Absolutely! We have a dedicated team in sales, customs, transport, operations, and finance, all working together to provide you with a fully integrated service. The advantage of our close-knit, relatively small team is that we can offer personalized attention while managing all your requirements efficiently.

If you are importing goods into South Africa and need assistance navigating the complex customs clearance rules and regulations, a customs broker is the expert you need to ensure your goods are properly cleared for entry into South Africa.

Customs brokers must be licensed by the relevant authorities, based on their qualifications and proven experience. Rgrantr Logistics’ team of licensed customs brokers works directly with the necessary government, port, and airport authorities to support importers by:

Completing and submitting the correct documentation, such as Import Declarations, to the South African Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries;

• Calculating duties and taxes payable on your import;
• Ensuring your goods are correctly classified under the applicable customs regulations;
• Providing tariff advice and utilizing South Africa’s free trade agreements where applicable;
• Conducting customs compliance audits of your import and export activities to identify duty overpayments and process customs refund applications.

Rgrantr Logistics’ systems are electronically linked to the South African Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, allowing us to instantly access duty rates, duty concessions, and biosecurity requirements for our clients. Combined with our expertise in clearance, we ensure the highest quality service, minimizing customs clearance and quarantine delays.

Appointing a local freight forwarder to handle your import and export needs simplifies the shipping process and removes much of the hassle.

A freight forwarder can coordinate the pickup of your import shipment directly from your supplier and ensure it is delivered to your door, managing all logistics and documentation on your behalf.

When you contact Rgrantr Logistics for a quote on your import shipment, you will receive a comprehensive price that covers the pickup of your goods from your supplier (typically referred to as ex. works charges), the ocean or air freight to transport it to South Africa, local port charges payable at the destination port or airport, customs clearance fees, and, if needed, delivery charges to your door. By obtaining a quote for all charges upfront, you will know exactly what to expect financially before shipping your goods.

Additionally, you’ll benefit from enhanced visibility of your shipments. Regular updates will be provided, keeping you informed of the latest estimated time of arrival (ETA). If you have any queries or concerns, a team of local experts is readily available to assist you.

For exporters, we offer the same services, helping you ship goods directly from your location to your end client, regardless of where they are globally. We also facilitate cross-trade shipments (also known as triangle shipments), enabling our clients to distribute goods between countries, regardless of where their business is located. For example, we can handle shipments where your supplier is in the U.K., your customer is in Japan, and your business is in South Africa.

*Quotes are based on the information provided to Rgrantr Logistics at the time of quoting. If the volume of your shipment changes, the price will adjust accordingly. Additional charges may apply if your goods are placed on a Border Hold or inspected by South African Border Force or the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. Freight costs are quoted in foreign currency, and the amount you pay will be based on the exchange rate at the time of invoicing. Standard delivery quotes assume you have a forklift onsite; if not, let us know and we will provide a quote for a tail-lifter truck for unloading larger shipments. Quotes do not include duties and taxes, which will be calculated once shipping documents are received and billed to you at cost as a disbursement. Disbursements must be paid upon receipt of our tax invoice.

Rgrantr Logistics offers a credit facility to its clients who have regular, ongoing shipments with us. Credit is only issued subject to approval. Clients who do not have a credit account need to arrange payment in full, prior to delivery.

To be advised

There are a variety of incoterms which can be used for each shipment. Each has its benefits depending on your relationship with your supplier or client. You can refer to our Guide to Incoterms fact sheet, or if you prefer, call us on 00 27 72 642 6021 discuss what option might be best for you.

All sea freight shipments entering South Africa require the following documents to enable a Customs Declaration to be completed:

• Bill of Lading
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Packing Declaration
• Certificate of Origin (if claiming duty concessions)
• All air freight shipments entering South Africa require:
• Air Waybill
• Commercial Invoice

Your supplier should make these documents available to you once your shipment has departed, and you have paid for your goods.

Yes, we do handle personal effects, and all charges must be paid in advance before goods leave the depot.
Please find a copy of B534 (Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement) on our Documents Page. This form must be completed and forwarded to Rgrantr Logistics, along with a copy of your passport, the packing list, and the Bill of Lading.

All goods under 12 months old are subject to Duty/GST. Tobacco, alcohol, and motor vehicles are also subject to Duty/GST upon arrival.

All motor vehicles imported to South Africa require approval to import the vehicle from the relevant authorities. Please read further on importing a road vehicle into South Africa for specific requirements and processes. You will also find a helpful 8-step guide on importing a vehicle.

Vehicles should not be shipped until an Import Approval has been granted. All imported vehicles with air-conditioning gas present must be imported under a Pre-charge Equipment License or otherwise removed prior to export.

Upon importation, all vehicles are inspected at the terminal. Cars are then moved to a steam cleaning facility for cleaning, and once released, they will be transported to a nominated compliance facility.

Rgrantr Logistics has expertise in arranging this process on your behalf. For further information regarding the importation of vehicles, please contact our office at 00 27 72 642 6021.

There are many different types of containers, such as High Cube, Open Tops, Flat Racks, etc., that goods can be packed in or on and shipped on containerized vessels. Goods that exceed standard container dimensions are termed Out of Gauge (OOG). Rates for OOG cargo will be determined by how much the cargo exceeds standard dimensions and must be quoted on a case-by-case basis.

Please contact Rgrantr Logistics for a quote on any standard or OOG cargo, whether sea or air, and check our documents page for container types and sizes.

In the world of sea freight, an FCL (Full Container Load) shipment is used when a shipper or importer pays for the entire container and uses it exclusively for a single shipment, even if the container is not completely filled with cargo. Since the container is not shared, FCL shipments can be faster, as the FCL container can be delivered directly to your location of choice at the destination for you to unload the container yourself.

On the other hand, an LCL (Less-than-Container-Load) shipment means different shippers share the containers and only pay for the space they use. While FCL may seem cheaper since the cost per unit freight is lower compared to LCL, importing fees are paid per shipment. LCL is becoming increasingly preferred for smaller shipments due to the rise in e-commerce and for those seeking lower warehousing/inventory costs.

When will my sea freight shipment become available from the port?

This will depend on whether you have imported a full container (FCL) or a portion of a shared container (LCL).

If you have an FCL shipment, the terminal usually allows you 3 days to collect your container, starting from the day after the vessel arrives. However, if your container is on a Border Hold (held by South African Border Force for screening), you won’t be able to collect your container until the South African Border Force completes their screening. Additional charges like wharf storage and container detention may apply, which will be at the expense of the importer.

If you have an LCL shipment, your freight will be available for collection or delivery approximately 7–10 business days after arrival at the port. This is because the container needs to be collected from the wharf, taken to a local depot, unpacked, sorted, and made available for all importers. While not common, Border Holds can also be placed on LCL containers, which can delay the availability of your freight and may incur additional costs like storage. These costs are passed on to the importer of the goods.

Yes, we offer comprehensive storage and warehousing solutions for both short-term and long-term needs. Our facilities are secure, and we provide easy access to your goods when required.

Yes, we provide reliable local delivery services to ensure your goods reach their destination safely and on time, whether it’s within a specific city or across the country.

To avoid additional costs, ensure all required documentation is complete and accurate. Timely payment of duties and charges, as well as following the proper shipping guidelines, will help prevent unexpected fees. Contact Rgrantr Logistics for specific advice based on your shipment.

Container detention refers to charges incurred when a container is kept beyond the allowed free time for unloading or return. To avoid these charges, ensure timely unloading of your container and return it to the depot within the specified period. Always confirm with Rgrantr Logistics about your container’s specific free time and return deadlines.

Wharf storage charges apply when goods remain at the port for longer than allowed, often due to delays in customs clearance or unloading. To avoid wharf storage fees, ensure your documents are in order and your cargo is cleared for pickup promptly. Keep in close communication with Rgrantr Logistics to track your shipment’s status.

Rgrantr Logistics offers a free import audit to help assess your shipping costs and streamline your processes. This service is quick and efficient, designed to provide you with accurate and actionable insights without significant time investment.

Booking your cargo is easy! Simply contact Rgrantr Logistics, and we will guide you through the booking process. You can provide your shipment details, and we’ll confirm the best shipping options and rates.

Yes, Rgrantr Logistics offers shipping insurance to protect your goods in transit. This ensures that your shipment is covered against any potential loss or damage. We can assist in selecting the right insurance based on the value and nature of your cargo.

Absolutely! You can arrange a meeting with one of our experts at Rgrantr Logistics to discuss your specific shipping needs. Just get in touch with us to set up a convenient time.