– Courier Options
Courier Options: Choose the right service for your parcel
South African couriers offer a handful of service levels: same day, overnight, economy road, cross-border and international. The right one depends on how quickly it must arrive, how heavy it is and where it is going. Here is what each option typically means, so you can choose with confidence.
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Compare courier options
| Service | Typical timing | Coverage | Best for | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Same Day | Same day, subject to availability | Within a metro or between nearby towns | Urgent documents, parts and last-minute deliveries | Get a quote for Same Day |
| Overnight / Next Day | Typically next business day | Main centres such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Gqeberha | Most business and personal parcels that need to arrive quickly | Get a quote for Overnight / Next Day |
| Economy Road | Typically 2 to 3 working days between main centres | Nationwide, including regional towns | Heavy or bulky parcels, stock transfers and price-sensitive deliveries | Get a quote for Economy Road |
| Cross-border (SADC) | Depends on the route and border customs | Neighbouring SADC countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique | Businesses supplying customers in neighbouring countries | Get a quote for Cross-border (SADC) |
| International Express | Typically a few working days to major destinations | Worldwide, with remote destinations taking longer | Documents, samples, gifts and small urgent parcels going overseas | Get a quote for International Express |
Same Day
- Typical timing
- Same day, subject to availability
- Coverage
- Within a metro or between nearby towns
- Best for
- Urgent documents, parts and last-minute deliveries
Overnight / Next Day
- Typical timing
- Typically next business day
- Coverage
- Main centres such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Gqeberha
- Best for
- Most business and personal parcels that need to arrive quickly
Economy Road
- Typical timing
- Typically 2 to 3 working days between main centres
- Coverage
- Nationwide, including regional towns
- Best for
- Heavy or bulky parcels, stock transfers and price-sensitive deliveries
Cross-border (SADC)
- Typical timing
- Depends on the route and border customs
- Coverage
- Neighbouring SADC countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique
- Best for
- Businesses supplying customers in neighbouring countries
International Express
- Typical timing
- Typically a few working days to major destinations
- Coverage
- Worldwide, with remote destinations taking longer
- Best for
- Documents, samples, gifts and small urgent parcels going overseas
Timings are typical, not guaranteed, and depend on the exact addresses and when you book. Yours is confirmed on your quote.
Same Day
Collected and delivered on the same day.
- Typical timing
- Same day, subject to availability
- Coverage
- Within a metro or between nearby towns
- Best for
- Urgent documents, parts and last-minute deliveries
- Usually a dedicated driver who collects and delivers directly.
- Book as early in the day as possible. Availability depends on the route and the time of booking.
- Not available to outlying areas.
Overnight / Next Day
Delivered the next business day between main centres.
- Typical timing
- Typically next business day
- Coverage
- Main centres such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Gqeberha
- Best for
- Most business and personal parcels that need to arrive quickly
- A common choice for parcels that are urgent but not same-day.
- Book by early afternoon for collection. Exact cut-off times depend on the route and are confirmed when you book.
- Regional and outlying towns usually take an extra day or more.
Economy Road
A lower-cost road service for heavier or less urgent goods.
- Typical timing
- Typically 2 to 3 working days between main centres
- Coverage
- Nationwide, including regional towns
- Best for
- Heavy or bulky parcels, stock transfers and price-sensitive deliveries
- Usually the best value for heavier items that don't need to arrive tomorrow.
- Regional and outlying areas typically add at least a day.
- Volumetric weight matters most here, so measure your boxes before you book.
Cross-border (SADC)
Road deliveries to neighbouring countries.
- Typical timing
- Depends on the route and border customs
- Coverage
- Neighbouring SADC countries such as Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique
- Best for
- Businesses supplying customers in neighbouring countries
- Customs paperwork is needed at the border, including a commercial invoice.
- Border clearance is the biggest variable in timing, from hours to days at busy posts.
- Duties and taxes in the destination country are usually paid by the receiver.
International Express
Door-to-door air courier to destinations worldwide.
- Typical timing
- Typically a few working days to major destinations
- Coverage
- Worldwide, with remote destinations taking longer
- Best for
- Documents, samples, gifts and small urgent parcels going overseas
- Collected from your door and delivered to the recipient's door.
- Customs clearance is part of the process. Duties and taxes are usually paid by the receiver.
- Batteries, liquids and other restricted items must be declared before booking.
Freight
Sea, air and road freight for larger shipments.
- Typical timing
- Confirmed on your quote
- Coverage
- South Africa and international
- Best for
- Pallets, containers and cargo that is too big for courier
- When a shipment outgrows courier, freight is usually more economical.
- We arrange sea, air and road freight, with customs clearance through licensed partners.
What affects your price
Courier prices depend on the service level, the route and the chargeable weight: the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight.
Volumetric weight is length × width × height in centimetres, divided by 5000. For example, a 50 × 40 × 30 cm box has a volumetric weight of 60 000 ÷ 5000 = 12 kg. If it actually weighs 4 kg, it is charged as 12 kg.
- Service level: same day costs more than overnight, and overnight more than economy
- Collection and delivery areas, including regional or outlying towns
- Number of parcels and the chargeable weight of each
- Business or residential delivery, and access
- Declared value and insurance
- Duties and taxes for international and cross-border deliveries
Where we deliver
From our base in Century City, Cape Town, we arrange deliveries to Johannesburg, Durban and every other main centre, to regional towns across South Africa, to neighbouring countries and overseas. See road freight for larger loads.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between overnight and economy courier?
Overnight courier typically delivers the next business day between main centres. Economy road takes a little longer, typically 2 to 3 working days, but usually costs less. Choose overnight when speed matters, and economy for heavier or less urgent parcels.
What is volumetric weight?
Volumetric weight reflects how much space a parcel takes up. It is calculated as length × width × height in centimetres, divided by 5000. Couriers charge the greater of the actual and volumetric weight, so a large, light box can be charged as if it were heavier.
How long does a courier take from Cape Town to Johannesburg?
With overnight courier, typically the next business day. With economy road, typically 2 to 3 working days. Timing depends on the service, the exact addresses and the time of booking, and is confirmed on your quote.
Do you collect from my home?
Yes. We collect from homes and businesses. Tell us the collection suburb and any access details when you request a quote.
Can I track my parcel?
Yes. Once your parcel is booked you receive a waybill number, which you can use on our Track Parcel page to follow its progress.
What can't I send by courier?
Items such as explosives, flammable liquids and gases, firearms, cash, illegal goods and some batteries cannot be sent, or need special arrangements. Our terms and conditions explain how dangerous goods are handled, and carriers can refuse other items. If you are unsure, ask us before you book.
Not sure which option?
Tell us what you're sending, where it's going and when it needs to arrive. We'll recommend the right service and send a clear price, usually within one business day.