Cross-Border Road Freight
Reliable overland freight connecting South Africa to its neighbours. ExpressRoad handles the collection, the customs paperwork, the border clearance and the final delivery — so your goods move door to door across Southern Africa without you managing a single crossing.
Key points
- Door-to-door road freight from South Africa to six neighbouring countries: Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
- Typical transit is 2–5 business days door to door, depending on the destination and border volumes.
- We handle customs — our agents prepare the paperwork and clear your goods at the border, including the SAD 500 declaration.
- Priced on the higher of actual or volumetric weight (L × W × H ÷ 5000), rounded up to the next kilogram.
- Duties and import taxes are set by the destination country and are normally paid by the importer.
Destinations & transit times
| Country | Transit time | Key routes |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | 2–3 business days | Mbabane, Manzini |
| Lesotho | 2–3 business days | Maseru, Leribe |
| Botswana | 2–4 business days | Gaborone, Francistown, Maun |
| Mozambique | 3–5 business days | Maputo, Beira, Nampula |
| Namibia | 3–5 business days | Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Oshakati |
| Zimbabwe | 3–5 business days | Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare |
Transit times are typical door-to-door estimates and can vary with border volumes, customs and destination distance.
Customs & documentation
Every cross-border shipment needs customs paperwork. ExpressRoad manages the process to keep your goods moving:
- Commercial invoices — we make sure documentation meets the destination country's requirements.
- Customs clearance — our agents clear your goods at the border posts on your behalf.
- Duties & taxes — guidance on the duties, taxes and import rules that apply to your shipment.
- Permits & licences — help with special permits for restricted or regulated goods.
- SAD 500 forms — preparation of the South African customs declaration.
Accurate paperwork is everything. Complete, correct documentation is the single biggest factor in avoiding border delays. Provide detailed goods descriptions, correct HS codes and honest declared values for everything in the load.
What you can ship cross-border
Commercial goods
Merchandise, retail stock and wholesale distribution loads.
Materials & components
Manufacturing inputs, parts and industrial supplies.
Agricultural products
Produce and agricultural goods, with the required permits.
Personal effects
Household goods and personal effects for relocations.
Documents & samples
Business documents, samples and promotional materials.
Machinery & equipment
Industrial machinery and heavy equipment.
Why ship cross-border with ExpressRoad?
- Experienced border agents at all major crossing points
- Door-to-door service — collection in SA, delivery to the final destination
- Full tracking across borders with real-time status updates
- Consolidated shipments to reduce cost on smaller loads
- Goods-in-transit insurance covering the whole journey
Frequently asked questions
Which countries do you deliver to from South Africa?
Do you handle customs clearance for me?
Who pays the duties and taxes?
How are cross-border shipments priced?
Can I track my shipment across the border?
Related pages
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