China to South Africa Shipping

Trade Volume & Trends

Massive Growth, Persistent Imbalance

Bilateral trade surged from just US $1.34 billion in 2000 to US $34.18 billion in 2023

2024–2025 Highlights

In 2024, customs data shows bilateral trade reached USD 52.46 billion, with South Africa enjoying a surplus of about USD 8.83 billion

As early as Jan 2025, South Africa’s monthly imports from China were around USD 2.024 billion

For the period Jan–May 2024, South Africa ran a trade surplus of approx R45.19 billion (~USD 2.5 billion), with total exports valued at R812.34 billion and imports at R767.15 billion; China was the top trading partner in both directions

Export & Import Composition

South Africa to China

Dominated by raw materials and minerals:

Natural and semi-precious stones & precious metals: US $13.45 billion

Ores, slag, ash: US $12.35 billion

Iron & steel: US $1.91 billion

Copper products: US $1.04 billion

Fruits, nuts: US $0.49 billion

Agricultural exports and fruit/nut products are growing, aided by policies such as China’s “green channel” allowing smoother market access for 68 types of South African food and agricultural goods

China to South Africa

Mainly manufactured goods:

Electrical machinery & electronics: US $5.70 billion

Machinery / mechanical appliances: US $4.23 billion

Vehicles and parts: US $1.36 billion

Iron & steel and plastics: US $0.84 billion and US $0.71 billion, respectively

Shipping from China to South Africa

South Africa is one of China’s most important trade partners in Africa. Every year, a large volume of goods are shipped from China to South Africa. Choosing the right transportation mode is key to balancing cost, time, and reliability.

There are three primary ways to ship goods from China to South Africa, each with its own trade-offs between cost, speed, and volume.

Note: Sea freight is the most common method for the majority of trade between China and South Africa due to the volume of goods moved.

Estimated Air Freight Prices: China to South Africa (September 2025 Projection)

Prices are typically quoted per kilogram (per kg) or per cubic meter (per CBM), whichever is greater (the "chargeable weight").

CBM Calculation: 1 CBM = 167 kg. The volumetric rate is derived from the per-kg rate (e.g., $6.00/kg * 167 kg = ~$1,002/CBM).*

Estimated Sea Freight Prices: China to South Africa (September 2025 Projection)

Full Container Load (FCL) Prices

Less than Container Load (LCL) Prices

Key Steps in the Shipping Process (Sea Freight Example)

Sourcing & Procurement: Finalize your order with your supplier in China.

Booking & Documentation: VIPUTRANS books space on a vessel. Critical documents include:

Commercial Invoice: Details the value of goods for customs.

Packing List: Itemizes contents, weight, and dimensions of each package.

Bill of Lading (B/L): The contract of carriage and title document.

Certificate of Origin: May be required for customs clearance.

Origin Handling (China): Goods are transported to the port of departure (e.g., Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen), undergo customs export clearance, and are loaded onto the ship.

Ocean Transit: The vessel travels to major South African ports, primarily:

Port of Durban: The busiest and largest container port in Southern Africa.

Port of Cape Town: Key port for the Western Cape region.

Port of Ngqura (Gqeberha/PE): A growing deep-water port.

Destination Handling & Customs Clearance (South Africa):

SARS Customs Clearance: This is a critical step. You or your customs broker will submit all documents to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

Payment of Duties and Taxes: Import duties, Value-Added Tax (VAT - currently 15%), and other potential levies must be paid before cargo is released.

Duties are calculated based on the product's HS code and its value.

Inland Transportation: Once cleared, the cargo is transported by truck or rail to its final destination in South Africa (e.g., Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein).

Cost Factors

The total cost is more than just the ocean or air freight rate. It includes:

Freight Charge: The base cost from port to port (sea) or airport to airport (air).

Origin Charges: Includes haulage, export customs clearance, documentation fees, and terminal handling charges (THC) in China.

Destination Charges: Includes import customs clearance, port fees, customs duties, VAT, and delivery order fees in South Africa.

Insurance: Highly recommended to protect your cargo against loss or damage during transit. Typically costs 0.3% - 0.5% of the goods' value.

Other Potential Fees: Fuel surcharges, currency adjustment factors, and security fees.

Required Import Documents for South Africa

To clear customs, you will typically need:

Original Bill of Lading (or Telex Release if using Sea Waybill).

Commercial Invoice (must be in English).

Packed Packing List.

Certificate of Origin (often required).

Import Permit (for restricted goods like chemicals, medical supplies, etc.).

SARS Customs Declaration Form (DA550).

Air Waybill (for air freight) or Bill of Lading (for sea freight).

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Always check the latest regulations, but generally, South Africa prohibits or restricts:

Narcotics and illegal drugs

Counterfeit goods and pirated copies

Firearms and ammunition (without a permit)

Endangered species and products (CITES restrictions)

Certain agricultural products, plants, and soil

How to Get Started: Choosing a Partner

You have two main options:

Freight Forwarder / Shipping Agent: This is the most common and recommended choice, especially for beginners. They handle the entire process on your behalf, from pickup in China to delivery in South Africa. They have expertise in documentation, customs, and logistics.

1）You can contact VIPUTRANS directly and we will have a dedicated person to reply to you and provide you with the best transportation solution

2）Direct Contact with Shipping Lines: You can book directly with large container shipping lines.Examples: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO.

Note: This is generally more suitable for larger, more experienced importers, as you'll need to manage many aspects of the process yourself.

Recommendation：

For most businesses, especially those new to importing, we strongly recommend using a reputable freight forwarder like VIPUTRANS. We can streamline complex processes, help you mitigate risk, and, due to our volume, can negotiate better rates.

If you need Viputrans to help you transport goods from China to SouthAfrica, please feel free to contact us.

Lora Yang   E-mail: sales02@viputrans.com   SKYPE|WECHAT|WHATSAPP|MOB:+86 13424468029