Shipping

This is quite straightforward (except for those who need a liquor licence to take the booze collection home, but more of that later).

Getting ship-shape

Home estimate

Contact shipping agents and get them to send someone to your home to provide an estimate of space needed and time and cost factors. Allow up to two weeks' notice for a home visit. The quotes should arrive quickly (slow/poor service at this end is probably a good basis for eliminating some shippers as many quotes are likely to come in with similar prices and timescales and it can be hard to choose between them.

Full packing service

Some companies advise customers to make use of their full packing service, which can save a lot of time and trouble, and allows shipping companies to make better judgments because they know how they will pack and how much space to allow. It is also better for insurance purposes that the packing be done professionally.

Groupage

Shipping household goods to SA takes between four and ten weeks depending on whether you are taking a full container or doing 'groupage' ie using part of a container. Groupage can take a bit longer as there may be a delay waiting for suitable container space.

Car shipping

Taking a whole container is good if you are exporting a full house of furniture and household goods or if you are exporting your car (the car can be shipped in the container with your other goods). The container can be loaded and sealed at your home, taken straight to the port and can go out on the first sailing to your destination. Most shipping companies offer a limited period of free storage on both sides. For more information see our wheels pages.

Standard liability cover

Shippers have a standard liability cover, which will protect against loss and damage in transit. It is worth finding out about further cover, preferably to replacement cost at your destination.

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Questions & answers

Storage solutions