Quick Answer
USSD code charges South Africa are not the same for every code. A USSD code can be free to dial, charged at a standard network rate, linked to a paid transaction, or treated as a premium-rated service. Always check the official network, bank, government department, or service provider before using a code.
Last checked: 26 June 2026.
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Are USSD codes free? | Some are free, but not all. |
| Do USSD codes use data? | USSD usually works without mobile data because it runs through the phone dialler, not a website or app. |
| Can I use USSD without airtime? | Sometimes. Some banks and providers offer selected USSD routes that work without airtime. |
| Can a USSD code charge me money? | Yes. A code may trigger a purchase, bank transaction, subscription, or premium-rated service. |
| Is there one code to check all USSD charges? | No. Charges depend on the provider, code, service, and current terms. |
For example, Vodacom says using *135*02# for Vodacom Express Recharge is free, but the user still pays for the airtime or data bought and any applicable bank card charges. (Vodacom) Absa says users do not need airtime to bank using Absa Cellphone Banking on *120*2272#. (Absa) Capitec says users can dial *130*3279# free of charge to top up prepaid airtime when out of airtime. (Capitec Bank) Standard Bank says there are no monthly subscription or sign-up fees for cellphone banking, but standard network rates apply when registering. (Standard Bank)
The safest rule is simple: do not assume a USSD code is free just because it starts with *120#, *130#, *135#, or another familiar prefix. Check the official source first.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Check what type of USSD code you are using
Before dialling, decide what the code is meant to do.
| USSD code type | Common use | Charge risk |
|---|---|---|
| Balance check | Airtime, data, SMS, account balance | Usually low, if official |
| Recharge code | Buy airtime, bundles, electricity, vouchers | Medium, because a purchase may follow |
| Banking code | View balance, transfer money, send cash, buy prepaid | Medium to high, because fees or transaction limits may apply |
| Subscription code | Content, games, competitions, downloads, alerts | High, because recurring or premium charges may apply |
| Public-service code | Grants, tax, UIF, Home Affairs, application checks | Medium, because fake codes are common |
If a code asks for money, ID details, a bank PIN, subscription approval, or payment confirmation, slow down and verify it.
2. Confirm whether the USSD route is official
Use only official provider sources. For mobile networks, check the network’s website or app. For banking, check the bank’s official cellphone banking page and current fee guide. For government services, check the department’s official website or verified public-service channel.
Do not rely on forwarded WhatsApp messages, TikTok clips, Facebook comments, copied USSD lists, or third-party “support” numbers.
3. Check whether airtime is needed
Some USSD services can work without airtime, but this depends on the provider and the exact code.
Absa states that users do not need airtime to use Absa Cellphone Banking. (Absa) Capitec states that registered users can access mobile banking on *120*3279#, and if they are out of airtime they can dial *130*3279# free of charge to top up prepaid. (Capitec Bank) Standard Bank lists *120*2345# and *130*2345# for cellphone banking registration, while noting that standard network rates apply when registering. (Standard Bank)
This does not mean every USSD code works without airtime. It only means that selected official codes may work without airtime.
4. Read every screen before pressing send
USSD menus move quickly, but the final screen is important. Do not continue if the screen asks you to accept a charge you do not understand.
Stop if the menu asks you to:
- Subscribe to a daily, weekly, or monthly service.
- Confirm a paid content service.
- Enter a PIN for a service you did not choose.
- Pay for a competition, download, alert, ringtone, game, or content service.
- Confirm a bank transaction with the wrong amount or recipient.
- Continue without showing the cost clearly.
WASPA explains that premium-rated services can be charged to a prepaid airtime balance or monthly phone bill, and that premium-rated services cost more than the standard rate for services such as voice, SMS, MMS, USSD, or WAP. (WASPA) ICASA’s premium-rated service rules also require costs to be clearly conveyed before use so that end-users can make informed decisions. (Government of South Africa)
5. Confirm the fee before completing a transaction
For banking and prepaid purchases, the USSD access charge is not always the only cost. A transaction can still include the product price, a bank fee, a send-cash fee, a card charge, or a service fee.
Capitec, for example, states that sending cash between R40 and R1,000 using the app or *120*3279# costs R8. (Capitec Bank) Vodacom’s Express Recharge page says the USSD access is free, but users pay for the airtime or data bought and any applicable bank card charges. (Vodacom)
Before confirming, check:
- The provider name.
- The amount.
- The recipient number or account.
- The product being bought.
- The fee or charge.
- Whether the charge is once-off or recurring.
6. Save proof if something goes wrong
If airtime or money is deducted unexpectedly, write down:
- The USSD code dialled.
- The date and time.
- The amount deducted.
- Any SMS confirmation.
- The provider or bank involved.
- The menu option selected, if you remember it.
Then contact the official network, bank, or service provider. Do not use unofficial refund links or third-party WhatsApp numbers.
Important Notes Before You Use the Code
Check network and account status
A USSD session can fail if signal is weak, the SIM is inactive, the account is blocked, the bank profile is not registered, or the service is unavailable. Move to a better signal area and try again once.
If the task involves money, check your balance or transaction history before retrying.
Retry safely
Do not repeatedly confirm the same payment, airtime purchase, send-cash transaction, or subscription. Wait for an SMS confirmation first. If no confirmation arrives, check your airtime balance, bank app, or provider account before trying again.
Know the difference between free access and free service
A code can be free to dial but still lead to a paid purchase. Vodacom’s *135*02# example is a good illustration: the USSD access is free, but the user still pays for the airtime or data bought and possible bank card charges. (Vodacom)
A banking code can also have no subscription fee but still have standard network rates, transaction fees, or product charges depending on the action. Standard Bank says there are no monthly subscription or sign-up fees for cellphone banking, but standard network rates apply when registering. (Standard Bank)
Watch for premium-rated services
Premium-rated USSD services are higher-risk because they may charge more than a standard service. WASPA says premium-rate services are goods and services that can be charged to a prepaid airtime balance or monthly phone bill. (WASPA)
Be careful with USSD menus linked to:
- Competitions.
- Games.
- Adult content.
- Downloads.
- Daily tips.
- Paid alerts.
- Entertainment subscriptions.
- “Claim prize” messages.
- Unverified grant or refund messages.
Use the official support route
If you believe you were charged incorrectly, contact the official provider. For network charges, contact your mobile network. For bank transactions, contact your bank. For premium-rated content, ask the network or WASPA complaint route for help. For public-service codes, use the official government department’s website or contact centre.
Related Codes and Alternatives
| Need | Next guide |
|---|---|
| Full national USSD directory | USSD codes South Africa |
| No-data and no-internet USSD help | USSD codes without internet |
| Bank-specific USSD routes | Banking USSD codes South Africa |
| Everyday popular codes | Popular USSD codes South Africa |
USSD is useful when you do not have data, but it is not always the safest route for every task. For banking, disputes, subscriptions, personal-information updates, and public-service applications, the official app, official website, branch, ATM, verified call centre, or official support desk may be safer.
FAQs
What is USSD code charges South Africa used for?
This guide helps South African users understand when a USSD code may be free, when it may need airtime, when standard network rates may apply, and when a paid transaction or premium-rated charge may be involved.
Are USSD codes free in South Africa?
Some USSD codes are free, but not all. Vodacom says *135*02# for Express Recharge is free to use, but users still pay for the airtime or data purchased and any applicable bank card charges. (Vodacom) Other codes may use standard network rates, transaction charges, or premium-rated fees.
Can I use USSD without airtime?
Sometimes. Absa says users do not need airtime to bank using Absa Cellphone Banking. (Absa) Capitec says *130*3279# is free to dial for prepaid top-ups when users are out of airtime. (Capitec Bank) Always check the exact code with your provider.
Do USSD codes need mobile data?
USSD normally works through the phone dialler, so it is commonly used without mobile data or a smartphone app. However, “no data” does not always mean “no cost”. A USSD session can still lead to a purchase, bank fee, subscription, or premium-rated charge.
What is the code for USSD code charges South Africa?
There is no single national USSD code that checks all USSD charges in South Africa. Charges depend on the mobile network, bank, service provider, task, and current terms. Check the official provider page for the specific code you want to use.
What should I do if a USSD code does not work?
Check signal, make sure the SIM is active, confirm the code is typed correctly, and retry once. If it still fails, use the provider’s official app, website, branch, ATM, or verified support route. Do not keep retrying a transaction if airtime or money may already have been deducted.
Why did my airtime disappear after using a USSD code?
The deduction may be linked to a purchase, a standard USSD charge, a bank transaction, a premium-rated service, or a subscription. Check your SMS messages and balance history, then contact your network or service provider with the date, time, code used, and amount deducted.
How do I avoid paid USSD subscriptions?
Do not accept any prompt that mentions a daily fee, weekly fee, monthly fee, competition, paid content, download, alert, or premium service unless you deliberately want it and understand the charge. If the wording is unclear, cancel the session.
Are banking USSD codes free?
Not always. Some banks offer selected USSD services that work without airtime, while others may apply standard network rates or transaction fees. Absa says users do not need airtime for its cellphone banking service. (Absa) Standard Bank says there are no monthly subscription or sign-up fees, but standard network rates apply when registering. (Standard Bank)
Where can I find related USSD codes?
Start with USSD codes South Africa for the main directory, USSD codes without internet for no-data access, Banking USSD codes South Africa for bank routes, and Popular USSD codes South Africa for common everyday codes.