How to Send Heavy Items Between Cities in South Africa

Short answer: for anything over about 35 kg going between South Africa's major cities, compare a road courier quote with door-to-door air freight. Weigh and measure every piece first, pack for handling, declare anything dangerous, and get one fixed price that covers collection and delivery.

Your three options

Option	Speed	Good for	Watch out for
Road courier	Several days on long routes	Smaller parcels, non-urgent items	Prices for heavy items climb fast
Airport-to-airport cargo	Same or next day	People near the airport with transport	You lodge and collect at the cargo terminal yourself
Door-to-door air freight	Usually next day	Heavy, urgent items between the main cities	Size limits and dangerous goods rules

Step 1: Weigh and measure every piece

Write down the weight and the length, width and height in centimetres of each piece. Size affects the price as well as weight, so accurate measurements mean an accurate quote with no surprises. Add them on the quote form.

Step 2: Pack for handling, not just for the trip

Use double-walled boxes or wooden crates for anything over 30 kg.
Strap heavy or awkward items to a pallet so they can be moved with a pallet jack or forklift.
Wrap fragile parts, fill empty space and seal every seam.
Drain appliances and engines, and remove batteries, fuel and gas.
Label each piece with the receiver's name, address and phone number, and number the pieces (1 of 3, 2 of 3).

Step 3: Check what can't fly

Lithium batteries, fuel, gas cylinders, aerosols, paint, some chemicals and anything flammable are dangerous goods. Some can fly with airline approval and proper packaging; many can't. Tell your courier exactly what's inside. If it can't fly, road freight is the alternative.

Step 4: Check the size

Air cargo has to fit through the aircraft's cargo door. Most boxes, crates, appliances and machine parts fit. Couches, wardrobes and long items often don't, and go better by road.

Step 5: Compare one fixed price, door to door

Ask every provider for a price that includes collection, transport and delivery, so you're comparing like with like. As a real example, a road courier quoted R6 800 for one heavy shipment from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg; flying it door to door cost a fraction of that.

Step 6: Be ready for collection

Have the shipment packed and labelled before the driver arrives.
Tell the courier about stairs, gate codes, complexes or a forklift on site.
Make sure someone is at the delivery address to receive it.

Checklist

Weight and size of every piece
Measurements written down
Packed, wrapped and labelled
Dangerous goods declared or removed
Fixed door-to-door quote accepted
Access details for collection and delivery

Ready to send? Get a fixed quote or read about personal and business shipments.

How to send heavy items between cities in South Africa