customs number.

Why is Import License Registration Important?

Legal Requirement: It is a legal requirement for businesses to register for an Import License if they import goods into South Africa.
Avoid Penalties: Operating without the correct VAT registration can lead to significant penalties and interest from SARS.
Business Credibility & Growth: A VAT number enhances your company’s credibility with clients and suppliers and allows your business to claim back VAT on expenses, improving cash flow.

How does the process work ?

Apply Online

Click on the "Get Started" button and complete the online form. Takes about 5 minutes.

Make Payment

Our customer success team will send you an invoice for payment within 24 hours.

Compliance Review

We will access your e-filing profile to ensure the company is tax compliant, e.g. has no outstanding returns.

Import License Filed

Our tax specialist will prepare your application and submit your Import License registration form to SARS.

Click Here to Get Started

Import License Registration Pricing Options

Import License Registration Only
R2 500/ once-off

Ideal for companies that have not started trading or are not actively trading on a month-to-month basis.

Get Started

Import + Export License Registration
R4 500 / once-off

Ideal for companies that are actively trading on a month-to-month basis. Turnover is less than R1 million per year.

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Import License Registration Add-Ons

Tax Clearance PIN

Obtain your Tax Clearance Pin for R450, ensuring your business is compliant and trustworthy.

Learn More

Public Officer

Learn More

Income Tax Return

Submit your company's income tax return and get expert guidance on how to minimise your tax.

Learn More

Financial Statements

Get a professional accountant to draft and sign off on your company's annual financial statements.

Learn More

PAYE Registration

Learn More

VAT Registration

Learn More

SARS Compliance

Maintain your Tax Compliance Status from R200/month, safeguarding against penalties and audits.

Learn More

SME Bookkeeping

Enabling growth through financial tracking with SME Bookkeeping services starting from R1 500/month.

Learn More

Why Choose Us?

Fast & Simple

It is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.

Stay Compliant

Company information is automatically filed and kept up to date with SARS.

On-time submissions

On-time submissions and tax return status updates via email and WhatsApp.

Peace of Mind

We will ensure that your return is filed correctly and on time, every time.

Expert Assistance

Our tax specialists can file even the most complicated returns & support when SARS raises queries.

Reminders

Proactive reminders and what we need from you to submit your returns (no guessing).

Click Here to Get Started

Join +70,000 small business owners who trust SMTAX

Since our inception in 2015, we've worked with some amazing companies. In our journey to ensure financial transformation, we've had the pleasure of working with Old Mutual, ABSA, FNB, Nedbank, and Standard Bank.

Meet Our Customers

"Very easy and user friendly to use so if there was a 10 star rating it would have gotten it from me for the service I recieved"

Warren Frieselaar

"It was quick and hassle free less than 10min. Keep it that way.thanks SMTAX"

Gert Louw

"SMTAX is very helpful and easy to apply quick & fast"

Nkululeko Sithole

"Easy online application. Totally affordable rates for small business , personal human response when making contact. Stuck to deadlines indicated.""

CEO: Homemade CPT

"The service i received from Smtax was professional and the representative I spoke with was patient and answered all my questions. Great service and very convenient."

Sonwabe Mhletywa

Kgosi Lentswe Macogo

"The service i received from Smtax was professional and the representative I spoke with was patient and answered all my questions. Great service and very convenient."

Sonwabe Mhletywa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Monthly Tax Compliance” with SMTAX?

Monthly Tax Compliance is our ongoing service that helps you stay on top of key SARS submissions, deadlines, and compliance requirements—without leaving everything until the last minute. We support you digitally, so you can get help from anywhere and on any device.

How much does it cost?

Our Monthly Tax Compliance packages start from R1,795 per month for our Start plan. Our Run plan is R3,575 per month, and our Grow plan is R5,965 per month. The best plan for you depends on your turnover, whether you have employees, and whether you need added services like payroll or VAT support.

What’s included in the Start plan (R2,295/month)?

Our Start plan is designed for smaller businesses (for example, under R500k turnover per year, with no employees). It includes key tax compliance items such as SARS correspondence notifications, Income Tax Return submission, Provisional Tax Return submission, and Tax Clearance Status PIN support.

Start also includes accounting support (Xero setup & support, monthly bookkeeping, expense capturing) and core CIPC compliance support (annual return reminders and submission, beneficial ownership register support, and BBBEE affidavit templates).

What’s included in the Run plan (R3,575/month)?

Our Run plan is designed for growing businesses (for example, under R1 million turnover per year) with existing employees. It includes everything in Start and adds payroll-related support and additional reporting, including payroll administration and PAYE/UIF/COIDA-related submissions as listed in the plan.

What’s included in the Grow plan (R5,965/month)?

Our Grow plan is built for businesses with more complex compliance needs. It includes everything in Run, plus VAT return submission and SARS audit assistance as listed in the package.

Can I upgrade or downgrade my package later?

Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade anytime, so your support can scale up or down as your business changes.

Are there contracts? Can I cancel anytime?

Yes—there are no fixed contracts, and you can cancel anytime. We want the service to be flexible and to earn your business month-to-month.

How does the process work after I apply?

We keep it simple:

Apply online (about 5 minutes)
Accept your quote (we send a formal quote within 24 hours)
Onboarding meeting so we can understand your company and what you need
Setup & support, where we help set up your accounting, tax, and compliance accounts and then support you on an ongoing basis

What if I only need a once-off submission (not monthly)?

Yes. If you don’t need a monthly package, we offer Unbundled / Pay As You Go services so you can get help with a specific once-off task.

Can SMTAX help if I’m behind on bookkeeping or SARS returns?

Yes. If you’re behind, our Catch-up & Clean-up option is designed to help you get back on track. You can request a catch-up quote, and we’ll guide you through what’s outstanding and what we need from you to start.

Can you help me get a Tax Clearance PIN / Tax Compliance Status PIN?

Yes. We can assist with Tax Clearance Status PIN support. This is included in our plans, and we also offer a once-off Tax Clearance PIN service if that’s all you need.

How long does a Tax Clearance PIN request take?

In most cases, please allow up to 48 hours for our tax specialists to generate and send your PIN. It may take longer if you are not the SARS Registered Representative, because that can affect access and turnaround times.

How will I get updates about my submissions?

We send tax return status updates via email and WhatsApp, including progress updates and confirmations when submissions are completed.

Do you offer Public Officer registration support?

Yes. We offer Public Officer assistance as a once-off service, which can include help with SARS eFiling setup and general compliance checks (as outlined on our website).

Is SMTAX affiliated with SARS or CIPC?

No. We’re a private company that provides paid assistance. We are not affiliated with SARS, CIPC, or any government authority. Where applicable, official outcomes are issued by the relevant authority.

Is SMTAX legitimate / accredited?

Yes. We list our professional accreditations and reference numbers on our website, including references for SARS, SAIT, SAIBA and SAICA.

Do you have offices/branches I can visit?

Yes. We have locations in Cape Town, Knysna, and Umhlanga (Durban). If you prefer an in-person conversation, contact us and we’ll advise you on availability and the best way to book.

What’s the best way to contact SMTAX?

You can contact us by phone or email, WhatsApp us, or apply online to get started and receive a quote.

I’m not sure which package I need—what should I do?

No problem—apply online or request a call back. We’ll ask a few quick questions (turnover, trading status, employees, VAT/payroll needs) and guide you to the best-fit option.

What happens if SARS raises a query or I get audited?

If SARS raises a query, we can assist you through the process depending on your service scope. We also include SARS audit assistance in our Grow plan for customers who need more comprehensive support.

Online Import License
Quick & Easy - R2 500/once-off

Rated 5-star by entrepreneurs

What is an Import License Registration?