Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From South Africa to the United States

South Africa and the United States are separated by vast oceans but brought together by a dynamic trade relationship that defines their interactions and diplomacy. In 2022, South Africa exported $10.9 billion worth of goods to the U.S. The top products exported include platinum, cars, and gold. 

This trade relationship has continued to flourish in the last two decades, increasing at an annualized rate of 5.61%. 

If you need to ship goods from South Africa to the United States, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From South Africa to the United States?

You can choose between ocean and air freight to ship freight from South Africa to the United States. 

Ocean Freight From South Africa to the United States

Ocean freight is the most economical way to ship goods from South Africa to the United States. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it can also accommodate all types of cargo. It’s even flexible enough to give you two options for container shipping: full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL). 

Among the two, LCL is the option for smaller shipments. Here, goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers. Each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it economical for smaller cargo volumes. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a single shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. They enjoy security and control over their shipments. FCL is best for larger cargo and voluminous shipments. That way, a shipper can maximize the space in their container and achieve a good value for money. 

Air Freight from South Africa to the United States

Air freight is the other way to ship goods from South Africa to the United States. This is the fastest international shipping mode, making it preferable for perishable and time-sensitive goods shippers. Air freight is also very secure, thanks to airport regulations that guarantee the safety of your cargo during transit. 

Air freight, however, has two disadvantages. The first is its cost—it’s the most expensive way to ship goods internationally. It’s also quite limiting in terms of what you can and cannot ship with a long list of restricted and prohibited goods. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From South Africa to the United States?

The cost to ship cargo from South Africa to the United States will depend on the following: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an estimate of your shipping costs, use our freight costs calculator online. The table below lists the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from South Africa to the United States:

How long does it take to ship cargo from South Africa to the United States?

The duration for shipping goods from South Africa to the United States is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from South Africa to the United States?

Ocean freight from South Africa to the United States will take 15 to 50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from South Africa to the United States?

Air freight from South Africa to the United States will take 2-8 days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in South Africa and the United States

When your goods arrive in the United States, they will need to pass the customs clearance process. This requires that you prepare and submit the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

Here is a full documents list you can take a look at for examples of these customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When choosing between ocean and air freight, you have to consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Below are some considerations to make to help you make the right choice. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is for you if you value cost efficiency and flexibility. It’s also great if you have unique shipping needs that air freight cannot cater to. Ocean freight gives you choices for container shipping, which you’ll also have to choose from. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

You might be better off with FCL if your cargo is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If you want your goods to arrive in the U.S. quickly, choose air freight. It’s also ideal for high-value goods because of stricter airport processes that can guarantee cargo security. 

Before selecting this mode of international shipping, however, make sure to crunch the numbers and check your budget, as air freight can get expensive. It’s also unable to accommodate all types of cargo and their sizes, weights, and volumes. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in South Africa

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is located in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Its facilities allow it to handle container cargo, general cargo, and dry and liquid bulk. The port began its operations in the 1830s and has been a major port in the nation since then. 

Port of Durban

The Port of Durban is popular in South Africa because it contains the fourth-largest container terminal in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also among the region’s biggest cargo ports, handling over 2.5 million TEUs annually. 

Port of Cape Town

The Port of Cape Town is one of South Africa’s busiest ports. It is located among the busiest trade routes in the world. The port boasts the second-largest container facility in South Africa, which can handle a container volume of 888,000 annually. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of New Jersey and New York

The Port of New Jersey and New York is the largest port on the United States East Coast. It handles over 7.4 million containers per year and can cater to diverse cargo. The port houses the Port Authority Marine Terminal. 

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is a major trade gateway in the United States and ranks as the 21st busiest container port in the world. It is popular for its eco-friendly policies and handles a wide range of cargo types. 

Port of Savannah

The Port of Savannah is the largest single-terminal container facility in North America. It is adept at handling heavy goods, including agricultural products, machinery, and cars. The port is also an important route between the U.S. and Asia, Latin America, and Europe. 

Air Freight from South Africa to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in South Africa

O. R. Tambo International Airport

The O. R. Tambo International Airport is located in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. It serves the twin cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the main capital of South Africa. The airport is a hub for Airlink, South African Airways, Safair, FlySafair, CemAir, and more. 

King Shaka International Airport

The King Shaka International Airport is the primary international airport serving Durban, South Africa. It is located 35 kilometers north of the city center, specifically in La Mercy, KwaZulu-Natal. The airport is a FlySafair, South African Express, and Velvet Sky hub.

Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport

The Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport serves Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It used to be called the H. F. Verwoerd Airport or the Port Elizabeth International Airport. It’s a hub for South African Airways and FlySafair.

Airports of arrival in the United States

Memphis International Airport

The Memphis International Airport is a civil-military airport located near Downtown Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. It serves the area of Memphis. The airport spans 3,900 acres and is a hub for Delta Air Lines, FedEx Express, and more. 

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

The Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is a civil-military airport in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky. It covers 1,500 acres in land area. The airport used to be called Standiford Field. It is a hub for UPS Airlines, Republic Airways, Chautauqua Airlines, and Vision Airlines.

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport serves Los Angeles and its surrounding metropolitan area in California. It is a hub for Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, and more. The airport is also an operating base for Allegiant Air, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines.