How to send money to Japan from South Africa with the best ZAR-JPY rate

Comparing providers offering services between South Africa and Japan, based on your specific needs is the best way to send money with confidence.

Based on the availability of companies for ZAR/JPY

• TorFx is our top pick for sending Rand to Japan. A transfer of 130,000 Rands to JPY will cost you R0 in fees, and you will receive 1,273,589.08 JPY. The transfer time is minutes - 24 hours, but might be a bit longer depending on the day you make the transfer.

• Of the 7 providers compared, Key Currency is the cheapest option for sending money right now. We found that Key Currency is 0.01% cheaper than the second-best option.

• Fastest way to send money to Japan from South Africa is via Currencyflow. The transfer time is minutes - 24 hours with Currencyflow for a R130,000 transfer, but it will depend on the time, day of the week, and the amount you send.

Our comparison includes 7 companies that provide the ability to send Rand to Japan.

This ensures you get the best options for transfers to Japan from South Africa, based on the amount you want to send.

The exchange rate determines the price you’ll pay for Yen when sending Rand to Japan.

The rate between the Rand and Yen is currently 9.7636. Key Currency offers the best exchange from ZAR-JPY.

The total cost of sending money to Japan from South Africa is a mix of the mid-market, exchange rates and transfer fees.

• The Mid-Market and Exchange Rates: The mid-market for ZAR-JPY is 9.7636 JPY per Rand.

• Fees: When sending money there may be additional fees. Key Currency offers the lowest fee of the 7 providers tested, costing justs 0 ZAR per transfer.

• Amount Received: When comparing providers, the best measure is the amount of Yen eventually received in Japan.

This number should allow you to determine if you are getting a good deal. A higher amount of money received in Japan, means a better overall cost of sending money from South Africa.

Sending money via a bank transfer is the recommended option for sending money from South Africa to Japan.

Here are the popular ways to send money from South Africa to Japan:

Bank transfers

Bank transfers are often the best payment method for money transfers from South Africa to Japan.

A money transfer company like Key Currency offer bank transfers between South Africa and Japan with lower fees and better exchange rates than you would get from a traditional bank. 


Debit and prepaid cards

Sending money from South Africa to Japan with a debit or a prepaid card is very simple with .


is a leader in debit card payments for transfers from South Africa to Japan, competing among a total of 7 active money transfer companies on this route.

Credit cards

Not many money transfer companies offer direct credit card deposits, because it is more expensive for everyone.

We recommend using a bank transfer or a debit card transfer if you can; otherwise, make a quick comparison to find the latest deal.

Ensuring you fully understand regulations in South Africa and Japan will aid in keeping your money safe.

Our directory of worldwide financial regulators contains details on regulation for sending money between South Africa and Japan.

Some services between South Africa and Japan have minimum or maximum thresholds on how much you can transfer. This is applies when receiving money in Japan as well.

Companies will offer different rates and fees for different transfer amounts. For regular transfers to Japan, use TorFx. The combination of rates and fees when sending from South Africa to Japan is the most competitive, even at larger amounts.

Also, always check with the recipient and understand any declarations needed on large amounts of money leaving South Africa, or entering Japan. Mis-understanding these could result in a slower, or even failed, transfer.

There are different ways to receive Yen in Japan. This includes a direct bank deposit, cash pickup, a mobile wallet or receiving money into a multi-currency account.

Not all providers serving transfers from South Africa to Japan will offer every method for incoming Yen, so it’s best to check ahead of time.

One of the more common ways to transfer from South Africa into Yen is directly into a bank account. TorFx is the best company for bank transfers between South Africa and Japan.

And if you need cash right away, check if cash pickup is an option for transfers between South Africa and Japan.

Mobile wallet services and payment apps like PayPal, Xoom, and CashApp are popular too, but they come with more limitations and higher costs compared to money transfer providers like Key Currency.

When signing up to and sending Rand to Japan, through a money transfer company, you will have to verify your ID.

The precise documents you need will vary and in some cases you will need more than one.

For the most part however, in South Africa this will be a government issued ID such as a passport or driver's license. In Japan it will be similar, although this should only be needed if you are opening a new account in Japan, or collecting in cash. Sending to an existing bank account in Japan shouldn’t require any additional ID checks.

Large transactions between South Africa and Japan, are subject to additional checks. A provider may ask you for proof of address or may want to carry out a proof of funds check.

One of the reasons TorFx has scored so highly for transfers to Japan is their easy sign up process in South Africa.

When sending large amounts of money between South Africa and Japan there will potentially be a tax declaration to consider.

Some transfers into Yen may need to be reported to tax authorities in Japan, particularly where inheritance or property purchases are involved.

Tax limits and personal allowances will change in Japan based on age, income and a few other elements. When in doubt, please contact a tax professional in South Africa or Japan to discuss your personal circumstances.