Freight to South Africa from the UK
South Africa is the most developed economy on the continent and a well-established UK trade lane. We move air and sea freight to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha every week from our base near Heathrow. We know Durban's container procedures, SARS customs and NRCS compliance from decades of hands-on experience -- not from a textbook.
Air Transit
1-2 days
Heathrow to Johannesburg
Sea Transit
18-25 days
UK to Durban
Departures
Weekly
Air & sea consolidations
Serving South Africa
40+ years
Since the 1980s
Air or Sea?
Choosing the Right Mode to South Africa
Most shipments to South Africa go by sea for cost or by air for speed. Here is the quick version -- and if you are not sure, send us the details and we will recommend the most economical route for your cargo.
Air Freight
- Typical transit
- 1-2 days
- Gateways
- OR Tambo (JNB), Cape Town (CPT)
- Best for
- Urgent, high-value or low-volume cargo, AOG parts, samples
Sea Freight
- Typical transit
- 18-25 days
- Gateways
- Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha, Ngqura
- Best for
- Bulk, heavy or cost-sensitive cargo, full or part containers
Our Services
How We Ship to South Africa
Air Freight
Direct flights from Heathrow to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and Cape Town. We book cargo space with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and other carriers operating these routes daily.
- 1-2 day transit to Johannesburg
- Express next-flight-out available
- Weekly consolidations for better rates
- Cape Town and Durban airport options
Sea Freight
FCL and LCL services from Felixstowe, Southampton and Tilbury to Durban -- the busiest container port in sub-Saharan Africa -- plus Cape Town, Gqeberha and Ngqura. Direct sailings take around 18-25 days.
- 20ft and 40ft FCL containers
- LCL consolidation weekly
- RoRo and breakbulk for vehicles & plant
- Durban, Cape Town & Gqeberha coverage
Inland Delivery
South Africa has excellent road infrastructure. Our agents arrange onward delivery from Durban to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and across the country, including to bonded warehouses and neighbouring SADC markets.
- Durban to Johannesburg in 1-2 days
- Nationwide trucking coverage
- Bonded warehouse storage available
- Onward delivery into the SADC region
Compliance
Customs & Documentation for South Africa
South African imports are administered by SARS, the South African Revenue Service. Your consignee must be a registered importer with a customs code before any cargo can clear, and every shipment is declared on a SAD500. Getting the registration or paperwork wrong means cargo sits at Durban accruing storage.
Many manufactured goods -- electrical products, automotive components, building materials and more -- fall under compulsory specifications and need a Letter of Authority from the NRCS, plus SABS standards compliance. Food, drugs and medical devices are regulated by SAHPRA and the Department of Health. We check every shipment against these requirements before it ships.
Our agents at Durban, Cape Town and OR Tambo work with SARS daily. When an inspection or query holds a container, we resolve it quickly rather than leaving your cargo to sit.
Key Documentation
SARS Importer's Code
Your consignee must be a registered importer
SAD500 Customs Declaration
Standard South African import declaration
NRCS Letter of Authority
For goods under compulsory specifications
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
Standard for all shipments
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Transport document for sea or air
Certificate of Origin
Required for preferential duty treatment
SAHPRA Documentation
For medicines and medical devices
Import Duty & VAT
Customs duty plus 15% VAT as applicable
What We Ship
Common Cargo Types to South Africa
Mining & Industrial Equipment
Machinery, spares and project cargo for South Africa's mining sector. We handle heavy and oversized loads through Durban and on to the inland industrial hubs.
Automotive & Components
South Africa has a major automotive manufacturing base around Gqeberha and Durban. We move components, spares and equipment for the sector, both finished and just-in-time.
Machinery & Capital Equipment
Production machinery, plant and capital equipment for manufacturing and agriculture. FCL and breakbulk services to Durban and Cape Town.
Consumer Goods & FMCG
Electronics, textiles, cosmetics and packaged foods. We consolidate smaller shipments weekly, keeping per-kilo costs down for importers and retailers.
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Temperature-controlled shipments of medical supplies, lab equipment and pharmaceuticals, handled to GDP standards with SAHPRA documentation support for regulated goods.
Personal Effects & Relocations
Household goods, vehicles and personal belongings for people relocating between the UK and South Africa. Door-to-door packing, shipping and delivery.
FAQ
South Africa Freight FAQs
How long does shipping to South Africa take?
Air freight from Heathrow to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) takes 1-2 days depending on whether you choose express or standard consolidation. Sea freight from the UK to Durban takes around 18-25 days for direct sailings; Cape Town is similar. Add 3-7 days for customs clearance with SARS depending on documentation and any NRCS inspection. We give realistic timelines based on current conditions, not best-case estimates.
What documents do I need to ship to South Africa?
At minimum you need a commercial invoice, packing list, and a bill of lading or air waybill. Your South African consignee must be registered with SARS (the South African Revenue Service) and hold a customs importer's code; clearance is filed on a SAD500 declaration. Goods covered by compulsory specifications -- many electrical, automotive and building products -- require a Letter of Authority from the NRCS (National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications). We prepare export documentation and guide your consignee through the import requirements.
How much does freight to Johannesburg or Durban cost?
Air freight to Johannesburg starts from around GBP 3-5 per kilo for consolidated shipments; express next-flight-out costs more. Sea freight for a 20ft container from the UK to Durban starts from approximately GBP 1,900-2,800 depending on carrier and season. LCL sea freight starts from roughly GBP 90-130 per cubic metre. These are guide prices -- we quote exact rates based on your cargo's weight, volume and commodity.
Can you ship dangerous goods to South Africa?
Yes. KAM Freight is IATA DG certified and handles all nine classes of dangerous goods by air and sea. We manage classification, packaging, labelling and documentation. Common DG shipments to South Africa include mining and industrial chemicals, lithium batteries, paints and aerosols. Some items face additional restrictions, so we check compliance before booking.
Do you handle customs clearance in South Africa?
Yes. Our clearing agents handle customs at Durban, Cape Town and OR Tambo Airport to SARS requirements. We prepare the SAD500 declaration, manage NRCS Letter of Authority and SABS compliance where required, coordinate duty and VAT, and arrange inland delivery to Johannesburg, Pretoria and across the country.
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Learn moreReady to ship to South Africa?
Get a quote for air or sea freight to Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town or anywhere in South Africa. We typically respond within two hours.