South Africa
Location: Southern Africa
Currencies
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Q. Are there any requirements, when sending ZAR?
A. Just your details, the beneficiary details and the purpose of the payment.
Q. Can I send inbound and outbound payments?
A. Yes. However, South African Exchange Control Regulations and Rulings, due to the restrictions on making ZAR payments to South African residents related to exporting. Getting expert advice is recommended.
Q. How much can I send?
A. As much as you want.
Q. How long will it take for my funds to be received?
A. Standard international payment time. However, with the right foreign exchange broker this can be done as fast as the same day.
Q. Who can I send ZAR to?
A. Both individuals and businesses can receive funds.
Q. Is sending ZAR expensive?
A. Not if you use the right currency broker, who will be able to offer you bank-beating exchange rates and significantly lower payment charges.
Q. Can you use forward contracts with ZAR?
A. Yes. With the right currency broker, you can book a ZAR exchange rate forward, protecting you against any adverse currency movements. With these contracts, you will always know exactly what is coming out of your bank account.
Information courtesy of Currencies Direct
Visas & Permits
Visas & Work Permits
Entry is subject to regulations from country of origin. Western passport holders may visit visa-free for a maximum period of 90 days.
With regards to work permits, visiting crews are divided into an Oversight Group (i.e. client, agency and production company personnel) and the Specialist Group (i.e. actors, models, directors, technicians and the art department).
The Oversight Group from visa exempt countries can travel to South Africa without pre-applying at a South African embassy or consulate. They will be allowed entry by presenting the relevant form, their travel itinerary and a letter from the South African production company to the immigration officials at the airport. Their passports will then be endorsed with the relevant authorisation.
The Specialist Group must still apply, in advance, to their local South African embassy or consulate. However, the requirements are streamlined to the relevant form, travel itinerary and letter from the South African production company.
Please contact a local embassy, consulate or representative for more information. Alternatively, there are specialist companies that provide visa and immigration support to the media industry who may be able to assist.
Film Location Permits
South Africa has a film friendly and streamlined permitting process, with a number of privately owned locations, as well as those that run through the film office.
Citywide permits are available for b-roll filming at public locations. For more complicated shoots, which require large set-ups or street closures, allow at least two weeks for permitting.
Drone filming is permitted in South Africa.
Customs
For productions looking to bring in film equipment, South Africa is an ATA carnet country.
When to Film
When to Film
South Africa’s climate is generally sunny and pleasant, but there is considerable regional variation. The north-west is very arid, the south is temperate and the north-east has a more tropical climate.
Winters (May to August) are generally mild, particularly in the Western Cape. Most of the rest of the country receives only a brief cold spell, with snow falling on the mountain ranges.
The rainiest months in Cape Town are May to August. Johannesburg receives most of its annual rainfall in the summer (November to March) making it a great weather film destination for the winter months. During mid-summer, South Africa experiences 15 hours of daylight.
In South Africa, Christianity is the largest religion, so those holidays are observed.
Public Holidays
Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in South Africa.
Costs & VAT
South Africa is a relatively cost efficient production centre, given the rate of exchange of most currencies against the South African Rand. That, along with the established industry and professional infrastructure, means South Africa offers great value for money.
The standard VAT rate in South Africa at the time of writing is set at 15%.
Funding & Tax Incentives
Funding
Department of Trade Industry & Competition (DTIC)
KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission objectives include developing, promoting and marketing KwaZulu-Natal both locally and internationally as a global destination for film production, as well as facilitating investment in the local film industry. The KwaZulu-Natal Film Fund serves to stimulate the growth of the film industry in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
Incentives
Entertainment Partners' Production Incentives Map: Information for South Africa.
Treaty Documents