Moving to South Africa: Calculate Costs and Plan with Confidence
An intercontinental overseas move to South Africa requires precise logistical preparation. In addition to the long transport route, South African customs requirements, your residence status, and delivery in the destination country need to be considered early. As your experienced moving company, DACHSER & KOLB supports you throughout all steps of your relocation.
Transparent costs in three short steps: Simply use our moving cost calculator to quickly and easily calculate your non-binding price for initial orientation.
Calculate South Africa moving costs in just a few minutes – how the moving cost calculator works
The cost of a move to South Africa mainly depends on the moving volume, the pickup and destination locations, the type of transport, and the desired packing and additional services. With our moving cost calculator, you receive a non-binding price based on the first information you provide.
To give you a fair quote for your move overseas, we need a few key details. In the first step, our digital cost calculator asks for only the three most important pricing factors: your current home size, the number of people in your household, and your exact transport route from Germany to South Africa.
For your personal price and secure access to your calculation, we then need your contact details. After that, you can flexibly add to and refine your information in your personal dashboard. The price shown serves as an initial guide for your budget planning, while the final detailed coordination takes place with your personal contact.
Your benefits in our personal dashboard at a glance:
- Non-binding price:
You receive a transparent first price for your international move within just a few minutes of entering your details.
- Protected dashboard access:
We use your personal data to create your protected profile so your calculations remain securely stored.
- Flexible refinement:
Add your exact furniture list afterward, completely relaxed, with just a few clicks.
- Request additional services:
Flexibly add options such as your preferred packing service or furniture assembly.
- Direct contact:
Use the direct line to your personal moving expert to fine-tune your quote.
Completing the form takes only a few minutes and gives you initial guidance for your budget planning.
Your moving company for South Africa: DACHSER & KOLB services
Whether you are moving for professional or personal reasons to economic centers such as Johannesburg or Pretoria, planning a fresh start in the coastal metropolises of Cape Town or Durban, or relocating your life to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), a private move to South Africa comes with specific requirements due to the great distances and intercontinental logistics. For your move to South Africa, DACHSER & KOLB offers a modular service portfolio that can be tailored exactly to your needs:
- Flexible & precise survey:
Free assessment of your household goods on site or a simple digital video survey to determine the exact moving volume.
- Overseas packing suitable for transport:
Professional packing of your belongings by trained staff using special overseas packing materials for overseas transport.
- Support with customs-related documents:
Assistance in compiling the required transport-related freight and customs documents for export and import.
- Sea and air freight:
Flexible transport by FCL sea freight in a dedicated container or as LCL sea freight in shared container space, as well as optional air freight for urgently needed items.
- Vehicle transport after case-by-case review:
Coordination of possible transport solutions for cars or motorcycles, provided the required South African import and registration requirements can be met.
- Global partner network:
Coordinated handling in the destination country through direct access to DACHSER’s global logistics infrastructure.
- Coordinated delivery planning:
Coordination of transport and unloading from the respective arrival location to your new address, including areas outside the major metropolitan regions.
- Optional assembly services:
Professional dismantling of your furniture in Germany as well as additional skilled trade services at the South African destination by individual arrangement.
Transport solutions for your South Africa move: sea freight and air freight
For household goods transport across the ocean, we use standardized overseas containers as well as specialized air freight solutions. Depending on the size of your moving goods, your timeline, and your budget, you can choose between two proven logistics options, which can also be combined:
- Sea freight (FCL and LCL) – the central transport route:
For complete household moves, sea freight is often an economically sensible solution. Larger volumes are transported exclusively in a dedicated container (FCL – Full Container Load). This keeps your moving goods clearly assigned, and the container is not shared with third-party part loads. For smaller quantities, we pack your goods in robust overseas crates (liftvans) and ship them as LCL sea freight (LCL – Less than Container Load) to South Africa in shared container space together with other shipments in order to split costs.
- Air freight – for urgently needed items:
If certain items such as work materials, clothing, or important documents need to be available directly after your arrival in South Africa, air transport is a suitable option. Air freight moves urgent items within short time frames and is especially useful as a supplement to sea freight.
| Transport solution |
Suitable for
|
Special feature
|
|---|---|---|
| FCL sea freight | Larger household volumes; extensive moving goods; vehicle if applicable after individual case-by-case review | Dedicated container without third-party part loads |
| LCL sea freight | Smaller moving volumes; individual pieces of furniture | Shared container space, part load to South Africa |
| Air freight | Urgently needed items; clothing; documents | Short transport time by air |
| Combination | Household goods plus starter setup | Combine sea and air freight |
Your South Africa move process: 6 steps to your destination
To ensure your household goods arrive safely at your new home, every intercontinental international move follows a structured and proven logistics process for overseas shipping:
Calculate South Africa moving costs:
You start directly online in our three-step moving cost calculator, enter your key details, and receive your non-binding price for first orientation within just a few minutes.
Record moving volume:
In the unlocked dashboard, you can refine your information afterward at your own pace or use our digital volume consultation to determine your household goods precisely.
Select transport solution:
Together with our international moving experts, you choose the right type of transport, such as an exclusive sea container, partial sea freight, or a combination with air freight.
Coordinate quote and dates:
You receive your binding fixed-price quote. We then coordinate the planned dates for pickup, shipment, and delivery with you.
Packing, transport, and customs preparation:
Our team packs your moving goods for overseas transport, prepares the shipment for the selected type of transport, and supports you with the required customs-related documents.
Delivery in South Africa:
After customs release at the South African arrival location, our network coordinates onward transport and unloading at your new address.
Arrival locations and inland transport in South Africa
When moving to South Africa, planning does not end when the shipment arrives at the port or airport. Depending on the selected route and final destination address, longer inland transport may be required. A move to Cape Town or Durban is therefore planned differently from delivery inland to Johannesburg or Pretoria.
Cape Town and Durban are among South Africa’s commercial ports. Other seaports include the Port of Gqeberha, also known as Port Elizabeth, and Ngqura. However, the specific arrival location depends on the shipping company, connection, and destination address.
Important planning factors for your inland transport:
- Distance from the respective port or airport to the destination address
- Specific route and regional road connections
- Type of residence, such as apartment, house, or gated residential estate
- Access and security requirements of residential estates
- Possible registration at security checkpoints at the entrance
- Seasonal and climatic conditions at the destination
- Additional handling, temporary storage, or delivery with smaller vehicles
Customs regulations for South Africa: What you need to know
Personal household goods can be imported with duty relief as moving goods under certain conditions when relocating to South Africa. The specific treatment depends, among other things, on your residence status, your previous connection to South Africa, and the composition of the shipment.
According to the published requirements of the South African Revenue Service, or SARS, the key documents include a detailed inventory list, Form DA 304 for household goods, declaration P1.160 for unaccompanied shipments, and the SAD 500 customs declaration. Depending on your personal situation, additional passport, entry, and residence documents may be required.
Form DA 304 relates to personal household goods and other movable items for personal use. The items must already have been owned by the relocating person or their family before the change of residence and must not be intended for sale. If they are sold within six months after import, duties may subsequently arise.
For returning South African residents, the relevant factor for relief is in particular that they have lived outside South Africa for at least six months. This period should not be equated with a general six-month ownership period for all household goods.
Motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products are not covered by the DA 304 procedure for normal household goods and must be assessed separately.
DACHSER & KOLB supports you within the agreed scope of services in preparing the transport-related documents and coordinates the further process with the international partner network. The responsible authorities decide which documents are sufficient in the specific case and whether duty relief applies.
Perfectly prepared: Important information for moving to South Africa
In addition to transporting your household goods, starting fresh in South Africa requires early organization of residence, housing, health, and everyday life. You can find additional information for your personal preparation in our country and relocation guides:
- Moving to South Africa:
Initial guidance on residence, safety, health, climate, regional differences, and everyday life can be found in our country profile.
- Moving with pets:
Information on required import permits, veterinary health certificates, and entry requirements for pets can be found directly in the section Moving to South Africa with pets.
Calculate your price now
Plan your move to South Africa with an initial financial orientation. Use our online calculator to determine your non-binding price in just a few minutes and unlock your personal dashboard for detailed transport planning.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Your South Africa Move
How much does it cost to move from Germany to South Africa?
The total cost of an intercontinental overseas move mainly depends on the exact transport volume in cubic meters, the selected transport route, whether sea or air freight, and the distance to the final South African destination. After the detailed volume check and service coordination, you receive your binding fixed-price quote.
How long does furniture transport by sea container to South Africa take?
The exact transport duration depends heavily on the selected destination port, such as Cape Town or Durban, the official customs processes, and the subsequent inland transport. Shipping by sea freight requires significantly more lead time than air freight, but for larger household volumes it is often an economically sensible solution. We coordinate the specific time frame for your route with you individually as part of the detailed transport planning.
Which documents are required for moving goods in South Africa?
According to the published SARS requirements, the key documents include a detailed inventory list, Form DA 304, declaration P1.160 for unaccompanied shipments, and the SAD 500 customs declaration. Depending on residence status and clearance case, additional passport, entry, or residence documents may be required.
DACHSER & KOLB supports you within the agreed scope of services in preparing the transport-related documents.
Can I take a vehicle or motorcycle to South Africa?
The import of a car or motorcycle into South Africa may be possible in certain cases, but is subject to strict requirements and must be reviewed individually before shipping. For used vehicles, in particular, suitable residence status, an import permit from the International Trade Administration Commission, and a Letter of Authority from the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications may be required. Separate Form DA 304A is also relevant for customs treatment.
DACHSER & KOLB reviews the available transport options together with the partners involved. Whether the specific vehicle can be imported and later registered must be confirmed by the responsible authorities before commissioning.
Can DACHSER & KOLB also organize my return move from South Africa?
A return move from South Africa to Germany can also be individually planned and coordinated through our international partner network. Contact us so we can review the transport-related requirements for your return move.
Is the calculation in the moving cost calculator free and non-binding?
Yes. Using the moving cost calculator is free and non-binding. It is designed to provide a non-binding price for your budget planning in just a few steps, without first having to arrange a personal consultation appointment.
How does the online price become a binding fixed-price quote?
Directly after your online entry, you receive access to your personal dashboard. There, you can add to your information, enter your furniture list, and request desired additional services. After the detailed volume check and service coordination, your personal contact prepares your binding fixed-price quote.
Calculate costs for your South Africa move online now
Plan your relocation to South Africa with an initial financial orientation. Use our online calculator to determine your non-binding price in just a few steps and unlock your personal dashboard.
Your personal contact for moving to South Africa
Do you have questions about the exact process, need support with container planning, or want to request personal advice? Our air and sea freight specialist is here to support you with expertise and practical assistance:
Sabrina Klier
Customer Service & Sales - AIR & SEA
