Shipping times and costs from South Africa to United States of America

Shipping Container Costs to United States of America

Looking to move your belongings to America? If you’re in a rush, putting your possessions on a plane is possible, but pricey – it’ll typically cost you much more than shipping them to the USA by sea. To receive free shipping quotes, simply fill in this quick form and our trusted suppliers will get back to you.

 

How to get quotes for shipping to the USA

1. You’ll be asked to provide a few details about your move to the USA
2. If we have shipping partners who can help you, they’ll contact you with quotes
3. You can compare these quotes and choose the deal that suits you
4. Our shipping partners will then help prepare your shipment for customs, deliver it door-to-door, and generally make the process as easy and stress-free as possible

 

Should you choose sea freight or air freight?

You may decide to send your belongings to your new home in America via plane or ship – either way, it should be an informed decision. Here are the main advantages of each method, with more detailed explanations available on our Air Freight vs Sea Freight page.Benefits of Sea Freight

• A 99.99% safety record
• Sea freight is 12-16 times cheaper than air freight
• You’re typically able to fit more on a ship than a plane
• A container ship creates 44 times less CO2 than a plane
• The International Maritime Organisation has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions from shipping by 40% by 2030

 Benefits of Air Freight

• An identical 99.99% safety record
• Planes are faster

  However, there are unpredictable factors that can affect your shipping time, such as:

• Natural disasters
• Adverse weather conditions
• A route being unexpectedly blocked, as the Suez Canal was in March 2021
• Global health crises like COVID-19

 

Clearing customs at the American border

Before entering the USA, there are two key forms you must fill out to ensure your smooth passage through customs, according to the USA’s customs site. Complete Customs Form 6059B (‘Customs Declaration’) for all the goods you’re planning on physically bringing with you, and Form 3299 (‘Declaration For Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles’) for all the possessions which will arrive separate to you. Upon request, you must provide these forms to Customs and Border Protection officials, who will view them as a packing list. Make sure you note which items are household effects, and which are personal effects.Household effects include:

• Artwork
• Books
• Carpets
• Furniture
• Libraries
• Paintings
• Tableware
• Other usual household furnishings

If you or your family have used any of these items outside America for at least a year, and don’t intend to sell or give them to someone else, you can bring them into the USA duty-free.Personal effects include:

• Clothes
• Jewellery
• Photographic equipment
• Tape recorders

Both personal and household effects are subject to inspection by a customs officer, who may ask for more evidence that you own them. If you’re bringing anything particularly valuable, carry proof it belongs to you, if possible. Due to the potential for complications if you make a mistake or are targeted by an officer, we would strongly recommend using a shipping company to ensure you clear customs without any fuss.  

What can’t you bring with you?

The American government has created an extensive list of restricted items, including certain types of food, plants, and cars. The USA prohibits some unexpected products, such as absinthe, musical instruments, and certain kinds of palm fronds, so make sure you read through the list thoroughly before packing your possessions. Bringing a banned product could result in you being fined or thrown in prison.  

Shipping ports in the USA

The most popular ports in America are:

1. Los Angeles, California
2. Newark, New Jersey
3. Long Beach, California
4. Savannah, Georgia
5. Houston, Texas

With plenty of options on the north-east, south, and west coasts – including dozens of other ports – shipping your goods to your new home in the USA should be easy no matter where you’re going.