IX. BUSINESS TRAVEL Business Customs Business customs in South Africa are generally similar to those in the United States and Western Europe. South African business people tend to dress conservatively. Loud sports jackets and slacks are rarely seen at work. South African women are fashionable. Men tend to favor medium or heavy woolen suits for year-round wear. During the warmer months of October through March, darker light-weight fabrics such as tropical worsteds are appropriate and a light weight raincoat is recommended. A medium-weight overcoat is recommended for the colder months of April through August. Business cards are usually simple, including only the basics such as name, address, and business title. South Africans are very punctual, and South African business persons make every effort to be on time for appointments. Appointments should be made in advance of a business call. Travel Advisory and Tips Entrance Requirements: Travelers entering South Africa must have a valid passport. Business and tourist travelers to South Africa do not need entry visas. Government officials visiting South Africa require visas which may be obtained free of charge from the South African Embassy in Washington, DC, or from one of the South African Consulates in the United States (see "Contacts" section). The traveler must present a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever if coming from an infected area. Upon arrival in South Africa, visitors must satisfy the Passport Control Officer that they have sufficient funds for their stay and that they are in possession of a fully-paid forward or return ticket. In the absence of such proof, the visitor may be required to pay a deposit generally equivalent to his fare home which is refunded upon departure from South Africa. Travelers must declare all goods in their possession with the exception of personal clothing, essential toilet articles, and used sporting equipment. In order to be free from declaration, these goods must be for the passenger's personal use and not intended as gifts or to be sold, exchanged, or traded. All articles, used or unused, carried by the visitor as presents or parcels for other persons, must be declared. There are no restrictions on the amount of dollars that may be taken into South Africa. Travelers are allowed to exit with up to R200. Dollars cannot be used in South Africa and must be converted into rand by authorized foreign exchange dealers, hotels, commercial banks, and certain travel agencies. It is illegal to convey foreign currency to anyone else, and dollars may not be used in commercial or other private transactions. With a valid carnet, a visitor may enter South Africa with his automobile for a period not exceeding 12 months. An import duty will be charged on entry and rebated on departure. If a visitor wishes to sell his vehicle during his stay or upon departure, he must first obtain an import permit and pay the relevant duty. Traveler's Advisory: The U.S. Department of State provides a travel advisory to alert U.S. citizens of potential trouble spots or help them get out of trouble if they encounter problems overseas. Citizens should call (202) 647-5225 for the latest advisory information before departing the United States. Foreign Personnel: Foreigners who plan to work in South Africa temporarily must have proof of employment in order to apply for a temporary work permit. Applications should be made to the South African Embassy or Consulates in the United States. Permits are issued for one year intervals and may be extended once in South Africa. The application process normally takes six to eight weeks. There is no fee involved. A foreign driver's license is valid for six months in South Africa. An international driver's license is valid for one year. There are no special restrictions imposed on families accompanying foreign personnel working in South Africa. Foreigners planning to work and/or live in South Africa must pay a deposit equivalent to the customs duty on personal effects which are brought into the country. The deposit will be refunded upon removal of goods or if the owner becomes a permanent South African resident. Tourism: There are more than 1,500 licensed hotels in South Africa, ranging from small country hotels to large five-star city hotels. Rates are considered moderate depending on the type of accommodations. Reservations should be made in advance, particularly in resort areas during the peak summer months of December and January. A guide to South African hotels and other tourism information is available from: South African Tourism Board 747 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 Telephone: (212) 838-8841 Fax: (212) 826-6928 Suitable long-term housing accommodations are often difficult to obtain promptly, so Americans planning lengthy stays should budget for four to eight weeks in a hotel until more permanent quarters can be located. Eating customs and menus are similar to those in Western Europe. Drinking water is both ample and safe. Tipping is lower than in Europe or the United States and ten percent is the typical rate. It is customary to tip porters, taxi drivers, waiters, and stewards. Airlines: Two airlines currently provide direct service between the United States and South Africa. U.S. Africa Airways (USAA), an American carrier, began service between Washington, D.C. (at Dullus International Airport in Virginia) and Johannesburg in June 1994. USAA flights to Johannesburg depart Washington, D.C. on Sundays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Return flights to the U.S. from Johannesburg are on Mondays, Fridays, and Saturdays. USAA's future plans include direct flights to Cape Town and flights into the southern African region. USAA can be contacted at telephone 800-296-3255, or fax (212) 730-8171. South African Airways (SAA) provides direct flights to Johannesburg from New York's Kennedy Airport on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Return flights from Johannesburg to New York are on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. SAA flights from Miami to Cape Town depart on Sundays and Tuesdays. Return flights from Cape Town to Miami are on Saturdays and Mondays. SAA can be contacted at telephone: 800- 722-9675, or fax: (212) 418-3744. In addition, thirty-five foreign air carriers service South Africa, including most major European, Asian, and African airlines. Business Infrastructure Commercial Language: English and Afrikaans are South Africa's two official languages, but English is more frequently used commercially. Most companies in South Africa are able to correspond in either language. A majority of the white population speaks both languages, as does a considerable proportion of the nonwhite population. There is some language sensitivity in South Africa, particularly among the Afrikaaner population; consequently, many firms print much of their literature, including annual statements, in both languages. For information about languages spoken by South Africa's black and Indian populations please refer to the "Marketing and Distribution" section of this publication. Local Time and Business Hours: Local time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Clocks are not advanced in the summer. Generally, business hours are weekdays from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Most offices observe a five-day week, but shops are generally open from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Banks are open weekdays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, and Saturdays from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. Telephone Service: South Africa's country code is 27. The city codes for major South African cities are: Johannesburg, 11; Pretoria, 12; Cape Town, 21; and Durban, 31. The United States can be dialed directly from South Africa using the country code 091. Peak times for calls to the U.S. are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday and standard times are from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Friday. Off-peak times are during the remainder of weekday nights and weekends from 10 p.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Monday. Electric Current: Electric currents in South Africa are alternating current 50 cycles, 220/380 or 230/400 volts, 1, 3 phases, 2, 4 wires; 240/415 volts for Pretoria; and 250/433 volts for Port Elizabeth. The current used for industrial purposes is 525 volts/50 cycles. Express Mail Services: DHL and Federal Express offer air express services to South Africa. Shopping: Shopping here is similar to the U.S., with large and very modern shopping centers. Almost everything is available. Most stores are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Some stores are staying open until 5:00 on Saturdays. Overseas credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club can be used to pay locally. Sending Gifts: Duties on bona fide unsolicited gifts entering South Africa consigned by individuals in South Africa can be fully rebated as long as 1) he or she does not receive more than two parcels per calendar year and 2) the value of each parcel does not exceed R400. This rule excludes goods that are contained in passengers' baggage, wine, spirits and manufactured tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars). Local Holidays 1994: January 01: New Year's Day April 01: Good Friday April 04: Family Day April 06: Founders Day May 01: Workers Day May 12: Ascension Day May 31: Republic Day October 10: Kruger Day December 16: Day of the Vow December 25: Christmas Day December 26: Day of Goodwill 1995: January 01: New Year's Day January 02: New Year's Day Holiday April 06: Founders Day April 14: Good Friday April 17: Family Day May 01: Worker's Day May 25: Ascension Day May 31: Republic Day October 10: Kruger Day December 16: Day of the Vow December 25: Christmas Day December 26: Day of Goodwill Note: US Government offices in South Africa also close on American legal holidays.