PayShap fees by bank (2026): which is cheapest?
PayShap is South Africa's instant inter-bank payment rail — to a cellphone ("ShapID") or an account, up to R3,000. The price varies sharply by bank: from free (TymeBank, Nedbank via ShapID) to about R5.50. Here are the 2026 fees, sourced per bank.
PayShap fee by bank (2026, sourced)
| Bank | Fee | Free under | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TymeBank | Free via ShapID (≤ R5,000) | all (ShapID) | 2026 | TymeBank PayShap page |
| Standard Bank | R2 flat (≤ R3,000) | — | 1 Jan 2026 | Standard Bank Access Account 2026 pricing guide |
| Capitec | R1 internal / R2 external | ≤ R100 free | 1 Mar 2026 | Capitec PayShap page + official channels |
| Absa | R2 to ShapID / R5.50 to account | — | 1 Jan 2026 | Absa Internet Banking Fees 2026 |
| Nedbank | ShapID free (R0.50 one tier) / account R10 | ShapID free | 1 Jan 2026 | Nedbank Everyday Banking Fees 2026 |
| FNB | R3.50 to another bank / R1 FNB-to-FNB | none published | 1 Jul 2026 | FNB 2026/27 pricing guides |
| Discovery Bank | tiered (~R1 ≤R100, ~R5 ≤R1,000, ~0.5% above) — verify | 30 free/mo on some tiers | 2026 | comparison sites — verify on Discovery's guide |
| Investec | free ≤ R500, then R6 — verify | ≤ R500 | 2026 | factsheet — verify on Investec's guide |
How to send a PayShap
In your bank's app, choose PayShap, enter the recipient's ShapID (cellphone) or account number and the amount (up to R3,000), then confirm. Register your own ShapID once in the app first to receive for free.
Limits & requirements
Up to R3,000 per transaction, to a ShapID (linked to a cellphone number) or a bank account. You register a ShapID once in your bank's app.
PayShap vs the cash-send products
Total cost to send R500 to someone without a bank account (send + till withdrawal), computed from our verified 2026 fees:
| Product | Total (R500) |
|---|---|
| TymeBank SendMoneyCheapest | R10.00 |
| FNB eWallet | R11.00 |
| Nedbank Send iMali | R12.00 |
| Absa CashSend | R13.50 |
| Standard Bank Instant Money | R20.00 |
| Capitec Send Cash | verify |
| PayShap(this page) | R0–R5.50 (to a ShapID/account, no cash) |
Assumes a supermarket-till withdrawal (the cheapest channel); an ATM can cost more. PayShap goes to an account/ShapID, not cash — it's the alternative for a recipient who HAS an account.
Bottom line: for R500, the cheapest way to hand cash to someone without an account is TymeBank SendMoney, at R10.00 all-in (send + till withdrawal). Always compare the final amount before sending.
Frequently asked questions
Is PayShap free?
It depends on the bank: TymeBank is free via ShapID (up to R5,000) and Nedbank is free to a ShapID; Standard Bank and Absa charge ~R2, FNB R3.50 to another bank. On the receive side, PayShap is always free.
What is a ShapID?
A ShapID is a PayShap identifier linked to your cellphone number that you register once in your bank's app. Paying a ShapID is usually cheaper than paying to an account number.
What is the PayShap limit?
PayShap settles up to R3,000 per transaction, at all participating banks.
Which banks have PayShap?
2026 participants: Absa, African Bank, Al Baraka, Capitec, Discovery, FNB, HBZ, Investec, Nedbank, OM Bank, Standard Bank and TymeBank.
Receiving money from abroad
These products are for sending money WITHIN South Africa to someone without a bank account — they are not international receive channels. To receive money from abroad, or to send it across the region (Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia), see our dedicated routes.
For example, to send to a mobile wallet in Zimbabwe, Malawi or Zambia, a remittance service like Mukuru, Mama Money or Hello Paisa handles it — not a bank cash-send product, which stays domestic to South Africa.