Container Shipping UK to South Africa - Costs & Info

You have two main options when it comes to shipping a container to South Africa. Depending on the size of your move, you can choose either: shared container (LCL) or full container (FCL).

What is FCL?

FCL stands for ‘Full Container Load’ and provides you with the full use of your own dedicated 20ft or 40ft container (AKA sole use).

Benefits of FCL Container Shipping to South Africa?

Shipping your household goods to South Africa using a sole use container provides several key benefits:

• Space & Privacy: A sole use container allows you to utilise extensive space, accommodating everything from a small flat to a large family home. You can fill a 20ft container with belongings from a three-bedroom home, while a larger 40ft container can hold items from a four or five-bedroom home. Moreover, the container can be packed and loaded directly at your residence, ensuring privacy and ease.
• Speed: Opting for a sole use container means your belongings are moved directly to the port and shipped on the first available vessel. There's no waiting for consolidation with other shipments, which reduces the time your items spend in transit.
• Security: With a sole use container, your items are secured once packed and remain sealed until they reach their destination. This means they aren't handled or moved along with other customers' belongings, providing you with peace of mind that your items are protected and private throughout their journey.

What is LCL?

LCL stands for ‘Less than Container Load’ also known as ‘Shared container’ or ‘Groupage’. This allows you to share the space and the cost of a 20ft or 40ft container with others.

Benefits of LCL Container Shipping to South Africa?

Choosing a shared container to ship your goods to South Africa also comes with several advantages:

• Ideal for Small Moves: If you're transporting fewer items, a shared container is perfect as it avoids the cost and space associated with larger containers. You benefit from the efficiency and economy of space without the need to fill an entire container.
• Cost-effective: Shared containers are a more budget-friendly option since you only pay for the space your belongings occupy. This makes it an ideal solution for smaller shipments or those looking to manage their moving budget more effectively.
• Secure Professional Packing:At 1st Move International, we ensure that all items shipped via our shared container service are carefully protected, packed, and palletised. This not only maximizes the protection and security of your belongings but also enables precise measurement and billing for the space your items occupy.

Did you know? 1st Move International can get your belongings to South Africa faster with our faster shipping services. How? We use consolidators to allow us to ship out every week, guaranteed. We never have to wait around for our containers to be full before shipping. This could save you 2-3+ months compared to traditional shared container shipping services. We also provide unbeatable packing to ensure the best protection for your belongings in transit.

Learn which items you can and cannot ship to South Africa via container.

When it comes to shipping to any destination, certain items are typically subject to restrictions or outright prohibitions, and South Africa is no different. It’s essential to be aware of these limitations to ensure a smooth transit and compliance with local laws.

You can find a detailed list of all prohibited and restricted items on the official South African Revenue Service (SARS) website, which provides comprehensive guidelines on customs regulations.

Key items that are prohibited or restricted when shipping to South Africa include:

• Agricultural Products: Fresh fruit, vegetables, and seeds that are not certified or that may pose a risk to local agriculture.
• Live Plants and Animals: Restrictions apply to live plants and animals, which may require special permits or are completely banned to prevent the spread of diseases and invasive species.
• Biological and Chemical Substances: Certain medications, chemicals, and biological substances can be restricted unless they comply with health and safety regulations.
• Cultural Artifacts and Material: Items that could be considered of cultural importance may need special permissions to be imported.
• Unprocessed or Raw Products: Goods of plant or animal origin that have not been treated or processed may be restricted to avoid the introduction of pests or diseases.
• Soiled or Contaminated Items: Any goods containing organic residues or soil, or those infested with pests or diseases, are strictly controlled.