Moving to South Africa

You will need to decide whether you want to use groupage (shared) container shipping or if you want to have your own dedicated container. This usually depends on the amount of stuff you have to move – but having your own container is also quicker.

A Full Container Load is, as suggested, a container you have available to fill entirely with your own contents. It would be a sensible choice if you are moving an entire houseful of items, although the containers can vary in size from 20ft to 40ft. It would be likely to take between three to six weeks to reach South Africa.

A Shared/Groupage/Part Load Container is where you share a shipping container with other people also transporting to the same destination. It’s a more cost effective way to transport your belongings – and would be more suitable if you had smaller amounts to transport. A shared container will take slightly longer to arrive in South Africa – probably somewhere between six to 10 weeks.

These timings are all subject to change based on customs or immigration delays and can also be affected by the weather.

All shipped items will be subject to customs checks for which additional time will need to be factored in – usually seven to ten days, but this can vary depending on how busy it is. Items are then delivered by removal van to your final destination.

You should be allowed to ship the majority of household goods and personal effects duty free, provided they have been owned and used for at least 12 months prior to your move.