Shipping to South Africa from UK
South Africa is a country of contrasts. Home to the world's largest commercial city, Johannesburg, and some of the most beautiful wildlife reserves on earth, it has something for everyone. If you need to send a parcel to South Africa, there are a few things you need to know.
We'll give you all of the information that you need if you are considering sending a parcel to South Africa.
Parcel Delivery to South Africa Guidelines: Tips and Tricks
There are lots of rules and guidelines that might affect the overall delivery time of your parcel. Factors such as the courier services' protocols and the South African Customs clearance process are just a few of them. Any kind of issue, even a minor one, might significantly affect the overall delivery time of your package.
However, you can minimise any potential issues and possible delays to your international deliveries with these simple steps.
Disclose All Necessary Information
Most parcel delivery services face issues when the packages don't show all the necessary information about their delivery. It actually becomes worse if you involve international services into the equation. To avoid these circumstances, couriers recommend including every unique detail to help courier companies fulfil their delivery obligation.
Writing down every detail during the booking process can ideally help with the overall shipment time of your parcel, especially if you opt for express delivery. First, make sure you got the correct address for your delivery; a South African address closely resembles a UK address format. Just make a clear note about the country's postcode. The postal code will have a dedicated space in the address column. To know more about how it works, visit the Universal Postal Union as one of your guides.
Also, prepare for the customs paperwork ahead of time to ensure a smooth transaction. Lastly, declare the correct value and weight categories of your goods. Imagine this; you don't want your parcel to be stuck in customs, in a parcel transit or collection all the time. That's why the same-day collection is the popular choice for this kind of product.
Working Days
A set of working days in one country may not be the same with other countries. You might also need to consider public and bank holidays to the overall equation when preparing your parcel delivery to South Africa.
Invoices
It doesn't matter if your goods are headed to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, or Pretoria. South Africa requires every commercial invoice to be on headed paper.
Import Regulations
Any used, controlled, and second-hand products, even for personal use, need to have permission from the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC).
Tax Duties
Inform the recipient that possible customs charges may incur due to the tax duties associated with the value of the declared goods.
Things that You Can and Can't Send to South Africa
The country's booming economy is a perfect place to conduct business. That might be one of the possible reasons why we see a considerable rise in sending parcels from and to South Africa. However, there may be illegal goods and restricted items inside your large parcel that you didn't know are forbidden within the country's border.
The South African Department of Trade provides strict guidelines when it comes to import and export control. Here's a quick rundown of how the parcel service in the country works and the examples of prohibited goods.
- Narcotics, illegal drugs and paraphernalia relating to their use
- Poisonous or toxic substances
- Cigars and cigarillos
- Counterfeit goods
- Firearms and ammunition
Others include uncooked meat, dry ice, uncut diamonds, and pornographic materials. To see the complete list of prohibited items that you can't ship to South Africa, you can visit South African Revenue Service for the full guidelines.
South Africa Parcel Delivery Services FAQs
What is the best way to send cheap parcels not only to South Africa but to other parts of the world?
There are many viable options available on the market. Still, if you're thinking about the perfect mix of quality, cheap, and convenience, then Packlink might be the ideal partner for your shipping needs.
The Packlink online tool gives you the power to compare available couriers within your area, making sure you got the best prices available. On top of that, Packlink services are free!
How much is the cost for sending Parcels in South Africa?
Most delivery services provide an instant quote for your parcel, depending on the shipment dimension, the destination, and if you opt for express delivery services or not. Click here to find out exactly how much sending a parcel to South Africa would cost you.
Packlink's competitive rates are considerably cheaper than booking with a courier directly. Packlink prices can save you up to 50% on national deliveries around the UK and up to 70% when doing international shipping.
What size of shipments can you accommodate when sending a parcel to South Africa?
Are you thinking of sending a steam iron this coming holiday as a present? How about bathroom scales to remind everyone in the household about their eating habits? Probably a set of small power tools for the main man of the house? Whatever the size of the parcel might be, Packlink got you covered.
Packlink offers all kinds of containers that are suitable for all types of packages. This ensures the safe delivery of your parcel.
What's the most convenient way to send a parcel to South Africa?
Sending large parcels or shipping a small one is sometimes hard to do, especially on a busy day. That's why Packlink provides you with everything you need for your logistic needs. Packlink offers express delivery to South Africa for a speedy transaction. They even provide you with a parcel cover and a signature tracking system that ensures the safety of your package. They even have the shipping labels generated for your convenience.
How can I deliver my packages for my business in South Africa?
Packlink covers personal shipping needs and provides an effortless solution for your e-commerce and small business logistic needs. Register to Packlink Pro for free and discover the cheapest and most reliable courier service in the market.
Packlink provides flexible terms and doesn't require you to lock in for a contract. You can even integrate Packlink into your e-commerce store without any hassle. Shipping to South Africa is never an issue for Packlink.
No matter what you are sending to South Africa, we can help. We offer a wide range of services for all your parcel needs, from international shipping to freight forwarding and courier services. Whatever the size or destination of your package, we have a solution for you.