Shipping from Dubai
to South Africa.
We move cargo to South Africa from Dubai every week, by sea and by air. We ship business and personal cargo. Send a few boxes, a pallet, a full container, or a whole house move. We collect anywhere in the UAE, do the customs paperwork at both ends, and deliver to your address in South Africa.
Overview
Sea and air freight
to South Africa.
Shipping from Dubai to South Africa takes about 18 to 30 days by sea, and 2 to 6 days by air. Ships come into Durban, which is the busiest port in the region, and into Cape Town, Ngqura, Gqeberha, East London and Richards Bay. Air reaches Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. From there we deliver everywhere, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, East London, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and Polokwane. Cargo for Johannesburg often travels up by train to City Deep and clears there. Navo Shipping handles the sea freight, air freight and customs clearance on the Dubai to South Africa route, door to door. Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, and where it is going, and we will tell you which way is cheaper.
Ports and gateways
Sea ports and airports
we ship to from Dubai.
Every bill of lading carries two ports: where the cargo loads, and where it discharges. We load at Jebel Ali or another UAE port. South Africa has seven sea ports we use and three airports. They suit different cargo and different inland legs, so the loading port and the discharge port are worth choosing separately.
POLPort of loading
We collect anywhere in the UAE, free zones included, and load at whichever of these eight suits the cargo.
- Jebel AliAEJEA
- Port RashidAEPRA
- Khalifa PortAEKHL
- Zayed PortAEAUH
- Port KhalidAESHJ
- Khor FakkanAEKLF
- Port of FujairahAEFJR
- Ajman PortAEAJM
PODPort of discharge
The right one is whichever leaves the shortest inland leg to your delivery address. On a long lane that leg is a shipment in its own right, so it is planned rather than assumed.
- DurbanZADURSea port · Indian OceanDurban, Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the corridor north into Zimbabwe and Zambia
How cargo reaches Durban
Shipping from Dubai to Durban can use a confirmed suitable vessel booking, normally with an Indian Ocean or southern African relay after live Upper Gulf and vessel checks. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cape Town is the alternative for the Western Cape. The quote separates ocean freight, transshipment, carrier surcharges, terminal handling, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Durban - Cape TownZACPTSea port · AtlanticCape Town, Paarl, Stellenbosch and the Western Cape
How cargo reaches Cape Town
Shipping from Dubai to Cape Town can use a confirmed suitable vessel booking, normally with an Indian Ocean or southern African relay after live Upper Gulf and vessel checks. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Durban is the alternative for Gauteng and the inland corridor. The quote separates ocean freight, transshipment, carrier surcharges, terminal handling, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Cape Town - Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)ZAPLZSea port · Indian OceanThe Eastern Cape and the automotive belt
How cargo reaches Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
Shipping from Dubai to Port Elizabeth can use a confirmed suitable vessel booking, normally with an Indian Ocean or southern African relay after live Upper Gulf and vessel checks. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Durban is the alternative for wider service choice, while Ngqura sits alongside for larger vessels. The quote separates ocean freight, transshipment, carrier surcharges, terminal handling, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) - Ngqura (Coega)ZAZBASea port · Indian OceanThe deep-water transhipment terminal next to Gqeberha
How cargo reaches Ngqura (Coega)
Shipping from Dubai to Ngqura can use a confirmed suitable vessel booking, normally with an Indian Ocean or southern African relay after live Upper Gulf and vessel checks. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Port Elizabeth is the neighbouring alternative, while Durban carries the broader service network. The quote separates ocean freight, transshipment, carrier surcharges, terminal handling, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Ngqura (Coega) - Richards BayZARCBSea port · Indian OceanBulk, coal and project cargo north of Durban
How cargo reaches Richards Bay
Shipping from Dubai to Richards Bay requires confirmed vessel acceptance and local handling, and may use feeder or project cargo arrangements rather than a regular container call. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Durban is the main alternative for routine containers. The quote separates ocean freight, feeder or inducement charges, terminal handling, customs, equipment and delivery. Get a rate for Richards Bay - East LondonZAELSSea port · Indian OceanThe Eastern Cape, vehicles and roll-on roll-off
How cargo reaches East London
Shipping from Dubai to East London requires confirmed vessel acceptance and local handling, and may use feeder or project cargo arrangements rather than a regular container call. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Durban is the main alternative for routine containers. The quote separates ocean freight, feeder or inducement charges, terminal handling, customs, equipment and delivery. Get a rate for East London - Saldanha BayZASDBSea port · AtlanticIron ore and bulk, north of Cape Town
How cargo reaches Saldanha Bay
Shipping from Dubai to Saldanha Bay requires confirmed vessel acceptance and local handling, and may use feeder or project cargo arrangements rather than a regular container call. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cape Town is the nearby alternative for routine containers. The quote separates ocean freight, feeder or inducement charges, terminal handling, customs, equipment and delivery. Get a rate for Saldanha Bay - O. R. Tambo International, JohannesburgJNBAirportJohannesburg, Pretoria, Gauteng and the wider southern African region
How cargo reaches O. R. Tambo International, Johannesburg
Air freight from Dubai to O. R. Tambo International can use accepted connecting capacity, with any direct uplift confirmed live, subject to commodity, space, screening and local cargo handling approval. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cape Town International is the alternative for the Western Cape. The quote separates uplift, connection, screening, terminal, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for O. R. Tambo International, Johannesburg - Cape Town InternationalCPTAirportThe Western Cape
How cargo reaches Cape Town International
Air freight from Dubai to Cape Town International can use accepted connecting capacity, with any direct uplift confirmed live, subject to commodity, space, screening and local cargo handling approval. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. O. R. Tambo International is the alternative for Gauteng and national distribution. The quote separates uplift, connection, screening, terminal, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for Cape Town International - King Shaka International, DurbanDURAirportKwaZulu-Natal
How cargo reaches King Shaka International, Durban
Air freight from Dubai to King Shaka International can use accepted connecting capacity, with any direct uplift confirmed live, subject to commodity, space, screening and local cargo handling approval. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. O. R. Tambo International is the alternative for broader uplift and inland delivery. The quote separates uplift, connection, screening, terminal, customs and final delivery charges. Get a rate for King Shaka International, Durban - City Deep, JohannesburgDry portJohannesburg, Pretoria and Gauteng. Cargo comes up by train from Durban and clears here
How cargo reaches City Deep, Johannesburg
Shipping from Dubai to City Deep can enter through Durban, then move under customs transit by confirmed rail or road service to the inland terminal. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cape Town is the alternative gateway when capacity or the delivery region changes. The quote separates ocean freight, port handling, transit bond, inland haulage, depot and clearance charges. Get a rate for City Deep, Johannesburg - Beitbridge land portLand borderThe Zimbabwe border, and the corridor north
How cargo reaches Beitbridge land port
Shipping from Dubai to Beitbridge land port can enter through Durban or Maputo, then continue under a confirmed customs transit and road security plan to the crossing. Border and convoy times vary, so we confirm the days when we quote. Lebombo land port is the alternative for the Mozambique corridor. The quote separates ocean freight, gateway handling, transit bond, trucking, permits, border charges, waiting time and final delivery. Get a rate for Beitbridge land port - Lebombo land portLand borderThe Mozambique border on the Maputo corridor
How cargo reaches Lebombo land port
Shipping from Dubai to Lebombo land port can enter through Maputo, then continue under a confirmed customs transit and road security plan to the crossing. Border and convoy times vary, so we confirm the days when we quote. Beitbridge land port is the alternative for the Zimbabwe corridor. The quote separates ocean freight, gateway handling, transit bond, trucking, permits, border charges, waiting time and final delivery. Get a rate for Lebombo land port
- DurbanZADURSea port · Indian OceanDurban, Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg, Pretoria and the corridor north into Zimbabwe and Zambia
Before you ship
Import rules
for South Africa.
South Africa checks the importer before it checks the cargo, and this is the step that stops most first shipments. Whoever is receiving the goods needs to be registered as an importer with the South African revenue service, which gives them a customs code. Without that code nothing can be cleared. If your buyer has imported before they will already have one. If you are shipping to your own company there, it needs setting up first and it takes time. On top of that, some products need a safety approval called a Letter of Authority, arranged before the goods arrive. Tell us who is receiving the goods and what you are sending, and we will check both.
Documentation
Documents you need
for South Africa.
These 7 cover most shipments to South Africa. The exact list depends on the commodity and its HS code, so send us both and we confirm what applies before the cargo is booked.
- 01Invoice showing what you paid for the goods
- 02Packing list showing what is inside
- 03Certificate of origin showing where the goods were made
- 04Bill of lading or air waybill, which is the shipping ticket
- 05Dubai export paper, which we do for you
- 06Your buyer customs code from the South African revenue service
- 07Letter of Authority, if your product needs one
Get the paperwork right in Dubai and clearance at destination is routine. Fixing a document after arrival is slow, and storage accrues the whole time it takes.
How it works
Dubai to South Africa
shipping, step by step.
Send the cargo details: what it is, where it is going, rough weight and dimensions. We come back with the routes that suit it, sea against air, and a written rate with a validity date on it. You pick one, we book it, and one coordinator stays with the shipment until it is delivered in South Africa.
- 01
Send the details
Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, how big it is, and where in South Africa it goes.
- 02
We check the importer
We confirm your buyer has their customs code and check whether your product needs a safety approval.
- 03
Get a price and ship
We send a written price, then collect, load and handle the papers at both ends.
- 04
We deliver
We track the shipment and keep you updated all the way, then bring the goods to your door.
Questions
Cargo to South Africa
questions, answered.
The 15 we are asked most on the Dubai to South Africa route. If yours is not here, send it with the commodity and we will answer it directly.
Do you offer movers and packers for a house move from Dubai to South Africa?
Yes. Our movers and packers do the packing, wrapping and listing, then we ship your furniture and household goods in a full container, or share one if you have less to send. The item by item list matters, because customs clear personal effects against it. Fuel, gas cylinders, paint, aerosols and loose batteries cannot travel, and we give you the full list before packing day.
How long does shipping from Dubai to South Africa take?
About 18 to 30 days by sea to Durban, and 2 to 6 days by air. Add time for customs and the trip inland. Collecting the container at Durban can take longer than the sailing, so we quote that separately. We give you a date in writing when we quote.
How much does shipping from Dubai to South Africa cost?
It depends on what you send, how big it is, and where in South Africa it is going. We do not publish prices because every shipment is different. Sea freight to South Africa is priced per container when you fill one, and per cubic metre when you share one. Air freight to South Africa is priced on weight or size, whichever is greater. Send us the details and we send you a price in writing, usually the same day.
Which cities in South Africa do you deliver to?
All of them. Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha, Bloemfontein, East London, Rustenburg, Nelspruit, Polokwane, Kimberley and Richards Bay. Just give us the address and we bring it to the door.
Which South African ports do you ship to?
Durban is the main one and it serves Johannesburg and the inland provinces. Cape Town covers the Western Cape. Ngqura, Gqeberha and East London serve the Eastern Cape, and Richards Bay handles bulk and heavy cargo.
Does my buyer need to be registered?
Yes, and it is the most common reason a first shipment stops. They need a customs code from the South African revenue service. If they have imported before they will have one. If not, it needs setting up before the goods arrive.
Can my goods clear in Johannesburg instead of Durban?
Yes. Cargo can travel up from Durban by train to City Deep and clear there, close to you. That keeps it out of the Durban collection queue, which is often the slowest part of the journey.
Do you deliver door to door?
Yes. We handle freight forwarding to South Africa door to door. We collect the goods in Dubai, move them, clear them through customs, and bring them to your address. You deal with one company for the whole journey.
Can I send a small shipment, or do I need a full container?
You can send as little as one box or one pallet. We put small shipments from different customers into one shared container. This is called LCL, or less than container load. Your goods load at Jebel Ali and come into Durban. When you have more goods, you move up to your own full container, which is called FCL. We will tell you which one is cheaper.
Can you ship a car from Dubai to South Africa?
Usually not, if you are buying to resell. South Africa does not allow used cars to be imported except in narrow cases, such as people moving back home permanently. If you are moving your own car we can help. If you are buying to sell, that route does not exist, and it is better to hear that now.
What is a Letter of Authority?
It is a South African safety approval for certain products, including mains powered electrical goods and car parts. It has to be arranged before the goods arrive. Tell us the product and we will check whether yours needs one.
Do you handle customs clearance in South Africa?
Yes, at both ends. We handle customs clearance in Dubai and customs clearance in South Africa. You do not need to find your own clearing agent.
Can you collect the goods from my supplier in Dubai?
Yes. We collect anywhere in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. We can also hold your goods in warehousing and storage in Dubai until you are ready to ship. That helps when you are buying from several suppliers and want everything to travel to Durban in one container.
Why does collecting cargo at Durban take so long?
The delay is usually on the land side rather than the ships. Getting a truck slot and moving the box out of the stack takes time. Using the train to City Deep for inland cargo avoids most of it, which is why we suggest it for Johannesburg.
Can you ship machinery and heavy equipment to South Africa?
Yes. We move project cargo to South Africa as well. Big, heavy items go in open top or flat rack containers, or loose on the ship into Durban. Send us the size and weight and we will work out the best way to move it.
Ready to ship from Dubai
to South Africa?
Send the commodity and its HS code, the weight and dimensions, and the delivery address. We confirm what South Africa checks before you ship, then the routing options, then a written rate with a validity date on it.
- Written rates
- One coordinator
- Customs handled in house
- UAE-wide collection
