How do you ship a car to South Africa?

Two ways. Roll-on roll-off puts the car on a vehicle deck under its own power, which is the cheaper option and the usual choice for a running car. A container seals it in a steel box, costs more, and protects it from weather and handling — which is why classics and non-runners travel that way. Both sail from Southampton and Tilbury to Durban, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town.

What paperwork do I need to export a car from the UK?

The V5C registration document, proof that you own the car outright with any finance settled, photo ID, and the permanent export section of the V5C sent to DVLA. The shipping line will also want the keys and the vehicle emptied of personal belongings — customs treat anything left inside as undeclared cargo.

Will my UK car be legal in South Africa?

South Africa drives on the left, like the UK, so a British car needs no conversion — which is the main reason this route is so well used. Registration, duty and any age limits still apply, so confirm the current rules with South Africa customs before you ship.

There is no single figure. The price moves with the method, the size of the vehicle, the port pair, the time of year and the current state of freight rates. Anyone quoting a flat price without asking what you are shipping and where from is guessing. Tell us the car and the destination and we will get you a real quote.

Shipping a Car to South Africa From the UK: Methods, Ports and Paperwork

Shipping a car to South Africa from the UK is routine freight, not an adventure — but the paperwork catches people out far more often than the sea does. This is how it works, what South Africa requires at the other end, and what actually drives the price.

The two ways to ship a car

Every car that leaves the UK goes one of two ways, and the choice sets both the cost and the risk.

RoRo suits a running everyday car. A container suits anything valuable, fragile or immobile.

RoRo is the default for a normal car in running order. A container earns its extra cost for a classic, a modified car, anything that will not start, or a vehicle whose paint you care about. Containers can also be shared, which brings the price closer to RoRo if your timing is flexible.

Where it sails from and where it lands

From the UK, cars for South Africa usually leave from Southampton and Tilbury and arrive at Durban, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town.

The usual port pairs. Which one your shipment uses depends on the service you book, not on where you live.

South Africa drives on the left like the UK, so a British car needs no conversion. Import permits are the constraint rather than the vehicle itself: South Africa restricts used-vehicle imports tightly, and returning residents are treated differently from everyone else.

What to do before the car leaves the UK

Settle any finance. A car on finance is not yours to export, and this is the single most common reason a shipment is stopped.
Empty it completely. No tools, no boot contents, no loose change. Anything inside is undeclared cargo and can hold the whole shipment.
Leave about a quarter tank of fuel. Enough to drive on and off, little enough to satisfy the line’s safety rules.
Hand over a key. RoRo requires it — the car is driven aboard by the terminal’s staff.
Notify DVLA of permanent export using the relevant section of the V5C, and keep the rest of the document: you will need it at the other end.

What South Africa requires on arrival

This is the part worth checking before you book anything, because it varies by country and changes more often than shipping does. In broad terms, expect South Africa to want some combination of:

Import duty and local tax, usually assessed on the vehicle’s value, its engine size or its age
Proof of ownership and the UK registration document
Compliance with local roadworthiness or emissions standards
In some countries, an import permit obtained before the car is shipped
In some countries, a maximum age for imported vehicles

Check this first, not last. Several countries require a permit or a pre-shipment inspection carried out while the car is still in the UK. Ship without one and the car can arrive perfectly legally and still be impossible to clear. Confirm the current position with South Africa customs or with us before you commit.

What drives the cost

Five things, in roughly this order: whether you choose RoRo or a container; the size of the vehicle, since freight is priced on space; the port pair; the season, because vehicle freight has busy months; and the prevailing freight rate, which moves with the wider shipping market and is outside anyone’s control.

What is non included in a freight quote, and should be budgeted for separately: marine insurance, destination port handling, customs clearance, duty and tax, and inland delivery at the far end. A quote that looks unusually low is usually a quote that stops at the quayside.

Assicurazioni

Marine cover is separate from the freight charge and is worth reading properly. Two levels are usually offered: total loss only, which pays if the vessel sinks or the shipment is lost outright, and all-risks, which covers damage in handling as well. Handling is where damage actually happens, so the cheaper cover protects against the rarer event.

Cover is normally based on a declared value you provide. Declare honestly — under-declaring to save a few pounds on the premium reduces what you can claim, and over-declaring invites questions at customs.

How long it takes

The sea leg is the predictable part. What varies is everything around it: waiting for a suitable sailing, port congestion at the arrival end, and how quickly customs clearance is completed. Plan around the clearance, not the crossing, and do not book a flight to collect the car until it has actually landed.

Common questions

How do you ship a car to South Africa?: Two ways. Roll-on roll-off puts the car on a vehicle deck under its own power, which is the cheaper option and the usual choice for a running car. A container seals it in a steel box, costs more, and protects it from weather and handling — which is why classics and non-runners travel that way. Both sail from Southampton and Tilbury to Durban, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Cape Town.
What paperwork do I need to export a car from the UK?: The V5C registration document, proof that you own the car outright with any finance settled, photo ID, and the permanent export section of the V5C sent to DVLA. The shipping line will also want the keys and the vehicle emptied of personal belongings — customs treat anything left inside as undeclared cargo.
Will my UK car be legal in South Africa?: South Africa drives on the left, like the UK, so a British car needs no conversion — which is the main reason this route is so well used. Registration, duty and any age limits still apply, so confirm the current rules with South Africa customs before you ship.
Quanto costa?: There is no single figure. The price moves with the method, the size of the vehicle, the port pair, the time of year and the current state of freight rates. Anyone quoting a flat price without asking what you are shipping and where from is guessing. Tell us the car and the destination and we will get you a real quote.