Everything you need to know about overseas removals to South Africa from the UK, including removal costs and furniture removals.

If you are moving to South Africa in 2024 or looking for more information about removals to South Africa from the UK, then you are in the right place!

Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the international removals process, including estimated removal costs and answers to frequently asked questions such as: what can/can’t I take?; how long do removals to South Africa from the UK take?; and what size container do I need?

PSS International Removals specialise in assisting families and individuals to professionally move the contents of their household to South Africa.

We undertake full household removals to South Africa as well as moving personal effects and vehicles all across South Africa. Popular destinations including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and everywhere in between.

International removals to South Africa are easy with PSS

Removals - step 1
STEP 1
Home Survey or Quote
Removals - step 1b
Get an online quote in 60 seconds or book a FREE home survey.
Removals - step 2
STEP 2
Help and Advice
Removals - step 2b
Your dedicated Account Manager can help answer your questions and tailor your removal requirements.
Removals - step 3
STEP 3
Your belongings packed and shipped

Removals - step 3b
Our specialist export-packing team will take care of everything for you.

Removals - step 4
STEP 4
Customs clearance & delivery to your new home

Removals - step 4b
On arrival our agents will handle your customs clearance and deliver to your door.

International removals to South Africa from the UK

book a short phone consultation

get a quick quote

book a home or video survey

PSS International Removals are one of the UK’s leading and most trusted international removal companies. In fact, we only undertake overseas moves. Due to the number of people we help move to South Africa every year, we can offer the best prices and still maintain high standards of service.

So if you are looking for the best international removal company for furniture removal to South Africa look no further!

We’ll take the stress out of your overseas household removal to South Africa so you can relax and focus on starting your new life in the rainbow nation.

If you wish to get an immediate estimate of your removal costs then use our online international removal calculator to get a guideline price.

Alternatively, for a more accurate quotation, you can book a Home or Video Survey with one of our International Removal Surveyors.

If you require more information about removals from the UK to South Africa see our complete guide and FAQ section below. Or you can call our team for a free consultation with an International Removals Adviser.

Our South Africa International Removal Service includes:

  • Door to door removal service
  • Removal from anywhere in the UK to anywhere in South Africa
  • Free home/video survey
  • Shared (Groupage) or full load (FCL) container service
  • Advice from an expert International Removal Consultant
  • Dedicated Move Manager
  • Help with documentation
  • Advice on South African customs requirements
  • Use of recognised accredited lines
  • Tailor-made protection policies
  • Frequent sailing schedule and delivery to all destinations in South Africa
  • Storage in UK or South Africa if required
  • Low prices without compromising on service

Mover and Packer Services Include:

  • Full international export standard packing & wrap service
  • You pack, we send option
  • Fully trained export packers
  • Provision of export quality boxes, cartons & packing materials
  • Custom wood casing/crates if required
  • Professional antique wrapping
  • Advice on preparing your items for transport to South Africa

“Why choose PSS International Removals in 2024?”

  • Free home survey
  • Family run business for over 40 years
  • We only handle Overseas Removals
  • Members of BAR Overseas Group
  • BAR Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme
  • FIDI Global Alliance (Worldwide Moving Association)
  • FAIM Accredited (Removal Quality Assurance Standard)

Removals from UK to South Africa Reviews

Contact us

How can we help? Call 0800 988 3711

Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions.

International removals to South Africa cost calculator

Want to know how much it will cost to move house to Removals to South Africa? Our free online International Removal Cost Calculator will help you calculate the volume of household goods you want to send and provide you with an estimate of the cost.

Household Removals
Box & Baggage Shipping
Vehicle Shipping

International Removals Cost Calculator

What size property are you moving?

Moving type (TMP): | sc

South Africa

Moving to the UK?
Removals From Removals to South Africa to the UK

We can also help you if you’re moving to the UK from Removals to South Africa. Just complete the form below and we’ll be in touch.

Contact us

How can we help? Call 0800 988 3711

Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions.

Complete Guide to Household Removals to South Africa from the UK

Below are answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about overseas removals to South Africa. There is a lot to consider which is why we allocate you a Move Manager to guide you through the whole removal process.

Before You Move

How Long Do Removals to South Africa from the UK Take?

Sea freight times from the UK to South Africa are around 3-5 weeks for a full container load (FCL) or 6-10 weeks for a shared container/groupage service (Sometimes called less than container load – LCL). In addition, you will also need to allow added time for customs clearance.

Usually, it will take our professional packers 2-4 days to pack and load a container.

Average Removal Times to South Africa from the UK 2024

Destination (ZA) Full Container Load Shared Container
Cape Town 3-5 weeks 6 -10 weeks
Johannesburg 4-6 weeks 6-10 weeks
Durban 3-5 weeks 6-10 weeks

 

International removals to South Africa

How Much Do International Removals to South Africa Cost?

Furniture Removals to South Africa

Do PSS International Removals provide a box or luggage service to South Africa?

Why Choose PSS International Removals - A Leading UK to South Africa Removalist?

Where in South Africa Do You Do Removals to?

How to Get an Overseas Removal Quote?

Moving To Removals to South Africa

What Can't You Take to South Africa? Restricted and Prohibited Items

South Africa has some strict rules about what can and cannot be imported. This includes the usual contraband that you might expect, but can also cover consumer goods allowed in some countries but banned in South Africa for health and safety reasons.

It is therefore important you check the South Africa Border Services Agency website to avoid problems when your goods arrive.

Even for restricted goods inspection fees can apply.

For more details download our customs guide for removals to South Africa.

Regardless of how you travel into South Africa, you and your personal goods must pass through customs upon arrival. South Africa has a list of items that are either prohibited or on restricted entry into the country, which you should observe before your consignment is sent or risk facing refused entry or prosecution.

Also, you must ensure that you thoroughly clean any outdoor items before your personal items are sent.

What Items are prohibited in South Africa?

Prohibited imports to South Africa include:

  • Counterfeit goods of any description
  • Unlicensed copies of any copyrighted goods
  • Fireworks and explosives
  • Firearms or any fully automatic weapons
  • Poisonous or illicit substances
  • Prison-made goods
  • Habit forming drugs
  • Cigarettes weighing more than 2kg per 1000

What Items are restricted in South Africa?

Restricted imports to South Africa where pre-approval may be required are:

  • Ivory in all forms, including carvings and jewellery
  • All meat or food derived from dolphins, whales, cranes, pheasants and sea turtles
  • Tortoise or sea turtle shell jewellery and ornaments
  • Carvings and products made from or with whalebone or bones from marine animals
  • Cat skins
  • Medicine containing musk, or tiger or rhinoceros derivatives i.e. bone or horn
  • Carnivorous plants
  • Live species including hawks, owls, eagles, parrots, cacti, orchids, cycads and cyclamens
  • Trophies of all big cats, rare reptiles, sea turtles, cranes, pheasants, bears, deer and antelope

Artwork and Antiques
Antiques and works of art older than 100 years may be imported free of duty if they are part of a bona fide household removal and you have owned them for 12 months or more.

Do I Need Shipment Protection Cover or Maritime Removals Insurance to South Africa?

What Happens on Moving Day?

Your Move Manager will advise you on what you’ll need to do to prepare items for moving day, including which items need cleaning and disinfecting.

Please advise us beforehand if you decide to take additional items so we can ensure that they will fit on the container and also if necessary update your quote.

On moving day our professional and friendly international movers and packers will take care of everything for you. Typically for a full house overseas removal, they begin packing furniture on day one and your container will arrive for loading sometime on day two.

For part container loads we will take your packed belongings to our depot for loading onto the container.

How Are My Belongings Packed?

Can I Self-Pack my Furniture Removal to South Africa?

It is recommended to use professional international removalists who are specially trained and experienced in export wrapping and packing for overseas furniture removals. This is to ensure that your furniture arrives in perfect condition.

However, we do have an option available if you want to pack your belongings yourself.

What Documentation is Required?

Arriving in Removals to South Africa

Customs Clearance and Quarantine

Delivery of Your Items in South Africa

What if I Need Storage or Don't Yet Have a Delivery Address in South Africa?

Removals to the UK from Removals to South Africa

Removals to the UK from Removals to South Africa

No matter whether you’re a British Expat returning home or a South African migrating to the UK, we will be able to assist you with your move. Our partners and professional packing teams will take care of your move to South Africa.

We can handle customs and delivery of your belongings for any location in the UK, or for removals to South Africa.

Please contact us for more details.

Recent blog articles