Sending a parcel to South Africa
Prices, delivery times, customs rules and the best carriers for shipping a parcel to South Africa. Independent comparison updated 2026.
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Summary
At a glance
A parcel to South Africa arrives in 10–15 days (standard) or 5–7 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 25 €, customs duty from 25 €. Best carriers: dhl-express, fedex, ups.
Quick facts
Sending a parcel to South Africa
schedule Updated
Summary
A parcel to South Africa arrives in 10–15 days (standard) or 5–7 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 25 €, customs duty from 25 €. Best carriers: dhl-express, fedex, ups.
- Region
- africa
- EU
- No
- Currency
- ZAR
- Standard delivery
- 10–15 days
- Express delivery
- 5–7 days
- Customs duty from
- 25 €
- VAT
- from 25 €
- CN23 required
- Yes
Carrier comparison
Carriers for South Africa
| Carrier | Business days from carrier pickup. Does not include weekends or public holidays. | Indicative price for a 10 kg parcel. Calculated from average market rates — varies by season, volume and fuel surcharges. | Key strengths | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DHL Express Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 245 € | Fastest for non-EU destinations · Door-to-door in 72h worldwide | Detailsarrow_forward |
 FedEx Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–3 days | 225 € | Strong USA and Asia network · Fast intercontinental delivery (2–4 days) | Detailsarrow_forward |
 UPS Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–3 days | 216 € | Worldwide coverage in 220+ countries · UPS Saver express service (1–3 days outside EU) | Detailsarrow_forward |
 Česká pošta Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 3–5 days | 88 € | Pokrývá celý svět · Nejlevnější pro zásilky nad 2 kg mimo EU | Detailsarrow_forward |
Price by weight
Price by weight
Price curve for a parcel to South Africa
Values are averages of the cheapest standard and fastest express service. Actual price depends on the carrier.
Prices by weight
Indicative prices and delivery time
| Weight | Standard shipping — balanced choice. Parcel typically arrives in 2–5 business days. Includes tracking. | Express shipping — priority handling and delivery in 1–2 business days. Surcharge is typically 50–150 % over standard. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 38 € | 82 € |
| 5 kg | 60 € | 120 € |
| 10 kg | 98 € | 185 € |
| 20 kg | 168 € | 310 € |
Prices are indicative, the actual amount depends on the carrier, exchange rate and seasonal surcharges. See the carrier comparison table below for exact numbers.
Customs
South Africa has a relatively stable customs system. 15% VAT plus duty by goods category. The personal gift threshold without taxes is 400 ZAR (~€20). Logistics are strong for Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town. Postal services have reliability issues — use DHL Express for important shipments.
Required documents
- CN22 is a simplified customs declaration for parcels up to 2 kg and €270 in value. Completed at the post office or generated by the carrier. Without CN22, the parcel may be held at customs.
- Commercial invoice
Prohibited items
These items cannot be shipped to South Africa.
- Weapons and ammunition
- Drugs and controlled substances
- Certain foodstuffs
- Prescription medicines (without authorisation)
- Brand replicas
Free tool
How much will you pay when importing from South Africa?
Enter the goods value, select a category, and get an exact cost breakdown including customs duty and VAT.
Data accuracy
Indicative information — verify at source
Shipping prices, delivery times and customs limits change over time and may differ by carrier, volume and season. Values on this page are indicative — they help you decide which carrier to pick, not to calculate a binding price. Before shipping, always verify current rates and conditions with the chosen carrier and the customs authority of South Africa.
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link Sources & methodologyFAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the South African Post Office reliable for delivery?
The South African Post Office has historically suffered from financial instability and unreliable delivery. For valuable shipments we recommend DHL Express or UPS — both have their own hub in Johannesburg and deliver within 5–7 days with full tracking.
No questions match your search.
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