Shipping a Car to South Africa from the UK: Guide & Costs

South Africa is a popular destination for vehicles shipped from the United Kingdom. With both countries driving on the left side of the road, UK-spec right-hand-drive vehicles are directly compatible without any conversion.

Common reasons for shipping to South Africa include:
• Relocations: British expats moving to South Africa for work or retirement
• Returning residents: South Africans who have been living in the UK
• Classic car enthusiasts: Importing British classics for collection or restoration
• Specialist vehicles: Land Rovers, 4x4s, and off-road vehicles for the South African terrain

Ship Cars RoRo operates regular RORO and container services from Southampton to Durban, with connections to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and East London.

RORO Shipping:
• Cost: £1,600–£2,800 from Southampton to Durban
• Transit time: 21–28 days
• Port: Durban (primary), Cape Town, Port Elizabeth

Container Shipping:
• Dedicated 20ft: £2,800–£4,500
• Shared container: £1,800–£3,200
• Transit time: 21–30 days

South African import costs (approximate):
• Import duty: 25% of vehicle value (for used vehicles)
• VAT: 15% of (value + duty)
• Customs processing fees: ZAR 1,000–3,000
• SABS homologation (if required): ZAR 5,000–15,000
• Ad valorem duty: 5–25% depending on vehicle value

South Africa has relatively high import duties, making total landed costs significant. Budget for import taxes of 40–55% on top of the vehicle's declared value.

South Africa's vehicle import regulations are administered by the International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) and the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS).

Import permit: An import permit from ITAC is required for all vehicle imports. Processing takes 4–8 weeks, so apply well in advance.

Age restrictions: There are no strict age limits, but older vehicles may attract different duty rates.

Homologation: Vehicles must comply with South African National Standards (SANS). UK-spec vehicles generally comply with minor modifications (headlamp alignment, speedometer conversion to km/h).

Returning residents: South Africans returning after living abroad for 12+ months may import their personal vehicle at reduced duty rates under the returning resident scheme.

Documentation required:
• ITAC import permit
• Original V5C or export certificate
• Bill of Lading
• Commercial invoice
• Police clearance certificate (proof vehicle is not stolen)
• Letter of authority from SABS

Customs clearance at South African ports follows a structured process:

1. Appoint a customs broker: Mandatory for vehicle imports. The broker submits all documentation to SARS (South African Revenue Service).
2. Duty assessment: SARS assesses the vehicle's value and calculates applicable duties and VAT.
3. Payment: All duties must be paid before the vehicle is released from the port.
4. SABS inspection: If required, the vehicle undergoes a standards inspection.
5. Release: Once cleared, the vehicle can be collected from the port or delivered inland.

Clearing typically takes 5–10 business days at Durban. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth may take slightly longer.

- Apply for the ITAC permit early: This is the most time-consuming step. Start 8–10 weeks before your planned shipping date.
• Police clearance: Obtain a letter from the DVLA confirming the vehicle is not recorded as stolen. South African customs requires this.
• Returning residents: If you qualify, the returning resident scheme offers significant duty savings. Speak to a South African customs broker about eligibility.
• Insurance: Comprehensive marine transit insurance is especially important for the South Africa route, which passes through some challenging waters.
• Vehicle preparation: Clean the vehicle thoroughly. South Africa conducts biosecurity checks similar to Australia.

Ship Cars RoRo has established partnerships with customs brokers in Durban and Cape Town. We manage the entire process from UK collection to South African port delivery. See how Durban compares to other destinations on our car shipping costs guide.

Before any international shipment, vehicles need to reach the loading port — and many customers ask us to handle the UK leg too. Our recovery and transport network covers every postcode, 24 hours a day.

Start with the main hubs: Car Recovery UK, Vehicle Recovery UK, 24/7 Breakdown Recovery and Nationwide Vehicle Transportation.

City coverage includes London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield and Bristol.

Pre-book a port run on a flatbed transporter from Southampton, Portsmouth, Liverpool or Felixstowe via Ipswich, or call 24/7 for breakdown recovery in London, Birmingham or Manchester.