Products and services > Foreign exchange > Tourism service providers Outlets Visiting South Africa TravelWallet Tourism service providers Overview Travelling abroad Sending and receiving money Investing abroad   Foreign exchange for tourist service providers Have you wondered what to do if you have guests or customers who want to pay you in foreign currency?? If your business is related to tourism e.g. hotels, retailers, restaurants, you may accept foreign currency. Qualifying criteria. Businesses that service the tourism industry may accept foreign currency from foreign visitors. You must convert the foreign currency into rands on the next business day after receiving it. You will need to sign an undertaking with the bank which we will sent to the South African Reserve Bank as laid out in the exchange control regulations. Below is a copy of the undertaking, please complete it, print it on your business' letter head and take it to a foreign exchange outlet. Speak to a consultant at our foreign exchange outlets to assist you. Undertaking Click here for a copy of the declaration to accept foreign currency. Products You can exchange foreign notes or Travellers Cheques. Foreign notes We will accept foreign notes in the following currencies: British Sterling Euro United States Dollar Australian Dollar Botswana Pula Canadian Dollar Swiss Franc Danish Kroner Hong Kong Dollar Israeli Shekel Japanese Yen Lesotho Loti Mauritian Rupee Namibia Dollar Norwegian Kronor New Zealand Dollar Saudi Riyals Swedish Kroner Singapore Dollar Swaziland Lilange Travellers Cheques We are an agent for American Express Travellers Cheques; however, we will also accept other types of Travellers Cheques such Thomas Cook and Visa. The process for depositing travellers cheques is similar to depositing rand cheques and it could be lengthy as the cheques may need to be cleared first before your account is credited (terms and conditions apply). You will be charged a fee for converting foreign notes and Travellers Cheques. You can exchange foreign notes and travellers cheques at the any Standard Bank foreign exchange outlet . Tips on detecting fraudulent foreign notes and Travellers Cheques Foreign notes As you do with rand notes, you should also look out for fake foreign notes. There are a number of security features embedded within banknotes that should help you determine the authenticity of the notes. Below are a few basic features that could assist you in this regard: Currency Features Euro (EUR) Watermark: the watermark should only be visible when held up in direct light or under UV light. Security thread - the security thread should also only be visible when held up in direct light or under UV light and has the word "Euro" and the denomination of the note is imbedded within. Pound Sterling (GBP) Watermark: the watermark should only be visible when held up in direct light or under UV light. US dollar (USD) Watermark: the watermark should only be visible when held up in direct light or under UV light (denomination $5 to $100 only) Security thread - the security thread should also only be visible when held up in direct light or under UV light and the thread is inscribed with the description "USA" and the denomination of the note (denomination $5 to $100 only). Travellers Cheques When accepting Travellers Cheques, your client should countersign the Travellers Cheque in front of you. You need to check that the two signatures on the check match. Below are some other security features you should look out for when accepting American Express Travellers Cheques: Watermark: A watermark of the Centurion is visible when the Travellers Cheque is held to the light. Holographic foil: The holographic foil shows shifting images of the currency and denomination, the Centurion and the American Express Logo when lifted. Security thread: A security thread reading "Amex" is embedded in the Travellers Cheque and can be clearly seen from both sides when held up to the light. Smudge test: The smudge test on the Travellers Cheques' back shows that both left denomination panels will smear when wet and the right panels do not.   Disclaimer | Conditions of access | Privacy and security statement