Free invoice template for South Africa

Create a professional invoice for South Africa in ZAR, with VAT calculated at 15%. Below you’ll find what an invoice in South Africa must include, current rates and local rules — plus a free generator already set up for South Africa.

ZAR · RVAT · 15%DD/MM/YYYY

Create an invoice for South Africa — free →

Prefilled with ZAR and VAT 15% · PDF download · No sign-up

Invoicing in South Africa at a glance

Currency	South African Rand (ZAR, R)
Consumption tax	VAT
Local name	Value-Added Tax (VAT)
Standard rate	15%
Reduced rates	None
Date format	DD/MM/YYYY (e.g. 28/10/2026)
Keep invoices for	5 years
Registration / small-business threshold	R1 million taxable supplies in 12 months

Required information on an invoice in South Africa

Make sure every invoice you issue in South Africa includes:

The words “Tax Invoice”
Your name, address and VAT registration number
Recipient’s name, address and VAT number (full tax invoice, for supplies over R5,000)
Serial number and date of issue
Description and quantity of goods or services
Value of the supply, VAT amount and total (or a statement that VAT is included at 15%)

Rules and tips for South Africa

VAT registration is compulsory once taxable supplies exceed R1 million in 12 months; voluntary registration is possible above R50,000.
For supplies of R5,000 or less an abridged tax invoice (without the recipient’s details) is sufficient.
Some basic foodstuffs and exports are zero-rated.
Keep invoices and records for 5 years.

Sample invoice for South Africa

This is what a typical invoice looks like with ZAR amounts and VAT applied. Create your own in the generator — your data never leaves your browser.

Your Company

123 Business Street

South Africa

Tax ID: ZA123456789

Invoice

Invoice no.: 2026-0042
Date: 01/10/2026
Due date: 15/10/2026

Bill to

Client Company

45 Client Avenue, South Africa

Description	Qty	Unit price	Amount
Consulting services (hours)	10	R 1 500,00	R 15 000,00
Website design	1	R 21 000,00	R 21 000,00

SubtotalR 36 000,00

VAT 15%R 5 400,00

TotalR 41 400,00

Payment within 14 days by bank transfer. Thank you for your business!

Create an invoice for South Africa — free →

How to make an invoice in South Africa

Open the BillKit invoice generator using the button above — it is already set to ZAR and VAT at 15%.
Add your business details: name, address and your tax or VAT registration number.
Enter your client’s name, address and (for business clients) their tax ID.
Give the invoice a unique sequential number, an issue date and a due date.
List each product or service with quantity and unit price; adjust the tax rate if a reduced rate or exemption applies.
Check the totals, add payment details, then download the PDF and send it to your client.

Frequently asked questions

What is the VAT rate in South Africa?

The standard VAT rate in South Africa is 15%.

Do I need to charge VAT on my invoices in South Africa?

Generally yes, once you are registered for VAT. Businesses below the registration or small-business threshold (R1 million taxable supplies in 12 months) usually do not charge VAT — in that case don’t show it on the invoice and, where required, state the exemption.

Which currency should I use on an invoice in South Africa?

Invoices in South Africa are normally issued in South African Rand (ZAR). You can usually invoice in a foreign currency, but many tax authorities require the tax amount to also be stated in the local currency.

How long do I need to keep invoices in South Africa?

Keep copies of all issued and received invoices for at least 5 years.

What must an invoice in South Africa include?

Key elements include: The words “Tax Invoice”; Your name, address and VAT registration number; Recipient’s name, address and VAT number (full tax invoice, for supplies over R5,000); Serial number and date of issue; Description and quantity of goods or services.

Invoice templates for nearby countries

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Create an invoice for South Africa — free

⚠️ General information, not tax or legal advice. Rules change and may depend on your situation — confirm with a local tax adviser or the tax authority. Last reviewed October 2026.