Shipping From the U.S. to South Africa
Explore DHL solutions for expedient delivery and affordable shipping from the U.S. to South Africa
Our strong global network and full range of cross-border shipping services make shipping from the United States to South Africa easy. Whether you want to estimate shipping costs, learn more about how to ship from the U.S. to South Africa, or simply need a quick delivery solution, you’ll find all the information you need here.
How much does shipping from the U.S. to South Africa cost?
The cost of shipping to South Africa varies based on factors like weight, size, and destination as well as any additional services that you book. For packages and pallets, both big and small, we can provide you with an instant quote on shipping rates from U.S. to South Africa.
In addition to answering questions about price, our quoting tool also displays a range of delivery speeds. From some of the most competitive rates to ship to South Africa from the U.S. to some of the quickest, our quoting tool will show you the range of shipping possibilities available.
Get a Quote in 4 Easy Steps
1.
Indicate if you are shipping as a private person or a business customer
2.
Fill out your shipment details
3.
Get the estimated costs
4.
Continue with online booking
How are duties and taxes calculated for shipments from the U.S. to South Africa?
There are several factors that influence how duties and taxes are calculated for shipments from the U.S. to South Africa. For example, the type of item that you are sending, its declared value and whether you are sending it for commercial or personal reasons all play a role in determining the duties and taxes that need to be paid. More details can be found on the South African Revenue Service website.
For businesses with time-sensitive shipments, we recommend using DHL Express. With this shipping solution, you have access to the DHL Express Global Trade Services toolkit. Our Landed Cost Estimator lets you calculate duties, taxes and more so you know what your shipping costs are upfront. You can also find out about the latest import and export regulations with our tool.
Why should I use DHL to send business shipments to South Africa from the U.S.?
As the world’s leading logistics provider, DHL offers a range of benefits to business shippers of all sizes, including:
- A broad portfolio of services from express shipments to freight transport
- Attractive prices based on shipment volume and frequency
- Increased efficiency and control of all your shipments with our exclusive tools for shipping
- World-class service from our shipping experts, operational teams, and customer service agents
- Easy integrations with our best-in-class APIs and web-based shipping options
If you regularly ship to South Africa and are looking for a cost-effective solution, you can share a shipping profile and connect with our experts. They will help you find an affordable solution and save time on your future shipments.
How long does shipping from the U.S. to South Africa take?
Once your shipment has been handed over to us, delivery time is mainly determined by the service you select. While standard shipping options are more affordable, the delivery times are generally longer than time-definite services.
For businesses that open a DHL account, we offer various service levels ranging from next-business-day shipping to more economical options.
How can I track my shipment from the U.S. to South Africa?
Shipments can be tracked directly on DHL’s website. You can track your shipment from the U.S. to South Africa here.
We offer our business customers a wide range of data integration options with best-in-class APIs that allow easier access to information across our different divisions. In addition to a unified tracking solution, we also have tracking APIs for individual divisions including DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Supply Chain. You can explore our different tracking APIs in our API Developer Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are South African addresses written when shipping to South Africa with DHL?
When shipping to South Africa with DHL, South African addresses are typically written using the following format:
Name/Company Name (if applicable)
Country
Street address with additional information (e.g. floor)
Suburb/City
Province
Postcode
Example:
Name
South Africa
788 King Meadow
Ellisras
Limpopo
0555
All South African postal codes have four digits, ranging from 0001 to 9999.
How is VAT calculated when shipping a package to South Africa?
The current VAT rate in South Africa is 15%. To calculate VAT on imported goods, you first need to determine the Added Tax Value (ATV). The calculation is as follows:
ATV = (Customs Value + 10% of Customs Value + any non-rebated duties) × 15%
VAT payable = ATV × 15%
The 10% mark-up on the customs value is applied when goods are imported from countries outside the Customs Union (i.e. the United States).
Are gift items exempt from taxes and duties in South Africa?
A person can receive up to two gifts per calendar year, each valued at no more than 1,400.00 Rand to qualify for a duty rebate. If a parcel’s value exceeds 1,400.00 Rand, customs charges apply to the total price. For gift parcels over 1,400.00 Rand intended for multiple recipients, customs charges must be paid by the recipients, as the rebate cannot be split.
Are there restrictions on what can be sent to South Africa?
Many items are not allowed to be sent to South Africa, including firearms, drugs, hazardous materials, and counterfeit items. Some items can be sent but a permit is required. Each year, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) releases an Import Control Program listing goods that require import permits for all countries.
What paperwork do I need to fill out in order to ship packages from the U.S. to South Africa?
Proper documentation is essential for customs clearance when shipping to South Africa. Required documents typically include: one negotiable and two non-negotiable copies of the Bill of Lading, the Declaration of Origin Form (DA59) for lower duty rates or goods subject to antidumping/countervailing duty (attached to the original commercial invoice), four copies and one original Commercial Invoice with necessary customs data, one copy of the insurance certificate for sea freight, three copies of the Packing List (consistent with other documents).
How can I ensure that my package to South Africa is delivered expeditiously?
If you have a package that needs to be delivered quickly, we recommend using our Express Service. This service ensures that time-critical packages arrive expeditiously at their destination.
Do you want to power your small or medium-sized business success?
No matter if your business is growing, you are looking to expand internationally or you are simply searching for a reliable and convenient shipping services. We can help you with world-class shipping and logistics.
