Frequently asked questions

The origin and destination (city and country, or full addresses), a description of the goods, the number of packages, the total weight, the dimensions of each package, and your preferred mode of transport or deadline. Mention any dangerous, fragile, perishable or high-value goods.

Send your request through the quote form or by email. Our team reviews it and replies to the email address you provided, with the quotation or with questions if information is missing.

Transport prices depend on fuel costs, exchange rates and the capacity available with carriers, which change regularly. The validity period and the conditions are stated on each quotation.

No. A request through the website is not a binding order. A shipment is booked once you have accepted the written quotation and its conditions.

Incoterms® are international rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce. They define who — seller or buyer — organises and pays each stage of transport, and when the risk passes from one to the other. Tell us the Incoterm agreed in your sale when you ask for a quotation.

Air is the fastest and suits urgent or valuable goods. Sea is the most economical for large volumes over long distances. Road covers collection, delivery and regional transport. Many shipments combine several modes; we recommend the most suitable option in your quotation.

Light but bulky goods take up space. Carriers therefore compare the actual weight with a weight calculated from the volume, and charge on the greater of the two. For air freight, the volumetric weight is commonly calculated by dividing the volume in cubic centimetres by 6,000.

Use sturdy packaging adapted to the weight and the fragility of the goods, fill empty spaces, and mark each package clearly with the addresses and handling instructions. Heavy items should be palletised or crated. We can advise you before shipping.

For international shipments, solid wood packaging generally has to comply with the ISPM 15 standard: heat-treated or fumigated and marked with the official stamp. Non-compliant packaging can be refused or treated at the destination.

Dangerous goods — such as flammable liquids, gases, aerosols, chemicals and many lithium batteries — are regulated in all modes of transport (IATA rules for air, the IMDG Code for sea). They must be declared, classified, packed and labelled correctly. Always tell us if your goods may be dangerous; we will confirm whether and how they can be shipped.

Yes. Each country restricts or prohibits certain goods, and carriers have their own restrictions. Some goods require permits. Describe your goods precisely so that we can check them before booking.

In most cases a commercial invoice and a packing list, plus the transport document issued for the shipment (air waybill or bill of lading). Depending on the goods and the countries, a certificate of origin, permits or other certificates may be required.

The details of the seller and the buyer, a precise description of each item, the quantities, the unit and total values, the currency, the country of origin of the goods and the agreed Incoterm. A vague description such as “parts” or “samples” often causes delays.

Duties and taxes are set by the customs authorities of the importing country, based on the classification, value and origin of the goods. In South Africa, customs is administered by the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Cargo Express does not set them.

In South Africa, businesses that import or export commercial goods generally need to be registered with SARS as an importer or exporter. Requirements in other countries vary.

Inspections can be random or targeted. The goods are held until the inspection is completed and clearance is granted. We coordinate with the parties involved and keep you informed.

Your tracking number is provided by Cargo Express when your shipment is registered, and it appears on your shipment documents. It starts with “CE” followed by 10 letters and digits.

The current status of the shipment, the date of the last update, the origin and destination when they have been recorded, and the history of each movement with its date, time and location when known. Personal and billing information is never shown.

Each movement is recorded by our team when it is confirmed. There may therefore be several days between two updates during a long sea or road leg. If you have a question about an update, contact us with your tracking number.

Check that the number has been entered correctly — spaces and dashes are optional. A shipment only appears once it has been registered by our team. If the problem continues, contact us with the number.

The liability of carriers is limited by international conventions and transport conditions, and is often lower than the value of the goods. For valuable cargo, cargo insurance is recommended. Ask us when you request your quotation; the cover and its conditions are confirmed in writing.

Write the damage or the missing packages on the delivery document before signing, take photographs, keep the packaging and notify us in writing as soon as possible. Claims are subject to time limits set by the transport conditions.

The currency, the payment terms and the payment methods are stated on your quotation and your invoice.

Our office is at 72 Manhattan Street, Airport Industria, 7525 Cape Town, South Africa. Our contact details are on the contact page.

Send us a message through the contact form or by email, and include your tracking number so that we can find your shipment quickly.

The information you send through the forms is used only to answer your request and to provide our services, in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Details are given in our privacy policy.