Send parcels, barrels, vehicles, containers and commercial cargo to Africa with clear guidance, flexible air and sea cargo options, and support from a team that understands African shipping routes.
Whether you are sending a few boxes to Johannesburg, moving household items to Cape Town, or shipping commercial stock through Durban, Cargo to Africa can help you do it seamlessly and at prices you can afford. We handle enquiries for parcels, boxes, luggage, personal effects, household goods, furniture, pallets, commercial cargo and containers. Our cargo specialities include air freight, sea freight and selected door to door shipping to South Africa.
For a long distance route like South Africa, choosing the correct transport method can make all the difference in both cost and practicality. If you require to send parcels urgently, air freight works well for speed, while sea freight is generally more suitable for household moves, furniture, pallets, machinery and larger shipments.
| Shipping Method | Best Used For | Typical Cargo | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air freight | Urgent or lighter goods | Boxes, parcels, documents, business stock | Faster international transport |
| Sea freight | Heavy or bulky shipments | Furniture, personal effects, pallets | Practical for larger volumes |
| Door-to-door | Customers wanting one organised journey | Boxes, luggage, household goods | Reduces separate transport arrangements |
| Shared container / LCL | Cargo not filling a full container | Furniture, boxes, business stock | Pay for part of the container space |
| Full container | Large moves or commercial shipments | Household contents, machinery, stock | Dedicated 20ft or 40ft container space |
You can send parcels to South Africa with our cargo service without a problem, but in our decades of experience, we have noticed that many UK to South Africa shipments are larger than normal postal parcels. Relocations, sending possessions to family, supplying a business or moving goods between UK and South African operations.
Usual cargo to South Africa includes packed boxes, clothes, personal effects, furniture, household belongings, tools, business goods, machinery and palletized freight, subject to import rules.
South Africa’s size and location ensure several cargo terminals are available, which makes routing more flexible. UK sea freight may move through Durban, Cape Town, Ngqura or the Port Elizabeth/Gqeberha cargo terminals depending on the carrier, sailing schedule, cargo type and final destination. Transnet currently operates container facilities at Durban, Cape Town, Ngqura and Port Elizabeth, as well as Ro-Ro operations at Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Durban is particularly relevant for cargo moving towards KwaZulu-Natal and inland Gauteng. Cape Town is the natural gateway for many Western Cape shipments, while Eastern Cape cargo may be routed through Ngqura or Gqeberha. A shipment destined for Johannesburg or Pretoria therefore needs planning beyond the port itself.
You must send your cargo to South Africa with a cargo handler who understands the requirements set by the South African Revenue Service, commonly known as SARS. Our experience lets us handle the shipping documents and SARS requirements without any delays, ensuring seamless handling.
| Shipping Method | Best Used For | Typical Cargo | Main Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air freight | Urgent or lighter goods | Boxes, parcels, documents, business stock | Faster international transport |
| Sea freight | Heavy or bulky shipments | Furniture, personal effects, pallets | Practical for larger volumes |
| Door-to-door | Customers wanting one organised journey | Boxes, luggage, household goods | Reduces separate transport arrangements |
| Shared container / LCL | Cargo not filling a full container | Furniture, boxes, business stock | Pay for part of the container space |
| Full container | Large moves or commercial shipments | Household contents, machinery, stock | Dedicated 20ft or 40ft container space |
Our door to door service lets you book your cargo and get it delivered to South Africa with just a few clicks from the comfort of your home. Those returning to South Africa may qualify for customs rebate provisions on personal and household effects, subject to SARS requirements.
Door-to-door services are available for suitable cargo to destinations including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha and Bloemfontein, so providing the exact postcode or suburb helps us plan the correct inland delivery route.
You just need to fill in the form on the website or contact us at the number given on our website, and our experienced and professional staff can take care of all the procedures and ensure that your parcel is delivered to its destination on time and safe and sound.
