Guest Article: Should you be registered as a High-Value Goods Dealer with the Financial Intelligence Centre?

In simple terms, a High-Value Goods Dealer is any person that carries on the business of selling or trading singular items, known as High-Value Goods, for R100 000.00 or more. If you or your Company fall within this definition, you are considered to be an Accountable Institution and Financial Intelligence Centre Act (“FICA”) obligations will therefore apply.

To provide some clarification, High-Value Goods are only tangible items that can be either movable or immovable. Non-tangible items such as shares, trading stock and commodities investments are not considered to be High-Value Goods. High-Value Goods can also be new or used items.

If your Company meets the definition of a High Value Goods Dealer, you need to ensure that it is FICA compliant. Failure to be FICA compliant may result in a hefty administrative sanction or fine issued by the Financial Intelligence Centre (“FIC”).

FICA compliance entails, but is not limited to, the following:

  1. Registration with the Financial Intelligence Centre;
  2. The appointment of a Compliance Officer;
  3. The development and implementation of a Risk Management and Compliance Programme;
  4. Training staff on anti-money laundering legislation;
  5. Conducting Customer Due Diligence processes;
  6. Targeted Financial Sanctions screening; and
  7. Reporting to the FIC.

The FICA obligations that apply to High-Value Goods Dealers are fortunately ringfenced to scenarios where the full High-Value Goods Dealer definition is met. This means that the full FICA obligations are limited to scenarios where a High-Value Good is being sold and not where items under R100 000.00 are being sold.

It is important to note, however, that suspicious and unusual transaction reporting where necessary and Targeted Financial Screening must always be completed.

If you require clarification on if you or your Company falls within the category of a High-Value Goods Dealer, or need assistance with the compliance elements involved, please contact jennifer@roedl.com for more information.


This article was brought to you by Rödl & Partner. A Premium Member of the Austrian Business Chamber.

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