Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to South Africa in 2026

RORO shipping from Southampton to Durban or Cape Town typically costs £1,100-£1,700 for a standard saloon or SUV, with Cape Town slightly cheaper on some carrier schedules due to more frequent direct sailings. Container shipping, useful for classic cars or shipments combined with household goods, runs £1,300-£2,000. Use our cost calculator for a live quote on your specific vehicle and route.

Direct RORO and container services from UK ports to Durban take roughly 18-24 days, while Cape Town sailings average 16-22 days depending on the carrier and whether the vessel calls at other African ports en route. Add several days for South African Revenue Service (SARS) customs clearance and, where applicable, National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) inspection before the vehicle can be released to you.

South Africa's International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) tightly restricts used-vehicle imports for private buyers. A permit is generally only granted for South African citizens or permanent residents returning from at least two years abroad who owned and used the vehicle personally for at least a year prior to shipment, or for inherited vehicles, specialist/vintage cars, and a handful of other narrow exemptions. Without an ITAC permit, customs will not clear a used vehicle for import — this is the single biggest obstacle for UK exporters and must be secured before shipping.

For vehicles that do qualify for import, South Africa charges 25% customs duty on passenger cars plus a 10% ad valorem duty scaled by vehicle value, followed by 15% VAT on the duty-inclusive value. A £15,000 car with £1,300 freight can therefore face several thousand pounds in combined duty and VAT, so always model the full landed cost rather than relying on the freight quote alone.

Once cleared through customs, the vehicle must pass a roadworthy test at an accredited testing station before it can be licensed with the local municipality. Right-hand-drive UK cars are compatible with South African roads, which drive on the left, simplifying this step compared with left-hand-drive markets, but full compliance documentation and proof of the ITAC permit will be required at registration.