SA-UK Import & Export
Payment Solutions

Supplier Payment Management

Pay your UK and European suppliers in GBP or EUR directly from your SA ZAR account. We handle the currency conversion and SARB reporting, so your supply chain keeps moving.

Export Receipt Optimisation

Receive your export proceeds in the currency of your choice. We convert your foreign currency receipts at bank-beating rates and ensure full SARB compliance on every transaction.

SARB Reporting & Compliance

All cross-border trade payments require SARB exchange control reporting. WBForex prepares and submits all required documentation, keeping your business fully compliant.

Forward Exchange Contracts

Lock in today's exchange rate for future import payments. Protect your profit margins from rand volatility with FECs for up to 12 months.

Multi-Currency Payments

Pay suppliers in GBP, EUR, USD, or any major currency from a single ZAR account. We route your payments efficiently and at the best available rate.

Trade Finance Advisory

We help SA SMEs structure their import/export financing, including Letters of Credit, documentary collections, and working capital optimisation during the trade cycle.

Onboarding

We set up your business account, verify your SARB requirements, and establish your approved trade payment corridors.

Rate Quote

Before every payment, we provide a live rate quote - typically better than your SA bank's commercial desk, with a dedicated dealer working the quote.

Documentation

We prepare all SARB-required documentation: BOP codes, trade invoices, shipping documents, and exchange control declarations.

Payment Execution

We execute your payment and provide a full transaction confirmation with SARB reference numbers for your records.

Reconciliation

Monthly reconciliation reports keep your finance team informed and SARB-compliant at all times.

What documentation do I need for an import payment from South Africa?

For most import payments your SA bank's exchange control team will require: a commercial invoice from the supplier, a bill of lading or airway bill (or pro-forma documents for advance payments), proof of import authorisation where applicable, and the correct BOP category code. WBForex assembles this packet on your behalf and submits it through our authorised dealer partner.

How do you handle Letters of Credit (LCs)?

WBForex works alongside your SA bank to facilitate LC issuance, advising and settlement. We do not issue LCs directly — that's a function of your bank's trade finance desk — but we coordinate the FX leg, manage the BOP reporting, and ensure the settlement happens at the rate you've agreed. For ZAR/GBP and ZAR/USD trade specifically, we typically save businesses 0.5% to 1% versus their bank's standalone trade finance pricing.

Can WBForex handle export proceeds and convert them when I'm ready?

Yes. Export proceeds can be held in a CFC account in your business's name until you're ready to convert. We advise on the timing, handle the conversion at a competitive rate, and manage the SARB reporting on the back end. Many of our clients use this approach to avoid converting at unfavourable spot rates.

What BOP codes are most commonly used for SA-UK trade?

The most common are 101 (goods - imports), 201 (goods - exports), 305 (services - business services), and 416 (royalties, licence fees and patents). The correct code depends on what you're paying for, not just who you're paying. Getting this wrong is one of the main causes of payment delays. We review every transaction and assign the correct code before submission.

Are there minimum transfer sizes for trade payments?

No. We process trade payments from a few thousand rand upwards. The economics work for any size because we don't charge a percentage-based commission — pricing is built into the FX rate, which is sharper than what the Big 4 banks offer at any size.

How are trade payments different from a normal cross-border transfer?

Trade payments require additional supporting documentation (commercial invoice, transport documents, purchase order) and must be classified under the correct BOP category. They're typically tied to a specific underlying transaction rather than discretionary movement of capital. The mechanics of the FX leg are similar, but the compliance overhead is significantly higher — which is what we manage on your behalf.