All towns and cities have ATMs almost everywhere – in shopping malls, smaller shopping complexes and individual stores, outside buildings, on street corners and at the convenience stores at petrol garages. 

You can use any debit or credit card at any ATM, but extra fees will be deducted if you are using a bank-specific card at another bank’s ATM. Saswitch ATMs allow you to do inter-bank withdrawals for a lower charge. All ATMs have English prompts or instructions available. 

It’s best to use ATMS in shopping malls or complexes or at 24-hour convenience stores at petrol garages. If you go to a petrol pump at night, make sure it’s busy and well-lit before going in to draw cash. 

Avoid drawing money in deserted areas and don’t walk around with huge wads of cash in your hand. You should always take reasonable safety precautions such as putting your money into your bag or wallet once you’ve withdrawn it.

Main banks

These are First National Bank (FNB), ABSA, Standard Bank and Nedbank. Most banks are open 9 am to 3.30 pm or 4 pm on weekdays, and 9 am to 11 am or 12 am on Saturdays. Some big branches are also open from 9 am to 11 am on Sundays, with some being open only on the first or last Sunday of every month.

Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards

Visa and MasterCards are freely accepted throughout South Africa. Many stores accept American Express, but it’s best to check first. Informal traders such as street vendors and proprietors at flea markets only accept cash.

It’s best to have cash when filling up with petrol (gas). Most gas pumps accept garage or petrol cards, and quite a few now accept debit-type cards but it’s always best to check first before filling up.

Value Added Tax known as VAT is set at 14 per cent and levied on almost all services and goods. Certain basic foods are exempted from VAT, but the amount will already be added to your bill or account.

Claiming a VAT refund
If you’re a foreign tourist you’re allowed to claim VAT refunds – as long as the total of the items taken out of the country is valued at more than R250. There are VAT refund offices at the OR Tambo International Airport as well as the Cape Town International Airport, major harbours and several land borders. Most airports in particular have several information stations that will direct you to the VAT Refund Administrator’s offices.

All VAT refunds can be claimed on departure – if the VAT Refund Administrator is not present at the office at your point of entry, you can lodge your refund claim with the South African Customs Authorities.

How to claim your refund
It is best to identify yourself as a tourist to shop assistants. Normally you will then be issued with a tax invoice for the goods you have purchased, but it is a good idea to double-check that you have indeed received a tax invoice. It should contain the following information:
• The amount of VAT charged, or a statement that VAT has been included in the total cost of the goods.
• The quantity and full description of the goods purchased.
• A unique serialised tax invoice number.
• The buyer's name and address.
• The seller’s name, address and VAT number.
• The amount of VAT charged, or a statement to the effect that VAT at the rate of 14 per cent is included in the total cost of the goods.

You will need the original invoices – copies of any kind will not be accepted.

On departure, present the tax invoices, together with all the items for which you are claiming a refund, as well as your passport at the VAT Refund Administration offices. Ensure that you can produce all the items on which funds are reclaimed.

You will be requested to fill out a VAT Refund Control Sheet (VAT 255) obtainable from the VAT Refund Administration office.

What to do if you have difficulty claiming your VAT refund before you leave
You can have the VAT refund forms stamped by your customs officer in your home country upon arrival, or go to a South Africa embassy, high commissioner or consulate in your country. In the case of the latter, bring along all the goods along with the tax invoices. Once the relevant forms have been filled out post them to Vat Refund Enquiries, P O BOX 107, Johannesburg International Airport Post Office, South Africa, 1627.

If received and processed in South Africa, the VAT refund will then be transferred electronically to your account. Note though that you can’t hold the high commissioner or customs official accountable for sending off the forms, so it’s best to attend to your VAT refund timeously while in South Africa.