Shipping from Dubai to South AfricaShipping from Dubai to South Africa, by air and sea.
Airlift Logistics, a freight forwarder in Dubai Airport Free Zone, arranges shipping from Dubai to South Africa for businesses. We fly air cargo from DXB to Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, and ship FCL and LCL sea freight from Jebel Ali to Durban, Cape Town and Ngqura. We prepare export papers and check what the South African importer needs from SARS, NRCS and ITAC before the cargo leaves Dubai.
Business cargo only. Airlift Logistics ships commercial goods for importers, exporters, traders and manufacturers, with a commercial invoice and a registered consignee. We do not handle personal boxes, household effects or door-to-door parcels.
Dubai to South Africa at a glance
Johannesburg is the main air gateway, and Durban the main container port, with road and rail links to Gauteng.
- Flight time
- About 8 h DXB to Johannesburg
- Sea
- Jebel Ali to Durban
- Customs
- SARS Customs
- Import VAT
- 15%
Airports and seaports in South Africa we ship to
Cargo for Gauteng usually lands at Durban and moves inland by road or rail, or flies into Johannesburg.
| Gateway | Type | Code | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport | JNB | Johannesburg, the main air cargo gateway | |
| Cape Town airport | Airport | CPT | For the Western Cape |
| King Shaka | Airport | DUR | Durban, for KwaZulu-Natal |
| Seaport | ZADUR | Africa's busiest container port by many measures | |
| Seaport | ZACPT | For the Western Cape and fruit exports | |
| Seaport | ZANGQ | Deep-water port near Gqeberha |
Air, sea to South Africa
| Mode | Route | Typical timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DXB to JNB, CPT or DUR | About 1 to 3 days, plus clearance | Parts, electronics, urgent goods | |
| Sea freight FCL | Jebel Ali to Durban or Cape Town | About 2 to 4 weeks, service dependent | Volume stock, machinery |
| Sea freight LCL | Jebel Ali consolidation to Durban | Longer than FCL | Smaller loads |
Airlines flying direct from Dubai to South Africa
- Emirates SkyCargo
We confirm current sailings and inland transport for each booking. Work out the billed weight with our chargeable weight calculator or the CBM calculator.
Customs in South Africa: what the importer needs
The South African importer, registered with SARS, clears the goods through a licensed customs broker.
| Item | In South Africa |
|---|---|
| Customs authority | South African Revenue Service (SARS) Customs |
| Declaration | Electronic customs declaration (SAD 500) to SARS |
| Importer registration | SARS customs client registration as an importer |
| Duty and tax | Duty by tariff heading, plus 15% VAT on an uplifted value |
| Trade agreement | No UAE-South Africa trade agreement in force at the time of writing |
Some goods also need an ITAC import permit or an NRCS letter of authority.
Approvals to check before booking
South Africa regulates many products through compulsory specifications and import permits.
- 01
Electrical goods and other products under compulsory specifications need NRCS approval.
- 02
Used goods and some other products need an ITAC permit.
- 03
ICASA type approval
Radio and telecom equipment needs ICASA approval.
- 04
SAHPRA registration
Medicines and medical devices need SAHPRA approval.
- 05
Food and agriculture
Food, plants and animal products need agricultural permits.
- 06
Wood packaging
Pallets and crates must meet ISPM 15.
Documents for shipping to South Africa
Send these with your booking. Missing permits are the most common cause of holds in Durban.
| Document | Why it is needed |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Customs value, parties and HS codes |
| Packing list | Pieces, weights and marks for inspection |
| Transport contract and cargo release | |
| Exit clearance from the UAE, filed by us | |
| For controlled products | |
| Certificate of origin | Supports the origin declared |
Restricted or banned in South Africa
- Used goods without an ITAC permit
- Used vehicles (largely prohibited)
- Counterfeit goods
- Firearms without a permit
- Medicines without approval
Check the product's HS code against ITAC and NRCS lists before you sell.
What UAE businesses ship to South Africa
South Africa is one of the UAE's main trade partners in sub-Saharan Africa.
- 01
Machinery and parts
Equipment and spare parts from Dubai distributors.
- 02
Electronics
IT and consumer electronics by air.
- 03
Plastics and chemicals
UAE polymers and chemicals by sea.
Dubai to South Africa shipping questions, answered
Last updated ·
See all shipping questionsGet a quote for this laneThe importer must be registered with SARS as an importer. A licensed customs broker files the SAD 500 declaration, and duty and 15% VAT are paid on clearance. Controlled goods also need an ITAC permit or an NRCS letter of authority. These should be in place before the goods leave Dubai.
- The Dubai seller does not register with SARS.
- Permits take time to obtain.
Durban suits sea cargo, and Johannesburg suits air cargo. The Port of Durban handles most containers for Gauteng, with road and rail links inland. O.R. Tambo in Johannesburg is the main air gateway. The choice depends on urgency, cargo size and the buyer's location.
- Cape Town suits the Western Cape.
- Inland transport adds time.
Many used goods need an ITAC import permit first. South Africa controls the import of second-hand goods to protect local industry, and most used vehicles are prohibited. Shipping used goods without the right permit can lead to seizure. Check the HS code against ITAC rules before buying.
- Apply for permits before shipping.
- Some used goods are banned outright.
VAT is 15% of an uplifted customs value. SARS adds 10% to the customs value, then adds any duty, and charges 15% VAT on the total. Registered VAT vendors can usually claim it back. Duty depends on the tariff heading and can be zero for some goods.
- The broker calculates the amount.
- Keep invoices for VAT claims.