If you’re making cross-border payments, you’re being charged R500 to R1 000 in SWIFT fees on every single transaction – regardless of the amount you’re sending. For businesses making 10 transactions a month, that’s R5 000 to R10 000 vanishing before your money even reaches its destination.
That changes today. Global payments company 80eight has eliminated SWIFT fees entirely for the next three months – giving South African businesses and individuals a limited-time opportunity to save thousands on international transfers.
While the zero-SWIFT promotion runs until mid-May 2026, 80eight’s permanently low fees – up to 50% cheaper than traditional banks – mean you’ll keep saving long after the promotion ends.
“Our low fees make us one of the cheapest options for cross-border payments in the market. The current promotion combines zero SWIFT fees for three months with roughly half the usual bank charges,” says Faadil Moti, CEO of 80eight.
Real savings: How one importer saved R15 000 monthly
The numbers speak for themselves.
Moti shares the story of a South African importer who was making 15 international payments monthly – paying R15 000 in SWIFT fees alone, plus another 2.5% in banking spreads. After switching to 80eight, their monthly costs dropped by R100 000.
“That money went straight back into inventory and growth,” says Moti. “Within six months, they’d expanded their product line and doubled their revenue.”
Perfect timing for offshore investors
Adds Moti: “It’s the same for people who are investing abroad. By saving on transaction fees you have more available to invest. Now is a logical time to be doing that, given the recent strength of the rand. Sending money abroad without having to pay SWIFT fees, combined with our very low buy-sell spread fees, means your overseas investments compound over the years and could result in much better investment performance over time.
“SWIFT fees are an outdated tax on doing international business.”
The buy-sell spread fees add another 2-3% to the cost of cross-border transfers.
“Banks charge 2-3% spreads simply because they can, not because they must. At 80eight, we’ve proven you can deliver superior service at half the cost,” says Moti.
“Compare your last bank statement to what you’d pay with us – most businesses discover they’ve been overpaying by 40-60% for years.”
He explains that 80eight is able to offer such deep discounts on cross-border payments due to much of the grunt work done behind the scenes being automated.
This, combined with a team of forex experts, ensures that customers are never more than a phone call away when they need to query or chase up a transaction. And these are all experts in foreign currency regulations and processes, so customers can get their questions answered immediately without being shunted to another agent – as happens with the banks.
The current exchange rate (around R15.90-R16 to the USD) is favourable for importers compared to prior years, but high SWIFT and bank fees still squeeze cash flows and margins.
“With the rand currently trading around R15.90 to the dollar and zero SWIFT fees for three months, there’s never been a better time to make the switch,” says Moti.
“Calculate what you paid in fees last month. Then imagine keeping that money in your business instead.”
How to claim your zero SWIFT fee period
The process is straightforward: download the 80eight app, complete the simple onboarding, and start transacting.
New users automatically qualify for three months of zero SWIFT fees on all cross-border payments. No minimum transaction amounts, no hidden catches – just immediate savings on every international transfer you make.
How 80eight delivers better rates
So how does 80eight consistently beat bank rates by such wide margins?
The platform combines cutting-edge technology with human expertise:
- Bulk transaction pooling for better forex rates;
- Dedicated human consultants (no chatbots);
- Full transparency and regulator-compliant records; and
- A single low fee, with no bank switches required.
Human touch combined with cutting-edge tech
Banks’ attempts to automate forex services often lead to frustrating loops.
80eight overcomes this by allocating account managers to each client – account managers who understand your business, handle regulations, taxes, and logistics – all at no extra charge. This outsourced treasury expertise supports complex cross-border needs.
Financing and global networks for SMEs
80eight offers SME financing to fuel trade and expansion, plus access to a network of over 30 000 trusted international businesses across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe – opening new suppliers and markets.
By eliminating SWIFT fees for the next three months, slashing spreads permanently, providing financing and connecting clients globally, 80eight makes cross-border payments and trade more affordable and accessible for South Africans.
All of this is now available on the 80eight app.
80eight operates as a licensed Treasury Outsourced Company (TOC) and an authorised financial services provider (FSP 49010) in South Africa. This ensures compliance and transparency for all clients. Beyond payments, 80eight’s ecosystem includes crypto trading, investment tools, wallet infrastructure, and lending for SMEs – all accessible through the 80eight app.
Brought to you by 80eight.
Moneyweb does not endorse any product or services being advertised in sponsored article on our platform.
#SWIFT #Fees #Months #80eight #Forex