Foreign currency notes
Order forex via online banking and we’ll deliver it to you within 24 hours*, or buy directly at a forex branch.
Benefits of foreign currency
Cash on hand
When travelling abroad, it’s important to have some foreign currency notes for incidentals
Order online
Order your foreign currency notes via online banking in just a few clicks
Order via branch
Order your foreign currency notes via your nearest in-branch forex outlet
Quick delivery
Get your foreign notes delivered within 24 hours*
T&Cs apply*
How to order
If you’re travelling cross-border within 60 days* and have your ID or passport and travel ticket (where applicable), you can order your foreign currency via Online Banking, email, or at your nearest in-branch forex outlet.
Apply via Online Banking
- Sign in to your Online Banking profile
- Click on "Buy"
- Select “Buy foreign currency notes”
- Follow the easy steps to complete your order
- We’ll call you to confirm total costs, a delivery date and time
Apply in-branch
- Complete the travel form and present the original form together with your passport and travel ticket at any one of our forex outlets
- You don’t need to have a bank account with us to order forex in-branch. You’ll need to provide us with your original proof of residence not older than three 3 months if you don’t bank with us.
For business travel with an omnibus facility order via email
-
Click here to see the requirements for business travel
For personal travel, you can also get a Shyft multi-currency card
If you do bank with us and are a UCount Rewards member, you’ll earn 50 Tiering Points for buying R7 500 or more worth of foreign notes in a 12-month period
Exchange Control for travel
Collection/delivery
Delivery
- Your forex will be delivered on the next business day if you placed your order before 2 pm Monday to Friday
- Your forex will be delivered on the second business day if you placed your order after 2 pm Monday to Friday
- We'll need to see your ID, passport, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train. If you're a foreign national, we'll need your passport, valid temporary residence and work permit, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train.
Collection
- You’ll be able to collect major currencies from us immediately at any forex outlet
- Other currencies are available within 24 hours if ordered before 2 pm
- We'll need to see your ID, passport, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train. If you're a foreign national, we'll need your passport, valid temporary residence and work permit, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train.
If you’re driving beyond the common monetary area (South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini), you’ll need to provide your vehicle registration number and the border posts you’ll be using.
Available currencies
Convert your rands into any of these foreign currencies:
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Botswana Pula (BWP)
- British Pound Sterling (GBP)
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Euro (EUR)
- Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
- Israeli Shekel (ILS)
- Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Lesotho Loti (LSL)
- Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
- Namibian Dollar (NAD)
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Singapore Dollar (SGD)
- Swaziland Lilange (SZL)
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Thai Baht (THB)
- United States Dollar (USD)
What it costs
All currencies*
- 3.2% fee (minimum R150)
- R 100 admin fee
Currencies of the common monetary area currencies (Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland)
- 5% fee (minimum R 180)
-
How to order
-
Collection/delivery
-
Available currencies
-
What it costs
If you’re travelling cross-border within 60 days* and have your ID or passport and travel ticket (where applicable), you can order your foreign currency via Online Banking, email, or at your nearest in-branch forex outlet.
Apply via Online Banking
- Sign in to your Online Banking profile
- Click on "Buy"
- Select “Buy foreign currency notes”
- Follow the easy steps to complete your order
- We’ll call you to confirm total costs, a delivery date and time
Apply in-branch
- Complete the travel form and present the original form together with your passport and travel ticket at any one of our forex outlets
- You don’t need to have a bank account with us to order forex in-branch. You’ll need to provide us with your original proof of residence not older than three 3 months if you don’t bank with us.
For business travel with an omnibus facility order via email
-
Click here to see the requirements for business travel
For personal travel, you can also get a Shyft multi-currency card
If you do bank with us and are a UCount Rewards member, you’ll earn 50 Tiering Points for buying R7 500 or more worth of foreign notes in a 12-month period
Exchange Control for travel
Delivery
- Your forex will be delivered on the next business day if you placed your order before 2 pm Monday to Friday
- Your forex will be delivered on the second business day if you placed your order after 2 pm Monday to Friday
- We'll need to see your ID, passport, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train. If you're a foreign national, we'll need your passport, valid temporary residence and work permit, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train.
Collection
- You’ll be able to collect major currencies from us immediately at any forex outlet
- Other currencies are available within 24 hours if ordered before 2 pm
- We'll need to see your ID, passport, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train. If you're a foreign national, we'll need your passport, valid temporary residence and work permit, and travel ticket, if travelling by aeroplane, bus, cruise ship or train.
If you’re driving beyond the common monetary area (South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini), you’ll need to provide your vehicle registration number and the border posts you’ll be using.
Convert your rands into any of these foreign currencies:
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Botswana Pula (BWP)
- British Pound Sterling (GBP)
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Euro (EUR)
- Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
- Israeli Shekel (ILS)
- Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Lesotho Loti (LSL)
- Mauritian Rupee (MUR)
- Namibian Dollar (NAD)
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Singapore Dollar (SGD)
- Swaziland Lilange (SZL)
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Thai Baht (THB)
- United States Dollar (USD)
All currencies*
- 3.2% fee (minimum R150)
- R 100 admin fee
Currencies of the common monetary area currencies (Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland)
- 5% fee (minimum R 180)
See pricing guide
Frequently asked questions
Who can buy foreign currency notes from online/internet banking?
All Standard Bank customers who are 18 years or older with a valid South African ID or a valid passport (if you’re a foreign national), and travelling abroad within the next 60 days.
What are foreign currency notes?
Foreign currency notes are physical cash (bank notes) in any currency other than the South African rand. They’re the actual paper money you carry when travelling abroad and can be used for everyday travel expenses like transport, tips, or small purchases.
How soon can I receive my foreign currency notes order?
After you have successfully placed your order, the Direct Delivery team will call you to confirm the delivery date and time.
For orders placed before 2 pm, your forex will be delivered on the next business day.
For orders placed after 2 pm, your forex will be delivered on the second business day.
For orders placed before 2 pm, your forex will be delivered on the next business day.
For orders placed after 2 pm, your forex will be delivered on the second business day.
Can I buy foreign currency notes without a bank account?
Yes, you don’t need to have a bank account with us. You can buy forex by visiting one of our branches. You’ll need to provide your original proof of residence not older than 3 months.
To order foreign notes on Online Banking, you’ll need to have a Standard Bank account.
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Exchange Control for Travel
South African citizens have to comply with a number of exchange control rules that restrict how much money you can take abroad. If you live in any of the common monetary countries (South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Swaziland), you can only buy foreign exchange in your home country.
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Whether you’re receiving or making an international money transfer, we’ve got the solution to meet your needs.
