Shipping to South Africa from the UK: Boxes, Personal Effects & Household Goods
If you’re sending packages, personal belongings, or household goods from the UK to South Africa, PSS can arrange a door-to-door service to suit the size of your shipment. You can ship boxes, bags, personal effects, and furniture, with sea freight offering a cost-effective option and air freight available when you need smaller or essential items to arrive sooner.
Typical delivery times are around 6–10 weeks by sea and 7–14 days by air. We can arrange collection in the UK, help with the required shipping documentation and customs clearance, and deliver your belongings to your destination in South Africa.
If you’re shipping furniture or most of the contents of your home, our removals to South Africa service is likely to be more suitable, with professional export packing and shared or full-container shipping available. For boxes, bags and smaller personal-effects shipments, you can get an instant shipping quote online.
Shipping to South Africa: Costs, Times & Service Options
- What you can ship: PSS can ship boxes, bags, personal belongings, personal effects, furniture and larger household consignments from the UK to South Africa.
- Sea freight: Economy shipping typically takes around 6–10 weeks and is generally the most suitable option for larger or less urgent shipments.
- Air freight: Smaller or more urgent shipments can be sent by air, with typical delivery times of around 7–14 days.
- Indicative sea shipping costs: Current examples include £135 for 1 large box, £225 for 3 large boxes and £315 for 5 large boxes.
- Door-to-door service: PSS can arrange UK collection, international shipping, customs clearance and delivery to your address in South Africa.
- Customs support: All shipments are subject to South African customs clearance. PSS assists with the required shipping documentation and handles the clearance process.
- Packing options: Smaller shipments can be self-packed using export-quality materials, while professional packing is available for furniture and larger consignments.
- Larger household moves: If you are shipping more than around 10 boxes, furniture or most of your household contents, PSS’s removals to South Africa service may be more suitable, with shared and full-container options available.
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How Shipping Boxes and Personal Belongings to South Africa Works
STEP 1
Get a quote online
Choose the size and quantity of cartons required & get an online quote in 60 seconds.
STEP 2
We deliver cartons and packing materials
We deliver export-strength cartons & packing materials to your home.
STEP 3
We collect packed boxes/bags from your home
When you’re ready, we collect your packed boxes or bags and any unused cartons.
STEP 4
We ship and deliver to your new home, handling all customs clearance
Our door-to-door service takes care of everything for you.
Shipping to South Africa Reviews
How Much Does Shipping To South Africa Cost?
Send your parcels, packages, and other items to South Africa
PSS offers a number of parcel shipping options depending on the size of your delivery and the speed at which you need it to arrive.
You can view an indication of the pricing below or contact our team for an exact quote.
Economy Shipping by Sea
In as little as 6-10 weeks
| Shipment / Move Size | Cost |
| 1 Large Box | £135 |
| 2 Large Boxes | £180 |
| 3 Large Boxes | £225 |
| 4 Large Boxes | £270 |
| 5 Large Boxes | £315 |
| Student Move | £1,041 |
For household removals and larger shipments see our removals service page
Express Delivery by Air
In as little as 7-14 days
| Parcel / Package Size | Cost* |
| 20kg (1x Large Box) | £315 |
| 40kg (2x Large Boxes) | £465 |
| 60kg (3x Large Boxes) | £635 |
| 80kg (4x Large Boxes) | £835 |
| 100kg (5x Large Boxes) | £990 |
*For small parcels use Royal Mail (2 kg £32.20; 5 kg £50.80; 10 kg £96.00)
Comparing Your Shipping Options
These are the typical shipping costs to South Africa from the UK. Our complete door-to-door service includes UK collection, export documentation, sea or air freight depending on which method you opt for, South Africa customs, biosecurity and delivery to the address you’ve chosen. It’s worth keeping in mind that port-to-port quotes leave out inland transport within South Africa the cost of which can vary significantly based on the volume of your consignment and the distance between the arrival port and your destination.
If a full container isn’t needed for your shipment, our box shipping service provides a cost-effective option for shipping belongings to South Africa.
| Shipment / Move Size | Move Type | Cost | Transit Time |
| 2-3 Large Boxes | Groupage (Air) | £465 – £635 | 7-14 days |
| 5 Large Boxes | Groupage | £315 | 6-10 weeks |
| 10 Large Boxes | Groupage | £495 | 6-10 weeks |
| 1 Bed House | Groupage | £1,325 – £1,502 | 6-10 weeks |
| 3 Bed House | 20 ft Container | £4,459 – £4,897 | 6-10 weeks |
| 4 Bed House | 40 ft Container | £6,415 – £7,181 | 6-10 weeks |
South Africa Customs
Most household items can be sent to South Africa without issue. However, customs control here prohibits some types of products from importation entirely.
You can check a full up-to-date list of prohibited and restricted items on the South Africa Revenue Service website. Here is a summary:
- Narcotic drugs
- Food such as eggs & uncooked meat products
- Ammunition or weapons
- Pornography
- Dry ice
- Plants and seeds
- Bees and bee products
- Fur
- Endangered species of wildlife
- Explosives or fireworks
- Uncut diamonds
- Unrefined gold
- South African bank notes over R5000
- Firearms
- Wildlife
- Cheese
- Medications
- Money
Special circumstances may also apply to:
- Food products
- Used clothing
- Chemicals
- Plants
- Vitamins
Skin-care items
Petroleum products
PSS will help you prepare and manage all documentation required for customs clearance including:
- Customs forms DA304 & P.1.160
- Original Passport
- Permanent Residence or Work permit
- Removal inventory (PSS will prepare this if PSS are packing)
- Valuation form for Shipment Protection cover
To help you prepare, we recommend you download and carefully read our FIDI Customs Guide for South Africa.
What Does Our International Parcel Service to South Africa Include?
- Door to door parcel shipping service from the UK
- Part or full load container removal service
- A Dedicated Move Manager
- Help with any documentation needed
- Export-quality packing materials
- Choice between self-pack or a professional packing service
- Advice on customs requirements
- Customs clearance on arrival
- Storage in the UK or South Africa if required
South Africa Parcel Delivery FAQs
Find answers to the most frequently asked questions about sending parcels to South Africa.
How Long Does Parcel Delivery to South Africa Take?
The time it takes when shipping goods to South Africa depends on a few factors. This can include factors such as the size of your load and the type of delivery service you choose. We offer two different speeds of service with different price points, speedier options are a higher price point compared to economy delivery options. We’ve detailed the average UK to South Africa delivery times below as a guide. Contact our team for more information on times and prices for shipping parcels to South Africa.
Express Shipping to South Africa:
Fast delivery to South Africa by air.
7-14 Days
Economy Delivery to South Africa:
Cost-effective delivery to South Africa by sea.
6-10 weeks
PSS always aims to get your parcel delivered on time, every time no matter what size your load is. However, it pays to be aware of South African public holidays when planning your move. You can view upcoming public holidays on the Republic of South Africa government website. You should also be aware of any localised disruption or conditions that might affect the timing of your parcel delivery.
What Is the South Africa Address Format When Sending From the UK?
Addressing a package to SA is similar to UK address formatting. You’ll need to include the full name, street and area address and you’ll need to include the country on the last line. South Africa post codes are also only 4 digits long so be sure to check this when addressing your international packages. Take a look at this international posting guide for South Africa for full details on how to label your belongings or talk to one of our team for full advice.
What Can and Can’t You Send to South Africa?
What items are prohibited from shipping to South Africa?
Some common items that are prohibited from sending to South Africa include:
- Narcotic drugs
- Food such as eggs & uncooked meat products
- Ammunition or weapons
- Pornography
- Dry ice
- Plants and seeds
- Bees and bee products
- Fur
- Endangered species of wildlife
- Explosives or fireworks
- Uncut diamonds
- Unrefined gold
- South African bank notes over R5000
What items are restricted when shipping to South Africa?
Restricted imports to South Africa where pre-approval may be required are:
- Firearms
- Wildlife
- Cheese
- Medications
- Money
Special circumstances may also apply to:
- Food products
- Used clothing
- Chemicals
- Plants
- Vitamins
- Skin-care items
- Petroleum products
For a full list of restricted or prohibited items, please see the official South African customs website.
What Are the Best Options for Vehicle and Car Shipping to South Africa from the UK?
The cost of shipping your vehicle from the United Kingdom is often a lot less than replacing it and since people use right-hand drive cars, like in the UK, it certainly worth considering seriously. When you have an expert car shipping company such as PSS to guide you, the actual process of shipping your car is not too difficult. Your options include:
- Option A: Car and household items: It could be a good idea to combine your car shipment and household items together in one load. Our team can bring a shipping container to your home, then carefully secure your vehicle inside for car shipping to South Africa.
- Option B: Car only: In case you only need to send your car abroad, you can make use of our car-only auto transport option. You will have your very own sole-use container that holds your car (or other vehicle) securely inside for shipment to South Africa.
- Option C: Roll On/ Roll Off (RORO) or Lift On/ Lift Off (LOLO): This last option is only available at selected ports. Speak to our team today to see if this is an option for you. It will involve driving your vehicle onto the vessel to then be secured for auto transport to South Africa. Then, it is driven off again once it arrives in South Africa.
What Is the Best Way to Send Multiple Parcels to South Africa or Larger Deliveries?
If you are thinking of sending a large number of items to South Africa such as loads of more than ten boxes that our usual parcel service doesn’t cover, our removals to South Africa service will better match your needs. Please feel free to contact our team should you not find the transport option you require.
Customs Guide for Sending Personal Effects to South Africa
All goods that arrive in South Africa are subject to customs clearance. We will submit all the relevant paperwork required to obtain the release of your goods, this can sometimes take up to 7 days. This may take longer in busier months but you don’t need to be present or in the country for clearance.
How Does Delivery to My Address in South Africa Work?
Once your goods have been released by South African customs we will contact you to arrange a suitable delivery day.
Once we’ve received clearance of your goods we will either deliver your sea freight container directly to your new home or it will be delivered in a separate vehicle. This all depends on the type of shipment you are sending. Our unloading crew will place your items in the rooms of your choice and unwrap and remove the packing material from any furniture.
Do I Need Insurance or Shipment Protection Cover?
When you book with PSS, your shipment is covered under the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee Scheme.
However, it is highly advisable to take out shipment protection cover before sending items to South Africa. Although problems are unlikely, it is still wise to have cover when sending goods overseas, especially for items of significant financial value.
PSS International offers very flexible Shipment Protection Plans. You can cover your whole shipment or choose the individual items you wish to cover. Your PSS Move Manager can explain the different options available and guide you through completing the Shipment Protection Valuation form.
How Do I Arrange Insured Shipping to South Africa for Fragile Household Items?
International shipping insurance doesn’t work the same way as standard home contents cover, however this is widely misunderstood often leading to disappointment if items get damaged.
Standard marine insurance typically costs 1–1.5% of the declared shipment value. In most cases, this type of policy covers total loss only, meaning compensation is paid if the entire shipment is lost in transit, which rarely happens. This level of protection does not usually cover damage to individual items.
Comprehensive cover generally costs 2–3% of the declared value and protects against damage to individual items. Insurers typically require professional export packing and clear evidence of condition before shipment, such as dated photographs. Without these, a claim may be declined.
| Cover Type | What’s Protected | Typical Cost | Best For |
| Total Loss Only | Entire shipment lost | 1–1.5% of declared value | Budget moves, replaceable items |
| Full Comprehensive | Individual item damage | 2–3% of declared value | Valuable furniture, fragile items |
| Named Items Cover | Specified high-value pieces | Variable | Antiques, artwork, electronics |
Insurers can decline claims for self-packed items which is why, for comprehensive cover, you’ll need professional packing in most cases. Custom crating, typically £100–£400 per item is typically used as it gives you additional protection for items like antiques, mirrors, artwork, etc. Make sure to take a picture of any valuable items before packing, keep receipts for pieces valued over £500 and describe items individually on your inventory to support accurate valuation in case you do need to make a claim.
Full insurance options are available as part of our international shipping service, and these are reviewed in detail during the quotation process.
What Is the Cheapest Way to Ship to South Africa?
The cheapest shipping to South Africa method is to choose our cost-effective economy delivery, usually this involves delivery by land or sea and may take more time than express parcel delivery.
