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

South Africa and the United States are two of the largest economies in their respective parts of the world. This helps fuel their trade relationship, characterized by a dynamic exchange of goods and services. 

In 2022, the United States exported $6.5 billion worth of goods to South Africa, a 19.1% increase from the previous year. The trade portfolio between these countries is diverse, ranging from agricultural products to technology. 

If you need to ship goods from the United States to South Africa, this is your complete guide to the process, including your ocean and air freight shipping options, customs clearance, transit times, costs, and more. 

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

To ship freight from the United States to Africa, you can engage ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From the United States to South Africa

Ocean freight is the cheapest and most flexible way to transport goods from the United States to South Africa. It can accommodate any type of cargo, whether big, small, light, or heavy, and even offers shippers two options for container shipping. These are less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL involves the process of consolidation where goods from different shippers are consolidated in one container and shipped together. Each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it an economical choice for small shipments. 

FCL is where the shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This is best for large shipping needs, such as when transporting heavy goods or goods in large volumes. The shipper gets more space, control, and security for their cargo. 

Air Freight from the United States to South Africa

Your second option for shipping freight from the United States to South Africa is air freight. This is the fastest means of international transport and the most secure, thanks to strict airport processes and regulations. This makes air freight highly preferred by those with time-sensitive, perishable, or high-value shipments. 

Air freight, however, is significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also less flexible, setting strict limitations on the nature, size, weight, and volume of shipments accommodated by cargo airplanes. 

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

The cost of shipping goods from the United States to South Africa will differ based on the following factors: 

• 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

To calculate your shipping costs, try our online freight costs calculator. The table below displays the current cost of shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to South Africa:

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

Shipping goods from the United States to South Africa varies in transit time, primarily based on the international shipping mode you choose. Additional factors impacting this include:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• The directness of the shipment's route
• The popularity of the trade lane
• Geopolitical issues
• Potential incidents at ports

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

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

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

If you ship by air, on the other hand, you can expect your goods to arrive in South Africa in 2 to 8 business days. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and South Africa

Once your U.S. goods land in a South African port or airport, they will undergo customs clearance. This should be a breeze, provided that you prepare and submit the following requirements: 

• 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

If you need to see examples of these customs clearance requirements, take a look at our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now that you know your options for shipping goods from the United States to South Africa, your next question is probably which one to choose. To help you select between ocean and air freight, you need to weigh your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to consider. 

Ocean Freight

If cost-efficiency and flexibility are factors you value in your shipment, then go for ocean freight. It’s the cheapest option for transporting goods from the United States to South Africa and the most flexible. It can ship any type of cargo you need to transport and even offers two options for container shipping. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is right 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

FCL might be better for your shipment 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 your goal is to get your goods from the United States to South Africa quickly, you should ship by air. Air freight is the fastest mode of international shipping, only taking up to 8 business days to arrive. It’s also the most secure, with strict airport rules and regulations helping guarantee cargo security. 

Shippers of time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value goods most prefer air freight. However, before you settle for this shipping mode, remember that it’s significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also not as accommodating, with limitations on your cargo's type, size, weight, and volume. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port Freeport

Port Freeport is the smallest deep-water seaport on the Gulf Coast. It’s located in Freeport, Texas, and it boasts good rail access to the region's private and public facilities. 

Port of Philadelphia

The Port of Philadelphia is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, right on the Delaware River. It boasts a draft depth of 45 feet and a series of marine terminals that handle a wide range of cargo types. 

Port of Tampa Bay

The Port of Tampa Bay is the largest port in the state of Florida. It is located in Tampa, near the channel district. The port handles container ships, tank ships, and cruise lines. It ranks 22nd in the U.S. in total tonnage traded. 

Cargo ports of arrival in South Africa

Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth’s cargo operations date back to the year 1927. It houses Transnet, which serves as its major operator for container terminals. The port boasts 6 berths for breakbulk handling and 2 for ore bulk. 

Port of Cape Town

The Port of Cape Town boasts 34 berths, 6 of which serve large container vessels with sea-going draughts of up to 15.9 meters. Its history dates back to 1652, and its cargo port facilities were established in the mid-1800s. 

Port of Saldanha 

The Port of Saldanha, also called Saldanha Bay, is one of the major ports in South Africa. It’s a primary loading point for cape-size bulk carriers and VLOC vessels and has the fastest iron ore terminal in the region. 

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

Airports of origin in the United States

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the second-largest cargo airport in the United States. It’s only located 9.5 hours from 90% of the industrialized world, making it an important technical stop for planes.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport

The Chicago O’Hare International Airport is the seventh largest cargo airport in the United States in terms of landed cargo weight. Because of its growth as a cargo airport, it’s prone to experiencing significant cargo delays. In fact, at one point, it became more congested than the JFK airport in New York. 

Baltimore/Washington International Airport

The Baltimore/Washington International Airport is the 24th largest airport in the United States in terms of cargo traffic. Between 2015 and 2020, its landed weight increased by 190%. To sustain its growth, the airport is developing a 200,000-square-foot cargo facility. 

Airports of arrival in South Africa

Oliver Reginald Tambo International Airport

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

King Shaka International Airport

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