The cost of removals to South Africa will depend on several factors, such as the volume of goods you are sending, what packing is required, and the distance you are from the port.

As a rough guide, expect to pay £1100 – £2800 for an apartment move and £4500 – £7500 for a full household removal to South Africa.

Additional costs will also need to be considered, such as optional insurance/shipment protection and South African customs inspection fees that need to be paid on arrival.

The best way to get a more accurate price or estimate is to call our team or request a removals quote online. They can also advise on the best way to reduce your removal costs to get the cheapest removals to South Africa.

NB: As prices are regularly changing, we highly recommend you contact us to get an estimate of current removal costs and book a free home or virtual survey so that we can give you a more accurate removals quote.

We offer a fully comprehensive removals service to South Africa, which will take care of everything for you. The removals service includes door-to-door pick-up and delivery (not door-to-port), export packing by professional international removal packers, specialist cartons, crates and antique packing as required, help with customs paperwork and inventory listing, shipping via accredited shipping lines, transport to and from the port, customs clearance service.

Additional fees not included in your removal costs quote include customs inspection fees, duties and port fees payable on arrival in South Africa, storage services and maritime insurance or shipment protection cover, which is recommended but not required.

Beware of cheap removals quotes to South Africa which do not include all the costs.

Your household belongings and furniture will be shipped to South Africa via a sea freight service. The overseas removals service can be quite complicated, but with United Removals’, our expert teams will make the process as easy and stress free as possible. You can sit back and let us do all the heavy lifting!

Our South Africa removals service includes the following steps:

1) A home or video survey to provide you with an accurate quote or removal estimate.

2) A personal Move Coordinator to plan and manage all aspects of your home removal.

3) They will guide you through completing all the necessary paperwork for sea freight shipping, customs clearance and shipment protection.

4) On move day, our movers and packers will take care of all the packing and export wrapping of furniture and other belongings.

5) If you require a full-load container (either 20 ft or 40 ft), the shipping container will be delivered to your property and loaded by the packing crew.

6) For shared or part-load containers, your household goods and personal belongings will be taken in our removals van to one of our depots for loading onto the shipping container as groupage.

7) The container will then be sent by sea freight to South Africa.

8) On arrival at the port (we ship to all major ports in South Africa), our local partner agents will handle the customs process for you. Once your shipment has been cleared and all customs fees and duties paid, it will be released for final delivery.

9) Your belongings will then be delivered to their final destination to your new home address or to storage if required. Our partner, South African removals service, will then unload your goods and unpack furniture to ensure all your belongings arrive safely.

If you are only sending a few personal belongings, such as luggage and boxes, we recommend our baggage or box shipping service.

We can deliver boxes and other packing materials for you to self-pack. Once you are ready, we can collect them and deliver them to your address in South Africa.

Our baggage shipping service for small moves includes up to about 20 boxes or suitcases and can include items such as TVs, bicycles, surfboards and toolboxes.

Often it will be more cost effective for smaller shipments to be sent by our air freight service.

It does not, however, include large items of furniture.

As you prepare to journey or relocate to South Africa, an important step is understanding the country’s rules on items that aren’t allowed or are restricted for import. Whether your move is temporary, long-term or permanent, double-checking these items and making the necessary arrangements is a must-do.

Prohibited Items:

1. Addictive Substances: Any form of narcotics or drugs known to be habit-forming are strictly off-limits for importation.
2. Arms: The country has a firm ban on fully automatic, military, and unnumbered weaponry.
3. Fireworks and Explosives: Any variety of explosives, including fireworks, aren’t permitted for import.
4. Toxic Elements: Importing any category of poison or toxic substances is strictly disallowed.
5. Tobacco Products: The country doesn’t allow the import of cigarettes with a mass of over 2kg per 1,000 units.
6. Infringing Goods: Goods bearing a trademark or trade description that contravenes any Act, including counterfeits, aren’t permitted.
7. Infringement of Copyright: The unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted work is barred from import.

Restricted Items:

1. Firearms and Weapons: Approval is needed to import any type of firearm or weapon.
2. Gold Coins: There are restrictions on the import of gold coins, necessitating approval.
3. Currency: Excess cash or banknotes above a certain limit require permission to import.
4. Raw Minerals: Unprocessed minerals, such as gold and diamonds, are subject to import restrictions.
5. Animals, Plants, and Derivative Products: The import of animals, plants, and their products, like animal skins, dairy products, and honey, requires special permission.
6. Medicine: Only a sufficient quantity for personal treatment for three months can be imported, with a letter or certified prescription from a registered physician.
7. Herbal Products: Import of these requires a permit from the Department of Health.

For the full list of prohibited and restricted items, click here to view the official website.

If you only have a small number of personal effects to send to South Africa, then our air freight removal service is for you. We can provide you with boxes and cartons, or you can use your own bags and suitcases. This is the quickest removal service but also the most expensive. Many people, therefore, use a combination of both air freight and sea freight shipping services.

You can check out our more detailed South Africa International Removals Guide below or why not call one of our advisers on 01942 557102?

They will be happy to answer all of your questions, give you some guideline prices and arrange a home survey consultation to provide a more accurate price.

We recommend getting a few quotes for your move so you can compare the different styles of companies and ensure you are happy with their service. Make sure, however, that you are comparing like with like. For example, are the volumes the same? Is everything included?

Also, overseas removals are very different to domestic moves. It is therefore essential to ensure that your removalist is experienced, if not specialising in international moves.

We are confident that you’ll find your quote from United Removals to be very competitive and can be assured that standards of service are second to none.

In recent years, shipping costs have increased, so you may want to keep this in mind when you consider what you want to take with you to South Africa and what you can leave behind. However, it isn’t all bad news; remember, it becomes relatively cheaper as you ship more.

You need to think about the cost involved in replacing some of your items in South Africa if you are not sure about shipping them. Even when they are only small items, this cost can soon add up, particularly if there are a lot of belongings.

Research the cost of replacement items as some things are more expensive, and some may not even be available – it may turn out that shipping them may be more economical in the long run.

Will you need storage in the UK or South Africa?

Moving from one location in the UK to another is rarely the smooth process that people hope for, so it goes without saying that when you move to another country, the entire process can become a little trickier.

Often people find that they have a period of time once they have sold their property and before they move when they need to place their belongings in storage, which we can help you with.

We have several storage solutions depending on your needs. We can arrange storage for your personal effects in the UK before they are shipped or in South Africa after they arrive – whichever suits your situation.

If the issue is that you do not have a fixed address in South Africa to ship your belongings to, then we can arrange for your household goods and personal effects to be placed in storage in South Africa whilst you sort out accommodation.

Once you have a property ready, our local movers can arrange delivery of your belongings from storage.

Your belongings must be appropriately packed for shipping to South Africa. The journey is lengthy, and they will be moved from one form of transport to another more than once.

This means that there is a chance that items could move within your shipping container, and if they are not adequately protected, then they could become damaged.

A high standard of export packing is, therefore, essential, so it is recommended that you use a professional packing service. This will also save you a lot of time and stress.

Our team of professional packers are expertly trained to deal with all the issues encountered with export wrapping. The boxes that we use to transport all of your smaller items are double-walled, and we also ensure that all of your furniture is export wrapped to ensure that it arrives in good condition at your destination.

For those delicate and fragile items, such as artwork and antiques, we can arrange specialist packing to offer better protection to your articles. This includes custom-built crates.

Our expert packing team is here to help you with as little or as much of your packing process as you want. We offer all of our customers the following packing services:

• Full international export standard packing & wrap service
• Fully trained export packers
• Provision of export quality boxes, cartons, packing paper & packing materials
• Custom wood casing/crates, if required
• Professional antique wrapping for delicate items
• Advice on preparing your items for transport to South Africa
• Premium grade disinfectant available for outdoor items
• Complete inventory list for customs

You may wish to start packing some boxes before your move day. Speak to our team about using export quality cartons and remember you’ll need to keep an inventory of items for customs.

You will need to ensure all your belongings are clean and in condition before they are packed. It is also essential that they are dry to avoid mildew and mould forming on the long journey.

Take time to consider what items to take and what delicate and valuable need extra care when packing.

Our international removals service is perfect for shipping your furniture to South Africa from the UK.

For furniture removals, every item is carefully packed or ‘export wrapped’ using packing materials such as blanket wrap. All furniture pieces, including sofas, armchairs, beds, tables and cupboards, can be packed and shipped in a container.

As large items are bulky, you consider which are cost effective to send. For example, most houses and apartments in South Africa have built-in wardrobes, so shipping these might not be worthwhile.

You may wish to put your belongings in self-storage units whilst you are selling your property or waiting for your visa to come through.

Shipping your belongings to South Africa from storage is a simple process. If your household belongings and furniture are in self-storage units in the UK, our team can arrange to collect them and professionally pack them for shipping either at the self-storage unit or back at our depot.

If you wish to pre-pack yourself, please ensure you have appropriate international shipping cartons/boxes and that everything is carefully wrapped and packed for its journey.

Many of our customers worry about customs clearance for all of their belongings when they arrive in South Africa. This is something that we can help you with. However, you may find the following helpful information when planning your move.

If you are a returning South African citizen or a migrant with a permanent visa who has been away from South Africa for over six months, there will be no Customs Duties to pay on any removal goods or household effects you ship. It is important to check if you meet these criteria. However, other customs-related charges, fees and duties may need to be paid.

The shipment’s owner must be in South Africa at least ten days before the shipment arrives at the port, for Customs clearance can take place for both air and sea shipments. Returning residents must have been out of South Africa for an unbroken period of at least six months.

If the returning resident has not been out of the country for an unbroken period of at least six months, customs will apply duty and taxes and the returning resident will have to apply for an import permit for each commodity of household goods, i.e. electrical appliances will be one permit, wooden furniture will be another permit, so you could have up to 6 different types of import permits. Then duties and taxes will be calculated.

No duty-free import will be allowed on a tourist/visitor visa even if a work/resident permit application is pending.

Customs regulations and duties are subject to change, so it can be a good idea to check for the most up-to-date guidelines and information.

For your shipping container to be released, you will need to pay any customs duties, inspection fees, and also any other charges. These will be payable locally. Our agents in South Africa will be able to assist you with the customs clearance process.

The personal Move Coordinator who is assigned to you when you choose us to assist with your removal will be able to advise you with information regarding what you can and can’t take to South Africa and how you can prepare and clean your items for shipping. If you prefer, our expert packers can help you with this.

This information is essential as it can help minimise customs inspection and quarantine fees that the South African Customs Service may change.

United International Removals take great care to ensure your belongings are well-packed and taken care of during their journey. We only use accredited shipping lines and partners to ensure the highest levels of service.

However, due to the nature of international shipping and removals, it is recommended that you take out your own maritime insurance policy or shipment protection cover for complete peace of mind. Just like when you mail a parcel overseas, the shipping company cannot cover the full value of your goods in the unlikely event of something going missing or being broken.

We can offer and recommend Shipment Protection Cover that is highly flexible and will offer you lots of advantages.

This cover is simple and easy to put in place. All that is required is the completion of a shipment protection valuation form detailing the items that need to be covered and their value.

The shipment protection costs are calculated on the value that you want to cover and are based on whether you have packed the items or they have been packed professionally.

It is possible to ship your car or other vehicles in a 40 ft container alongside your house contents, especially since they drive on the left side of the road.

However, South Africa does have strict import criteria for cars so speak to our team to ensure that importing your vehicle is feasible and cost effective.

Some paperwork will be required but we can help you ensure it is all completed correctly and our agents will take care of customs clearance for you.

Venturing into the real estate market in South Africa might seem overwhelming, particularly for those who are new to the country’s property dynamics. While property prices can be higher in main city centres like Johannesburg or Cape Town, expanding your search to suburban residential areas or smaller towns often unveils affordable and desirable housing options.

Recent trends in the property market have shown a levelling out of housing prices, making it a favourable time for newcomers to South Africa. Median property values across the country differ considerably, depending on location.

For instance, Johannesburg has a median value of over 1.8 million Rand, whereas in Durban, the median hovers around 1.2 million Rand. More affordable options can be found in regions like Port Elizabeth or Bloemfontein, where the median property prices sit around 1 million and 850,000 Rand respectively.

It might be a smart move to start by renting a place when you first touchdown. This way, you get to test-drive different neighbourhoods, figure out which local amenities you can’t live without, and really take the time to find the spot that feels like home to you before signing on any dotted line.

If you’re planning to bring your pets along for your South African adventure, it’s essential to understand the rules and regulations in place to ensure a smooth transition for them. The journey begins with acquiring an import permit from South Africa’s Department of Agriculture. This document is critical, so getting it right is key to avoiding unexpected surprises or quarantines upon arrival.

While South Africa doesn’t require a quarantine period for pets coming from the UK, provided all import paperwork is in order, you’ll still need to make sure all the health checks and vaccinations are done correctly. For instance, while the UK is rabies-free and thus doesn’t require a rabies vaccination for pets, it’s highly recommended for their protection once they land in South Africa. This vaccination should ideally be done either before or after their arrival but must not be within 30 days of the flight.

Then there’s the DEFRA export paperwork, a license issued by the UK government that needs to be filled out by a recognised vet in the UK, proving your pets are fit for travel. For dogs, there are some extra steps involving blood tests to ensure they’re not carrying any exotic diseases, and a heartworm treatment, which needs to be continued for 6 months after arriving in South Africa.

Click here to view the steps needed, and take the time to get everything in order so you can ensure your furry friends’ transition to South African life is as stress-free as possible.

Having a job ready and waiting in South Africa can be a game-changer for your transition. In this scenario, your South African employer or recruitment agency will often handle the lion’s share of the legwork, dealing with all the necessary paperwork and visa requirements. This assistance is a godsend, freeing you to focus on other key aspects of your move, like finding the perfect braai spot for your new home.

If you’re taking the plunge and arriving in South Africa without employment lined up, it’s essential to get clued up on the current job market. South Africa is known for its diverse economy, with opportunities ranging from the booming tech sector in Cape Town to the strong mining industry in Johannesburg and Rustenburg.

Before packing your bags and setting course for South Africa, it’s vital to get your visa sorted out. There are a host of visa options available depending on your circumstances, including work, study, business, retirement, and relative visas. It’s all managed by the Department of Home Affairs, and you can check out their official website for more specifics.

Choosing the right visa for your needs is key. For instance, if you’re moving to South Africa for work, you’ll likely need a General Work Visa, which requires a job offer from a South African employer. If your skills are on the country’s critical skills list, you may qualify for a Critical Skills Visa, which doesn’t require a job offer up front.

Business enthusiasts, on the other hand, may consider the Business Visa. It’s meant for individuals looking to set up or invest in a business in South Africa, but you’ll need to show that your business will benefit the South African economy. Retirees can opt for a Retirement Visa, while those with family in South Africa could explore the option of a Relative’s Visa.

Residence visas, or permanent resident permits as they’re known in South Africa, are another option. The Direct Residence Permit is for individuals who have been on a work visa for five years and have a permanent employment offer. There’s also the Residence-on-other-grounds Permit for those who have extraordinary skills or qualifications. It’s worth noting that each visa type comes with its own set of requirements, so a bit of research and preparation will go a long way.

Transferring Money to South Africa While there are no strict limits on the amount of money you can bring into South Africa, the country does have exchange control regulations. Amounts over R25,000 need to be declared upon entry. For larger transfers, such as the proceeds from a house sale, it’s highly recommended to consult with a foreign currency specialist. Properly timing your transfer and getting favourable exchange rates can significantly bolster your financial situation.

This info should serve as a helpful guide as you plan your move. If you’re making the decision to settle in South Africa, our knowledgeable team stands ready to assist with every stage of your move, from packing up to settling in