What should I take and pay attention to when going to South Africa on business?

South Africa has a good climate, with clear skies and Wan Li all year round, but sometimes the sunshine is too strong, so guests are advised to use sunscreen. Every year from October to March, the average temperature is 15 degrees at night and 35 degrees at noon. In winter, from April to September, the temperature difference is large, about degrees at night and 2 degrees at noon. Visitors are invited to choose appropriate clothes for their trip. There is a great temperature difference between morning and evening in South Africa. Please pay attention to adding clothes. When you watch animals by car in the safari park, please keep warm and wear a hat because of the strong wind.

Accommodation:

1. South African hotels usually don't have toothbrushes, toothpaste, slippers and other disposable items that need to be brought by themselves.

2. The voltage in South Africa is 22/23V and 5Hz AC, so you need to bring your own adapter.

Customs regulations:

Passengers are allowed to bring 4 cigarettes, 5 cigars, 25 grams of shredded tobacco, 2 liters of red wine, 1 liter of spirits and personal gifts not exceeding 1,25 rand. If the value of the goods you carry exceeds 1, rand, the customs will pay customs duties at a rate of 2%.

if you bring in more than $2, in cash, you must declare it to the customs.

Foreign tourists who buy souvenirs in South Africa with an amount of more than 25 rand can apply for a refund of value-added tax (V.A.T.) at the airport tax refund office within 9 days from the date of shopping.

Attached information: Notes for China citizens to go to South Africa

1. Special reminder

When the security situation in South Africa is not good, burglary, road robbery, warehouse theft and other cases occur, The Embassy reminds China citizens living in South Africa to be vigilant, strengthen security measures, and protect themselves, especially to prevent tail robbery, reasonably adjust business hours, avoid high-incidence time of crimes, and at the same time, pay close attention to insurance, calmly deal with emergencies, so as to prevent personal and property damage.

II. Visa, Entry and Customs

(1) Instructions for visas

China citizens are required to apply for visas no matter what passport they hold to visit South Africa. Holders of diplomatic passports, official passports and ordinary business passports do not need to pay a deposit for visas: South African citizens and Chinese citizens with permanent residency in South Africa invite their immediate family members to visit relatives in South Africa for visas without paying a deposit; China's authorized travel agencies organize tour groups to visit Nanzhong to apply for visas without paying a deposit; Other personnel who apply for visas are required to pay a deposit of 15, yuan from the South African Embassy in China, and those who return to China on schedule (with the original deposit receipt) will be refunded.

(2) Entry and transit instructions

You must have a valid passport and visa to enter South Africa, and you don't need a transit visa when crossing South Africa as long as you don't leave the airport (Interim Provisions). Upon request, passengers must show their return or joint flight tickets and international health certificates to the airport customs and immigration officials when entering the country. Those who enter South Africa through the yellow fever area must receive vaccination before entering the country without an international health certificate.

(3) Customs regulations

Passengers are allowed to bring 4 cigarettes, 5 cigars, 25 grams of shredded tobacco, 2 liters of red wine, 1 liter of spirits and personal gifts not exceeding 1,25 rand. If the value of the goods you carry exceeds 1, rand, the customs will pay customs duties at a rate of 2%.

if you bring in more than $2, in cash, you must declare it to the customs.

foreign tourists who buy souvenirs in South Africa with an amount exceeding 25 rand can apply for a refund of value-added tax (V.A.T.) at the airport tax refund office within 9 days from the date of shopping.

III. Security situation and public security situation

Public security situation

South Africa is one of the countries with high crime rate in the world. The main forms of crime are robbery of property, robbery of vehicles, theft, violence against women, rape, etc. Especially in recent years, warehouse theft cases against Chinese businessmen have occurred frequently, which has caused great losses to my business people in South Africa.

Suggestive preventive measures

1. Home safety protection

Choose apartments and residential quarters with good safety records; There are high walls, power grids, electric gates and security guards; Install monitoring control system and alarm device; Keep a dog and choose a good neighbor to live in; It is necessary to learn to distinguish between true and false policemen, understand the alarm telephone numbers of the police station and security company where you live, and keep in touch with the consular department of the embassy or consulate. When entering or leaving home, pay attention to whether there are suspicious robbers ambushing or following.

2. Company security

Improve the security system, choose a well-known security company and install a closed-circuit monitoring system. It is not appropriate for the company to store a large amount of cash, and turn on the lighting system in the office at night to insure the company's property.

3. Car safety

When driving, be careful not to open the window at high-speed intersections and near traffic signals. Don't put your bags and valuables in an eye-catching position or leave them in the car. If you go the wrong way, don't get off and ask for directions. You can drive to a nearby gas station or fast food restaurant and ask the staff in the station or store for directions. Pay attention to whether there are suspicious people around before entering the parking lot and getting off. When you get out of the airport, you find someone following you on the road. Don't stop. You can drive to the nearest police station or call 1111.

4. Bank security

Sometimes, because you want to withdraw a large amount of cash from the bank, the bank manager will ask you to give a notice one day in advance. At this time, the secret of your withdrawal of a large amount of cash may have been known all over the world. It is safer to make more use of cheque or bank transfer service.

ATM security

1. After inserting the ATM card, be careful to be seen by others when pressing the password.

second, after completing the data input program, if the bill does not come out, it may be that the paper outlet is blocked by transparent tape. Check carefully, and the bill may not be spit out.

Third, you must get back the receipt and don't let anyone know your account data.

4. If the ATM card is stuck in the ATM and a stranger comes forward to help, never accept it. Call the ATM center for help immediately.

5. beware of being followed after you get the money.

security of payment of bulk wages

1. change the time or date of payment of wages.

2. When dealing with a big bank, don't inform the bank in advance that you want to withdraw a large amount of cash. Large bank branches often have more cash to withdraw.

3. At present, many banks also offer small depositor services. It is advisable to open bank accounts for employees and pay their salaries through bank transfer services.

fourth, buy insurance for cash.

how can the security company help you

1. If you withdraw a large amount of cash from the bank, you can hire a security company to assist in escort.

second, you can negotiate with the bank to send security personnel to support.

IV. Common diseases and medical conditions

(I) AIDS and prevention

1. HIV knowledge

South Africa is one of the countries with the highest HIV infection rate in the world, with about 5 million HIV carriers. For China people coming to South China, AIDS is a problem that cannot be ignored.

2. How to prevent HIV infection

Although AIDS is an extremely dangerous infectious disease, it can be prevented for individuals. The main preventive measures are:

(1) No premarital sex;

(2) Do not take drugs in any way;

(3) Do not accept blood transfusion and blood products easily (if necessary, ask the hospital to provide blood and blood products that have passed the HIV test);

(4) Do not use needles, needles, gauze, cotton wool and other appliances with others;

(5) Do not go to medical institutions or other places where disinfection is not strict, such as injection, tooth extraction, ear piercing, tattoo, eyebrow tattoo, acupuncture or surgery;

(6) Avoid getting the blood of the injured person during daily rescue;

(7) Don't * * use appliances that may puncture the skin with others, such as toothbrushes, razors and electric razors.

(2) Malaria and prevention

The lowlands in Mpumalanga province and the Maputaland coast in limpopo river and KwaZulunata province are areas where malaria occurs, but in winter, malaria basically disappears. Although malaria epidemic areas are limited and are rarely visited by ordinary tourists, you'd better take adequate precautions if you want to choose to go to these areas where malaria occurs.

The South African government has started a series of projects (in cooperation with Swaziland and Mozambique), all of which are aimed at eliminating malaria, and now the malaria epidemic area has been shrinking. Generally speaking, malaria is not as terrible as we thought. As long as you don't touch it, you won't be so easily infected unless you are bitten by mosquitoes with malaria virus. Now, the continuous improvement of pesticides and some common health knowledge have reduced the risk of mosquito bites to almost zero.

The simplest, safest and most limited way to prevent malaria is to prepare several anti-mosquito appliances, such as mosquito nets, and some effective pesticides. If you are determined to do some epidemic prevention work, you can take some malaria drugs orally according to the instructions. You should start taking them one to two weeks before you leave for the epidemic area, and you must continue taking them four weeks after you leave the epidemic area. You'd better consult some medical experts before you start taking these drugs. It must be noted that these drugs are forbidden for pregnant women.

(3) Medical and health conditions and medical insurance instructions

Compared with other African countries, the medical and health situation in South Africa is relatively good. Private hospitals in big cities are well equipped. All provinces and cities have provincial public hospitals. The treatment fee in public hospitals is not high, but there are more patients and the waiting time is long. Private hospitals have good conditions and services, but the fees are higher. The ambulance is a paid service. There are about 36 provincial public hospitals and 344 private hospitals in South Africa.

The insurance company is responsible for medical insurance, and individuals voluntarily take out insurance. According to the different premium amount, public or private hospitals are designated to enjoy different medical services. During the warranty period, the expenses for medical treatment and hospitalization shall be directly settled by the hospital and the insurance company.

The piped tap water in South Africa is of good quality and can be directly drunk. However, there is the possibility of schistosomiasis parasitism in rivers and lakes, so direct drinking or swimming in unfamiliar waters should be avoided. In addition, people who travel to northern Limpopo Province or Kruger Park in summer are advised to take antimalarial drugs in advance and pay attention to prevent mosquito bites. If they have symptoms such as fever, cold sweat, headache and abdominal pain, they must seek medical advice in time.

South Africa is one of the countries with the largest number of people infected with AIDS in the world, but its infection route is only through blood and body fluids, as long as individuals lead a clean life.

v. local customs and regulations

(1) South African etiquette

1. Social etiquette

Social etiquette in South Africa can be summarized as "black and white" and "English-oriented". The so-called "black and white" means: restricted by race, religion and customs, blacks and whites in South Africa follow different social etiquette; English-oriented means that for a long historical period, white people have mastered the political power in South Africa, and white people's social etiquette, especially English-style social etiquette, prevailed in South African society.

At present, in social occasions, the common greeting etiquette adopted by South Africans is the handshake ceremony, and they mainly address their associates as "sir", "miss" or "madam". Among the black tribes, especially in the vast rural areas, South African blacks often show different styles from the mainstream of society. For example, they are used to giving ostrich feathers or peacock feathers to distinguished guests. It is appropriate for guests to insert these precious feathers into their hats or hair at this moment.

2. Dress Etiquette

In cities, South Africans dress in a westernized way. On formal occasions, they all pay attention to dignified and rigorous dress. Therefore, when conducting official or business contacts, it is best to wear a suit or skirt with conservative style and dark color, otherwise it will be regarded as impolite by the other party. In addition, African blacks usually have the habit of wearing their own national costumes. Black people of different tribes often have their own different characteristics in dress.

3. Catering Etiquette

On weekdays, local whites in South Africa mainly eat western food, often eating beef, chicken, eggs and bread, and like to drink coffee and black tea. The famous drink in South Africa is Rubao tea. When visiting a black family in South Africa, the host usually sends freshly squeezed milk or goat's milk, and sometimes homemade beer. Guests must drink more, and it is best to drink it all at once. Non-blacks like to eat beef and mutton, and the staple food is corn, potatoes and beans. Do not like raw food, but like cooked food.

4. Custom taboo

For South Africans who believe in Christianity, the taboo number is 13; Black people in South Africa admire their ancestors very much, and they are especially afraid that outsiders will disrespect their ancestors' words and deeds.

5. Don't talk loudly, spit or throw things in public places, and keep your clothes neat and decent.

VI. Prices and supply

Prices in South Africa have increased every year, but the increase is not significant, and the market is rich in materials and supplies. In South Africa, China goods can be seen everywhere, and there are China groceries and local products stores in major cities such as Joburg and Bito. China clothing shops run by China people are almost all over South African towns.

(1) Currency

The monetary unit in South Africa is the rand, and its international symbol ZAR (notes are divided into 2, 1, 5, 2 and 1 rand, coins are divided into 5, 2, 1, 5, 2 and 1 cent). 1 rand = 1 points. The approximate exchange rate of rand in 26 was US$ 1 = 6-7 rand. Traveler's checks and other major foreign currencies can be exchanged in hotels, airports and commercial banks. Fluctuations in the foreign exchange market will be reflected in daily exchange rate changes. It is only necessary for the depositor to bring his passport, and the bank will charge a handling fee of about 4%. Banking hours are: Monday to Friday: 8: 3-15: 3; Saturday: 8: 3-11: . Most students who come to South Africa carry VISA or MASTER cards. Because the security situation in South Africa is not very good, it is safer to bring cards than cash. At present, 1 rand is about 1.3 RMB.

(2) Shopping

Most South Africans go to supermarkets for shopping. There are Pick'n Pay, Game, Shoprite, Spar and other large local supermarkets. You can buy everything from food to clothes. Food prices are generally more expensive than those in China. Generally speaking, cucumbers are about 5 rand/piece. Eggplant is about 8 rand/kg, tomato is about 7 rand/kg, cabbage is also a home-cooked dish here, about 7 rand/kg, carrot is 4 rand/kg, onion is 4 rand/kg, potato is 6 rand/kg, egg is 15 rand/18, and chicken is 14 rand/kg. The local fruits in South Africa are cheaper than those in China

The clothing brands in South Africa are basically "imported goods", such as Nike, Adidas, Reebok, etc., which are very popular here. The local ones are Mr. Price, Edgar, etc.

VII. Traffic and travel

South Africa's traffic safety and precautions for traveling

South Africa's traffic is developed and highways extend in all directions, but due to the fact that In cities, the main means of transportation is private cars, and public transportation is backward. There are only a few bus routes, and most of them are minibuses. There are planes and trains between major cities, but the number of trains is less, and there are certain safety problems.

The traffic rule in South Africa is to keep to the left.