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Buy South African rand before your trip
Buy South African rand online from US First Exchange and land in Johannesburg or Cape Town with cash ready to spend. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
Tipping culture: why rand in your pocket helps
Cards work in most South African hotels, restaurants and malls. Cash matters most for tipping, which is a big part of daily life. Visitors usually tip car guards who watch parked cars, petrol attendants who fill your tank, restaurant staff, and safari rangers and trackers at the end of a game drive.
Cash is also handy at craft markets, roadside stalls and in smaller towns. Small notes make tipping much easier, so keep a stack of R10, R20 and R50 notes.
Where else the rand is used
The rand is the currency of South Africa and is also accepted in Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia, which link their own currencies to it. That makes it useful for safari trips that cross into neighboring countries.
South African rand banknotes at a glance
South African banknotes are issued by the South African Reserve Bank. Each note shows Nelson Mandela on the front and one of the Big Five animals on the back. We source rand as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Animal | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| R10 | Rhino | Tips for car guards and petrol attendants |
| R20 | Elephant | Small purchases, tips |
| R50 | Lion | Meals, market shopping |
| R100 | Buffalo | Everyday spending, ranger tips |
| R200 | Leopard | Larger purchases |
Learn more in South African currency: a guide to the rand.
How to buy South African rand online
- Choose your amount. Select South African rand and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source rand to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy rand from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with rand to spare? Sell South African rand for US dollars.
Visiting more than one country? See every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need cash in South Africa?
Cards are widely accepted, but cash is useful for tipping car guards, petrol attendants, waiters and safari staff, and for markets and small towns.
Can I use South African rand in Namibia or Lesotho?
Yes. The rand is accepted in Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia alongside their own currencies.
How long does it take to get rand delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you travel.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy South African rand with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return South African rand?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.