From China to South Africa – Shipping Guide

“From China to South Africa – Shipping Guide
TJ-chinafreight has extensive experience in handling cargo shipments from China to South Africa. Whether it is sea, air, or even postal parcels. No matter where you need to ship from, Guangzhou Port, Shanghai Port and any other port in China. We always provide the best shipping solutions. What about rates? TJ-chinafreight offers competitive freight rates for door-to-port, door-to-door shipping and good shipping services. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide for shipping from Chania to South Africa.
Shipping from China to South Africa


You always need to schedule your shipment in advance, especially if your shipment is large (over 500kg) or the package volume exceeds 2m3. In general, ocean shipping is the best option for shipping bulky shipments. However, it is also the most difficult method of shipping because it takes a long time. From China to South Africa, the shipping time is about 25 to 41 days from port to port, and about 42 to 47 days from door to door.


There are many ports in China, such as Shanghai Port, Ningbo Port, Shenzhen Port, Tianjin Port, Qingdao Port, Xiamen Port, Hong Kong Port, etc. Your ship can go to South Africa from departure. If your freight forwarder is in these cities, you will benefit more because the freight forwarder is already familiar with the loading and unloading rules of each port, making your cargo easier to handle and saving you time.
Air Freight from China to South Africa
Air freight shipments between China and South Africa normally take 2-7 days, not including the additional time required to move products from the respective countries’ departure and arrival airports.
When you need your items soon, China Air Freight is a cost-effective option to express shipping, but keep in mind that air freight estimates are rarely door-to-door like courier quotes. This means you’ll be in charge of transporting our items from your supplier to the airport in China, as well as customs clearance and any South African tariffs payable.

Express Shipping from China to South Africa
We will provide you with a variety of express and economical express services to choose from, so that you can choose the service that best suits your needs. Shipping to South Africa is calculated based on the size and weight of the package, so the best way to find shipping to South Africa is to use our shipping calculator. Just enter the weight and dimensions of your package and we’ll give you an instant quote for everything from the cheapest way to ship to South Africa to the fastest.
customs clearance
When passing through customs, you will be asked to provide certain information about your shipment. You may also be asked to produce an invoice or other official document to support your claim.
The data that you are usually asked about includes:
The value of the goods in the goods.

Type of imported goods.
Shipping and insurance to South Africa.
HS code of imported goods.
Additional details about what is being imported. For mixed shipments, this includes the incoming quantity of each item.
Customs officers then verify and use this data to determine whether your item can enter the country and how much import duties and taxes you need to pay.
Since the cost of taxes and import duties can vary based on this data, you should always report accurately. Even something as trivial as the wrong product classification can get you in trouble, as different categories of products, or products with sometimes small differences, may result in different payments.

How to save money
after you have defined your mode of transport for your goods, you are ready for the next step, which includes understanding the terms FOB, EXW and DAP. Since transport costs are a key factor in the same transport model, knowing these concepts will help you save money. Incoterms Explained – A Simple Guide to FOB, DDP and EX Works
Should you choose a freight forwarder in China or South Africa?
If you are looking for a freight forwarder to handle your shipments from China to South Africa, whether you need air, sea or multimodal transport, it is best to choose a freight forwarder from China. Chinese freight forwarders have linguistic and geographical advantages, making them ideal for overseas transporters. During shipping, you also need a Chinese warehouse for storage and preparation. Choosing a local freight forwarder (from South Africa) will cost you a lot of money and time as they may need to contact other forwarders in China to manage pickup, packing, processing and customs clearance; language barriers can also be an issue.”