🇿🇦 South Africa— Cash & Currency
South African Revenue Service (SARS) — Customs and Excise
2026-04-25
Declaration Threshold
US$5,500
ZAR
You must declare to customs if you are carrying cash, traveler's cheques, money orders, or negotiable bearer instruments totaling above this amount when entering or leaving South Africa.
What Must Be Declared
| Instrument | Declaration Required |
|---|---|
| Physical currency (any currency) | Yes, if above threshold |
| Traveler's cheques | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bank drafts / money orders | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bearer bonds / negotiable instruments | Yes, if above threshold |
| Credit cards / debit cards | Generally no |
| Electronic payment apps | Generally no |
Failure to declare
Carrying undeclared cash above the threshold can result in seizure of funds, fines, and in some jurisdictions criminal prosecution. When in doubt, declare.
Additional Country Notes
- 01South Africa is part of SACU (Southern African Customs Union) with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini — goods move freely within SACU.
- 02VAT is 15% (standard rate).
- 03South Africa has an FTA with the EU (EU-SADC EPA), preferential access to AGOA for US market, and various regional agreements.
- 04The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is critical for diamond imports/exports.
- 05SARS uses the SARS eFiling system and SARS Customs portal for declarations.
- 06Ad valorem duties apply to luxury goods like motor vehicles, cosmetics.
- 07Significant load shedding (power outages) and port congestion can affect logistics.
- 08South African Rand is volatile — USD equivalent of thresholds changes frequently.