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Large money transfers to and from South Africa

Learn how to send large sums to and from South Africa without the hassle.

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MoneyAge winner

Transfer provider of the year 2023

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Established since 1996

Experts in currency

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500,000 happy customers

R234bn transferred each year

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40+ currencies

Transfers to 120+ countries

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Making large international money transfers.

There are many reasons why you might need to make a large international payment, from property transactions to emigration.

Whatever the reason, it’s vital that your transfer is safe and secure, and that you get an excellent exchange rate.

So, having an expert on your side to offer specialist support can make all the difference.

Experts in larger transfers.

We take care of the red tape and help our customers pick the best solutions for their requirements.

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Buying property

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Selling property

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Emigration

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Offshore investments

Things to think about when sending large sums of money overseas.


Getting your funds out of South Africa

If you were born in South Africa but have since left, trying to move money into your international bank account from South Africa can be quite a challenge, but we’re here to help.

Annual allowance

If you want to use your annual discretionary allowance (R1m per calendar year) we can help you benefit from great rates and low fees.

Remember, as a South African, you only need a registered tax number to make use of your annual R1m allowance.

Investing offshore

If you’re looking to invest overseas in the NASDAQ or Dow Jones, a new business or that dream holiday home, come to us and we’ll help you through the necessary paperwork, obtain your tax clearance and make sure we time things just right.

Transfers over R11m

While transfers over R11m aren’t a standard allowance, it is possible if you have everything in order, and with the help of our team it can be submitted and approved within a couple of months.

Trusts

Moving money into or out of a Trust has become quite a tricky business – but with us you can navigate all the challenges and paperwork linked to Trusts and their recipients.

Choosing a money transfer provider.

When you’re picking a transfer provider, there are two main options. You can opt for a high-street bank or go with a specialist money transfer company. 

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Transferring with your bank 

While many people choose to make large transfers through their banks, this isn’t always the best option.

Banks often work on higher margins than currency specialists, meaning you could get a better deal elsewhere. And they tend to offer a limited range of services, making it harder to time your transfer for when the market is in your favour.

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Using a specialist FX provider 

It’s often better to use a money transfer provider for sending large sums, as they may get you a much better deal.

Currency providers tend to offer more competitive exchange rates than banks so you get more from your money. They’re also better placed to guide you through the process, offering a wider range of services and personal support.

Working with us.

At Currencies Direct, sending money overseas is our specialty.

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Trust and transparency

Established in 1996, we’ve been helping people and businesses save money on their overseas transfers ever since.

All our foreign exchange transactions are processed through an Authorised Dealer Bank in South Africa in strict accordance with South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Exchange Control Rules and Regulations.
Our client funds are held in a separate personalised interest-bearing account with a SARB approved Authorised Dealer Bank.'

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Personal account management

The thing that really sets us apart is our personalised approach, which is particularly important for larger transfers.

As a Currencies Direct customer, you’ll have your own account manager. Their role is to understand your needs and use their currency exchange expertise to help you get the best deal.

They’re also on hand to provide guidance and support if you ever have any questions or concerns, and they’re always happy to help.

How it works

Sending money abroad should be simple. With us it is.

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Create an account

Over the phone or register online and one of our dedicated account managers will call you to help you with the rest.

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We'll handle the paperwork

Including free SARS tax clearances, SARB or exchange control approvals and so much more.

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Agree your rate

We'll help you pick the right time to move your money so you secure a great rate.


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Send us the money

Via bank transfer, debit card or your wallet balance.

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We’ll do the rest

We'll get the currency where it needs to be swiftly and securely.



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Exchange rates and fees.

We always try to get you the best exchange rate possible. And the larger the transfer, the better the rate we can offer.

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How exchange rates and fees work

With Currencies Direct, everything is transparent. We charge a small margin on the interbank rate and show you exactly what you’ll get upfront.

When you agree an exchange rate with us, that’s the amount you’ll receive - though a nominal fee may apply for business customers.

The more money you transfer in a single transaction, the better the exchange rate we can offer, as we can reduce our margin and pass on the savings to you.

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Our exchange rates

With Currencies Direct, everything is transparent. We charge a small margin on the interbank rate and show you exactly what you’ll get upfront.

When you agree an exchange rate with us, that’s the amount you’ll receive. There are no additional transfer fees or hidden charges.

The more money you transfer in one go, the better the exchange rate you receive as we’re able to take a smaller margin and offer a stronger rate.

Timing your large transfer.

When sending large sums overseas, timing the market right can make all the difference. That’s why we work hard to help you find the best time to transfer.

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Fix a rate

Fix the exchange rate in advance and protect your future transfer from negative market movements. 

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Limit orders 

Target an exchange rate higher than the current level. Your transfer will trigger automatically when the rate is hit. 

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Rate alerts

If you set a rate alert, you’ll receive an instant notification when the market moves to your target rate.  

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Buy currency in advance 

Exchange currencies while the rate is strong and hold it in our digital wallets until you need it. 

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Updates and insights

Sign up for daily insights from our currency analysts, keeping you up to date with the latest market movements. 

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Check live rates

Contact our team for a live dealing rate based on your requirements. 

See why customers choose us for their large international money transfers.


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How we keep your funds safe.

Your security is our priority. We have measures in place to keep your funds safe, and we’re here to help you protect yourself from fraud. There are important steps you must take to protect yourself from fraudsters, including checking that your payee is genuine and that their account details are correct.

We’ve got you covered.

Send money to 120 countries in 40+ currencies.

Simplify large transfers.

Speak to an expert about your large transfer requirements today.

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Frequently asked questions.

With Currencies Direct you won’t pay any additional fees when you send money abroad through a personal account. A nominal fee applies to business transactions. We calculate the rate you will receive by adding a small margin to the wholesale exchange rate.

It’s worth noting, however, that once your money has left us other banks in the process might add fees of their own. For example, the recipient’s bank might charge a ‘receiving fee’.

There are certain limitations to be aware of. South African residents can transfer up to R1 million per calendar year without the need for SARS approval. Non-residents, however, will require exchange control or SARB approval, a process we are happy to assist with at no additional cost.

Whether or not you need to pay tax depends on many things, such as your tax residency and the reason for the transfer. For instance, you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax if you sell an overseas property.

We’re not allowed to give tax advice, so we recommend speaking to a financial advisor or the relevant tax authority.

All the currencies we offer are available for large transfers, although there may be other restrictions on some of them. It’s best to get in touch with our team if you want to check your requirement. 

We buy currencies in bulk, at wholesale rates, and sell them at retail rates. The difference is our profit. 

With larger transfers, we can offer our customers a rate much closer to the wholesale rate. 

This depends on where you’re sending the funds and when you get your money to us. If you have funds on account the transfer can be made same day.

For a more accurate estimate for the currency you’re sending, see our currency guides.

If we come across any issues while making the transfer, we’ll get in touch with you right away. Similarly, if you have an issue – such as the payment not arriving on time – get in touch with us and we can investigate.

Our operations team can put a trace on your money to follow its progress and work to resolve your issues. You can call us on +27 (0) 21 418 0105. or email [email protected]


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