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Hey there! You want to move from South Africa to the USA? Look no further to find detailed information about costs and shipping methods, we have got you covered. Journeying to the United States with all your things will be an easy task if you take a look at our instructions for container shipping and general tips.
Depending on your budget, time restrictions and the volume of your belongings your two options for shipping your household goods to the United States are air freight or sea. They both have their pros and cons, which we compiled in handy tables for you.
You have two options for shipping your household goods to the United States: air or sea freight. The choice between the two will depend on your budget, how much time you have, and most importantly the volume of your belongings. In order to make an informed decision, here is a list of the pros and cons for both, neatly organized into a list!
✈️Air Freight
Are you leaving South Africa with only a few suitcases and a dream? You can then opt for air freight shipping. Shipping to the USA from South Africa by plane is obviously faster and if you only have a few things, it may be the more convenient way, keep in mind, if the volume of your goods is larger it is going to be pricier. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons:
🚢 Sea Freight
Is cheap shipping to USA your prerogative? Then going for sea freight shipping will be your best option! Your items will be shipped from South Africa using a container. There is a reason why this is the most common way international removals are carried out, you get to move bulky items at a much lower cost.
Alright, let’s talk money! How much does it cost to ship furniture to the US? Obviously, there are many factors to consider such as the volume of your belongings, the method you will pick, and many more, but no worries we are here to help you figure it out.
If you are thinking about shipping your household belongings to USA from South Africa via plane, consider that heavier items will be more expensive to transport. The average cost of shipping via economy airfreight is expected to be around 12,000 ZAR to 25,000 ZAR (or $840 USD to $1,750 USD). There is an option, if you require a faster delivery to opt for express airfreight, the cost for this will approximately amount to between 18,000 ZAR and 35,000 ZAR (or $1,260 USD and $2,450 USD).
In terms of container shipping to the US, the prices can vary depending on the volume of your belongings and if they fit in a 20- or 40-foot container. In general, the range will be between 14,000 ZAR (or 490$) and 75,000 ZAR (5,200$) for a 20 feet container. And 14,000 ZAR (or 490$) and 120,000 ZAR (or 8,400$) for a 40 feet container.
Remember! These are only estimates, to get a catered offer, or just simply to obtain prices that perfectly fit your needs we advise you to request free quotes from the best moving companies from South Africa to the United States.
The home of the brave and land of the free is known for its highway and roads system, and it is very well known that Americans do love to use their car to get around, so you might want to bring your vehicle with you. In this case, you should consider the following factors in terms of shipping options, costs, and organization.
To ship your car, you will have to opt to use a container and you can even consider a RORO service.
Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) Service
What is a RORO service? The Roll-On/Roll-Off is a popular and affordable way to transfer vehicles overseas. Using RORO, you drive your car from the departure port to the ship’s deck and back again.
RORO Cost Estimates
On average, the cost of shipping a car from South Africa to USA using RORO service can be around 10,000 ZAR to 30,000 ZAR (or $700 USD to $2,100 USD), depending on the vehicle size, the route and any additional service.
❗Consider that additional costs may apply for services such as vehicle inspection, cleaning, or terminal fees.
Container Shipping
If you want better protection for your car, you may opt for a container as your vehicle will be safely tucked away alongside your other belongings. Our advice is to opt for this type of service, especially if you already have other things, such as furniture, to bring with you to the US.
Cost Estimate for Container Shipping
The cost for shipping a car in a 20 ft container from South Africa to the USA can range from 25,000 ZAR to 40,000 ZAR (or $1,750 USD to $2,800 USD), while a 40 ft container may cost around 40,000 ZAR to 60,000 ZAR (or $2,800 USD to $4,200 USD), depending on various factors.
Remember! Have an extensive look at any additional taxes or import duties the US government imposes for foreign cars, were you about to forget? We got you covered😉!
As we mentioned, when choosing to transport your household goods via a container, you have various options depending on the volume of your belongings. You can select from 20-foot or 40-foot containers, or even opt for shared container shipping to the United States.
Want to see how much it will cost to ship to the US from South Africa? Below, you’ll find a table illustrating the cost ranges for shipping containers to the USA, taking into account the container size and the volume of your possessions.
| Full Container Load (FCL) | Less than Container Load (LCL) | |
| 20ft Container | 50,000-75,000ZAR | 7,000-15,000ZAR |
| 40ft Container | 80,00-120,000ZAR | 14,000-25,000ZAR |
✍🏼 FCL (Full Container Load) means you’re renting an entire shipping container for your goods, which is ideal for larger shipments. LCL (Less than Container Load) involves sharing a container with other shippers, making it a cost-effective option for smaller shipments.
As always, we need to highlight that these prices of moving from South Africa to the US with a container, are just estimates. Since we know you are aiming for the cheapest shipping from South Africa to USA, do you want more precise price indications? You’re in the right place!
Are you finally ready to start moving your household goods to the United States? Now that you are informed about shipping from South Africa to USA, ensure that everything is planned ahead of time, how? Well, follow our tips and have a look at our other pages dedicated to moving, and especially relocating to the USA.
Being removal specialists, we at Sirelo are aware of how stressful moving can be in the absence of proper planning, so here is a brief checklist to keep in mind for your move:
✅Examine every document. You are relocating to a foreign nation! Even though it’s a wonderful experience, you must proceed with extreme caution in order to gather and request all the necessary documentation.
✅Packing time! Declutter, start packing, and make a list of everything you intend to carry. Although this can be a drawn-out procedure, it will be simple if you follow our advice.
✅Watch the progress of your cargo. Businesses will give you a tracking number so you can always check the location of your items and get an idea of when they will arrive.
We hope that we were able to address all of your queries and worries. Enjoy your move! 😊
