| Component | Typical level | Charged by |
|---|---|---|
| Scheme conversion | Mid-market plus 0% to 1% | Visa or Mastercard |
| International transaction fee | 2% to 3% | Your bank |
| Dynamic currency conversion | 3% to 7% on top | The merchant's acquirer, if you accept |
| Cash withdrawal abroad | 2% to 3% plus a flat fee | Your bank |
| Premium card waiver | 0% international fee | Some premium accounts |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | The terminal offers to charge you in rand instead of the local currency |
| What it costs | A margin of 3% to 7% over the scheme rate |
| Why it is offered | The margin is shared with the merchant |
| What to do | Always choose the local currency |
| Where it appears | Card terminals, ATMs and some websites |
| Route | Approximate cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Card, local currency chosen | R440 to R640 | Immediate |
| Card, dynamic conversion accepted | R1,040 to R2,040 | Immediate |
| Bank transfer | R750 to R950 | 2 to 5 days |
| Specialist provider | R350 to R450 | 1 to 2 days |
| Premium card, fee waived | R0 to R200 | Immediate |
Data maintained by TradeAnswers · updated as the figures change