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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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