A view of the city and mountains of Cape Town from off the coast - International removals to South Africa

International Removals UK to South Africa

Moving from the UK to South Africa and looking for international removals services and costs? Here at 1st Move International our moving to South Africa service includes guaranteed weekly shipping, the safest packing and shipping in the industry, and smarter and more accurate billing.

Get a quick quote for your overseas move to South Africa here or continue below to find out everything you need to know about moving to South Africa with us. From instant cost estimates, shipping times, and answers to questions we've got you covered.

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Everything You Need To Know About International Removals To South Africa

Costs, Transit Times, Our Services, and Frequently Asked Questions

On this page you will find comprehensive information on moving from the UK to South Africa. We have included information on shipping costs, our various available services, information on our unique packing, and answers to many common questions including: "How long does international removals to South Africa take?" and more.

How Much Does it Cost?

International Removals Costs from the UK to South Africa?

Quick Answer

International moving costs from the UK to South Africa can range from £992 to £2500. The exact cost will ultimately depend on how much you are shipping, your chosen service (shared or dedicated container) and your final destination in South Africa.

UK to South Africa Moving Costs

Destination Shared Container 20ft Container 40ft Container
Cape Town, South Africa From £992 £1,550 £2,450
Durban, South Africa From £992 £1,550 £2,450

* Our costs table should be used as a guide only. As we do not know your collection or destination address, or how much you plan to ship.

For a slightly more accurate and instant online cost estimate, without having to use your email address or name, check out our instant online international removals cost calculator

Finally, for a fully accurate and bespoke quote for shipping to South Africa, use our removals quote form or contact a member of our team for more information.

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What Are My Shipping Options?

Your Shipping Options for Removals to South Africa

Sea freight container shipping is typically the most popular and efficient UK to South Africa international removals method and in this section we detail the differences between the two container shipping services we offer.

Loading a Shared Container with 1st Move Pallets

Shared Container Shipping to South Africa

Loading a Full Container with 1st Move Pallets

Full Container Shipping to South Africa

A view of the city and mountains of Cape Town from off the coast - International removals to South Africa

Ready to Start Your Journey? Get Your Free International Removals Quote Today

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Benefits

Benefits of 1st Move International

Further Benefits

  • 25 years’ experience providing international moving services to South Africa
  • Members of the British Association of Removers
  • Members of the British International Freight Association
  • Modern fleet and fully trained packers and movers
  • Fully insured from your UK home to your destination in South Africa
  • Your own personal, dedicated move manager
  • Free UK storage up to the next scheduled sailing date
  • Electronic and Fastrack customs clearance in the UK South Africa
  • Faster weekly sailings to South Africa direct from UK ports
  • Track your transatlantic shipment live with 24/7 container tracking
Our Packing

Packing For Your International Move to South Africa

We are the only international removals company to employ this system of packing, and we have been doing so for the last 25 years. Our palletised shrink-wrap packing is proven to:

  • Give your belongings unparalled protection in transit to Canada
  • Drastically reduce handling of individual items
  • Speed up customs clearance
  • Provide a Safer method of shipping your goods overseas
After Before
A view of the city and mountains of Cape Town from off the coast - International removals to South Africa
135,000+ Happy Customers
9,240,000+ Cubic Feet Shipped
25+ Years' Experience
Our Service

A UK to South Africa Relocation Service Like No Other

Since our inception in 1997, 1st Move International has been a leader in international removals from the UK to South Africa. With over two decades of experience, our expert team has refined its expertise and knowledge in the industry, helping countless businesses and individuals in their move abroad. Tailored to meet your specific needs, our careful and methodical approach ensures a smooth moving experience. Rely on us for an effortless and professionally coordinated international removals from the UK to South Africa.

Dedicated Move Manager

Place your move under the guidance of one of our Dedicated Move Managers, committed to making your international move easy and stress-free. Experts in international moving, they will oversee every detail, from handling customs procedures to managing documentation. Acting as your primary contact, they'll respond to all your inquiries and ensure the safe transport of your belongings to South Africa.

Meet Our Team

Moving Insurance Cover

Select comprehensive insurance coverage for your items with our extensive shipping insurance options. Our plans provide protection against loss or damage during both transit and storage, tailored to various needs, ensuring your peace of mind during the shipping process.

Our Insurance Options

Customs Clearance

Utilise our comprehensive customs knowledge for an efficient move to South Africa. As accredited customs brokers, we handle all essential documentation and comply with relevant regulations, ensuring a rapid customs clearance process and timely delivery of your belongings to your new home in South Africa.

About Customs Clearance
Testimonials

Our Happy Customers

Frequently Asked Questions

UK to South Africa Removals FAQ

Once we have collected your belongings they will be packed and ready for shipping in 2-4 working days. We then schedule your shipment onto the next available weekly sailing.

The transit time from the UK to South Africa varies depending on the exact destination. The transit time to Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) is roughly 28 days, to Durban it is 28 days and to Cape Town the transit time is roughly 42 days.

For more detailed information on our weekly South Africa shipping schedule and transit times to major cities/states, please visit our South Africa Sailing Schedule page.

The final price of your move to South Africa will depend on factors such as how much you are shipping, the value of your belongings (for insurance purposes) and your collection and delivery address.

To receive an accurate estimate that is tailored to your move, please ask us for a free quote.

As a rough idea, the shipping cost for a small move starts at £992 and the cost for a full 20ft container shipment starts at £1,550. These shipping costs do not account for collection, insurance, packing etc. We advice to allocate an additional £1,000-£2,000 for these services to give you a very rough idea of the cost.

  • Safer Packing: Our packing is the best in the business and is proven to reduce insurance claims. We offer the best protection for your belongings when shipping to South Africa.
  • Faster Shipping: Thanks to how we pack, we're able to share container space with commercial exporters. This allows us to ship out from the UK every week. No waiting around.
  • Smarter Billing: Our packing also allows us to accurately measure your shipment, allowing us to charge you for the exact volume that you require.
  • Experienced Move Managers: Our dedicated and experienced move managers will be on hand at every step of the process to ensure a smooth move.
  • Streamlined Customs Process: We are registered customs brokers and experts on South African customs and import regulations. We'll handle all of the customs paperwork on your behalf.

Our removals services cover all towns and cities in South Africa, including but not limited to:

  • Johannesburg
  • Cape Town
  • Durban
  • Pretoria
  • Port Elizabeth
  • Bloemfontein
  • Nelspruit
  • Kimberley
  • Polokwane
  • Pietermaritzburg
  • East London
  • Welkom
  • Rustenburg
  • George
  • Knysna
  • Paarl
  • Stellenbosch
  • Franschhoek

Wherever you are moving to in South Africa, we've got you covered.

It only takes 60 seconds to fill out the quick quote form here on our website. Once submitted, we'll send you quote within 1-2 working days that contains all of the costs and information you need to know about removals from the UK to South Africa.

Certain items are prohibited or restricted from import into South Africa. Our Move Managers will advise based on your submitted inventory.

We have a helpful guide on customs information and documentation for shipping to South Africa that goes into detail about what you can and cannot ship.

You can also find a comprehensive list of prohibited and restricted items on the official South African customs website.

Yes, as a registered customs broker we can handle all of the customs paperwork and formalities on your behalf.

Yes, you can track your shipment as soon as it leaves the UK for South Africa via our container tracking page.

Resources

Useful South Africa Information Resources and Guides

Shipping Personal Effects to South Africa Customs Guide

We cover all the legalities of shipping household goods from the UK to South Africa.

South Africa Moving Guides

Whether you're looking for basic moving tips, city info, or full visa and immigration guides we've got you covered.

Car Shipping to South Africa

We ship cars too. Get more information on our car shipping service.

Container Shipping Costs UK to South Africa

Get the latest information on UK to South Africa container shipping costs and American container ports.

South Africa Container Shipping Schedules

We post up-to-date sailing schedule information and as part of our weekly shipping promise we'll tell you in advance what ship we can get your personal effects on.

Your Pallets Packed - Posted Live on Facebook

Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.

We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only international removals company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.

Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.