Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 24 2025
How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Container To South Africa?
South Africa Container Shipping Cost
If you want to transport a container abroad, you'll need to put in a lot of effort. You can't just drop it at a port and assume it will arrive at the new location on its scheduled arrival date.
Hire a reputable moving company if you want to avoid the hassle of shipping a container internationally. Also, doing this prevents you from spending too much on shipping fees.
Three Movers provides high-quality container shipping service in various locations across the world, such as Southern Africa.
But how much does it cost to ship containers to this country cost? You could pay around $2000, but that's not the final price. There are many factors that could affect your overall expenses. To give you an idea, here are the factors that affect the cost of shipping:
Factors That Affect the Cost of Shipping
The cost of transporting a container abroad varies because various factors are affecting your shipping fee.
The size of your goods, for example, has a significant impact on the shipping cost. More often than not, shipping companies determine the shipping rate using the characteristics of the shipment.
The cost of transporting bulky and heavy cargo is generally higher.
Not only that, the time when you will send your cargo will also determine the shipping rate.
There is a peak season in the shipping industry. During this time, expect instances of an increase in shipping prices and delays. In South Africa, shipping prices are frequently higher from November to March.
In addition to that, the following factors are taken into account when determining your delivery fee:
- Insurance
- Packing
- Taxes and Custom fees
- Inspections
- General Rate Increase
- Storage
Which Size Of Shipping Container Works Best For Me?
Containers are available in a variety of sizes. However, the 20ft and 40ft containers are suitable choices for residential and business moves.
The 20ft container is ideal for transporting items from a two-bedroom flat. It has enough space to keep your stuff, and there may even be room for other things such as your bicycle.
The 40ft container has doubled the storage capacity of the 20ft container. For instance, if a 20ft container can hold 10 pallets, a 40ft container can hold twenty.
Despite the fact that the 40ft container has more storage capacity, using it could also cost you less in terms of price per cubic meter.
The LCL, or Less Than Container Shipment, allows you to share the cost of a container and its storage with another individual.
However, if you don't want to deal with the hassles of a shared container, you can send your stuff via FCL (Full Container Load). You will pay for the whole container in this method of shipment.
Instant Rates For Shipping Containers To South Africa
Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets and anything which will require a full container shipping to South Africa of up to 45,000lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $1305 |
| 40 ft Container | $1500 |
LCL shipping is more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to South Africa.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $60/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $605 |
| Household Goods | $705 |
International house moving to South Africa services - quick, easy and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $500 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1500 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $2400 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $3300 |
International auto transport services to South Africa via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, suvs, atv's, boats, RV's, heavy equipment and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $900 |
| SUV (Container) | $1000 |
| Sedan via RORO | $1405 |
| SUV via RORO | $1500 |
Understanding The Different Types of Freight Transportation
Shipping company may transport your goods by land, air, or sea. However, because your container's end stop is in Cape Town, South Africa, you're limited to air or sea freight.
Air freight and marine freight are both excellent modes of transportation. However, the best option is determined by your plan or financial constraints.
Moving a container by air freight is costly, but it is quick. It would take only a day or two to get to its destination.
Likewise, sea freight is also a viable method of transportation. It's less expensive than air freight. However, the journey may take a few days or weeks. If you're not in a rush and want to save money on shipping, this is the right option for you.
What's Next?
Now that you know the factors that could affect the cost of shipping a container to Southern Africa, your next move is to contact us! We'll give you a free quote then we can start packing your things.
You can call us at (888) 202-0036 or send us an email at [email protected].
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to South Africa typically ranges from $2,800–$6,500 for a 20-foot container and $4,500–$9,500 for a 40-foot container. Pricing is driven by container size, origin port, FCL vs LCL, fuel surcharges, seasonal demand, and South African port fees at Durban or Cape Town. Inland trucking, customs clearance, and optional insurance are usually billed separately. For broader benchmarks, see international moving costs.
Full Container Load (FCL) rates to South Africa are usually more cost-efficient for households or businesses filling most of a container, with predictable pricing and faster transit. Less Than Container Load (LCL) rates are calculated per cubic meter and often cost more overall due to consolidation fees, warehouse handling, and multiple port stops. LCL is best for shipments under 15 cubic meters, while FCL reduces handling risks.
Container shipping rates are influenced by distance from the origin port, container availability, freight market conditions, fuel prices, and port congestion in South Africa. Additional cost drivers include customs inspections, documentation errors, seasonal peaks, and weather-related delays on major trade lanes. Door-to-port versus door-to-door service also changes total pricing significantly.
No. Customs duties and taxes are not included in base container shipping rates. South Africa applies import VAT at 15% plus customs duties typically ranging from 0–30%, depending on the commodity classification. Apparel and consumer goods often fall on the higher end. Duties are calculated on the declared value plus freight and insurance, which can materially increase landed costs.
Ocean transit to South Africa generally takes 25–40 days from the U.S. East Coast and 35–50 days from the West Coast. Clearance at South African ports usually takes 2–5 business days if documentation is complete. Delays are most often caused by customs exams, port congestion, or missing certificates, which can extend delivery timelines and increase storage charges.
Required documents typically include a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and South African customs declaration. Certain goods require certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, or import permits. Incomplete or inaccurate paperwork is one of the most common causes of delays and added port storage fees during international moves.
Yes. Marine insurance is strongly recommended because carrier liability is limited and does not reflect the full value of your goods. Insurance costs are usually 1–3% of the declared cargo value and protect against loss, theft, water damage, and handling incidents during long ocean transits. Coverage is especially important for high-value household goods or commercial shipments. For planning guidance, see moving overseas shipping costs.
