International shipments arriving in South Africa often face delays that seem confusing or arbitrary to customers. But behind every delay, whether at Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha or OR Tambo, there is almost always an apparent procedural or regulatory reason. Understanding why these delays happen helps importers, expats and relocating families prepare better and avoid unnecessary costs.
This article provides a transparent breakdown of the most common causes of delays, supported by South African regulatory guidance and real-world examples from the logistics sector. Each section also explains what an importer or relocating family can actively do to minimise disruption.
1. Customs Documentation Errors
Why does this cause delays?
According to SARS Customs guidelines, incomplete or inaccurate documentation is one of the most frequent causes of cargo holds, as customs officials cannot assess the shipment until the required documents match the classifications and values (SARS guidance).
Typical mistakes include:
Incorrect Harmonised System (HS) codes or vague descriptions, a missing packing lists, Commercial invoices without declared values, weight discrepancies between paperwork and container records and household goods not itemised properly.
South African example:
A container arriving at Durban port containing “household items” was held because South African Revenue Service (SARS) required itemised descriptions for appliances, electronics and high-value goods. Although the contents were legitimate, the lack of detail triggered a documentary stop.
How to prevent delays:
To avoid this, provide detailed inventories, especially for household relocations. Confirm HS codes in advance because SARS tariff determinations are strict on classification. Ensure the bill of lading, freight invoices and packing lists all align. If you are using a mover, verify that they provide a complete household goods inventory rather than a general description.
Professionally managed relocation partners such as ThreeMovers.com typically pre-audit documentation to avoid these specific holds, but the importer must still provide accurate information from the start.
2. Random Customs Inspections
Why does this cause delays?
SARS conducts both risk-based and random inspections. Even perfect documentation cannot bypass a random “stop” because SARS uses selective inspections to control smuggling, under-declaration and the importation of restricted goods (SARS inspection protocol).
Types of inspections:
There are three types of inspections: a documentary stop, which involves a paperwork review; a physical inspection, which requires opening cartons or unpacking the entire container and a scanner inspection, which is a non-intrusive scan at the port.
South African example:
At Cape Town port, household containers are frequently directed for full unpack inspections during peak seasons because SARS intensifies screening for concealed restricted goods. These inspections can add 3–7 days, depending on warehouse availability.
How to reduce this risk:
Declare everything accurately, avoid packing prohibited items such as food, chemicals or plant materials and keep receipts or value proofs for expensive electronics.
Note: A random stop cannot be avoided entirely, but accurate documents reduce the chance of escalation to a complete unpack.
3. Port Congestion and Operational Backlogs
Why does this cause delays?
South Africa’s ports, especially Durban, experience periodic congestion due to vessel backlogs, limited berthing windows, crane shortages and weather-related shutdowns. Operational notes from the National Ports Authority indicate that heavy wind conditions and equipment downtime are leading contributors to delays (National Ports Authority operational commentary).
South African example:
In late 2023, Durban’s Maydon Wharf experienced crane failures and a vessel surge, leaving several containers unberthed for additional days. Even when customs clearance was completed, cargo could not be released until unloading operations resumed.
How to prevent delays:
Choose sailings that avoid known peak congestion periods as advised by Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) industry advisories. Track vessel schedules closely and pre-arrange clearance before arrival. Use freight forwarders familiar with port-specific bottlenecks.
4. Incorrect or Undervalued Declarations
Why does this cause delays?
SARS monitors valuation accuracy rigorously. Declaring household goods or commercial cargo at unrealistically low values can trigger revaluations, requests for proof or fines (under SARS valuation procedures).
South African example:
A Johannesburg relocation container was flagged after the declared total value of electronics was far below the average for similarly sized households. SARS demanded supporting receipts, resulting in a 6-day delay.
To avoid delays:
Do not undervalue items to reduce duty. Keep purchase proofs for electronics, tools and appliances, and provide realistic fair-market estimates for older items.
5. Delays Caused by International Shipping Lines
Why does this cause delays?
Even before cargo reaches South Africa, overseas carriers may experience vessel rerouting, capacity shortages, slow steaming or transshipment delays. Global trends reported by the International Chamber of Shipping show that disruptions at hubs such as Singapore and Jebel Ali often cascade into African routes (ICS operational analysis).
South African example:
A container bound for Durban via Singapore was delayed 9 days due to container bottlenecks at the transshipment port. Although unrelated to South Africa’s customs or ports, the delay was unavoidable once the vessel missed its connection.
How to prepare:
Choose direct routes, when possible, track vessels using AIS tools and allow buffer time when planning relocations.
6. Storage, Depot, and Handling Delays
Why does this cause delays?
Once cargo lands, it moves through depots, bonded warehouses and transport hubs. Each facility has its own operational challenges. If depots run out of space, cargo may wait days before unloading or release.
South African example:
At Durban-based container depots, household goods containers often face release delays during November–January due to seasonal overflow. Even after customs clearance, containers cannot be moved out until depot staff complete handling rotations.
How to avoid:
Arrange pre-clearance to shorten time in depots, ensure your relocation company has priority handling contracts with depots and book final delivery dates early during peak season.
7. Delays Caused by Prohibited or Restricted Items
Why does this cause delays?
SARS and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) enforce strict controls on food items, plant material, seeds, chemicals and animal products. Even a small amount of restricted material can reroute an entire shipment for inspection.
South African example:
At OR Tambo Airport, a shipment containing spices and non-declared dried foods was detained because DALRRD required a phytosanitary assessment. The importer had no permits, resulting in a multi-day hold.
Avoid this by:
Do not pack food, batteries, chemicals, or aerosols in household goods. Check import restrictions with SARS and DALRRD in advance and ask your shipping company to audit cartons before loading.
8. Duty, VAT, and Bond Payment Delays
Why does this cause delays?
A shipment may be fully cleared except for outstanding duty or VAT. SARS cannot release cargo into free circulation until all payments have been reflected (SARS payment release rules). Bank delays or mismatched reference numbers commonly cause clearance stalls.
South African example:
A Cape Town importer paid VAT through EFT, but because the payment reference did not match the SAD 500 entry number, SARS could not match the transaction. The cargo sat for an extra two days while the payment was traced.
How to prevent:
Use the exact payment reference SARS requires, avoid end-of-week EFTs for time-sensitive shipments, and if using a relocation service, ensure they manage customs clearance and duty payments directly.
9. Container Scanning Queues
Why does this cause delays?
Ports operate a limited number of scanners. If multiple containers are routed for non-intrusive inspection, queues can form quickly. This is especially common during peak import periods or after holidays (National Ports Authority scanning operations notes).
South African example:
Durban frequently faces a backlog at the scanning station during year-end peaks. Even high-priority containers may wait 1–2 days for their turn.
Avoid by:
Ensure paperwork is accurate so shipments are not incorrectly routed for scanning and schedule off-peak sailings where possible.
10. Delays at Delivery Stage (Post-Clearance)
Why does this cause delays?
Once SARS releases a shipment, bottlenecks can still occur in the final delivery phase due to truck shortages, road congestion, or last-mile scheduling conflicts.
South African example:
A container cleared on a Thursday at Durban could not be delivered until Monday because the trucking company was overbooked and weekend offloading was unavailable.
How to prevent:
Pre-book delivery slots, use companies with proven local trucking networks, and avoid deliveries during major public holidays or Durban harbor peak weekends.
Conclusion: Delays Are Preventable with the Right Planning
Delays in shipping to South Africa rarely occur without a reason. Predictable factors, such as documentation problems, operational backlogs, inspections and valuation issues, cause most. With proper preparation and the right relocation partner, most of these delays can be minimised or avoided entirely.
South Africa’s import framework is transparent, but unforgiving when procedures are not followed. Importers who understand SARS processes, port realities and logistical risks consistently experience smoother shipments and fewer unexpected costs.
Written by Joe Webster
