The best way to ship your car to South Africa is to use the RoRo service to Durban or Cape Town. The transit time from European ports is around 18 to 24 days. You will need a Letter of Authority, the SARS customs declaration, a Roadworthiness Certificate and the original vehicle title. The import duties are up to 25 per cent depending on the vehicle type.
South Africa is one of the largest vehicle markets on the African continent and a major destination for international vehicle imports. Whether relocation, resale or project vehicle - RoRo shipping to South Africa is a proven and efficient method.
The country has a well-developed harbour infrastructure, especially in Durban and Cape Town. Both ports offer specialised vehicle terminals with professional handling.
However, the customs requirements and import regulations in South Africa are more complex than in many other countries. Careful preparation is therefore particularly important.
The most important European ports of departure for RoRo to South Africa are:
| Port of departure | Port of destination | Transit time | Frequency |
| Bremerhaven | Durban | 20-24 days | Every 2-3 weeks |
| Bremerhaven | Cape Town | 18-22 days | Every 3-4 weeks |
| Zeebruegge | Durban | 19-23 days | Every 2-3 weeks |
| Southampton | Durban | 18-22 days | Every 2 weeks |
| Emden | Durban | 21-25 days | Irregular |
Durban is the main port for vehicle imports and offers the most frequent departures. Cape Town is less frequently served directly, but is the better choice for recipients in the Western Cape region.
Note that transit times may vary depending on the season and stopovers. Direct connections are faster, but not always available.
South Africa has specific document requirements that you must fulfil in full:
Original vehicle title: The original proof of ownership document. Copies will not be accepted.
Bill of Lading (B/L): The shipping company's transport document.
Commercial Invoice: With vehicle description, chassis number and declared value.
Letter of Authority: A power of attorney authorising your customs broker to carry out customs clearance on your behalf.
Import licence (import permit): Required for certain vehicle categories.
Export declaration: Issued by the customs of the country of departure.
Passport copy: A copy of your valid passport.
Ask your freight forwarder to give you a complete checklist and submit all documents in good time. Incomplete documentation will result in significant delays and possible penalties.
Import duties in South Africa are among the highest in the world. The SARS (South African Revenue Service) levies the following duties:
| Delivery | Set | Calculation basis |
| Import duty | Up to 25 % | CIF value (value of goods + freight + insurance) |
| Value added tax (VAT) | 15 % | CIF value + import duty |
| Ad valorem tax | Variable | Depending on vehicle type and value |
| Harbour dues | Variable | According to vehicle size and service life |
The exact duty rate depends on the customs tariff number (HS code) of your vehicle. Newer vehicles and certain categories may have different rates.
Tip: Obtain binding customs tariff information before shipping so that you know the exact costs in advance. Surprises on arrival are expensive and frustrating.
In South Africa, every imported vehicle must have a Roadworthiness Certificate before it can be registered and allowed on the road.
This exam includes:
The inspection is carried out by authorised inspection centres in South Africa. Make sure that your vehicle is in good technical condition before you ship it. Defects may require expensive repairs on site.
Also note: South Africa has left-hand traffic. If your vehicle is a left-hand drive vehicle, additional requirements or restrictions may apply.
Customs clearance at SARS follows a structured process:
Pre-registration: Your customs broker will submit the customs declaration electronically to SARS, ideally before the ship arrives.
Document review: SARS checks all submitted documents for completeness and accuracy.
Product evaluation: SARS determines the customs value on the basis of the commercial invoice and its own valuation guidelines.
Physical inspection: In some cases, the vehicle is physically inspected. This is done on a random basis or in the event of anomalies.
Tax calculation and payment: Once the documents have been released, the applicable fees are calculated and must be paid before release.
Release: After payment, you will receive customs clearance and can collect the vehicle.
The processing time is usually three to seven working days. The process can be accelerated with an experienced customs broker. Nevertheless, plan enough time buffer.
So that your vehicle import to South Africa runs smoothly:
South Africa has strict import controls, but with the right preparation, importing is easy. A local partner on site makes the process much easier.
The transit time from European ports to Durban or Cape Town is around 18 to 24 days by RoRo. Added to this are several days for customs clearance on site.
South Africa charges up to 25 per cent import duty on the CIF value plus 15 per cent VAT. The exact rates depend on the vehicle type and the customs tariff number.
Yes, the Letter of Authority is mandatory. It authorises your customs broker to carry out customs clearance on your behalf.
Basically yes, but South Africa has left-hand traffic. Additional requirements may apply to left-hand drive vehicles and registration can be more time-consuming.
SARS stands for South African Revenue Service and is the South African customs authority. It is responsible for import clearance, customs valuation and the collection of import duties.
Yes, imported vehicles must meet South African emission standards and pass a Roadworthiness Certificate before they can be registered.
Shipping your car to South Africa by RoRo is a structured process that runs smoothly with the right preparation. Durban and Cape Town offer good RoRo connections, and transit times of 18 to 24 days are manageable.
Allow enough time for obtaining documents and customs clearance. Import duties are relatively high, so you should calculate the costs precisely in advance. With an experienced freight forwarder and a local customs broker in South Africa, you can ensure that your vehicle import is a success.
Do you have any questions or would you like a non-binding offer? Contact us directly: https://odsorient.com/kontakt
All information in this article has been carefully researched but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the topicality, accuracy and completeness of the information provided.
The best way to ship your car to South Africa is to use the RoRo service to Durban or Cape Town. The transit time from European ports is around 18 to 24 days. You will need a Letter of Authority, the SARS customs declaration, a Roadworthiness Certificate and the original vehicle title. The import duties are up to 25 per cent depending on the vehicle type. Short answer in 5 [...]
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