Your cargo moves door to door across South Africa on time
TSI Central Station manages road freight from collection through to final delivery. Long-haul, regional and same-day transport on GPS-tracked vehicles, coordinated with our clearing and port teams for seamless end-to-end logistics.
What we do
Road freight that is managed, not just dispatched
Most transport companies dispatch a truck and send you a waybill. TSI Central Station manages the entire road freight movement — collection, in-transit visibility, proof of delivery and cost reporting — as part of a single, accountable logistics operation.
Our road freight capability spans all nine provinces. We run long-haul routes between Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, regional distribution to retail networks and warehouses, and port collections coordinated directly with our customs clearing teams at Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.
TSI pioneered the non-stop Johannesburg to Cape Town two-driver relay direct delivery — a model that has since become industry standard. That same commitment to finding a faster, more reliable way to move cargo is built into every road freight operation we run today.
Why clients choose TSI for road freight
- ✓ GPS-tracked vehicles with live visibility through the TSI Digital Control Tower
- ✓ 100% proof of delivery compliance — confirmed within 10 minutes per drop
- ✓ Port collections coordinated directly with our in-house customs clearing team
- ✓ Single-point accountability — one team owns the shipment from origin to delivery
- ✓ Full landed cost reporting — transport, port and delivery costs in one summary
- ✓ Level 2 B-BBEE certified — your procurement spend works for your scorecard
What we move
Road freight services across every corridor
From long-haul intermodal to last-mile delivery — TSI manages road freight as part of a complete logistics operation, not as a standalone transport booking.
Long-Haul Freight
Full truck loads on the primary South African corridors — Johannesburg to Durban, Johannesburg to Cape Town, Cape Town to Durban and all major inter-city routes. GPS-tracked throughout with live visibility in the TSI Digital Control Tower.
Dedicated Two-Driver Relay
TSI pioneered the non-stop Johannesburg to Cape Town two-driver relay direct delivery — a model that has since become industry standard. Two drivers, no overnight stops, faster transit times and reduced risk of cargo damage or theft compared to staged deliveries.
Port Collections
Container collection from Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Ngqura ports, coordinated directly with TSI's in-house customs clearing team. Containers move the moment customs release is confirmed, keeping you within free days and eliminating detention charges.
Partial Loads (LTL)
Less than truck load freight for smaller consignments that do not fill a full vehicle. TSI consolidates partial loads on regular scheduled routes, offering cost-effective transport without the delays associated with groupage services from third-party hauliers.
Warehouse to Warehouse
Scheduled transport between distribution centres, warehouses and manufacturing facilities. TSI manages collection, in-transit tracking and delivery confirmation, with proof of delivery captured and reported within 10 minutes of each drop.
Temperature-Controlled Transport
Refrigerated and chilled transport for food, beverages, pharmaceuticals and other temperature-sensitive cargo. TSI coordinates with approved reefer transport operators and monitors temperature compliance throughout the journey.
Abnormal and Oversized Loads
Heavy machinery, industrial equipment and project cargo requiring abnormal load permits and specialist transport. TSI arranges low-bed and step-deck vehicles, coordinates with the relevant provincial road authorities and manages all permit documentation.
Retail Distribution
Scheduled and on-demand delivery to retail networks, chain stores and distribution hubs across South Africa. TSI manages route planning, delivery scheduling and proof of delivery compliance reporting for clients with regular, high-frequency distribution requirements.
Corridors and coverage
Active road freight corridors across South Africa
Established routes, vetted transport partners and TSI coordination on every corridor. All nine provinces covered.
Primary corridor
Johannesburg — Durban
South Africa's busiest freight corridor. TSI manages full loads, partial loads and port collections from Durban Container Terminal on this route daily. Typical transit 8 to 10 hours.
Primary corridor
Johannesburg — Cape Town
TSI pioneered the two-driver non-stop relay on this route. 1,400km covered without overnight stops, delivering cargo faster and more securely than staged transport. Typical transit 18 to 20 hours.
Primary corridor
Durban — Cape Town
Direct coastal and inland routing options. TSI manages full loads and port-to-port transfers on this corridor for clients with operations in both KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Regional
Johannesburg — Port Elizabeth
Service to the Eastern Cape including port collections at Ngqura (Coega) and Port Elizabeth. Coordinated with TSI's Eastern Cape clearing capability for seamless port-to-warehouse delivery.
Regional
Gauteng Distribution
Same-day and next-day regional distribution within Gauteng covering Johannesburg, Pretoria, Ekurhuleni and surrounding areas. Scheduled routes and on-demand options available.
Regional
KwaZulu-Natal Distribution
Regional distribution from Durban into KwaZulu-Natal including Richards Bay, Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas. Coordinated with TSI's Durban port and clearing teams.
Need a route not listed? TSI moves road freight anywhere in South Africa. Contact us to confirm coverage, transit times and pricing.
Our process
How a TSI road freight shipment works
From the moment you confirm a collection with TSI, every step is managed, tracked and reported back to you — no chasing required.
Quote and confirmation
TSI provides a rate based on origin, destination, cargo type and volume. We confirm the vehicle type, collection time and estimated delivery window before you commit.
Collection
Our driver collects at the confirmed time. Collection is confirmed back to you immediately. For port collections, TSI coordinates directly with the terminal to ensure the container is ready and collection happens within free days.
In-transit visibility
Your cargo is tracked in real time on GPS-monitored vehicles. You have visibility through the TSI Digital Control Tower throughout the journey. Any delays or exceptions are flagged to you proactively.
Delivery and POD
Your cargo is delivered to the confirmed destination. Proof of delivery is captured and reported back to you within 10 minutes of the drop. No chasing the driver for a signed waybill hours later.
Cost reporting
TSI provides a full transport cost summary after delivery. For imports, this is combined with port charges, duties and freight costs into a single landed cost report for your records.
The TSI difference
What separates TSI from a standard road haulier
Proof of delivery in 10 minutesEvery delivery is confirmed with a signed POD reported back to you within 10 minutes of the drop. Not at the end of the day. Not when the driver remembers to call in.
Port collections without demurrageTSI coordinates container collection directly with our own customs clearing team. Containers move the moment release is confirmed — within free days, every time.
Real-time GPS visibilityEvery vehicle tracked live in the TSI Digital Control Tower. You see where your cargo is at any point in the journey without calling the driver.
Part of a complete logistics operationTSI's road freight team works alongside our sea freight, air freight and customs clearing teams. When your container arrives, one team handles everything from port to final delivery.
Industry-proven relay modelTSI pioneered the non-stop two-driver relay from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Faster transit, no overnight stops, lower theft and damage risk — and it is still the standard we operate to today.
20 years on South African roadsWe know the routes, the risks, the permit requirements and the operators. That translates directly into fewer delays, fewer claims and more predictable costs for your business.
Frequently asked questions
Road freight questions, answered
What South African importers and exporters ask us most often about road freight.
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Your logistic manager works within a team as one operation. When we advised of your customs entry, our team is already briefed and the collection is scheduled. The moment SARS releases the container, TSI coordinates with the terminal and dispatches to collect.
This is how TSI clients avoid detention and demurrage charges. When everyone works together, no delays happen between them. When it is one team, containers move on time.
We handle port collections at Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Ngqura. Collection is confirmed to you and delivery is tracked from the moment the container leaves the terminal gate.
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The Durban to Johannesburg corridor is approximately 600km. Standard transit on a full truck load is 8 to 10 hours. With collection from the Durban Container Terminal, loading time and traffic, most cargo collected in the morning arrives in Gauteng the same day or overnight.
For time-critical cargo, TSI can arrange priority dispatch with an estimated arrival window confirmed at booking.
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Proof of delivery (POD) is a signed document confirming that your cargo was delivered to the correct recipient at the correct location and in the correct condition. It is your evidence of delivery for accounting, claims and dispute purposes.
TSI captures POD digitally at the point of delivery and reports it back to you within 10 minutes of each drop. You do not wait until end of day or until the driver returns to base. The confirmation arrives while the driver is still on site.
For clients with high-frequency distribution — retail networks, chain stores, multiple delivery points — TSI provides consolidated POD reporting so you have a complete delivery record for every route, every day.
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TSI moves both full truck loads (FTL) and partial loads (LTL — less than truck load). For partial loads, TSI consolidates your cargo with other freight on scheduled routes between major centres, so you pay only for the space your cargo occupies.
If your volume sits between a partial load and a full truck, TSI will advise honestly on which option makes more financial sense for your shipment. Sometimes the cost difference between a partial load and a dedicated vehicle is small enough that the speed and security of a dedicated truck is worth it.
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TSI uses a combination of dedicated transport partners and vetted subcontracted hauliers, all operating under TSI coordination and subject to TSI's tracking and reporting requirements. Every vehicle used on a TSI shipment is GPS-tracked and visible in the Digital Control Tower.
What does not change regardless of the vehicle is accountability. TSI owns the shipment. If there is a delay, a damage or a missed delivery, you contact TSI — not the driver, not the haulier. One number. One team responsible.
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Yes. TSI coordinates the road transport of dangerous goods in compliance with South African SANS 10228 and SANS 10232 regulations. This includes correct vehicle placarding, driver certification, emergency information panels and route planning in accordance with hazmat transport requirements.
If you are currently moving dangerous goods by road and are unsure whether your current provider is fully compliant, contact us. Non-compliant DG transport exposes your business to significant liability in the event of an incident.
Get started
Need a road freight quote? We will come back to you today.
Tell us your origin, destination, cargo type and volume and we will confirm routing, transit time and a full cost — transport, port charges and delivery included where applicable. No obligation.
Contact Olivia at TSI. We respond within one business day.
Request a quote