In South Africa, more freelancers are choosing flexible, independent careers across fields like design, writing, digital marketing, tech, and consulting. As this shift continues, one of the most common pain points they face is sending professional invoices and receiving payments in foreign currencies like USD, GBP, or EUR. Between complicated banking systems, slow international transfers, and unclear exchange rates, many freelancers find themselves frustrated and underpaid.

However, the solution to this is easier than you think. With digital solutions like Grey, you can create and send professional invoices, receive payments in major currencies, and withdraw your money smoothly into your South African bank account.

Also read: How South African freelancers can receive payments from the US, UK & EU clients

Why South African freelancers must invoice the right way

• Legitimacy: Sending an invoice shows that you're a professional, not just doing "a side gig." It helps you buildtrust and long-term relationships with your clients.
• Compliance: Proper invoicing supports your business documentation, especially when it comes to tax reporting with SARS (South African Revenue Service).
• Clear expectations: Your invoice lays out exactly what you delivered, how much you're owed, and when you're expecting payment—removing confusion on both ends.
• Paper trail: If there's ever a dispute, your invoice serves as evidence of the terms agreed upon and the work completed.

Also read:  How to manage freelance income and taxes in South Africa

Top platforms to send professional invoices across borders

1. Grey: Grey allows you to create invoices in USD, GBP, or EUR and receive payments into your foreign bank  accounts. From there, you can convert and withdraw funds to your South African bank account—no paperwork, no fuss.
2. PayPal: Widely used and accepted globally, PayPal lets you send invoices and receive payments. However, conversion rates and fees can be high when withdrawing to a South African account.
3. Zoho Invoice: This free, feature-rich tool helps you manage multiple clients, currencies, and tax settings. It also has built-in  invoice templates and automation.
4. Wave: Wave is a free  tool that helps with invoicing, receipts, and accounting, although some payment features may be limited in South Africa. It is great for freelancers just starting out**.**

Steps to create and send an Invoice with Grey

Step 1: Open a free account on Grey

• Go to Grey.co and sign up.
• Complete your Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA) compliance by uploading your South African ID or passport and proof of address.
• Once verified, you’ll get access to your  UK, US and EU bank accounts

Step 2: Set up your local and foreign accounts

• Link your South African bank account for withdrawals.
• Choose the currency your client will pay in and generate the appropriate invoice.

Step 3: Generate a professional invoice

• Go to your Grey dashboard and click on “Invoice”.

Click “Create New Invoice”.

Fill in the required fields:

Once you've filled out all the necessary fields in your Grey invoice, click on “Proceed to Preview” to review the entire invoice before sending it.

This step allows you to double-check everything for accuracy, including names, amounts, due dates, and currency. It's your chance to make sure your invoice looks polished and professional just like a real business should.

4. Share the invoice

Once you click "Send invoice," an email containing the invoice is automatically sent to your customer and is not retractable.

Also read: Best ways to receive international wire transfers in South Africa

Invoice global clients with Grey

As a South African freelancer, working with global clients is a major opportunity—but only if you have the right tools to support your business. With Grey, you can send clear, professional invoices and receive international payments straight into your foreign account without stress.Create your free Grey account today and start invoicing global clients

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