Shipping to and from South Africa
Your complete guide to shipping to and from South Africa. Find the right route, get Maersk office locations, discover local solutions, payment options and more.
Import
Get up-to-date local information about import procedures and restrictions, demurrage and detention, container drop-offs and more.
WK 22 2023 Empty Import turn in’s (This is valid until and includes 04/06/2023)
All customers to ensure turn in instructions to be followed, as non-allocated depots will reject turn in's.
Important request from Grindrod Bluff Road and Gale Street for those who are collecting seals for direct turn in Durban Terminal turn-in.
We have further enhanced the Delivery Oder functionality on Maersk website.
Our latest enhancements include:
- SARS Release Status can be now be viewed online while processing the Delivery Order
- No more uploading Cargo Dues receipts. Instead of uploading Cargo Dues proof of payment you can tick the Cargo Dues Indemnity checkbox and thereby acknowledge that all cargo dues have been settled
To avoid any EDI failures with merchant shipments please be sure to update your Transporters/Truckers Details in the “Release Container to” field when requesting the Delivery Order.
A one-page guide to using our Self Service Delivery order and Payer assignment feature can be found by clicking below downloadable PDF file.
Commodity
- Hazardous classes 1 and 7 are subject to approval before acceptance.
- Used Tyres acceptance subject to legitimate ITAC permit
- No acceptance on DG charcoal
- No acceptance of Asbestos
- Textile waste and used clothing and shoes acceptance subject to legitimate ITAC permit
Weight & Measurement- The general road weight limitation is 24 tonnes/20’ and 28 tonnes/40’ including cargo and container tare. Overweight containers are subject to a fine imposed by the Government. Requests for movement of overweight cargo can be obtained from your nearest Maersk office.
45' Containers- No acceptance of 45' containers in South Africa.
Should your container be stopped and detained by Customs (South African Revenue Services, SARS); SAPS (South African Police Force) or the NRCS in South Africa, and you do not have representation for the inspection at the depot, MAERSK can arrange with one of our trusted vendors to be present and represent you at the depot for inspection.
By using this service, the safety and integrity of the cargo is kept intact, where photographs will be taken at each stage from breaking of seal – completion of inspection, creating complete visibly and peace of mind.
If you have any questions about a customs stopped shipment or the Maersk inspection service, please feel free to contact us: (Phone) +27 21 408 6888 or (email) za.stops@maersk.com
Detention
Detention Charges are applicable when the customer holds the line’s equipment longer than the agreed free time, detention days are counted discharge full to gate-in empty minus free days. The following charges are penalty surcharges when agreed free time has been exceeded and appear on applicable export shipments from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
The combined Freetime deals cover Detention only and not Demurrage. Demurrage is the storage charges incur in the terminal and no freetime is granted on storage as same is an out of pocket cost which is back to back recovery
From 01.04.2023 the Free Time deals will be applied based on the effective deals at the Price Calculation date – PCD
Maersk Import Detention | Period | 20’ Dry | 40’ Dry per day | 20’ Reef | 40’ Reef per day | 20’ Special/IMO | 40’ Special/IMO per day |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maersk Import Detention
Please see Free Time table below
|
Period
Day 1 to Day 5 after free time expires
|
20’ Dry | 40’ Dry per day
USD 65 | USD 130
|
20’ Reef | 40’ Reef per day
USD 110 | USD 220
|
20’ Special/IMO | 40’ Special/IMO per day
USD 110 | USD 220
|
Maersk Import Detention
Please see Free Time table below
|
Period
Day 6 to Day 10 after free time expires
|
20’ Dry | 40’ Dry per day
USD 85 | USD 170
|
20’ Reef | 40’ Reef per day
USD 175 | USD 350
|
20’ Special/IMO | 40’ Special/IMO per day
USD 175 | USD 350
|
Maersk Import Detention
Please see Free Time table below
|
Period
Day 11+ after free time expires
|
20’ Dry | 40’ Dry per day
USD 115 | USD 230
|
20’ Reef | 40’ Reef per day
USD 230 | USD 460
|
20’ Special/IMO | 40’ Special/IMO per day
USD 230 | USD 460
|
Direction | Container type | Free time in days | Trigger |
---|---|---|---|
Direction
CPT, DUR & PLZ to Coastal and Inland depot
|
Container type
Dry and Special
Reefer |
Free time in days
5 days
4 days |
Trigger
Vessel Discharge in South Africa
|
Direction
CPT, DUR & PLZ to Lesotho, Botswana & Swaziland
|
Container type
Dry and Special
|
Free time in days
14 days
|
Trigger
Vessel Discharge in South Africa
|
Direction
JNB & PTA to Inland depot
|
Container type
Dry and Special
|
Free time in days
5 days
|
Trigger
From Off-Rail
|
Direction
CPT, DUR, PLZ to Zimbabwe, Zambia & Malawi
|
Container type
Dry and Special
|
Free time in days
18 days
|
Trigger
Vessel Discharge
|
Direction
JNB & PTA to Coastal depot
|
Container type
Dry and Special
|
Free time in days
5 days
|
Trigger
Vessel Discharge
|
Direction
Lesotho, Swaziland & Botswana to Lesotho
|
Container type
Dry and Special
|
Free time in days
7 days
|
Trigger
From Off-Rail
|
Direction
Lesotho, Swaziland & Botswana to Botswana
|
Container type
Dry and Special
|
Free time in days
7 days
|
Trigger
From Off-Rail
|
Direction
Lesotho, Swaziland & Botswana to Swaziland
|
Container type
Dry and Special
|
Free time in days
7 days
|
Trigger
From Off-Rail
|
Maersk Import Detention |
Free Time |
Period |
20' Imo per day | 40' Imo per day |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maersk Import Detention
IMDG 1; 2.1; 2.3; 4.1; 4.2; 5.1; 5.2; 6 and 7
|
Free Time
0 DAYS
|
Period
Day 1 to 5 after free time expires
|
20' Imo per day
USD 110
|
40' Imo per day
USD 220
|
Maersk Import Detention
IMDG 3, 4, 6, 8
|
Free Time
2 DAYS
|
Period
Day 6 to 10 after free time expires
|
20' Imo per day
USD 160
|
40' Imo per day
USD 350
|
Maersk Import Detention
IMDG 3, 4, 6, 8
|
Free Time
2 DAYS
|
Period
Day 11 + after free time expires
|
20' Imo per day
USD 230
|
40' Imo per day
USD 460
|
Maersk Import Detention
All Other IMDG
|
Free Time
5 DAYS
|
Period
|
20' Imo per day
|
40' Imo per day
|
Disclaimer: Please note that above tariff is for standard booking and don’t refer to SPOT booking. Please refer to agreed DEMURRAGE & DETENTION FEES at the moment of booking placement for SPOT (available also on the booking confirmation).
Demurrage
Demurrage days are counted from container discharge to gate-out full minus the free days. Penalty charge associated with extended use of the container after agreed transit agreement and covers storage of these units. The following charges are penalty surcharges when agreed free time has been exceeded and appear on applicable Import shipments to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.
Demurrage collection aims to serve 2 purposes: (1) to ensure the release and optimal turnaround of equipment; and (2) recover some contribution towards the cost of idle time, in excess of the standard requirement. The charges become more punitive the longer the container remains unreleased. Charge code used is DMR.
Cleared ContainersAll import containers that have been customs cleared and all necessary documentation has been lodged with Maersk.
Un-cleared containersAll import containers that have not been customs cleared and all necessary documentation has not been lodged with Maersk.
All container types: Standard demurrage free time is 3 calendar days from date vessel completes for Durban discharge and 4 calendar days from vessel completes discharge for Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
For City Deep, Inland container terminal; see below.
During Peak Reefer season in Durban; Port Elizabeth & Cape Town from 1st April – 14th November free days will be reduced to 2 free days applicable to reefer shipments only.
Maersk Import Demurrage | Period | 20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day | 20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day | 20’ Special / 40’ Special per day |
---|---|---|---|---|
Maersk Import Demurrage
CPT & PLZ
|
Period
Day 5 & 6
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 1124 / ZAR 1691
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
CPT & PLZ
|
Period
Day 7 onwards
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 2472 / ZAR 3711
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
CPT - Multi-purpose
|
Period
Day 5 & 6
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 1124 / ZAR 1691
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
CPT - Multi-purpose
|
Period
Day 7 Onwards
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 1452 / ZAR 2897
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 2472 / ZAR 3711
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
JNB
|
Period
Day 4 & 5
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 1124 / ZAR 1691
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
JNB
|
Period
Day 6 onwards
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 2472 / ZAR 3711
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
EBS
|
Period
Day 5 & 6
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
EBS
|
Period
Day 7 onwards
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 1452 / ZAR 2897
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 1452 / ZAR 2897
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
DUR - Maydon Wharf
|
Period
Day 5 & 6
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 224 / ZAR 447
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
DUR - Maydon Wharf
|
Period
Day 7 onwards
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 1452 / ZAR 2897
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 1452 / ZAR 2897
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
DUR
|
Period
Day 4
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 2229 / ZAR 4459
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 2229 / ZAR 4459
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
DUR
|
Period
Day 5
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 3628 / ZAR 7249
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 3029 / ZAR 4545
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 3628 / ZAR 7249
|
Maersk Import Demurrage
DUR
|
Period
Day 6 onwards
|
20’ Dry / 40’ Dry per day
ZAR 3628 / ZAR 7249
|
20’ Reef / 40’ Reef per day
ZAR 6065 / ZAR 9097
|
20’ Special / 40’ Special per day
ZAR 3628 / ZAR 7249
|
How to view your last free day
Authorised parties will be able to view free days and last free date information for containers. See below quick guide on how to access this information.
Durban port
Class 1 / Class 4.1 (Un NO 1944) - all UN numbers require police permits; packing declarations and rail transport except class 1.4 UN 0012 (road haul only).
Direct Delivery to and from a rail truck is allowed except class 1.4 UN 0012 (road haul only). Not allowed to be stacked at the terminal.
The following documents are required to be sent through to us in order for us to apply for acceptance of the commodity with TNPA by eta -7 days.
- Police permits
- DGD
- Trem Cards
- Stamped CTO
- Transporter details (namely transporter name, contact person, after hours contact number, truck registration, driver’s name and driver’s identification number)
The above required documents must reach us by eta -7 days to prevent additional costs and penalties. If we cannot complete the application with TNPA by the required deadline, these units will not be discharged from the vessel and all costs to retain on board will be for the consignees account.
In addition to the above documents, we will require release to be taken of the shipment 48 hours prior to arrival in order for our port system (NAVIS) to reflect release prior to the vessel berthing. Please note any cargo not released within this 48 hours prior ETA for any commodities that must be discharged in daylight direct to vessel, we will perform carrier haulage to a depot to avoid putting TPT and the vessel at risk. Charges to be recovered from the client. This applies to stopped containers even if the release is received after the 48 hour mark.
New procedure:
Please note, as per Port’s request, we will be updating NAVIS with the Driver details as provided by you - the driver name, cell phone no, vehicle reg and wagon no. The purpose of this is that, just before the container is discharged, TPT will call the driver to ensure that he is in the queue waiting to collect. Please note, if the driver is NOT in the queue, or, if we cannot get hold of the contact person, the container will be retained on board.
This will be our process going forward as well - please ensure that all driver details issued are correct. If they are amended in any way, please ensure you contact Maerskline for us to update the system on your behalf.
Point Durban only
All other hazardous classes not listed on the advisory requires the following:
- Stamped CTO
- DGD
Important to Note:
A Cartage Booking Request (for Direct Delivery to and/or Upliftment from the Vessel and/or Delivery into &/or from Vessel Hazardous Stack) must be forwarded to the Terminal’s Cartage Booking Office prior to RMT(s) reporting to the Terminal.
When the driver reports to the terminal he must have a copy of the above-mentioned documents and all RMT(s) must have Harbour Carrier Permits. In addition they must have an Approved Cartage Booking Request.
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