South Africa ranks second when it comes to exporting to the United States. The top South African product sourced to the US is platinum. How to get a piece of that pie and organize shipping from South Africa to the US?
Shipping from South Africa to the US – modes of transportation
Sea freight from South Africa to the US
Sea freight is a cost-effective option for transporting large volumes of goods over long distances. There are two primary modes:
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Perfect for smaller shipments that do not require a full container, so multiple shippers can share space and costs.
- Full Container Load (FCL): Suitable for large shipments that can fill an entire container.
How long does shipping from South Africa to the US by sea take?
In terms of sea freight, shipments from South Africa to the US East Coast take approximately 15-30 days, while those to the West Coast may take 30-50 days.
Major seaports in South Africa
- Port of Durban
- Port of Port Elizabeth
- Port of Cape Town
- Port of Richards Bay
Major seaports in the US
- Port of Los Angeles
- Port of Houston
- Port of New York and New Jersey
- Port of Savannah
Air freight from South Africa to the US
Do you need to ship time-sensitive and high-value goods from South Africa to the United States? Choose air freight, as it is faster than sea shipping and more secure. Bear in mind that air freight is more expensive than sea freight.
How long does it take to ship from South Africa to the US by air?
Typical transit times for air cargo between South Africa and the US range from 2 to 8 days, depending on the specific origin and destination airports.
Major airports in South Africa
- King Shaka International Airport (DUR)
- O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB)
- Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Major airports in the US
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
How much does shipping from South Africa to the US cost?
It is not easy to estimate shipping costs on your own. You have to take into account factors such as shipment size, weight, mode of transport, and delivery speed. Moreover, there are customs duties, taxes, insurance, and handling fees, which can vary depending on the nature of the goods and the specific regulations of both countries.
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