Shipping Cars from China to Durban, South Africa - Cost, Time & Clearance
Shipping a car from China to Durban typically takes 30-38 days at sea. Reference freight per unit: $1,400-2,400 / unit by RoRo or $1,600-2,800 / unit by container. All figures are reference prices — the final rate is confirmed by quotation. Below: the port profile, full freight/time comparison, customs documents, duties, and right-hand drive stock available for this market.
Ocean freight (est.)
$1,600
Transit time
30-38 days
Import duty
25% of CIF
VAT / GST
15%
Port information
| Port code | ZADUR |
|---|---|
| Country | South Africa |
| Main routes | Shanghai / Guangzhou → Singapore / Port Louis → Durban |
| Carriers | MSC, Maersk, Grimaldi (RoRo), Hoegh Autoliners |
Freight cost & transit time (per unit)
| Mode | Transit time | Freight (USD/unit) |
|---|---|---|
| RoRo | 28-35 days | $1,400-2,400 / unit |
| Container (40HQ, 2-4 cars) | 30-38 days | $1,600-2,800 / unit |
| LCL / shared container | 35-45 days | $1,800-3,000 / unit |
Reference prices only — actual rates are confirmed by formal quotation at booking.
Clearance requirements
- Steering
- Right-hand drive (RHD) only
- Emission standard
- Euro IV and above
- Vehicle age limit
- Used passenger cars require an ITAC import permit; permits are restricted
- Inspection
- SABS / NRCS homologation and roadworthy test after arrival
- Shipping
- Container and RoRo, transhipment via Singapore or Port Louis
Documents we provide
- ITAC Import Permit
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- Letter of Authority (NRCS)
Duties & local notes
- • Import Duty 25%, Ad Valorem excise on higher-value cars, VAT 15% on (CIF + duty).
- • Right-hand drive only.
- • Durban is also the transit gateway for Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi.
- • Destination clearance & handling: around $550 per unit.
Stock available for Durban (RHD)
View all stockNo matching units online right now — send us your target model and we will source it.