Sea Freight
Full containers from Jebel Ali to Durban, Cape Town or Gqeberha, with delivery across South Africa.
- Options: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube containers, plus flat racks and open tops
- Average transit: 20 to 30 days
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Shipping from Dubai to South Africa
Containers, vehicles and air cargo from Dubai to South Africa, through Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha, cleared by our network partner office.
Overview
Shipping from Dubai to South Africa
MegaSpeed Cargo ships full containers, vehicles and air cargo from Dubai to South Africa. Sea freight from Jebel Ali to South African ports takes about 20 to 30 days, and air cargo reaches Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban in 2 to 5 days. Our network partner office clears and delivers it.
Durban is the busiest container port in Africa and the usual gateway for Johannesburg. Cape Town and Gqeberha serve the south and east.
South Africa restricts imports of used vehicles. Most need a permit from ITAC, and left-hand-drive cars generally cannot be registered. Check before you buy a car in Dubai.
- Ports
- Durban, Cape Town and Gqeberha
- In South Africa
- Network partner office for clearance and delivery
- By sea
- About 20 to 30 days
- By air
- 2 to 5 days to JNB, CPT or DUR
- Driving side
- Left: right-hand-drive vehicles
- Experience
- 40+ years in the industry
Services
Freight services from Dubai to South Africa
Containers carry most of our South Africa cargo. Air serves the three main airports.
Air Freight
Air cargo from Dubai to Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban.
- Average transit: 2 to 5 days from Dubai
- Minimum: 45 kg chargeable weight
Vehicle Shipping
New vehicles, classic cars and vehicles for returning residents, subject to South African import permits.
- Capacity: up to 6 cars in a 40ft container
- Also: RoRo where a sailing runs, or air for urgent units
Cars by Air
When a vehicle is needed quickly, we fly it from Dubai as air cargo, secured on an aircraft pallet.
Best for: high-value cars and urgent deliveries
Car shipping by airConsolidation
Buying from several suppliers in Dubai or Sharjah? We collect from each one, check the goods against your list and ship them together under one set of documents.
Best for: buyers sourcing from more than one supplier
Consolidation servicesHeavy Machinery
Mining, construction and farm machinery on flat racks or by RoRo to Durban.
Best for: construction, mining and farm equipment
Heavy machinery shippingRoute and transit
How cargo travels from Dubai to South Africa
Direct and transhipment services run from Jebel Ali to Durban, with onward road or rail to Johannesburg.
- Jebel Ali, DubaiExport clearance and loading.
- Durban, Cape Town or GqeberhaDischarge and SARS clearance.
- Your doorDelivery by road or rail across South Africa.
| Route | Mode | Average transit |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali to South African ports | Sea | 20 to 30 days |
| Dubai to Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban | Air | 2 to 5 days |
| China, Europe or India to South Africa | Air | 5 to 7 days |
Transit times are averages from our recent shipments. They change with the sailing, the season and customs, so we confirm them with each quote.
Vehicles
Shipping a car from Dubai to South Africa
South Africa drives on the left and tightly controls used vehicle imports. Most private imports need a permit first.
South African vehicle rules
- Used vehicles generally need an ITAC import permit before shipping
- Left-hand-drive vehicles generally cannot be registered
- Duty, ad valorem tax and VAT at 15% assessed by SARS
- Returning residents and some classic cars may qualify for permits
How we ship it
- In a container, once the permit is in place
- RoRo to Durban where a sailing suits
- By air for high-value units
- Our partner office clears the car with SARS
Do not buy a used car in Dubai for South Africa until the import permit is approved. Ask us and we will check what applies to you.
Customs and documents
South Africa customs and paperwork
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) clears imports. The importer needs a customs code, duty is by HS code and VAT is 15%.
Required before shipping
- SARS importer's customs code
- ITAC permit for used vehicles and some goods
- Import duty by HS code
- VAT at 15%
Documents we need
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
- Importer's customs code
- Permits where required
- Vehicles: ITAC permit, title, export certificate
Check before you buy
- Used vehicle import permits
- Food, plants and animal products need permits
- Some electronics need NRCS approval
- Declared values are checked
What we ship
What our clients ship to South Africa
Our South Africa clients are importers, contractors and returning residents.
- Machinery
- Building materials
- Electronics
- Furniture
- Textiles
- Spare parts
- Solar equipment
- Household goods
How it works
Shipping to South Africa step by step
One team from quote to delivery, and one person to call.
- 01
Tell us the cargo
Send the goods, the pickup point in the UAE and the delivery town in South Africa. Photos or a packing list help.
- 02
Quote and routing
We suggest sea or air and the best gateway, and quote the Dubai side and the arrival side separately.
- 03
Paperwork first
We confirm the importer's customs code and any permits before loading.
- 04
Pickup and loading
We collect in the UAE, load at our Jebel Ali facility and send you photos of the cargo as it is loaded.
- 05
Transit updates
You get the Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, then updates from departure to arrival.
- 06
Clearance and delivery
Our network partner office clears the cargo with SARS and delivers it.
Africa
More African destinations
Africa has been our main market for decades. We also ship from Dubai to these countries.
FAQ
Shipping from Dubai to South Africa: common questions
How long does shipping from Dubai to South Africa take?
About 20 to 30 days by sea, and 2 to 5 days by air to Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban.
Can I ship a used car from Dubai to South Africa?
Only with an ITAC import permit in most cases. Left-hand-drive cars generally cannot be registered. Check before you buy.
Which port do you use for South Africa?
Mostly Durban. We also ship to Cape Town and Gqeberha.
Do you have an office in South Africa?
We work with a network partner office for clearance and delivery.
Is there a minimum for air freight?
Yes, 45 kg chargeable weight. We are a freight forwarder, not a courier, so we do not move documents or small parcels. Chargeable weight is the actual weight or the volumetric weight, whichever is higher.
Do you ship to South Africa from China?
Yes. Air freight from China, Europe or India to South Africa takes about 5 to 7 days.
Get a Free Quote
Request a shipping quote from Dubai
Leave your name, a WhatsApp number or email, and a short note on what you need. Our team will come back to you with a tailored quote.
- 40+ years of shipping experience
- Sea, air, RoRo and heavy machinery freight
- Real answers on WhatsApp, not just a form
Call +971 4 344 6289 or +971 50 646 3985, or email enquiries@megaspeedcargo.com.