Removals to South Africa from the UK
1st Choice Removals, a family-run BAR member near Wimborne in Dorset, handles removals to South Africa from the UK: we survey, export-pack and ship your belongings by sea, and partner agents in South Africa handle customs clearance and delivery. You arrange your own marine insurance for the voyage.
How removals to South Africa from the UK work
Every overseas move starts with a quote. If you live in a BH postcode or DT11, Book your free home visit. Everywhere else, Get an online quote by sending short room videos or photos from your phone, or call 01202 570970.
From there we plan your shipment together, and your written quote sets out exactly what is included. Whether you are returning home or starting afresh, we plan the move around your dates and your residence status, which affects how your goods are cleared.
- Free home visit or online quote, then a written quote
- Export packing by our own full-time, uniformed crews, never agency staff
- Loading and shipping by sea
- Help preparing your export and import paperwork
- Customs clearance and delivery in South Africa handled by our partner agents there
- Unpacking and furniture dismantling and reassembly available as optional extras, charged on top of your quote
Packing for a long sea journey
Goods shipped to South Africa travel a long way and are handled several times, so they need more protection than a local move. Our crews wrap fragile items properly, pad furniture and build bespoke wooden crates for antiques, artwork and other valuable pieces.
Everything is listed on a detailed inventory, which you will need for customs and for your insurance. Keep receipts for valuable or recently bought items, as customs may ask about them.
Prefer to pack some things yourself? We sell packing materials individually, or our packing service can do as much or as little as you like. Unpacking at your new home and furniture dismantling and reassembly are available as optional extras, charged on top of your quote.
South African customs: what to expect
Customs clearance in South Africa is handled by the South African Revenue Service (SARS). You will usually need your passport, your visa or permit, the inventory and the SARS declaration for household goods.
Whether used household goods come in free of duty depends on your residence status and how long you have owned them. New items may attract duty and VAT.
- Do not pack food, plants, seeds or soil
- Clean outdoor furniture, tools and bikes
- Firearms need a permit and cannot simply be packed with household goods
- Some medicines and wildlife products are controlled
Plan to be in South Africa when your goods arrive, as you may be asked for original documents during clearance. Fiona holds a BTEC in Customs Export and Import Procedures and will talk you through what applies.
Marine insurance: you must arrange it yourself
This is the most important point on this page. 1st Choice moves are insured for goods in transit, but that is not marine insurance and it does not cover the sea voyage to South Africa.
If you want your belongings covered while they are shipped, you must arrange marine insurance yourself before they leave the UK. We do not provide it.
- Value your items properly, using your inventory as the basis
- Check the excess and any limits on single items
- Ask whether items you packed yourself are covered, as many policies treat them differently
Storage and currency exchange
If your home in South Africa is not ready, we can keep your belongings in containerised storage in Dorset until you are ready to ship. We run around 1,000 storage units across four local sites, for short or long periods.
Sending money for a deposit, rent or a purchase? Our partner Regency FX offers currency exchange into South African rand, as a one-off transfer or regular payments.
For a step-by-step plan, read our moving abroad checklist, or see all our worldwide removals.
Your questions answered
How much does it cost to move to South Africa from the UK?
We do not publish prices for overseas moves because every shipment is different. The cost depends mainly on how much you are taking, how much packing you want us to do, any crating for valuable items and where in South Africa you are going. Book your free home visit if you live in a BH postcode or DT11, or Get an online quote from anywhere else, and we will give you a clear written quote.
Do I need marine insurance to ship my furniture to South Africa?
We strongly recommend it, and you must arrange it yourself. 1st Choice moves are insured for goods in transit, but that does not cover your belongings on the sea voyage to South Africa. Take out a marine insurance policy before your goods leave the UK, value items using your inventory, and check the excess and what the policy says about items you packed.
Who handles customs clearance and delivery in South Africa?
Our partner agents in South Africa handle customs clearance at the destination and deliver your belongings to your new home. 1st Choice surveys and plans the move, export-packs your belongings in the UK and arranges the shipment. Unpacking and furniture dismantling and reassembly are optional extras, charged on top of your quote.
What paperwork do I need to ship household goods to South Africa?
You will usually need your passport, your visa or permit, a detailed inventory of your goods and the SARS customs declaration for household effects. The shipping documents are prepared as part of the export. We go through the paperwork with you at the planning stage so the South African Revenue Service has what it needs when your goods arrive.
Will I pay import duty on my belongings in South Africa?
It depends on your circumstances. Used household goods can often be imported free of duty by people settling in South Africa or returning residents, but the rules depend on your residence status and how long you have owned the items. New goods may attract duty and VAT. Check your position with SARS before you ship.
What can't I take to South Africa?
Food, plants, seeds and soil should not be packed with your household goods, and outdoor items must be clean. Firearms need a permit and must be dealt with separately. Some medicines, wildlife products and other controlled goods are restricted. If you are unsure about an item, raise it at your survey and check with the South African authorities before packing.
Can you ship a piano, antiques or artwork to South Africa?
Yes. Pianos, antiques and artwork are part of our specialist removals work. We build bespoke wooden crates for delicate or valuable pieces so they are protected in the container. Mention these items at your survey so we can plan the crating and include it in your quote, and make sure your own marine insurance covers their full value.