English
Spanish
Arabic
South Africa is located on the southernmost tip of the African continent, bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Both China and South Africa are big developing countries of major influence, and members of the BRICS. China-South African relations have become increasingly close on trade, policy and political ties since 2007. Currently China is South Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner, with imports and exports totaling $54 billion in 2021.
If you happen to be importing from China to South Africa, hope this guide could be of help to managing your freight shipping. Explore a comprehensive guide into cargo shipping from China to South Africa. We take this opportunity to answer as many questions as possible and offer shipping tips, shipping method, transit time, cost, best way to ship, what can be expected from a professional freight forwarder.
The most common shipping methods for China-South Africa trade lane are sea & air freight. There are many freight forwarders that offer air cargo and container shipping services from China to South Africa. It’s vital to work with one who understands your needs and always carries out tailored shipping solution from China to South Africa.
Sea Freight from China to South Africa
Sea freight is the least expensive way of shipping if time is not an issue when shipping from China to South Africa. Sea freight is the mode of transport in which goods are shipped by sea, mostly with container ships, sometimes with bulk cargo ships or RO-RO ships, tankers, etc. Compared with other forms of transport, it’s economically and environmentally superior, especially over long distance, for large equipment or bulk shipment. One more advantage, almost all types of cargo can be shipped by sea, even those classified as dangerous goods.
FCL (Full container load): shipping a container filled with goods exclusively for one client from China to South Africa. Generally, we offer FCL shipping service to South Africa with 20ft container and 40ft container (20GP, 40GP and 40HQ). FCL is more cost efficient.LCL (Less than container load): If your cargo can’t fill an entire container, our consolidation (LCL shipping) service from China to South Africa is always available, i.e. sharing a container with other clients who have cargo to the same destination, at the same time. Naturally, due to extra work (consolidation, de-consolidation, warehousing, paperwork, etc.), the final cost on each unit is higher than FCL, and shipping takes longer. LCL is a good choice for small business to start with.
Apart from FCL & LCL shipments, if you are shipping heavy, large (OOG) cargo from China to South Africa, we’d recommend flat rack or open top container solution.
Reefer containers: for temperature-sensitive products
Breakbulk: for large and bulk shipments
RO-RO: for vehicles and wheeled cargo
Our sea freight forwarding services cover all the major Chinese ports: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, etc.
We offer port to port, door to port and door to door shipping solutions from China to South Africa, depending on your specific requirements. With door-to-door service, we’ll transport your shipment to the most convenient port in South Africa, such as Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, etc.
Are you looking to ship containers or other sea shipments from China to South Africa?
Contact us and get a tailored China-South Africa sea freight shipping solution cost.
Major ports in South Africa
DurbanThe port of Durban is situated on the east coast of South Africa. It’s the largest port facility in South Africa and has the highest vessel traffic in the entire Africa. Its strategic location along international shipping routes has secured the port's importance as South Africa's main cargo and container port, which handles more than 30 million tons of cargo annually, and is visited by 4500 commercial vessels every year.
The port of Durban is the chief gateway of marine cargo into the country, handling 65% of the country’s total volume of container shipments.
Johannesburg
Johannesburg is the provincial capital and largest city of Gauteng, which is the wealthiest province in South Africa.
Port of Johannesburg
The container terminal, located at City Deep in Johannesburg, is the world's largest dry port. Some 50 percent of cargo that arrives through the ports of Durban and Cape Town arrives here.
Cape Town
The port is situated on one of the world's busiest trade routes and will always retain strategic and economic importance for that reason alone. Cape Town is also a busy container port, second in South Africa only to Durban, and handles the largest amount of fresh fruit.
Port Elizabeth
Port Elizabeth is a city on Algoa Bay in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province and it's also known for its numerous beaches. The second-oldest colonial city in South Africa, Port Elizabeth, has a new name, South Africa's Port Elizabeth will now be called Gqeberha.
Port Elizabeth is a major seaport and the most populous city in the Eastern Cape Province.
Air freight from China to South Africa
When other shipping modes can’t meet your timing requirement of delivery from China to South Africa, air freight is the perfect solution. Maybe you have a pressing deadline, maybe you want to speed up a delayed project by using faster mode of transportation, or maybe the cargo to be shipped is perishable. Whatever it is, by using air freight, a rapid transit is ensured, albeit at higher price, but time can be more valuable than the cost itself. One more advantage of air shipping is, it provides higher level of security, that’s one of reasons why people choose it for shipping high value products or luxurious commodities.We have developed strong relationships with major air carriers and established a vast network of air cargo transportation, offering daily and weekly cargo flights from China’s main airports to South Africa.
When shipping by air with us, we provide the best shipping solution and the fastest route which meets your needs and guarantees a relatively cost-efficient way.
Flying your cargo with us gives you peace of mind as we take care of your air shipments from pick-up till delivery to the destination, overseeing every link of the logistics chain.
However, not everything is worth shipping by air, and due to airlines’ restriction, not everything can be air shipped.
Consult our team for advice before you proceed. Get an air freight solution and shipping cost for your China-South Africa shipment.
South Africa’s main airports
JohannesburgJohannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (IATA CODE: JNB) is the busiest airport on the continent of Africa and is situated in the Kempton Park district of Johannesburg, 23 km north-west of the city center and 46 km south of Pretoria city center.
Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport is one of the few airports in the world with scheduled passenger direct flights between all 6 inhabited continents and also serves as a continental gateway to many sub-Saharan countries.
In 2021, Johannesburg airport ranked the 3rd in cargo volume.
Durban
Durban Airport - King Shaka International Airport (IATA CODE: DUR)
The primary international airport serving Durban, South Africa
Closely located near Durban beaches and a host of hotels in Durban, King Shaka International Airport is positioned ideally to make for a comfortable travel experience.
Cape Town
Cape Town International Airport (IATA CODE: CPT) is located in Matroosfontein, approximately 12 miles (20 km) south-east from Cape Town city center.
Cape Town Airport is the main international gateway to Cape Town metropolitan area in South Africa, being the second-busiest airport in the country and the third one in Africa.
How long does it take to ship from China to South Africa?
Shipping from China to South Africa takes 22-30 days by sea, and 5-7 days by air. The number of days could be different if you choose different origin/destination, service and route.China-South Africa sea freight transit time
The transit time of shipping a container from China to South Africa port to port ranges from 22 to 30 days.| POL(port of loading) | POD(port of discharge) | Transit time |
| Shanghai | Durban | 24 days |
| Shanghai | Cape Town | 27 days |
| Shenzhen | Durban | 22 days |
| Shenzhen | Cape Town | 25 days |
| Qingdao | Durban | 26 days |
| Qingdao | Cape Town | 30 days |
Container shipping transit time by sea from Shanghai/Shenzhen/Qingdao to Durban and Cape TownFYI: The transit time by sea, port to port, depends on the specific origin and destination ports chosen, service route, sailing schedule and choice on carrier.
Shanghai in East China, Shenzhen South China, and Qingdao North China, data from these 3 ports is enough to demonstrate the sea shipping time from China to South Africa.
Above transit time is for full container load shipping, port to port only, for LCL shipping time estimate, pls add 7-10 days.
China-South Africa air shipping transit time
Generally cargo air shipped from China takes 5-7 days to arrive in South Africa, as there are no direct flight services connecting Chinese cities and South African cities.If have an urgent order and your supply chain requires a fast delivery of shipment, make sure you contact us for the fastest service and route.
Get an air shipping solution and air freight quote from China to South Africa.
How much does it cost to ship from China to South Africa?
Shipping a 40ft container from China to South Africa used to cost $1000-2000, and shipping rates went up way higher due to COVID pandemic. Air shipping is similar. It’s impossible to provide a general estimate of shipping cost from China to South Africa.
Firstly, each shipment is different, and clients may have various requirements under some specific circumstances.
Secondly, the shipping market is fast changing, sea and air freight rates fluctuate frequently, affected by seasonal and strategic adjustment by carriers, as well as by law of supply and demand. The year-on-year difference could be drastic, and price for last week may not be valid for this week.
Lastly, client’s timing requirement also influences the shipping cost, the quicker you wish to receive the shipment, the more you’ll have to pay for shipping.
Knowing the shipping cost is essential to business if you are importing goods from China to South Africa. Shipping cost is an indispensable, and sometimes could be a large percentage of the final landed cost of imported goods.
Contact us now to obtain a tailored shipping solution and the latest shipping cost from China to South Africa.
Freight forwarder shipping from China to South Africa
Dealing with shipment from China to South Africa yourself is time-consuming and requires certain expertise, why not turn to a professional freight forwarder?Everybody’s got his specialty and expertise. Using an experienced freight forwarder to handle your shipments from China to South Africa allows you focus more on your main business, to bring the best out of you. With the help of a professional freight forwarding team, your shipment will be well planned and carried out smoothly, avoiding delay and potential extra charges, and freight management made easier than ever.
As one of the top China based freight forwarders serving South Africa, we have the knowledge, expertise and experience to provide the most accurate answers and optimal shipping solutions tailored to your needs. Leave it to the expert, and you are freed from all the troubles and complexity of shipping and logistics.
The experienced freight forwarder always gives you the best shipping solution and cost from China to South Africa tailored to your needs.
Door to door shipping from China to South Africa
With sea and air carriers, their reach is limited, mostly their services end at seaport and airport. Through our freight forwarder service, the reach is extended, and door to door shipping is made possible.We have representatives in South Africa and have been working with other local freight forwarders (in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, etc.) as well. By combining our freight forwarding services with their networks, we present clients the easiest one-stop door to door shipping solution from China to South Africa.
Whether by sea or by air, from us alone, you can have the easiest way of door to door shipping from China to South Africa.
Best way to ship from China to South Africa
China is home to many worldwide suppliers, yet shipping from China to South Africa isn’t always straightforward.Everybody wants a fast and safe delivery of shipment at the minimum cost possible. Different shipments, circumstances with various requirements, plus the ever changing shipping market, there’s no simple solution. An experienced freight forwarder shall analyze all the factors and provide the best shipping solution under give circumstance, and meet your needs.
1. The type of goods and its value
2. How quickly you need your goods
3. The load of your goods (size, weight, quantity) or simply share the packing list
4. Supplier address (origin seaport/airport), delivery address(destination seaport/airport)
5. Your budget
6. Goods ready time
Get in touch with us and start a hassle-free shipping experience, the best way to ship from China to South Africa.
Contact us now and get a shipping solution and quote.
How to ship from China to South Africa
Step 1: Contact a freight forwarder; a China based one is better.You may find a freight forwarder either from China or in South Africa. While a South African forwarder is most likely to rely on a Chinese local shipping agent. So China based forwarder is recommended, as the majority of complexities and uncertainties of international cargo shipping lie in origin, not in destination.
More on “Why you should work with a local China freight forwarder”
Step 2: Submit shipment details and get a shipping quote from China
Step 3: Connect freight forwarder with supplier, the forwarder will work on the shipment and keep you updated
Step 4: Get cargo insurance (optional)
Step 5: Arrange customs clearance
Or you can count on us for door to door shipping service from China to South Africa.
Why us when importing and shipping from China to South Africa
We are China based freight forwarder specialized and experienced in international logistics for China-South Africa import & export business. Through years of effort on China-Africa trade lane, we have developed service agreements with the best sea and air shipping carriers. This allows us to offer various shipping solutions, routes and schedules from China to South Africa at fair rates with space guarantee especially in peak seasons. 1. Quick Response, high efficiency
2. Communication
3. Professionalism, agility, accuracy
4. Our logistics expertise, local and global connections
5. Cost-saving
6. Dedicated, focused
7. Higher attention & tailored shipping solution
More on Why us when importing and shipping from China to South Africa
As one of the leading China based freight forwarder serving South Africa, we have the logistics expertise, knowledge and global network to fulfill a fast and safe delivery of shipment from China to South Africa and ensure the best-in-class shipping experience.
If you are interested in shipping from China to South Africa (Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, etc.) whether by sea or air, CONTACT US and get a shipping solution and quote for your China-South Africa shipment.
