Planning your move from the UK to South Africa and need a fast and reliable international removals service? At 1st Move International we specialise in removals from the UK to South Africa, providing a seamless and stress-free experience for moving all your household goods and personal effects.
We have been providing shipping and moving services to South Africa for over 25 years and handle all aspects of your move to South Africa including expert packing, fast track customs clearance and faster weekly sailings direct from the UK to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg.
Get a free, no-obligation quote today and let us handle the logistics of your overseas relocation.
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We get to South Africa up to 14 weeks faster than any other movers.
With guaranteed weekly sailings to the South Africa our faster transit times using, consolidated services, means your household goods and personal effects can arrive up to 14 weeks faster than other movers. 1st Move International’s moving services only use commercial routings, so you benefit from the flexibility to choose a sailing time to suit you, not your mover!
Proven to reduce insurance claims by up to 60%.
Take advantage of our advanced palletised packing systems to ensure top-level security for your overseas move. Carefully packed and stacked to your own individual pallets to minimise handling and maximise safety and security. Shrink-wrapped and security sealed. Truly the safest way to ship personal effects from the UK to South Africa.
Every move is measured exactly for clear and accurate billing.
Get a fair and accurate price for your move to South Africa. We professionally palletise your belongings and measure each pallet exactly. This means you avoid the unreliable volume estimates used by other movers and only pay for the precise space your household goods takes up inside the container. Enjoy transparent billing and no hidden surprises.
Moving overseas is a major undertaking, but with over 25 years of experience, our expert team has been delivering unbeatable international removals from the UK to South Africa.
As one of the UK’s leading removals companies, we offer safer packing, faster weekly departures and smarter transparent pricing, ensuring a smooth and stress-free move abroad.
Countless families and individuals trust us to handle their relocation with care, securely transporting their personal belongings to South Africa safely and on a timescale which suits you.
We are approved members of the British Association of Removers (BAR), ensuring that we adhere to the highest standards of quality and customer service, giving you peace of mind that we will handle your move to South Africa with precision and care.
We handle all types of moves to Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and beyond, so whether you are moving the contents of a full 3-bedroom home, or just a few boxes, we can tailor a service that suits you.
Don't hesitate to contact us or complete our simple quote form to receive a free quick quote today. No home survey required.
Our South Africa Removals Service Includes:
International moving costs from the UK to South Africa can range from £992 to £2500. The exact cost will ultimately depend on the size of your move, your chosen service (shared or dedicated container) and your final destination in South Africa.
| 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 international removals to South Africa, use our removals quote form or contact a member of our team for more information.
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 services we offer.
As the name suggests, this option allows you to share container space meaning that you only pay for the space that you need for your move.
This option is perfect for smaller moves (those shipping anywhere from a few boxes and some furniture to the contents of a 1-2 bed home.)
Full container services provide you with sole use of your own 20ft or 40ft shipping container.
This option is ideal for larger moves (those shipping the full contents of a 3+ bed home) and offers the added flexibility of having your own dedicated container for your move.
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:
Take the guesswork out of your move to South Africa and get there up to 3 months faster than other movers. 1st Move International is the only UK mover to publish weekly sailing schedules to South Africa. We use established commercial routes for faster, more reliable shipping so we don’t need to wait months to fill our containers. View our latest timetable below and choose a sailing date that suits you, not your mover!
| Destination | Vessel Name | Last Moving Date to Meet Vessel | Sailing Date | Port to Port Transit Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | Catherine C | 01/05/2025 | 15/05/2025 | 42 |
| MSC Pantera | 08/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | 42 | |
| MSC Rouen | 15/05/2025 | 29/05/2025 | 42 | |
| MSC Anchorage | 22/05/2025 | 05/06/2025 | 42 | |
| Durban | Catherine C | 01/05/2025 | 15/05/2025 | 28 |
| MSC Pantera | 08/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | 28 | |
| MSC Rouen | 15/05/2025 | 29/05/2025 | 28 | |
| MSC Anchorage | 22/05/2025 | 05/06/2025 | 28 | |
| Port Elizabeth | Catherine C | 01/05/2025 | 15/05/2025 | 25 |
| MSC Pantera | 08/05/2025 | 22/05/2025 | 25 | |
| MSC Rouen | 15/05/2025 | 29/05/2025 | 25 | |
| MSC Anchorage | 22/05/2025 | 05/06/2025 | 25 |
Dreaming of a vibrant new chapter in sunny South Africa? It's a popular choice for UK expats seeking a rich cultural experience, breathtaking scenery, and a more affordable lifestyle.
Whether you envision a laid-back life by the coast or exciting career prospects in a bustling city, South Africa offers a diverse range of opportunities.
For short visits, UK citizens can typically enjoy up to 90 days visa-free. Planning a longer stay? You'll need to explore visa options through the official South African Department of Home Affairs website.
If you're moving with family, you'll find that schooling is compulsory from ages 7 to 15, with a selection of excellent state schools and numerous international schools, particularly in urban areas.
To help you settle in smoothly, the official South African government website provides comprehensive information on education, healthcare, taxation, and driving licenses.
This coastal province offers a warmer, more subtropical climate and a relaxed beach lifestyle. Durban itself is a vibrant city with a rich cultural mix, particularly influenced by its large Indian population, evident in its cuisine and markets. Popular coastal towns for expats include Umhlanga and Ballito, known for their beautiful beaches, modern amenities, and family-friendly atmosphere.
As South Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg (Joburg or Jozi) attracts expats seeking career opportunities, particularly in finance, mining, and technology. While not coastal, it offers a dynamic urban experience with excellent shopping, dining, and cultural attractions. Popular, safer suburbs for expats often include gated communities in areas like Sandton, Bryanston, Rivonia, and Melrose.
Located a short drive from Johannesburg, Pretoria is the administrative capital and offers a quieter, more academic atmosphere with a significant number of government institutions and universities. It's known for its beautiful jacaranda trees and generally lower cost of living than Johannesburg. Suburbs like Brooklyn and Waterkloof are popular among expats.
Stretching along the southern coast, the Garden Route is a scenic paradise with diverse landscapes, including forests, mountains, and beaches. Towns like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Wilderness offer a more tranquil lifestyle and are popular with retirees and those seeking outdoor activities.
Ready to Make the Move? Start your South African adventure with confidence.
Let 1st Move International handle your relocation with care, speed, and expertise.
👉 Get your free quote now and take the first step toward your new life abroad.
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.
Here are the moving and shipping costs from the UK to South Africa.
These costs are for budget purposes only. 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), your collection and final destination in South Africa. To receive an accurate estimate that is tailored to your move, please ask us for a free quote.
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.
Yes, please check out our sister website for details on car shipping services to South Africa.