Cash / Currency 🇿🇦 South Africa
ZAR 25,000 and equivalent foreign currency limits
Can I bring Cash / Currency into South Africa?
ZAR 25,000 and equivalent foreign currency limits
ZAR 25,000 rand / USD 10,000 foreign currency
- SARS customs declaration
Required at the destination customs authority
Full details
South Africa has complex currency controls. South African residents may carry up to ZAR 25,000 in rand. Foreign visitors may bring unlimited foreign currency but must declare amounts exceeding USD 10,000 equivalent. South African rand export is restricted to ZAR 25,000.
Leaving South Africa with cash / currency
Under SARB Exchange Control Regulations (Regulation 6(2)) and SARS customs requirements, South African residents may export ZAR 25,000 in notes and up to USD 10,000 in foreign currency cash per trip without special approval. Non-residents may re-export amounts declared on arrival. Amounts above ZAR 25,000 or USD 10,000 require SARB approval via an Authorised Dealer (commercial bank) and a SARS customs declaration on departure. Penalties: ZAR 250,000 fine and/or criminal prosecution under Currency and Exchanges Act 9/1933.
Values at or above this threshold must be declared (ZAR).
Declare cash, traveler's cheques, or monetary instruments above the local threshold to SARS Customs on arrival or departure. Use the dedicated currency-declaration channel; undeclared amounts above the threshold are subject to seizure and an administrative fine of 25-50% of the undeclared sum.
ZAR 25,000 rand / USD 10,000 foreign currency
- SARS customs declaration
Exchange Control Regulations, Currency and Exchanges Manual
This page covers destination customs rules in South Africa. Whether you can carry cash / currency through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.
Cash / Currency rules in other countries
Cash / Currency
🇺🇸 United States
Must declare cash or monetary instruments over USD 10,000 on arrival and departure.
Cash / Currency
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Must declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more when entering or leaving Great Britain.
Cash / Currency
🇩🇪 Germany
EU rule: declare EUR 10,000 or more when entering or leaving the EU.
Cash / Currency
🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates
Must declare cash of AED 60,000 or more (approx. USD 16,300) on arrival.
Cash / Currency
🇵🇭 Philippines
PHP 50,000 limit; foreign currency over USD 10,000 must be declared
Cash / Currency
🇻🇳 Vietnam
VND 15 million limit; USD 5,000 foreign currency