Carrying cash from South Africa to United Kingdom
Two separate rules apply to any cash journey: one where you leave, one where you arrive.
Do you need to declare?
Part of this route is a hard limit, not paperwork. Leaving South Africa, South African Revenue Service caps what you may carry at ZAR 25,000, a prohibition, not a form. Entering United Kingdom, HM Revenue & Customs requires a declaration above GBP 10,000. The two rules are independent: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
Travelling as a family or group?
The threshold applies to your combined total, not per person. A family of four each carrying a little under the limit is still over it, and splitting cash between travellers to stay under does not make it legal.
The two legs
| Leg | Limit | Form | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leaving South Africa | max ZAR 25,000 | Traveller Declaration (TD-01), or the online traveller declaration | South African Revenue Service |
| Entering United Kingdom | GBP 10,000 | Declare cash online (GOV.UK) or form C9011 | HM Revenue & Customs |
The same R25,000 banknote cap applies on departure. Taking out more than R100,000 in total currency requires written permission from the South African Reserve Bank, obtained before you travel.
Declare cash of GBP 10,000 or more carried between Great Britain and any other country. Northern Ireland has separate rules.
If you do not declare
United Kingdom: Cash may be seized and a penalty of up to GBP 5,000 applied.
ZAR 25,000 is a hard limit leaving South Africa : carrying more is prohibited, and a declaration does not make it legal. On the other leg the duty is to report, not to stay under a limit.
Currencies
South Africa uses ZAR; United Kingdom uses GBP.
Sources: rules as of 22 September 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; always check the official authority before travelling.