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
- ✓ Managed customs coordination TSI appoints and manages licensed clearing agents on your behalf with full accountability
- ✓ 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
TSI appoints and manages a licensed clearing agent who prepares and lodges the bill of entry with SARS ahead of vessel arrival. We coordinate every step so customs release happens before your vessel arrives. 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 clearingA 3PL gives you a truck. A 4PL gives you control of your entire supply chain and turns it into a cash flow advantage. That is the difference.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Sea freight questions, answered
What South African importers and exporters ask us most often about sea freight.
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FCL (Full Container Load) means you fill an entire 20ft or 40ft container with your own cargo. You pay for the whole container regardless of how much space you use, but your goods are not mixed with other shippers' freight. FCL is the right choice when your volume is large enough to justify a dedicated box or when your cargo is fragile, high-value or time-sensitive.
LCL (Less than Container Load) means your cargo is consolidated with other shippers' freight in a shared container. You pay only for the space your cargo occupies. LCL suits importers with smaller volumes or those testing a new supplier before committing to FCL quantities.
TSI manages both. We will advise which option makes financial sense for your shipment before you commit.
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Direct services from Shanghai, Ningbo or Shenzhen to Durban take approximately 22 to 28 days. Cape Town adds a further 2 to 3 days. Transhipment routings via Singapore or Port Klang can extend transit times to 30 to 35 days.
Transit time is only part of the picture. Customs clearance, port congestion and container collection add time after the vessel arrives. TSI monitors vessel ETAs in real time and prepares your customs entry in advance so that release happens as quickly as possible after arrival.
If your timeline is tight, ask us about air freight or air-sea combined options.
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The core documents required for a sea freight import into South Africa are: a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (where required for preferential duty rates) and, for controlled goods, any applicable permits or certificates.
SARS requires a bill of entry (DA 306) to be lodged before your cargo can be released. TSI's in-house customs team prepares and lodges the bill of entry on your behalf, handles tariff classification and calculates duties and VAT accurately before your vessel arrives.
We also advise on documentation requirements specific to your cargo type, including ITAC import permits, health certificates for foodstuffs and DG documentation for hazardous goods.
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TSI has active clearing and logistics operations at all five major South African commercial ports: Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Ngqura (Coega) and East London.
Durban handles the majority of our container volumes. Cape Town is our primary port for Western Cape clients and reefer cargo. Port Elizabeth and Ngqura serve automotive and industrial importers in the Eastern Cape. East London covers the Buffalo City region.
At each port, TSI's clearing team, port agents and transport partners are in place. You do not deal with different companies at different ports. One TSI team manages your cargo wherever it arrives.
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Detention and demurrage charges accumulate when containers are not collected from the terminal or returned to the shipping line within the free days allowed. At South African ports, free time is limited and charges escalate quickly.
The two causes of detention and demurrage are late customs clearance and slow container collection. TSI eliminates both by preparing your customs entry before the vessel arrives and coordinating container collection the moment customs release is confirmed.
TSI clients do not pay detention and demurrage as a routine cost of doing business. It is a manageable risk, not an inevitable expense. If you are currently paying regular demurrage charges, contact us and we will show you where the delays are occurring and how to stop them.
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TSI appoints and manages licensed clearing agents on your behalf. You do not manage a separate agent relationship. TSI coordinates the full customs process covering documentation, tariff classification and SARS submission through one accountable team. A 3PL gives you a truck. A 4PL gives you control of your entire supply chain and turns it into a cash flow advantage. That is the difference.
This matters because most delays and cost overruns in sea freight happen at the handoff between the freight forwarder and the clearing agent. When one team owns the entire process, those gaps disappear.
TSI is a licensed customs clearing agent registered with SARS. All bills of entry are prepared and lodged by our own team, with no third-party involvement.
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