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South African Currency
The currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the
symbol R, with 100 cents making up R1 (one Rand).
The coin denominations are; 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c,
20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5. The notes are R10, R20,
R50, R100 and R200.
You can bring in and take out a maximum of R5
000 in physical South African notes and coins. Any
additional money should be in travellers cheques or
use your debit/credit cards.
The way that numbers are displayed in South
Africa is different to that in Britain. Typically a
comma is used for the decimal point, and a space is
used for the thousands. For example, three thousand
two hundred and fifty Rand and 50 cents is written
R3 250,50
Buying fuel at garages
You cannot pay for petrol with a debit or credit
card. Make sure you have sufficient cash with you to
pay for fuel and other garage-related items.
Tipping
Tipping is an accepted practice in South Africa.
Tipping in bars and restaurants is normally between
10% and 15%. Tipping taxi drivers is common at about
10%. Tipping petrol attendants and “car
guards” is also a common practice at about 2-5 rand
for their services.
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Related pages
Personal safety
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Safety advice
Don't take only one form of money with
you - take a mixture of cash, travellers'
cheques and credit/debit cards.
Don't keep your debit/credit cards,
money, passport and travellers' cheques
together in one place in case you lose them
or they are stolen.
Leave details of travellers cheques with
your family or friends in case you lose your
own.
Before departure, inform your credit
card company that you are going on holiday
to South Africa. They will keep an extra eye
out for strange transactions.
Keep a safe record of your debit/credit
card numbers and the telephone numbers of
your British bank and credit card company
helpline in case of emergency.
Value-added-tax (VAT)
VAT is charged on most items. Foreign tourists
to South Africa can have their 14% VAT refunded
provided that the value of the items purchased
exceeds R250
VAT is refunded at the airport provided VAT
receipts are produced and you have the items in your
possession (i.e. not packed in your suitcases). You
must do this before entering the
international departure lounge. You will be given a
cheque or certificate which can be cashed once in
the departure lounge.
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