Your cargo moves from any port in the world to any port in South Africa
TSI Central Station manages the full journey booking, documentation, customs clearance and final delivery. FCL, LCL, breakbulk, hazardous, refrigerated, bonded and out-of-gauge cargo across all major South African ports.
What we do
Sea freight that is managed, not just booked
Most freight forwarders book your container and hand you a tracking number. TSI Central Station manages the entire shipment from the moment cargo leaves origin to the moment it is released and delivered in South Africa. That means one team accountable for every step: origin documentation, vessel booking, port coordination, customs clearance, duty management and inland delivery.
We work on all major trade lanes into South Africa, China, India, the Far East, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States and handle imports and exports through Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Coega (Ngqura), East London and all other commercial ports.
Whether you are moving a single LCL consignment or managing a regular FCL programme with multiple origins, TSI has the systems, the relationships and the experience to keep your supply chain moving predictably.
Why importers choose TSI for sea freight
- ✓ Single-point accountability from origin to delivery no sub-agents, no blame-shifting
- ✓ Full landed cost calculated upfront freight, duties, port charges and delivery included
- ✓ Proactive port management to eliminate detention and demurrage charges
- ✓ Real-time visibility through the TSI Digital Control Tower you see your shipment as we do
- ✓ In-house customs clearing no handoff to a separate clearing agent
- ✓ Level 2 B-BBEE certified your procurement spend works for your scorecard
Cargo types
We handle every type of sea freight cargo
From standard containers to specialised and dangerous goods TSI has the approvals, the equipment and the experience to move it compliantly.
Full Container Load (FCL)
Dedicated 20ft and 40ft containers for importers and exporters with sufficient volume to fill a box. TSI manages the full cycle from stuffing instructions to release at destination. Standard, high cube and open top options available.
Less Than Container Load (LCL)
Consolidated groupage shipments for smaller consignments. TSI consolidates your cargo with other freight, manages the groupage documentation at origin and deconsolidates at the South African port of entry. Cost-effective without compromising on visibility or control.
Breakbulk Cargo
Non-containerised cargo steel, timber, machinery, vehicles and project equipment loaded and stowed individually. TSI coordinates with breakbulk-capable vessels and terminals at Durban and Cape Town and manages all associated documentation and port handling.
Hazardous Cargo (IMO)
IMDG-classified dangerous goods shipped in compliance with International Maritime Dangerous Goods regulations. TSI prepares correct DG documentation, coordinates with approved carriers and ensures compliant stowage and declaration at all ports.
Refrigerated Cargo (Reefer)
Temperature-controlled shipments for perishables, pharmaceuticals and other cold chain cargo. TSI manages reefer container bookings, monitors temperature settings throughout the voyage and coordinates priority handling at port to protect cold chain integrity.
Bonded Cargo
Goods held under customs bond in transit, for re-export or pending duty payment. TSI manages bonded warehouse facilities, SARS compliance and all documentation required to move bonded cargo through the South African customs system correctly.
Out-of-Gauge and Flat Rack
Oversized cargo that exceeds standard container dimensions heavy machinery, industrial equipment, transformers and project loads. TSI arranges flat rack and open top containers, coordinates with specialised lifting and transport operators and manages abnormal load permits where required.
Project Cargo
Large-scale, multi-shipment import or export programmes requiring coordination across multiple origins, multiple vessel voyages and phased delivery schedules. TSI assigns a dedicated project manager and provides regular milestone reporting throughout the programme.
Trade lanes
We move cargo from every major sourcing region into South Africa
Active carrier relationships, established agent networks and proven documentation workflows on all corridors.
Do not see your origin on the list? TSI ships from virtually any commercial port in the world. Contact us and we will confirm coverage and routing.
South African ports
Every commercial port in South Africa, covered
TSI has active operations at all five major South African commercial ports. Our clearing teams, port agents and transport partners are in place at each location.
Port of Durban
South Africa's busiest container port and TSI's primary port of operation. Durban handles the majority of South Africa's containerised import and export volumes. TSI's KwaZulu-Natal team manages vessel ETA monitoring, customs release coordination and container evacuation from the Durban Container Terminal.
Port of Cape Town
TSI's second-busiest port. Cape Town is the preferred discharge point for Western Cape importers and for reefer cargo. TSI manages full clearing and delivery services at Cape Town Container Terminal and coordinates with the Fruit Terminal for temperature-sensitive exports.
Port of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)
An important port for automotive and industrial importers in the Eastern Cape. TSI handles FCL and LCL consignments at PE and coordinates with road transport partners for inland delivery throughout the region.
Port of Ngqura (Coega)
South Africa's deepest port, purpose-built for large vessels and operated as a complement to Port Elizabeth. Coega handles significant container volumes and is the preferred port for certain bulk and project cargo operations. TSI has clearing and logistics capability at Ngqura.
Port of East London
A smaller but important commercial port serving the Eastern Cape interior. TSI manages import clearing and local delivery coordination at East London for clients with distribution requirements in the Buffalo City and surrounding areas.
Our process
How a TSI sea freight shipment works
From the moment you confirm a shipment with TSI, every step is managed, tracked and reported back to you no chasing required.
Booking and rate negotiation
TSI negotiates vessel space and freight rates with carriers on your behalf. We confirm the best available routing, transit time and cost and only proceed once you have approved the quote.
Origin documentation
We coordinate with your supplier or origin agent to ensure all export documentation commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificates of origin are correctly prepared before loading.
Vessel tracking and ETA management
TSI monitors the vessel from departure and alerts you to any schedule changes, delays or diversions that could affect your planning. You have visibility through the Digital Control Tower at all times.
Customs clearance
Our in-house customs team prepares and lodges the bill of entry with SARS ahead of vessel arrival. Duty calculations, tariff classification and supporting documentation are all handled by TSI no third-party clearing agent required.
Port release and container collection
Once customs release is confirmed, TSI coordinates container collection from the terminal, arranges the required transport and ensures the container moves out of port within free days to avoid storage charges.
Delivery and reporting
Your cargo is delivered to your warehouse, distribution centre or customer site. TSI provides a full shipment cost summary including all port charges, duties and transport costs for your landed cost records.
The TSI difference
What separates TSI from a standard freight forwarder
No sub-agents on your shipmentTSI does not pass your cargo to a third-party agent at destination. Our team owns the shipment from booking to delivery.
Landed cost accuracyWe calculate your full landed cost before you commit freight, port charges, duties, VAT and inland delivery so there are no surprise invoices.
Zero detention and demurrage exposureProactive port management means containers are collected on time. TSI clients do not pay detention and demurrage charges as a routine cost of doing business.
In-house customs clearingYour bill of entry is prepared by TSI's own customs team not outsourced. That means faster turnaround and direct accountability when something needs to be resolved.
Digital Control Tower visibilityEvery shipment is visible in the TSI platform in real time. Track vessel position, customs status and document readiness from one screen.
20 years of South African port knowledgeWe know the terminals, the regulators, the port agents and the workarounds. That experience translates directly into fewer delays and lower costs for your business.
Get started
Ready to move your first shipment with TSI?
Send us the details of your next shipment and we will come back to you with a full landed cost quote freight, duties, port charges and delivery included. No obligation.
Contact Olivia at TSI and we will respond within one business day.
Request a quote