If your business sells construction equipment or capital equipment, it likely falls under the High-Value Goods Dealer classification and is therefore an Accountable Institution under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA). That means the Financial Intelligence Centre’s (FIC's) newly issued Directive 11 requires you to complete and submit a Risk and Compliance Return (RCR) by July 31, 2026.

If you are not sure if this applies to you, you can read more about High-Value Goods Dealers here to find out whether your business falls within this classification.

On March 31, 2026, the FIC officially issued Directive 11 of 2026, mandating High-Value Goods Dealers and other Accountable Institutions to submit their 2026 RCR electronically within set deadlines.

The RCR questionnaire gives the FIC insight into how institutions understand and manage money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing risks across different sectors in South Africa. In short, the FIC wants to know whether your business understands the risks it faces, how those risks are measured, whether you know your clients, and whether you can identify (and act on) suspicious activity.

As the deadline approaches, there is a sharp rise in questions and requests for guidance. One thing is clear: this is not a submission you can complete in ten minutes.

If this feels like unfamiliar territory, you are not alone. Many High-Value Goods Dealers are tackling this requirement for the first time.

Step-by-Step Guide

FICA compliance software and services provider nCino KYC Africa works with High-Value Goods Dealers across South Africa to simplify FICA compliance. To make this year's submission easier, it has put together a step-by-step guide to submitting your RCR.

Download the Directive 11 guide here >>

However, be aware that compliance does not end on July 31, 2026.

The July 31 deadline is only the starting point — FICA compliance is an ongoing responsibility. If your business does not yet have the right tools in place to manage it, now is the time to find a reliable partner. Reach out to nCino KYC for any FICA-related questions, or to see how its software can streamline your processes.

kycafrica.sales@ncino.com