We are not financial advisors and therefore cannot give financial advice. The information here should not be seen as financial advice in any way.
Always make informed decisions and speak to a professional when you are unsure.
What is exchange control?
Foreign exchange controls are various forms of controls imposed by a government on the purchase/sale of foreign currencies by residents or on the purchase/sale of local currency by nonresidents.
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) uses the Currency and Exchanges Act No. 9 of 1933 and its Regulations to control Foreign exchange.
Authorised dealers ensure that their customers comply with the various regulations that control the sending and receiving of funds across South African borders.
EUR to ZAR
When transferring money from Germany to South Africa, consider the following key points to ensure a smooth and cost-effective transaction:
Check the current exchange rates and compare rates offered by different providers to get the best deal. There is a selling and buying rate, and it is not the same as the rate you hear on the news. See for example FNB. Click on the icon for the FNB Link.
Choose the method that suits your needs best. Options include bank transfers, online money transfer services (e.g., Wise, PayPal, Western Union), and specialized remittance services.
Ensure the service you choose is secure and reputable. Look for providers with strong security measures and good customer reviews. Make sure it is an authorised dealer. You can find a list of Authorised dealers in South Africa in this document from the South African Reserve Bank. Click on icon for the Reserve Bank link
Double-check the recipient’s details, including bank account number, branch code, and name, to avoid delays or lost funds.
Look out for hidden costs, such as unfavourable exchange rates or additional charges by intermediary banks.
Be aware of transfer fees, which can vary significantly between banks, online transfer services, and other financial institutions. Some providers may offer lower fees for higher amounts. Some companies charge a percentage and others a flat rate per transaction.
Understand how long the transfer will take. Some services offer faster transfers, sometimes within minutes, while others may take several days.
Be aware of any regulatory requirements in both Germany and South Africa. Some transfers may be subject to limits or require additional documentation. Your residence status. The purpose of the exchange
Understand any potential tax implications in both countries. Large transfers might attract scrutiny or be subject to taxes.
The amount of money you want to exchange. Some institutions have a limit on the amount, and some offer better rates for higher amounts
Choose a provider with good customer support to assist you if any issues arise during the transfer process.
German Regulations
According to the German Foreign Trade and Payments Regulation (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, AWV), incoming or outgoing payments from abroad must be reported to the Deutsche Bundesbank.
“Pursuant to section 11 of the Foreign Trade and Payments Act (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz, AWG) read in conjunction with section 67 et seq of the Foreign Trade and Payments Regulation (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung, AWV), all residents in Germany (natural and legal persons whose place of residence is in the Federal Republic of Germany) have to report payments of more than €12,500 or the equivalent in another currency which they receive
from non-residents (natural and legal persons whose place of residence is outside of the Federal Republic of Germany) or from residents for the account of non-residents (incoming payments) or make to non-residents or to residents for the account of non-residents (outgoing payments).” Find more information here
Receiving the money in South Africa
The person receiving the money in South Africa, even if you send money to yourself or your family, will need to submit a SARB (South African Reserve Bank) Reporting Mandate form.
“All cross-border transactions must be reported to the South African Reserve Bank in accordance with SARB Regulations.
Balance of Payments Reporting (BoP Reporting for short) is an electronic message system used by Authorised Dealers (i.e. Banks) to report cross-border transactions to the South African Reserve Bank (SARB).
When completing an application for a cross-border transaction, clients are required to provide the reason/s for the transaction. Use the lists provided to select the correct Inwards or Outward BoP Code/s for your transaction. Please note: a transaction may involve more than one reason.” – RMB Bank
Most institutions will request the information from the recipient electronically for example an email or online form. This information must be submitted at least once a year.
If the person receiving the money does not submit this form, the money can be sent back to the remitter.
Comparison website
- Monito can be used to compare fees and rates, please be careful of hidden fees!!!
Some options to consider
These institutions are not endorsed by us, they are just a list of suggestions from our FB page
- German Bank to South African Bank
- Transferwise
- WorldRemit – low fees, check your rate
- Paypal
- Western Union
- Currency Partners
Terminology
| Term | Description |
| SWITFT | Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. |
| SWIFT code | Every Bank has a SWIFT code. Also referred to as the SWIFT code |
| BIC | Bank Identifier code. The SWIFT Address is assigned to a bank in order to send automated payments quickly and accurately to the banks concerned. It uniquely identifies the name and country, (and sometimes the branch) of the bank involved. BICs are often called SWIFT Codes and can be either 8 or 11 characters long |
| IBAN | International Bank Account Number. An international bank account identifier used to uniquely identify the account of a customer at a financial institution |
| BoP Codes | International Bank Account Number. An international bank account identifier used to uniquely identify the account of a customer at a financial institution |
Businesses listed on our website
The following businesses can assist with Forex and International Money transfers.
Currency Assist
Assisting clients with International Money Transfers to or from South Africa At Currency Assist, we come to work every day striving to find a solution
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