Cost of Shipping a Container to South Africa
Published by Chris Townsend
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
There will be a lot of documents that you’ll need when shipping internationally. Below is a list of the most important documents you might be required to obtain for a smooth-sailing shipment process:
• Commercial Invoice.
• Packing List.
• Import Customs Declaration.
• Bill of Lading & Sea Waybill.
• Certificates (production, vessel, phytosanitary)
• Arrival Notice.
• Certificate of Origin.
• Importer Security Filing (local customs requirements)
• Letter of Credit.
Additional documentation, special licenses, customs clearance, or government permission might be needed if you’re shipping specific products. Below is a list of some documentation you might possibly need if there are certain goods you will ship:
• Health Certificate
• Ingredients Certificate
• Inspection Certificate
• Pre-Shipment Inspection certificate
• Phytosanitary Certificate/quarantine certificate
• Radiation Certificate
• Electronic Export Information
• Certificate of Health or Sanitation
• Generic Certificate of Origin
• Dangerous Goods Certificate
• Fisheries Certificate
• Fumigation Certificate
• Halal Certificate
• Dock Receipt and Warehouse Receipt
• ISPM 15 (Wood Packaging) Marking certificate
• Product manual or Product catalog
• Certified Engineer’s Report
• Chartered engineer’s certificate
• Product specification certificate
The Bill of Lading serves a lot of functions: receipt, title, and contract between the carrier and the shipper. This is the most important document that you will acquire during the whole shipment process. Port details and quantity of the goods are also detailed in this piece of paper.
If you want to ship to South Africa, you should know that there are prohibited and restricted items, as do in every country. In South Africa, there is an extensive list of those items. Below is the list of prohibited items:
• Ammunition
• Coffee and Coffee Samples
• Cotton seeds
• Dangerous Goods as defined by IATA (Intl. Air Transport Association)
• Drugs and narcotics
• Drugs, Prescription and Non-Prescription
• Dry Ice
• Furniture
• Furs
• Grain samples
• Honey, beeswax, bees, and their larvae or eggs, used beehive appliances
• Personal Effects
• Plant products
• Plants
• Plants, seeds, bulbs, raw cotton
• Pornographic or objectionable materials
• Seeds
• Ship spares
• Shoes
• Tea
• Textile articles
• Tobacco and Tobacco Leaves
• Uncooked meat/poultry
• Uncut diamonds
• Unwrought gold
• Fully automatic, military, and unnumbered weapons, explosives, and fireworks
• Poison and other toxic substances
• Cigarettes with a mass of more than 2 kilograms per 1,000
• Goods to which a trade description or trademark is applied in contravention of any Act (for example, counterfeit goods)
• Unlawful reproductions of any works subject to copyright
• Prison-made and penitentiary-made goods
In 1994, South Africa reformed and simplified its tariff system. Tariff rates have been reduced from a simple average of more than 20 percent to an average of 5.8 percent. Tariff rates mostly fall within eight levels ranging from 0 to 30 percent, but some are higher especially for apparel. Nearly all South Africa’s specific and composite duties were converted to ad valorem rates (a tax, duty, or fee which varies based on the value of the products, services, or property on which it is levied), with a few exceptions remaining in a limited number of sectors, including textile and apparel products. The rates range from 0-40%.
FCL means “Full Cargo Load”. This mode of loading is when a client utilizes one container for all of the items to be shipped. They will be responsible for packing and unpacking the container from the departure point to the destination. Once it is shipped, the cargo goes straight to its intended port with being reworked through multiple stops.
Less Than Cargo Load (LCL) or Less Container Load is when multiple clients make use of one container. The shipping line will be incharge of packing and unpacking the container for all of the clients. The cargo inside the container may be on the way to different destinations. Once it is sent for shipping, the container can go through multiple ports, getting reworked and reorganized each time.
Yes, it is possible to track your cargo intransit through the “cargo tracking system”. You will be able to do so from anywhere and anytime in the world. To do so, you will need your container number, your Bill of Lading, your booking number, and the shipping line.
It is important that you get insurance to ensure that you are well-protected from damages, loss, and unprecedented circumstances. If you refuse to do so, the container rental company will usually require you to insure their box.
The estimated time for goods entering and exiting South Africa can range from a few minutes, if you provide enough documentation, to five days.
