Jessie is a native of South Africa with over 20 years of experience in the Relocation industry. She is passionate about delivering a fantastic customer experience and has helped hundreds of customers to move their household goods and lives around the globe.
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Are you planning an international relocation from the UAE to South Africa?
Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming, and careful planning and preparation are essential for a smooth transition. In this article, Jessie De Ryck, Crown Relocations' Corporate Sales Senior Consultant, shares valuable insights to answer four commonly asked questions about relocating to South Africa.
From transit times to customs duties and shipping vehicles, we've got you covered.
1. Transit Times for Sea Shipments to South Africa
You should plan for a delivery timeframe or 7 to 9 weeks for a shipment to reach your new home. For moves from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Crown offers sailings from Jebel Ali to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg ports, ensuring faster and more reliable transit times.
The direct sailing to Cape Town 28 days, Durban takes 19 days and trucking or railing from Durban to Johannesburg can take another 5 to 14 days.
The door-to-door transit times include:
- Sailing time from port to port
- 3 to 5 working days in the UAE and approximately 3 to 15 days in South Africa for customs clearance
- Haulage to Johannesburg inland port.
- Loading, unloading, and final delivery.
2. Door-to-Door Quotations – Avoiding Surprises
Crown Relocations aims to offer detailed estimates for international moves. However, it's important to be aware that there might be additional expenses to account for at your destination. Some common examples include:
- Shuttling Service: In residential areas that restrict the entry of large trucks and containers, smaller vans are recommended. Alternatively, extra charges for 'long-carry' could apply if the delivery truck needs to park far from your building.
- Customs & CBP (Customs Boarder Police) exams: Beyond the usual customs clearance, there can be charges for random CBP or customs exam stops. The costs may vary depending on the extent of the exam.
If you have a final delivery address at the time of enquiry, your dedicated Move Manager will work with you to discuss the details and provide tailored solutions to avoid surprises or unnecessary additional expenses.
3. Customs Duties on Household Goods
You may qualify for exemption from South African customs duties and taxes on your household goods and vehicles if they are for personal use and meet specific requirements:
- Returning residents: Must have been out of South Africa for an unbroken period of at least 6 months. If not, customs will apply duty and taxes, and the returning resident will need an import permit for each commodity.
Important Note: The import permit can take up to 20 days to be processed and duties and taxes will be calculated based on the items listed on the import permit. New furniture, alcohol and firearms all require an import permit.
- Work Permit Holders: Must produce a valid work permit.
The owner of the shipment must be in South Africa at least 10 days before the shipment arrives at port for customs clearance. Customs officials will require all original documentation and the origin passport to process the clearance. Your dedicated Move Manager will assist and guide you through the documentation requirements once you arrive in South Africa.
4. Shipping Vehicles to South Africa
It is possible to ship a car, along with your household goods to South Africa. However:
- Returning residents must pay full duties and taxes.
- Temporary residents must pay a cash Customs Bond to cover duties and taxes and can only apply for a refund from the South African Department of Customs & Excise upon proof of re-export of the motor car from South Africa.
- Only left-hand motor vehicles registered in South Africa before January 1, 2000, will be cleared for entry. Left-hand drive vehicles purchased after January 1, 2000, are not allowed to be imported.
Ready to move?
Relocating your household goods from the UAE to South Africa may seem daunting, but with proper planning and the assistance of Crown Relocations, the process can be smooth and hassle-free.
Our expert team of Move Managers are ready to guide you through each step, ensuring a seamless transition to your new home in South Africa.
Contact us today for personalized assistance and a door-to-door moving quote without any surprises or hidden costs.