Send a parcel to: South Africa
When you send a parcel abroad, you need an international courier you can trust. At Parcelforce Worldwide we have the experience and expertise to offer parcel delivery services that reach over 99% of the world’s population. We can help make the process easier by guiding you through the restrictions, customs charges and drop off options for each and every country.
You can choose to book online, by phone or in person and we will collect from your door or you can drop off at any of our depots and over 11,000 Post Office® branches across the country. Our range of international services offer the perfect balance of speed and price for every parcel delivery and most services even include insurance as standard. When it comes to parcel delivery, we deliver.
Parcel delivery information
| Service | Area | Delivery (Working Days) | PO Box | Max weight | Max length | Length & Girth | Buy online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| globalexpress | Documents | From 2 days | No | 30kg | 1.5m | 3m | Buy online |
| globalexpress | Packages | From 2 days | No | 30kg | 1.5m | 3m | Buy online |
| globalpriority | AREA 1 | 6 days | Yes | 30kg | 1m | 2m | Buy online |
| globalpriority | AREA 2 | 7 days | Yes | 30kg | 1m | 2m | Buy online |
| globalpriority | AREA 3 | 8 days | Yes | 30kg | 1m | 2m | Buy online |
| globalvalue | ALL AREAS | 9-12 days | No | 30kg | 1.5m | 3m | Buy online |
| globaleconomy(This service is only available at Post Office® Branches and Parcelforce Worldwide depots) | ALL AREAS | 35-40 days | No | 30kg | 1.5m | 3m |
Important information when exporting to South Africa
General Advice
- We are experiencing long-term delays to this country currently. Please refer to the live service update page for the latest information.
- In order to ensure a delivery on time, please ensure that your parcel has the full, correct address, an email address in the correct format and a mobile or landline number for the intended recipient. This will help the delivery partner to ensure the parcel is delivered correct first time. This should be clearly marked on the parcel.
- Timescales shown above do not include delays caused by destination country customs processes. Please be aware that customs could add additional time to your parcel delivery.
Product Specific Advice
- The definition of 'working days' and other important information can be found here
globalexpress parcels
- To avoid delivery / customs issues, our carrier partners request that a full name is mandatory for globalexpress parcels (e.g. Mr John Smith)
- There is a requirement for commercial invoices to be on headed paper
- Used goods require the recipient to obtain an import permit from the international trade commission
- Customs consider all items liable for duties and taxes
- Recipient Tax ID is required for clearance.
- globalexpress transit times are based upon collection times, sender and recipient locations.
- For details, please use the globalexpress calculator (via 'delivery' tab) here
[Note for awareness: the globalexpress calculator illustrates delivery speeds for parcels sent by account customers; parcels sent by retail channels may take longer and depend on posting method]
Customs, Prohibitions and Restrictions
- Sending parcels to South Africa requires customs paperwork for most items
- Import licences are required for most types of goods, especially second-hand goods.
- All spirits except Gin and Liqueurs need a customs certificate of age.
- Antiques (over a hundred years old) require a certificate of authenticity.
- Different rates of duty apply to component parts of fabrics; ensure that exact compositions are shown on the commercial invoice.
- For fabrics, it may help clearance if a 15cm by 8cm sample, marked with the supplier name, is attached to the commercial invoice
- Regulations on labelling apply to foodstuffs, cosmetics, disinfectants, alcohol and fabrics.
- In order to confirm that your items are not prohibited or restricted, please check our dedicated page here
- Should you require specific customs advice and the latest rules please visit the South African customs website
This is for information only and should not be considered to have legal basis. Where doubt exists appropriate legal advice should be sought.
Additional delivery information for South Africa
Bank Holidays & Non-Working Days
- Bank Holidays for this year in South Africa can be found here
- Typical Non-Working Days in South Africa are: Saturday and Sunday
Postcode Areas (globalpriority)
- South Africa is currently split into three delivery speed areas - please refer to the attached PDF for specific details
Additional information (globalpriority)
|
High Level Standard Offered By SAPO (South Africa Post Office)
|
|
|---|---|
|
Delivery Aspect
|
Details
|
| Delivery to Home / Business | Yes / Yes |
| Delivery to PO Box | Yes |
| Delivery to Post Office | Yes |
| How many delivery attempts as standard? | 3 |
| If unsuccessful delivery, is notification left with recipient? | Yes |
| How many days is the parcel held before returned? | 21 |
| What days does SAPO typically deliver on? | Mon - Fri |
| Service | Area | Delivery (Working Days) | PO Box | Max weight | Max length | Length & Girth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| globalexpress | Documents | From 2 days | No | 30kg | 1.5m | 3m |
| globalexpress | Packages | From 2 days | No | 30kg | 1.5m | 3m |
| globalpriority | AREA 1 | 5 days | Yes | 30kg | 1m | 2m |
| globalpriority | AREA 2 | 6 days | Yes | 30kg | 1m | 2m |
| globalpriority | AREA 3 | 7 days | Yes | 30kg | 1m | 2m |
Important information when exporting to South Africa
General Advice
- We are experiencing long-term delays to this country currently. Please refer to the live service update page for the latest information.
- In order to ensure a delivery on time, please ensure that your parcel has the full, correct address, an email address in the correct format and a mobile or landline number for the intended recipient. This will help the delivery partner to ensure the parcel is delivered correct first time. This should be clearly marked on the parcel.
- Timescales shown above do not include delays caused by destination country customs processes. Please be aware that customs could add additional time to your parcel delivery.
Product Specific Advice
- The definition of 'working days' and other important information can be found here
globalexpress parcels
- To avoid delivery / customs issues, our carrier partners request that a full name is mandatory for globalexpress parcels (e.g. Mr John Smith)
- There is a requirement for commercial invoices to be on headed paper
- Used goods require the recipient to obtain an import permit from the international trade commission
- Customs consider all items liable for duties and taxes
- Recipient Tax ID is required for clearance.
- globalexpress transit times are based upon collection times, sender and recipient locations.
- For details, please use the globalexpress calculator (via 'delivery' tab) here
[Note for awareness: the globalexpress calculator illustrates delivery speeds for parcels sent by account customers; parcels sent by retail channels may take longer and depend on posting method]
Customs, Prohibitions and Restrictions
- Sending parcels to South Africa requires customs paperwork for most items
- Import licences are required for most types of goods, especially second-hand goods.
- All spirits except Gin and Liqueurs need a customs certificate of age.
- Antiques (over a hundred years old) require a certificate of authenticity.
- Different rates of duty apply to component parts of fabrics; ensure that exact compositions are shown on the commercial invoice.
- For fabrics, it may help clearance if a 15cm by 8cm sample, marked with the supplier name, is attached to the commercial invoice
- Regulations on labelling apply to foodstuffs, cosmetics, disinfectants, alcohol and fabrics.
- In order to confirm that your items are not prohibited or restricted, please check our dedicated page here
- Should you require specific customs advice and the latest rules please visit the South African customs website
This is for information only and should not be considered to have legal basis. Where doubt exists appropriate legal advice should be sought.
Additional delivery information for South Africa
Bank Holidays & Non-Working Days
- Bank Holidays for this year in South Africa can be found here
- Typical Non-Working Days in South Africa are: Saturday and Sunday
Postcode Areas (globalpriority)
- South Africa is currently split into three delivery speed areas - please refer to the attached PDF for specific details
Additional information (globalpriority)
|
High Level Standard Offered By SAPO (South Africa Post Office)
|
|
|---|---|
|
Delivery Aspect
|
Details
|
| Delivery to Home / Business | Yes / Yes |
| Delivery to PO Box | Yes |
| Delivery to Post Office | Yes |
| How many delivery attempts as standard? | 3 |
| If unsuccessful delivery, is notification left with recipient? | Yes |
| How many days is the parcel held before returned? | 21 |
| What days does SAPO typically deliver on? | Mon - Fri |
