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GOODS ACROSS BORDERS
DEPARTURE RULE🇿🇦 SOUTH AFRICA

Taking cash / currency out of South Africa

STATUS · RESTRICTED

South Africa limits cash export to ZAR 25,000 and USD 10,000 foreign currency without SARB approval. Amounts above require Authorised Dealer bank approval and SARS customs declaration.

Details

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.

Quantity limits

ZAR 25,000 local currency; USD 10,000 foreign currency cash; SARB Authorised Dealer approval required above

Documentation required

  • SARB Authorised Dealer approval letter for export above threshold
  • SARS Customs Traveller Card declaration
  • Bank exchange receipt for foreign currency purchases

The other direction

INBOUND

Bringing cash / currency into South Africa(restricted)

Sources

VERIFIED · 2026-04-25Report a correction
RULES5,339COUNTRIES85ITEMS111CARRIERS28GUIDES37UNIQUE SOURCES614LATEST VERIFICATION2026-05-13MethodologyChangelog