SCS Safmarine

INTERNATONAL SHIPPING REQUIREMENTS

If you wish to emigrate and need your furniture and personal belongings sent overseas or your company wishes to export a product, you will need a freight shipping line to help you.

Shipments crossing international borders will have to be cleared through Customs in South Africa prior to being delivered to the recipient. For this you will need a broker – a company like Fedex – who will put together the necessary and correct documentation.

In some instances more transit time is required – i.e. if shipments are held by Customs because of incorrect or missing documentation. So you could be helping yourself if you have information on what is required for trade with our countries.  Make sure your commodity is acceptable for shipment via the FedEx service you’ve selected.   

Required Documentation varies according to the following factors:

• If you are shipping documents with a commercial value, samples, or dutiable goods you require a FedEx International Air Waybill and a Commercial Invoice.


• If you are shipping electronic goods and computer parts for personal use or resale you need a test report from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS). If the Letter of Authority is not available within five days of the goods arrival, the shipment will be confiscated.


• FedEx Ship Manager invoices are not acceptable. Invoices must be on company letterhead and be on the outside of the shipment.

Remember that documentation must be precise because even the smallest discrepancy or omissions may cause merchandise not to be delivered and this would result in nonpayment, or even the seizure of the exporter’s goods by U.S. or foreign government customs.

Collection documents too are subject to precise time limits and will not be honored by the bank if the time has expired. Most documentation is a matter of routine for freight forwarders and customs brokers, but the exporter is ultimately responsible for the accuracy of its documents.

WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE TIPS ON INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING