South African Reserve Bank expands cross-border reporting categories under harmonised regional balance of payments codes

The South African Reserve Bank has amended and expanded the balance of payments categories used by reporting entities for electronic reporting of inward and outward cross-border foreign exchange transactions. The changes apply from Aug. 11, 2026, following implementation of the Southern African Development Community Harmonised Balance of Payments codes across the Common Monetary Area and subsequent user acceptance testing. The revised schedules introduce new category codes, extend existing code sets and amend descriptions across merchandise, services, income, transfers, investments, derivatives, loans and miscellaneous payments. They also identify provisions that apply exclusively to South Africa and have been incorporated into the Currency and Exchanges Manual for Authorised Dealers. Any new categories later added to the manual for Authorised Dealers in foreign exchange with limited authority will be communicated separately.