Get started with a quick quote – no guesswork, no pressure.
Our expert team comes to you and handles it all.
Your sealed pallets sail on your chosen weekly departure.
We manage the paperwork and pre-clear your goods for faster delivery.
Our trusted partners complete the journey, right to your doorstep.
At 1st Move International, we don’t just ship items overseas. We make moving your entire life to the other side of the world a breeze. From the packing to shipping and everything in between, our expert team is by your side throughout.
Arrive & unpack in weeks, not months.
We’re ready when you are. While other international movers take many months, we ship to South Africa in as little as 25 days, thanks to guaranteed weekly sailings on commercial shipping lines.
No loose or lost items.
1st Move pioneered palletised packing to ensure your belongings arrive sealed and secure, all on a personal pallet. Enjoy speedier customs and industry-leading security for stress-free shipping.
Stay in control transparent pricing.
We provide itemised, precise, full-service quotes. Once packed, your pallets are measured to ensure accurate pricing. We even recalculate costs after collection to guarantee you only pay for what you ship.
Let us take the load off you.
Our professional team comes to your home, handles the packing, and manages the move from start to finish. Your dedicated move manager helps you with every form, deadline, and detail.
Don’t just take our word for it. Hear it from thousands of happy customers who trusted us to move their lives across the world.
“Great service, great communication and excellent packaging. Shipped some household items from UK to South Africa which I received after 6 weeks from collection to door delivery. Would recommend 1st Move to everyone.”
Philip, London to Cape Town
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Transparency is everything, which is why our team will tell you exactly how much you’re paying and what it’s for at every stage of your move. Straightforward shipping managed by people who care.
Included in all quotes
Most international movers offer “groupage” shipping. This is where your items are loosely packed into a shared container alongside other customers’ belongings. It’s space-efficient for them, but often slower, riskier, and harder to track for you.
At 1st Move International, we use a palletised shipping system. That means:
Here’s what our industry-leading palletised system looks like once your belongings are packed, wrapped, and ready to sail.
This isn’t just packing. It’s protection, speed, and door-to-door peace of mind.
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At 1st Move International, we know the what-ifs and the worries inside out, and we’re here to walk you through every step. Here are expert answers to some of our most commonly asked questions.
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.
Most shipments to South Africa take between 25 and 42 days port-to-port, depending on your exact destination. Unlike other movers, we don’t keep you waiting while shared containers fill. Our palletised systems mean we confirm your exact departure date as soon as you book, so you can plan your arrival and unpacking with complete confidence.
You can ship most of your everyday household items (furniture, clothing, books, electronics, kitchenware, and even bikes), but South Africa has strict laws, so avoid anything organic (like food, seeds etc). The South African Revenue Service website has a full list of prohibited and restricted items.
Not sure about something? We’re happy to check for you. If it’s valuable or sentimental, we’ll help you decide the safest way to bring it.
You’ll need to fill out two South Africa customs forms (DA304 and P.1.160 which we will supply and assist with), and provide a passport copy, visa, and a detailed inventory. It sounds like a lot, but don’t worry – we’ll walk you through it and pre-clear your shipment with customs before it arrives.
In most cases, no. If you’re moving permanently and the items are not new, household goods can enter South Africa duty-free. If you’re unsure, chat with your dedicated move manager, and we'll help ensure everything is documented correctly to avoid unnecessary fees.
Yes, but pets must travel via specialist animal relocation services. While we don’t handle pet transport directly, we can recommend trusted partners who can help you move your pets abroad. For more information, visit the South African Government website.
Yes, you can ship your car to South Africa using our sister company, Autoshippers. We specialise in shipping all types of vehicles overseas from the UK, including classic cars, motorhomes, and motorbikes. Speak to our team for more information about how to arrange car shipping alongside your household belongings.
No, you don’t! We’ll send our professional team to your home to collect everything and bring it back to our packing facilities to pack and protect your belongings. We’ll label, log, and palletise it all. All we ask is that you be at home and available to answer any questions our team might have when packing.
We will cover up to £50.00 worth of boxes, tape, bubble wrap and other packing supplies that you need for your move.
Yes, you can! However, please note that any items that you pack yourself may not be covered for damages. We recommend our professional packing services for the best protection for most items, particularly for those larger and fragile items. Whether you decide to pack yourself or not, you’ll still benefit from our weekly sailings, customs expertise, and full support throughout your move.
Yes, we cover all major cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein) and can deliver to most regional areas, too. If you’re heading somewhere remote, just ask – we’ll confirm delivery availability upfront.
Yes, every customer receives a unique container ID and access to our live container tracking system. You’ll know when your goods have sailed, arrived, and are ready for final delivery to your new home Down Under.
Don’t worry, we’ve got that covered. We’ll help you complete all the necessary paperwork before your shipment leaves the UK and pre-clear everything with customs in South Africa. If anything does get flagged, our expert team will liaise directly with customs on your behalf. We’ll handle it all and keep you informed every step of the way.
We always advise bringing a "landing kit" in your hand luggage. This kit should contain essential documents, chargers, prescription medication, 1–2 weeks' worth of clothing, and anything else you’d be lost without.
I’ve been helping people move from the UK to South Africa for 15 years, and one of the main things I’ve learned is that everyone worries about the big things – customs, costs, shipping times. But it’s often the little details that trip people up, like forgetting to pack a charger in hand luggage, or underestimating how long it might take to feel ‘at home’ again once the boxes arrive. That’s why we don’t just move belongings – we guide people through the entire process, start to finish.
Tom, Relocation Specialist
There’s nothing like some expert advice to put your worries to bed. Hear from a community of seasoned expats about their first-hand experiences of moving abroad.
“My advice is to let the movers do the packing for you! Particularly for fragile or delicate items, it saves so much time and energy to let the professionals handle it.”
Emily
“The more time you have to plan, the better. Do all your research on shipping options and costs in advance. Investigate replacement item prices vs shipping costs.”
Victoria
“Scout out where you're moving to – the local rules, infrastructure, transportation, and amenities. If you can't visit yourself, but you have a friend or family member in South Africa, ask for their advice on the best neighbourhoods, schools and areas offering convenient access to shops, healthcare, and public transport.
Shaun
We know the logistics are just one piece of the puzzle. Here are some of the most useful resources we recommend for anyone planning a move from the UK to South Africa: