South Africa is seeing explosive growth of trading. With Forex, financially savvy residents turn knowledge into cash. Local legislation is limited, and traders access giant markets easily. They can buy and sell currencies, stocks, precious metals, and derivatives. Today, when so many companies are laying off staff, opportunities for remote work are vital.
The government is yet to develop laws that will regulate the online trading industry. Still, there are certain rules to follow. Those who earn money on Forex have to declare their income tax. The South African Reserve Bank controls monetary flows from the country. Forex trading is legal unless you launder money or engage in financial fraud.
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Access to Brokerage Services
In South Africa, traders may work through local or international companies. Sadly, not all of them are regulated. Be very careful when choosing a brokerage – fraudsters may impress you with colorful sites and promises of quick riches. Responsible providers always stress the importance of trading skills, and they are overseen by reputable entities like the CySEC or FCA.
Be skeptical. Do research to see whether the company is legit. A trusted broker does not only open accounts. It provides you with the software and the best strategies. The best support centers are available around the clock. Reliable brands offer a wealth of resources on Forex trading for beginners and they allow you to practice in the safe demo mode.
How to Fund Accounts
For clients of large banks, account funding is a breeze. As long as they use credit cards, transfers are unhindered. Problems may be caused by cards of lesser-known issuers. Local regulations may also hamper transfers from South African bank accounts to international accounts. Luckily, such difficulties are now increasingly rare.
Every citizen is allowed to transfer up to 10 million Rand overseas. This limit was introduced back in 2010. Legal transfers to offshore bank accounts are easier, and so is funding in Forex. This is true for clients of Forextime and other trusted brokers.
How to Transfer More
The single discretionary allowance allows you to additionally send up to 1 million Rand overseas per year. Traders have to apply individually. Along with the initial application for R10 Million, the request must be approved by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
The arrangement can be used for any purpose, so Forex transfers are legal. Traders who want to fund their accounts are not obliged to present evidence of this to their bank. The required set of documents includes a Smart ID card or a green bar-coded South African Identity Document. This must be provided to the bank, which is referred to as the Authorised Dealer. Applicants do not have to obtain a Tax Clearance Certificate.
Overview of Formal Procedures
Here is how you can transfer up to 10 million Rand to your account. To authorize the transaction, your bank will contact the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank. If approval is received, and a Tax Clearance Certificate is submitted, your request will be granted.
If you need to transfer more, it is best to create a special offshore account. You can then fund your Forex account from there, as well as any offshore investments. This way, if you decide to set up accounts with other brokerage companies, repatriation will not be necessary. Otherwise, you will be obliged to repeat the entire clearance process.
Other Applicable Restrictions
The purpose of KYC is to fight money laundering. The program prevents financial manipulations by anonymous parties. When citizens of South Africa apply for a Forex account, they must submit a special set of documents for KYC approval. These are:
- a color copy of their valid ID;
- a utility bill with their home address (issued in the past 3 months).
The Bottom Line
South Africans enjoy a relatively lax legislative environment. They can register trading accounts with renowned Forex brokers and transfer money to offshore accounts. The easiest way of funding is by using credit cards issued by big banks. There are also special procedures for large investments, and they allow you to transfer up to 11 million Rand annually.
Forex traders can make a sizable profit if they master the art of the exchange. There is no limit to returns. Everything relies on your investment, strategy, and risk management.
The largest profits can be achieved in highly volatile markets or from high-volume trades. Do not expect to get rich quickly, though. To become a Forex star, you need knowledge, practice, and perseverance. In this industry, learning never ends.
