VOLTAGE:
250 Volts AC (Pretoria) 220\230 Volts AC, 50hz elsewhere

CLIMATE:
Generally sunny and pleasant. Winters usually mild, although snow falls on the mountain ranges of the Cape and Natal and occasionally in the lower - lying areas, when a brief cold spell can be expected throughout the country. Since South Africa lies South of the Equator, these seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere.

CLOTHING:
Lightweight cottons and linens and rainwear are required. Warmer clothes are needed for the winter months.

HEALTH:
A certificate is required for Yellow Fever and Cholera from travellers arriving from infected areas. Special precautions are required for Typhoid, Polio and Malaria.Just incase you think you have something you can check out the side effects for an on line diagnosis at www.well.com/user/wao/index.html

CUSTOMS:
400 Cigarettes, 50 Cigars, 250g Tobacco; 1 Litre of spirits, 2 Litres of wine; 50ml of perfume and 520ml of Eau De Toliette; gifts up to R500 per person. A flat - rate of 20 % on gifts in excess of R500 and up to R10 000 is payable.

BANKING HOURS:
0900-1530 Monday-Friday 0800-1130 Saturday


WHAT TO BUY:
Stores are generally modern. Special purchases include Swakara Coats, gold, diamonds and semi - precious stone jewellery, suede goods, ceramics and African handicrafts, Safari suits and feathers.


TIPPING:
Restaurants, hotels and other accommodation establishments do not usually include a service charge in their bill. Although 10-15 pct is usually applied as a basis for tips, this would depend on the standard of service received.

VALUE ADDED TAX:
V.A.T., currently fixed at 14 pct, is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services. Foreign tourists to South Africa may qualify for a refund of V.A.T. paid on items purchased inside the country and taken back to their country of residence. It is important to note that only goods purchased from shops which are authorised under the export incentive scheme, and which display the V.A.T. logo qualify for the refund of V.A.T. To claim a V.A.T. refund, the total value of items on which a refund is claimed must exceed R250.00 No refund may be claimed on goods consumed or services rendered in South Africa. For more information on the refund process, contact the V.A.T. Refund Administrators on +27 (0) 11 484-7530 or write to P.O. Box 9478, Johannesburg 2000


Back to home page >>