SHIPPING PROCEDURE FROM VIETNAM TO SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa (official name: Republic of South Africa) is one of the most developed economies in Africa and serves as a key trade gateway connecting the continent with global markets.
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Geographic Location: Located at the southern tip of Africa, bordered by both the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean, South Africa enjoys a strategic position for international trade.
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Area: Approximately 1.22 million km² – about 3.7 times larger than Vietnam.
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Economy: A G20 member with advanced logistics, seaport, and financial infrastructure.
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Main Ports: Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth are major international container ports connecting directly to Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
With high demand for imported goods such as textiles, agricultural products, mobile phones, machinery, construction materials, and consumer goods, South Africa is increasingly becoming a potential market for Vietnamese exporters.
Join Unicorn Logistics to explore the process of transporting goods from Vietnam to South Africa. If you’re seeking a reliable partner for shipping from China to Vietnam, consider our services. Unicorn Logistics is a professional logistics and transportation provider, committed to competitive pricing, reliability, and speed. Contact us at Eric@unicornlogs.com or +84 907256567 – Mr. Bắc, Eric, Sales Manager, for professional consultation and support.
🚢 Cape Town Port
Located in southwestern South Africa along the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is a key hub for goods to and from Europe, the Americas, and West Africa. It is ideal for agricultural products, seafood, perishable goods, and refrigerated containers, thanks to specialized cold storage facilities.
🚢 Port Elizabeth Port
Situated in southeastern South Africa, Port Elizabeth supports heavy industrial zones, automotive assembly, and technical machinery. It handles bulk cargo, heavy industrial goods, and containers, with dedicated container terminals. Its connectivity to domestic rail and highway networks makes it efficient for exporting machinery, mechanical equipment, and technical goods from Vietnam.
⚓ 1. Main Ports in South Africa
🚢 Durban Port
Durban is Africa’s largest container port and South Africa’s leading logistics hub, handling over 60% of the country’s import-export cargo. Strategically located on the Indian Ocean, it accommodates large container ships and connects directly to over 150 international ports via routes through Singapore, the Middle East, and India. Its modern infrastructure, extensive container yards, and high handling capacity make Durban the top choice for goods shipped from Vietnam to South Africa.
Durban is Africa’s largest container port and South Africa’s leading logistics hub, handling over 60% of the country’s import-export cargo. Strategically located on the Indian Ocean, it accommodates large container ships and connects directly to over 150 international ports via routes through Singapore, the Middle East, and India. Its modern infrastructure, extensive container yards, and high handling capacity make Durban the top choice for goods shipped from Vietnam to South Africa.
🚢 Cape Town Port
Located in southwestern South Africa along the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is a key hub for goods to and from Europe, the Americas, and West Africa. It is ideal for agricultural products, seafood, perishable goods, and refrigerated containers, thanks to specialized cold storage facilities.
🚢 Port Elizabeth Port
Situated in southeastern South Africa, Port Elizabeth supports heavy industrial zones, automotive assembly, and technical machinery. It handles bulk cargo, heavy industrial goods, and containers, with dedicated container terminals. Its connectivity to domestic rail and highway networks makes it efficient for exporting machinery, mechanical equipment, and technical goods from Vietnam.
🚛 2. Transportation Methods from Vietnam
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Sea Freight (Most Common):
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FCL (Full Container Load): Suitable for large shipments, using entire containers.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Consolidated shipping for smaller shipments.
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- Air Freight:
- Ideal for urgent, high-value, or lightweight goods like electronics or samples.
⏱️ 3. Transit Time and Shipping Schedules from Vietnam to South Africa
Shipping from Vietnam to South Africa takes approximately 22–32 days, depending on the route and transshipment ports (commonly via Singapore or the Middle East, e.g., Jebel Ali).
📦 4. Process of Transporting Goods from Vietnam to South Africa
Step 1: Consultation & Quotation
Unicorn Logistics provides tailored route recommendations, optimal destination port selection, and a comprehensive quote covering freight charges, surcharges, and related procedural costs.
Unicorn Logistics provides tailored route recommendations, optimal destination port selection, and a comprehensive quote covering freight charges, surcharges, and related procedural costs.
Step 2: Document Preparation & Packaging
Businesses must prepare export documents, including Commercial Contract, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin (C/O), and Bill of Lading (B/L). Goods must be packed to international standards to ensure safety during transit.
Businesses must prepare export documents, including Commercial Contract, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin (C/O), and Bill of Lading (B/L). Goods must be packed to international standards to ensure safety during transit.
Step 3: Customs Declaration in Vietnam
Documents are submitted via Vietnam’s VNACCS/VCIS electronic customs system. Businesses pay export taxes (if applicable) and await customs clearance.
Documents are submitted via Vietnam’s VNACCS/VCIS electronic customs system. Businesses pay export taxes (if applicable) and await customs clearance.
Step 4: Booking & Delivery to Port
After securing a booking with the shipping line, Unicorn Logistics assists in transporting goods to export ports like Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) or Hai Phong. Goods are loaded into containers per the shipping schedule.
After securing a booking with the shipping line, Unicorn Logistics assists in transporting goods to export ports like Cat Lai (Ho Chi Minh City) or Hai Phong. Goods are loaded into containers per the shipping schedule.
Step 5: International Transportation
Unicorn Logistics monitors the shipment’s journey and provides regular updates on cargo status.
Unicorn Logistics monitors the shipment’s journey and provides regular updates on cargo status.
Step 6: Import Procedures in South Africa
The importer in South Africa must prepare an Import Permit and file declarations with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Key documents include the Bill of Lading (B/L), Commercial Invoice, C/O, and, for technical goods, a Certificate of Compliance.
The importer in South Africa must prepare an Import Permit and file declarations with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Key documents include the Bill of Lading (B/L), Commercial Invoice, C/O, and, for technical goods, a Certificate of Compliance.
💸 5. Costs to Consider
In Vietnam:
- Local charges (THC, VGM, handling fees)
- Export documentation and domestic transport fees
- International freight charges (Ocean Freight)
In South Africa:
- Import duties: 10–25%, depending on the goods
- VAT: 15%
- Container detention fees (if delivery is delayed), handling fees
- Quarantine or quality inspection fees (if applicable)
🧮 6. Calculating Freight Costs from Vietnam to South Africa
Sea Freight
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FCL (Full Container Load):
Total freight cost = Container rate × Number of containers (or bills/shipments). -
LCL (Less than Container Load):
Calculate shipment volume:
Volume (m³) = (Length × Width × Height) × Quantity
Compare volume to weight:- If 1 ton < 3 CBM: Considered heavy cargo, priced per KGS.
- If 1 ton ≥ 3 CBM: Considered light cargo, priced per CBM.
Conversion: 1 ton = 3 CBM; 1 CBM = 1000 kg.Cost calculation:- KGS cost = (Weight (kg) × Rate per CBM) / 1000
- CBM cost = Shipment volume × Rate per CBM
Note: Rate per CBM is determined by the international freight provider.
📌 7. Key Export Goods from Vietnam to South Africa
South Africa is a promising market for Vietnam’s key exports, including agricultural products like rice, coffee, cashews, and seafood, which align with African consumption habits. Textiles, consumer goods, household plastics, and pharmaceuticals also show strong growth potential due to South Africa’s open trade policies and young population.
Unicorn Logistics – Your Partner for Exports to South Africa
Unicorn Logistics is a leading logistics and international freight forwarding provider in Vietnam. With practical experience and a highly skilled team, we are committed to delivering comprehensive, efficient, and cost-effective logistics solutions. Our key services include:
- International Sea and Air Freight: Shipping from Vietnam to global ports and airports, and vice versa.
- Domestic Transportation: By road, waterway, and rail.
- Comprehensive Customs Services: Full customs clearance services in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and select domestic border gates.
- C/O Consultation and Processing: Support for various Certificate of Origin forms.
- Free Consultation: Guidance on HS codes, import/export taxes, payment processes, import policies, efficient transport solutions, and more.
- Contract and Document Support: Advice on import/export contracts and related documents, with free templates for commercial contracts, invoices, and packing lists.
Unicorn Logistics is a trusted partner in international freight forwarding, offering high-quality services with a dedicated, experienced team. We support businesses throughout the customs clearance and transportation process with a professional, streamlined, and transparent approach, minimizing risks, optimizing costs, and enhancing logistics efficiency.
For customs and logistics support, contact:
Mr. Bắc, Eric, Sales Manager, Unicorn Logistics
Email: Eric@unicornlogs.com
Phone: +84 907256567
Mr. Bắc, Eric, Sales Manager, Unicorn Logistics
Email: Eric@unicornlogs.com
Phone: +84 907256567
