What to send with your quote request
Machine weight, dimensions and pickup point up front let us price the movement and clearing. If you are bringing in one item or a full load, we need the basics that affect freight, customs, insurance and inland delivery.
Please include the machine type, make and model if available, quantity, dimensions, gross weight, collection point, final delivery town and whether the unit is new, used or refurbished. If the equipment will move through Durban harbour, or arrive into a bonded store in Johannesburg or Cape Town, say so in your note.
- Machine name and intended use
- Overall size in metres and total weight in kg
- Country of origin and loading port
- Delivery address in South Africa or neighbouring countries
- Any power, lift or offloading needs on site
- Invoice, packing list and any technical documents already available
How we price the import and delivery
Every quote is built around the actual movement, not a one size fits all rate. We look at sea freight or other transport, customs duty, VAT, tariff classification, port handling, clearing work, cargo insurance, bonded storage if needed, and inland haulage to the final point.
For machinery moving through the Durban harbour corridor, timing matters. Congestion, vessel schedules and terminal charges can change the plan, so we check the route first. If your load must go on to Jet Park, City Deep or Paarden Eiland, we factor in road transport, permit needs and any offloading support at site.
- Import planning and document review
- Shipping coordination and port collection
- Customs clearing and tariff classification
- Inland transport and site offloading
Step 1: Tell us what you are importing
Start by sending the machine details through our contact form. If you have photos, drawings or a commercial invoice, attach them. Clear pictures of the name plate, frame, wheels, engine bay or control panel help us identify the item correctly, especially where customs codes can differ by small technical details.
For fleet and automotive equipment, include tyre size, axle setup, fuel type and whether the unit is roadworthy or static plant. For workshop machinery, say if it must stay upright, whether it has loose parts and if it needs crating before shipping. This helps avoid delays at the port and at the final site.
- Send a message through our contact form
- Use one message per shipment where possible
- State your deadline if the load is urgent
- Mention any load-shedding sensitive equipment that needs special handling
Step 2: We confirm the route, costs and timing
Once we have the basics, our team checks the best route and sends back a practical estimate in Rand. You will see the main charges, likely customs costs, and the documents required before the cargo can move. If the shipment needs bonded storage, we will say why and for how long.
Tumisang and the operations team will work out collection and delivery timing, while Retief checks the clearing side and Fatima reviews compliance issues. That split keeps the process tight and avoids the usual back and forth when paperwork is missing or a tariff code is unclear.
If the machine is arriving for a business in Durban, Umbilo or Springfield Park, we can often align the port release with same week inland transport. For Johannesburg and Cape Town, we plan around route capacity and site access so the unit reaches you without extra handling.
What happens after you approve the quote
After approval, we start the paperwork and keep you updated on each stage. You will know when the shipping is booked, when the cargo lands, when clearing is submitted and when collection or delivery can be arranged. If a document is missing, we tell you early so there is time to fix it.
Our client services team also helps with practical questions such as insurance values, storage periods, site offloading and the order in which multiple machines should move. That is useful for contractors, dealerships and fleet operators who cannot afford a truck waiting at a gate all day.
- Booking and shipping confirmation
- Customs entry submission
- Port release and collection planning
- Final delivery or site offloading
Common reasons quotes change
Machinery quotes can shift if the weight is higher than expected, the dimensions change, the loading point is remote, or the documents arrive late. Coastal humidity, export packing quality and the need for weather protection can also affect the plan, especially on equipment with electrical parts or precision fittings.
Municipal access rules matter too. Some sites in Durban, Jet Park or Paarden Eiland need booking times, loading bay approval or proof of insurance before a truck enters. If your delivery point has height limits, restricted access or a busy shift change, tell us upfront so we can price the right vehicle and crew.
We would rather correct the plan before the cargo leaves than fix problems at the port. A clean quote is based on facts, not guesswork, and that saves time and Rand later.
