Ship a Car to South Africa from USA
Ship Overseas- Your Trusted Partner in International Car Shipping
Car Shipping From USA to South Africa
Shipping a car from the USA to South Africa is easier than you think! Especially when you partner with the best in the industry: Ship Overseas. Enlist our help as you navigate this process — we are happy to provide this guide chock full of important information. We bring almost four decades of experience to the table, backed by attention to detail and skill on all levels.
Get a free quote now. Just provide us with the Year/Make/Model of your car, Pickup Zip Code or Departure Port, and Destination Country, in this case, South Africa. Ship Overseas offers weekly sailings from three ports in the USA to one port in South Africa.
Start off your journey with a free quote, as we only need the Year/Make/Model of your car, Pickup Zip Code or Departure Port, and Destination Country in South Africa. From Durban to Cape Town, we’ve got you covered.
How Much Does it Cost to Ship a Car to South Africa?
The base price to ship a car from all three U.S. ports to South Africa is $1,975. Keep in mind this may not be your final price. These factors and more may alter your price tag.
Your final price may change with:
- The area of the U.S. your car is departing from. For instance, it costs less to ship from the East Coast than the West Coast, meaning it will cost you more to depart out of Freeport TX than Baltimore MD.
- The transportation method you choose. Some people live close enough to the departure port that they can take their own car there. This is a less expensive option. Some people live too far from the nearest port and choose to pay our truck drivers to transport their car from their home to the port. This is a more expensive option.
- The size of your vehicle. You will pay more to ship a larger car than a smaller one, meaning you will spend more to ship a truck or SUV than a compact car.
Departure and Arrival Ports
The departure ports from the USA to South Africa include:
- Freeport, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Jacksonville, FL
There is just one arrival port in South Africa: the Port of Durban. It happens to be the busiest port in South Africa and the second-largest container port in Africa.
How Long Does it Take?
It takes 50 days for your car to get to South Africa.
Additional Information About Shipping car to south africa
- South Africa does not allow the importation of used vehicles as they have their own new vehicle manufacturing plants. Mercedes Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Toyota etc are all represented there.
- When used vehicles are permitted entry into South Africa, they have to be classics cars older than 25 years. A special Import Permit is required which can be obtained from the South African Bureau of Standards. No shipping must be done until this has been obtained.
- A clear Title of Ownership with no Liens on the Title.
- If you bought a car new, then your name must be listed on the front of the Title as the registered owner.
- If the vehicle has been sold, then both the Seller and Buyer have to sign the back of the Title in the spaces as detailed on the back of the Title.
- For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot have more than a ¼ tank of gas.
- Visit the CIT website, to see if South Africa requires you to file for a FERI, ECTN, BSC or an ASHI, before it enters the country.
Additional Information
Vehicle Import Duty For South Africa
If you are in USA, contact the South African Embassy for the latest import duty.
South African Embassy
3051 Massachusetts Ave NW
District of Columbia, 20008
(202) 232-4400
If you are in South Africa, contact South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Offering weekly sailings from ports in the USA to South Africa
Our shipping vessels depart on a weekly basis from U.S. seaports to Durban and Port Elizabeth in South Africa. To get there, choose from two main car shipping methods:
RoRo Shipping – These are vessels that can ship wheeled cargo efficiently, whereby vehicles must be in good working order because they will have to be driven onto the ship via a ramp.
Container Shipping – Your car is placed inside a container and then strapped down securely for the journey. Depending on the option you choose, your vehicle could be riding solo or with other cars.
Shipping Cars for Military
Ship Overseas does not ship cars for the military to South Africa.
Documents Required to Ship a Car to South Africa
You will need these documents to ship a car to South Africa:
- Original Title
- ID
Salvage Titles
Only second-hand vehicles with special SABA Permits are allowed to be shipped.
Vehicle Age Limit
Ask your Customs broker. Yes, there is a vehicle age limit for shipping cars to South Africa, but there is a workaround.
Ship a Car to Durban
Durban, the third most populous city in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town, is the largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Perched on the east coast of South Africa, Durban is known as the busiest port in the country and one of the major centers of tourism due to its warm subtropical climate and beautiful beaches. Durban forms a portion of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, which includes surrounding towns and is home to 3.44 million. As such, it is one of the biggest cities on the Indian Ocean coast.
Ship a Car to Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth, known for short as The Bay, is one of the major cities in South Africa, nestled in the Eastern Cape Province, nearly 500 miles east of Cape Town. Known locally as PE and nicknamed “The Windy City,” Port Elizabeth stretches along the beautiful Algoa Bay, one of the major seaports in South Africa.
Port Elizabeth, the southernmost city on the African continent, was founded in 1820 to house British settlers. We ship here quite often, and therefore know the rules and regulations.
Customs Broker Information
Visit this page to learn about your Customs broker.
Our Recommended South Africa Customs Broker is:
Brandon Naicker
Logan Freight Logistics
24 Railway Lane,
Seaview, Durban, 4094
Tel: 031 465 7906 Fax: 031 465 6982
Mobile: +27 83 648 7070
Vehicle Import Tax
For the latest vehicle import tax amount for South Africa, ask your Customs broker.
Destination Handling Charge
The destination handling charge for shipping a car to South Africa is approximately $200.
Do You Need Marine Insurance?
This is recommended but we don’t require it. You would receive insurance in the amount of 1.75% of the value of the vehicle for FULL coverage of theft, vandalism, damage and total loss with a $500 deductible. Coverage starts once your car has been loaded onto the ship and lasts until the time it is collected and signed for. Total Loss is 1.25% charge for the value of the vehicle.
If you feel that Marine Insurance is too expensive to cover your car 100%, you can opt for partial coverage of 50% to 75% of the value. You would have to pay out of pocket for any damage that exceeds your covered amount though.
We told you shipping a car to South Africa was easy! Got more questions? Call us toll-free at 888-805-4994 or 858-547-0840.
Shipping Method for Shipping a Car to South Africa
Our shipping vessels depart on a weekly basis from all three U.S. seaports listed above to the Durban port. We only offer RoRo shipping from the U.S. to South Africa, not container shipping.
RoRo Shipping (Roll On/Roll Off)
If your car is still in working order, and you plan to ship a single vehicle to South Africa, RoRo shipping is a wise choice. In fact, it’s the only choice! But you will be happy to know this is the most popular, cost-effective and efficient method of shipping a car. You also get reliable departure and arrival dates, as well as protection for your vehicle from the elements. That’s because all vehicles are tied to the deck with no exposure to the ocean water and air.
This convenient and affordable choice is designed to transport wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, cars, motorhomes, campers, trailers buses, construction vehicles and boats. But keep in mind they have to be able to be driven onto the ship on their own power.
If you are shipping a single vehicle to South Africa, Roro is a wise decision. Not only is it cost-effective and efficient, it also comes with more reliable departure and arrival dates than you would get with container shipping(keep reading).And all vehicles are tied to the deck with no exposure to the ocean, so your vehicle is protected against external elements.
Container Shipping
Second, you may ship your car to South Africa in a shipping container, either shared or exclusive. Here’s the 411 on each.
Shared Container Shipping
This translates to more difficult planning processes for you, as it’s highly possible you may be waiting an extra week until the container is filled with the rest of the cars. You’re best off deciding on this method when shipping two or more vehicles.There is no guarantee of a fixed departure date as with Roro, due to the fact that each container must be filled with vehicles in order for it to be loaded onto the container ship.
Your car, loaded along with three other vehicles into a container, gets protection from the elements, plus you can ship additional items in the trunk or the backseat of your vehicle at the same time. Another advantage? You can ship vehicles that do not work. For example, we have many clients who buy broken-down classic cars in the USA for shipping to South Africa.
Exclusive Container Shipping
Exclusive container shipping, meaning your vehicle is the sole vehicle in the container, is best for high-end and exotic vehicles like Bentleys, Ferraris, Aston Martins, etc.That’s because you get added protection and attention to detail during transport. This is also a wise option if you prefer to ship personal belongings inside your car.
Exclusive container shipping is more expensive compared to RoRo and shared container shipping. But if you have a generous budget and a nice car that can’t risk damage, you’ll want to pay more for the added peace of mind. If your vehicle is not in operational condition, you can still use this option.
Trusted Military Partner
Many military members choose us to ship their cars, SUVs, RVs, motorhomes, heavy machinery, boats, yachts and motorcycles.We are happy to serve the Active Military community,shipping cars from the USA to South Africa and importing cars internationally into the USA from South Africa. Ship Overseas has been a chosen provider of international car shipping services for more than three decades, backed by rich experience as a freight forwarder.
Active members of the military who want to ship their cars to South Africa from the U.S. should give us a call for more information. At that time, we can go over factors such as modifications, weight, time limits and licensing that affect military shipping.
Affordable Shipping Costs from the US to South Africa
One of the most common concerns about car shipping to Africa is the cost. At Ship Overseas, we believe in providing transparent pricing and competitive rates. The shipping cost from the US to South Africa depends on several factors, including:
- Vehicle Size and Weight: Larger vehicles may incur higher shipping costs.
- Shipping Method: Options include roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) and container shipping.
- Destination Port: Certain ports may have higher handling charges.
- Customs and Duties: Local taxes and import duties vary by country.
By providing a detailed quote upfront, we eliminate surprises and help you plan your budget effectively.
Secure Shipping Options for Cars and Vehicles
We understand that your vehicle is a valuable asset. That’s why we offer secure and reliable methods for car shipping to Africa. Choose from the following options:
- Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo): The most cost-effective method for transporting vehicles, where cars are driven onto a specialized vessel and securely parked for the journey.
- Container Shipping: For added protection, your car can be shipped in a dedicated container, safeguarding it from external elements and ensuring maximum security.
Whether you are shipping from South Africa to the USA or vice versa, we ensure your vehicle is handled with utmost care.