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Freight rates to South Africa, explained
Rates move every week with the lines, the season and the lane. We do not publish a price list that goes stale. Here is how a rate is built, so you can compare quotes fairly, and we quote you the real figure in writing.
What is in a freight rate
Six parts make up the price you pay.
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| Part of the price | What it covers | What moves it |
|---|---|---|
| Origin charges | Pickup from the supplier, export clearance and terminal fees at the loading port. | Supplier location, port, type of cargo. |
| Main freight | The ocean, air or road leg to South Africa. | The line, the season, the lane and space on the vessel. |
| Surcharges | Fuel, peak season, port congestion and currency. | Set by the carrier and changed often. |
| Destination charges | Terminal handling, cargo dues, delivery order and port fees at Cape Town or Durban. | The port, the container size and how long the box sits. |
| Customs | Duty, import VAT and the clearing fee. | Tariff heading, value and country of origin. |
| Local delivery | The truck from the port or warehouse to your door. | Distance, load size and access at your site. |
Cost per cbm: how part loads are priced
LCL is priced on space, not on the box.
Part loads (LCL) are charged per cubic metre or per tonne, whichever is greater. A minimum applies to each shipment, so a very small load costs more per cbm than a larger one.
Ask every forwarder for the all-in cost per cbm, with origin and destination charges inside it. Then the quotes can be compared. A low line rate with large local charges can end up the dearer quote.
LCL or FCL
The right choice depends on volume.
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| Question | LCL (part load) | FCL (full container) |
|---|---|---|
| You pay for | The space your goods use, in cbm or tonnes. | The whole container, full or not. |
| Best when | The load is small, or you ship often in small lots. | The load is large enough that a container works out cheaper per cbm. |
| Handling | Goods are consolidated and unpacked at both ends. | Sealed at the supplier and opened at your door or ours. |
| Transit | Usually longer, because it waits for consolidation. | Usually shorter, because it leaves when the container is sealed. |
| Risk of delay | Higher, because it depends on the other cargo in the box. | Lower. |
When your volume sits near the crossover point we quote both, so you see the cheaper one.
DDP and other terms
The Incoterm on your supplier quote changes what the freight price includes.
On a DDP quote the goods are delivered to your door with duty and VAT paid. The price covers more, so it looks higher than an FOB quote. Compare quotes on landed cost, not on the freight line alone.
Read the full list on the Incoterms page, then work out your own figure with the landed cost calculator.
What we need for an exact rate
Send what you have. We find the rest.
- What the goods are and what they are made of.
- The tariff heading, if you have it. We find it if you do not.
- The supplier town and the port of loading.
- Number of cartons or pallets, with the size and weight of each.
- The Incoterm on the supplier quote.
- The date the goods are ready.
- The delivery address in South Africa.
Questions we are asked
Short answers on rates.
Why does a rate change from week to week?
Carriers reprice with demand, fuel and port conditions. A written rate stays fixed until the date it states.
Is the price per container or per cbm?
A full container (FCL) is priced per container. A part load (LCL) is priced per cbm or per tonne, with a minimum. We say which on every quote.
Are duty and VAT in the freight rate?
No. They come after the freight and depend on the tariff heading and the value. Our quote shows them as separate lines so you see the landed cost.
How long is a rate valid?
Each quote carries its own validity date. After that date we confirm the rate again before we book.
Get your rate in writing
Tell us what you are moving. A controller replies inside one working day.