Warehousing Suppliers in Durban
Transport and logistics suppliers in Durban require licence verification, not just price comparison. Goods vehicles over 3.5t GVM need provincial Operating Licences (OLAS); cross-border (SADC) routes need Cross-Border Road Transport Agency permits; drivers need a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP) goods endorsement. Couriers and freight forwarders are different categories — verify SARS Customs accreditation for importers. Evaluate by: GIT (Goods-in-Transit) insurance certificate at declared value, Public Liability cover, B-BBEE level, on-time-delivery references in the lane you're shipping. Asking for the operator's RTQS (Road Transport Quality System) rating filters out the bottom tercile of unlicensed sub-contractors.
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Request Free QuotesFrequently asked questions about warehousing in Durban
What's the difference between a courier and a freight forwarder?
Couriers (Aramex, RAM, Courier IT) handle parcels up to ~70kg with door-to-door pricing. Freight forwarders (DSV, Bidvest, Imperial) coordinate multi-leg shipments, customs clearance, and bulk consignments. For SA-cross-border (SADC) or imports, you need a freight forwarder with SARS Customs accreditation — couriers don't handle that.
Do I need an operating licence for goods vehicles over 3.5t in SA?
Yes — the National Road Traffic Act requires Cross-Border Road Transport Agency permits for international hauls, and provincial operating licences (OLAS) for domestic goods over 3.5t GVM. Drivers need a Code C1 or C licence and a Professional Driving Permit (PrDP — goods category). Operating without these is a Schedule 7 offence.
What insurance should a transport contract require?
Demand Goods-in-Transit (GIT) cover at the consignment's declared value. For owner-driver subcontracts, require Public Liability (R5m minimum) and SASRIA cover (riots/strikes — separate from comprehensive). Reputable couriers post their cover certificates. Self-insurance up to a small excess is fine; uninsured operators are uninsurable if anything goes wrong en-route.
How long does customs clearance take at SA ports?
Durban and Cape Town target 48–72 hours for standard sea-freight on a clean SAD-500. Tax-stop or risk-engine-flagged consignments add 5–10 days. Pre-cleared customs (using a registered importer code and SARS AEO accreditation) can clear in under 24 hours. Build 10 working days of buffer into supply-chain plans for unexpected SARS holds.
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