When it comes to getting goods from Mzansi to Europe, the choice isn’t just about air or sea. It’s about knowing what you’re shipping, how fast you need it there, and how much you’re willing to tie up in transit.
With trade between South Africa and the EU hitting €44.8 billion in 2024 (and South African exports making up nearly half), the way you move your product is a decision that can shape your business.
Air freight keeps the world moving: over 62 million tonnes of cargo a year. That’s over a third of global trade by value, but less than 1% by volume. In other words: if it’s high-value, urgent, or needs to arrive in perfect nick, it goes by air. If it’s heavy or bulky, or you’re watching the bottom line, sea is your friend.
Sure, a flight from Joburg to Rotterdam looks quick on paper. But once you’ve factored in the road trip to OR Tambo, airport handling, customs, and the final mile in Europe, you’re looking at about a week, door to door. Send the same cargo by sea from Durban? Make it 26 days, sometimes longer, especially if you miss the weekly or bi-weekly sailings. The trick is to plan for the whole journey, not just the time at sea.
DHL Global Forwarding has both boxes ticked: DHL Air Freight for that urgent cargo, and DHL Ocean Freight for the big, regular moves. So you can compare, not compromise.
Air freight rewards a bit of prep. You’re charged by chargeable weight, so if your shipment is light but takes up space, you pay for the space. Stack pallets to standard heights to cut out repacking delays.
Double-check every document: air waybill, invoices, permits. One missing detail at OR Tambo or King Shaka can mean your cargo stays grounded. Declare dangerous goods, especially lithium batteries, upfront. Shipping meds or perishables? Book temperature control from the start. DHL’s Freight Forwarding Education Centre has all the details, from aircraft types to paperwork and special cargo tips.
If your goods are heavy and value per kilo is low, sea freight is your go-to. Full container loads suit regular shippers. Think fruit, minerals, manufactured goods. Got less than a container? DHL Ocean Freight LCL lets you pay for just the space you use, with reliable schedules. And with consolidation services, you can bundle orders from different suppliers into a single FCL shipment. Looking to shrink your carbon footprint? GoGreen Plus lets you book FCL with sustainable marine fuel for your European customers.
Four Incoterms (FAS, FOB, CFR, CIF) are meant for sea shipments only, and only if you’re working port to port. A common pitfall for South African exporters is using these for containers or air cargo. The ICC says use FCA for containers, and FCA, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU or DDP for air and mixed modes. FOB, in particular, can leave you carrying the risk from the container yard to the ship, easy to miss, costly if things go wrong. If you’re selling on CIF or CIP, your insurance needs to cover at least 110% of the contract value. DHL Customs Services can help you pick the right Incoterm for your cargo and route.
No one wants to phone around for updates. With myDHLi, quoting, booking, tracking, paperwork and analytics all happen on one platform.
You get real-time air and ocean rates, 24/7, and can compare offers by price, speed and emissions. Choosing between air and sea becomes a clear numbers game.
The sharpest South African exporters don’t stick to one mode. They use ocean as the backbone for regular shipments, and keep air lanes open for rush orders, samples, or those times when a container misses the boat. Smart logistics is about planning the mix, not paying top dollar every time there’s a curveball.
If you’re weighing up air versus sea for your next run to Europe, opening a DHL business account gives you the edge: better rates, expert customs help, and end-to-end tracking. Your exports, sorted: faster, simpler, and made for the way you do business.
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When sending goods across borders, whether by air or by sea, there are a few essential documents you’ll want to have in hand before the trucks even pull up. Typically, you’ll need a commercial invoice, the right transport document (like an air waybill or bill of lading), a detailed packing list, and any special permits or certificates required by your destination country. Having your paperwork sorted early doesn’t just help tick the boxes; it keeps your shipment moving swiftly through each checkpoint. For a deeper dive, have a look at Required Export Documents.
Air and ocean freight are often the best choice for planned commercial shipments, but there are situations where express shipping makes more sense. If you need to move heavy or bulky cargo on a tight deadline, or when supply chain disruptions make freight schedules less predictable, an express solution
Responsibility for customs duties and taxes depends on how the shipment was set up.
If you're shipping with a business account, you can choose whether the sender, receiver, or a third party will pay for duties and taxes when creating a shipment.
If you're shipping as a guest, the recipient is responsible for paying any duties or taxes before the shipment is delivered.
DHL Express will notify the responsible party by email or SMS with payment instructions if charges are due.
If you need a customs duties and taxes calculator to estimate duties in advance, try the Pre-Shipment Planner on DHL Express' Global Trade Services (MyGTS). You can use this tool to estimate the total landed cost of an international shipment, including duties, taxes, and other import fees. To get an estimate:
Sign up for DHL Express' Global Trade Services (MyGTS)
Navigate to the Pre-Shipment Planner
Enter the destination country, product description, and declared value
(Optional) Add the HS code for more precise results
The tool will calculate estimated costs based on the destination country's import regulations, helping you plan your shipping budget and avoid unexpected charges at delivery.
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