Save up to 75% off standard rates

Getting Boat Shipping To South Africa Quotes is Easy on Shiply

Current Location

Current Location

Millions of people use Shiply

Preparing Your Boat for Shipping

The first and most important part of boat shipping to South Africa is preparation. If you get this key factor right then it makes all the subsequent parts of the process less liable to become problematic. The kind of preparation required will depend on the vessel and all of the elements that it contains. If your vessel is equipped with a lot of kit it is important that you have a clear itinerary of all the items on board. Once you have listed all the items it is important that this itemised list is approved by the transportation company. You will need to ensure that this list is used at the destination point to ensure that the delivery process is completed properly.

In order to ensure you get the transportation right you must get an accurate measure of the vessel. The transportation company will need to know this in order to get the correct trailer. You must remember to include swim platforms, bow pulpits, outboard motor platforms and outboard motors themselves. You will need an accurate measure of the height as well to ensure that a route can be chosen with adequate clearance for transit.

It is important to secure all of the items within the vessel. Any moving parts should be harnessed. You will require plenty of strong duct tape and yards of bubble wrap. You will need to remove volatile items like gas canisters and make sure anything that contains liquid is firmly capped away. For the interior the general rule should be, ‘If in doubt, pull it out!’ This includes any valuables, and particularly electronic gear that might be damaged, or lost, in the move.

It is also an important part of preparation to make sure that you have secured the exterior of the vessel; this should include anchors, any exterior electronics, antenna, flagstaff, propellers, outriggers, and any item that extends beyond the stated width, height or length of the vessel. You must also take care to secure any screens, cushions, canvas or weatherboards. Other items which need to be included on the itinerary are dinghies, radar transmitters, and hailers.

You will need to decide whether or not you wish to have the vessel shrink wrapped. This is not advisable on an oversized yacht, but might be advisable on smaller sized boats. This will protect the boat from dirt and road tar, but does have a tendency to rip and tear during the process. This in turn can cause damage through beating against the boat and if you are concerned that the haulage company may not have the ability to do running repairs on the wrapping you can always opt to just give the boat a wash down on delivery.

The Right Company

There are many factors to consider when choosing a transportation company to handle the process of boat shipping to South Africa. Although cost is a primary consideration in all transactions there are many other factors involved and sometimes a cost cutting exercise can turn out to be more expensive in the long run. There are a number of potential hidden costs to be aware of and it is important that you let whoever you choose to handle the haulage process know that you are aware of all the costs involved and want these to be included up front in any quotation that they give you.

The kind of haulage involved in transportation of boats is unique and in order to ensure the process is carried out with the minimum of aggravation it is best to choose a company which has a lot of experience with this type of transport. A boat transportation company will have the experience of working with boat yards, marinas, permit agencies and ports. They will have a clear picture of all of the paperwork required and areas in which there might be additional charges or tariffs. It is worth selecting a company which has specific experience with transporting boats to South Africa, and if possible a company that has transported a boat to the specific location that you intend sending your vessel.

In addition the driver will have the experience of handling this kind of freight which requires considerable expertise in organizing the load. They will know how the load can be secured, balanced, supported and stabilized and have the skills to perform a thorough check of the vessel before and after it has been transported. Someone with experience in this form of transport will have a clear understanding of the regulations with regard to the point of destination, whether that is to a marina, port or dry dock. They will know what paperwork is required, and where to present it, which will ensure that the whole process of transportation is as seamless as you would want it to be.

Signing Off on Delivery

To ensure that the whole boat shipping to South Africa process is finished to your complete satisfaction it is best if you can meet your boat at the destination. The transportation of the vessel will be done via cargo ship and this will obviously take considerably longer than transport for the individual so it is best if you can arrange a flight to arrive before the boat does and you can then arrange to be at the destination to perform some of the final checks and ensure nothing has been lost or broken during transit.

If you cannot be there yourself, or arrange for a friend or colleague to be at the destination, it is even more important that you have arranged the transit through a reliable haulage firm. There will be a required signature so it is important that you have faxed or emailed a copy of the itemized contents list so that the recipient can counter check the boat and its contents before signing off any release forms which declared that the transit has been carried out satisfactorily.

Millions of people use Shiply

Fast and Easy

Fast and Easy

Complete one simple form and quotes come to you via email. Hassle-free, no phone calls required.

Trustworthy

Trustworthy

All delivery companies on Shiply are feedback rated for your peace of mind.

Great Prices

Great Prices

As Shiply's delivery companies are already making similar trips, quotes are up to 75% cheaper than standard rates.

Helpful

Helpful

Need assistance? Email or call us. We are here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shiply Cover My Area?

Yes! There are couriers using Shiply all over the country and abroad, so whether you need to move a sofa across town or send a car across Europe, we have got you covered.

Does Shiply Have Different Sized Vehicles?

There are thousands of couriers on Shiply, with a wide range of vehicle sizes capable of handling any delivery. Providing the rough dimensions (and pictures if possible) on your listing will allow the delivery company to get the right vehicle sent out to you.

Can I Call Shiply?

Shiply Support is available from 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday on 020 3137 2454. You can also send an email to .

Who Will Carry Out My Delivery?

Whoever you choose! There are thousands of rated transport providers on our platform ready to make a bid to carry out your delivery. It is up to you to decide which quote to accept.

When Will I Receive A Quote?

You will typically start to receive quotes within 30 minutes. If you are worried about the lack of quotes, try adding some more detail to your listing as transport providers may be unsure of dimensions or weight and feel unable to provide an accurate quote. If your delivery is urgent, you can try our 'featured delivery' feature which moves your listing to the top of the search page for couriers.

How Many Quotes Will I Receive?

Whilst there is no guarantee of quotes, 98% of our listings receive at least 3 quotes, so you are likely to find someone who can undertake the delivery of your items.

Does Shiply Provide Packing Materials?

If your item requires packing materials or extra care then you should make sure this is highlighted in your listing and discussed with any transport provider whose quote you are considering. Couriers on Shiply are able to provide all levels of service and can help pack your items, just ensure you inform them of your needs.

Will My Goods Be Tied Up Securely?

Transport providers will almost always tie up an item in the transport vehicle, as the risk of damage from moving around during transit is high. You should always confirm safety precautions and packing needs with transport providers before accepting a quote.

Can Items Be Taken Upstairs?

Yes, items can be taken upstairs if needed, and can also be assembled. Transport providers on Shiply are happy to provide these services, but you should ensure that you are mentioning these requirements in your listings as it may mean a second person is required for the move.

Can I Travel With My Goods?

The majority of transport providers on Shiply are only insured for the transportation of goods, however, some are also able to take people. If you need to travel with your goods, make sure to mention this in your listing and highlight this to any courier who quotes on your listing.

What If I Need To Cancel My Booking?

If you have accepted a quote and paid the deposit but wish to cancel the delivery, then you should first inform your chosen transport provider that you no longer require the delivery. You should then contact us at to have your deposit refunded.

Can I Change The Address Of The Delivery?

If you have not yet accepted a quote then you are able to change the address of your listing. Note that editing details of your listing after publishing will result in active quotes being voided, so you will have to wait for new quotes to come in. If you have already accepted a quote and need to change the address, please let your transport provider know and contact us at .

How Shiply works

How Shiply Works

How Shiply Works

  • 1

    Request quotes from our 422,879 rated transport providers.

  • 2

    Compare prices and read previous customer feedback to pick the right delivery quote for you.

  • 3

    Sit back and relax while your item is safely delivered by your chosen transport provider.

Recent Deliveries

21ft speed boat from Porthmadog to Immingham
21ft Speed Boat

Porthmadog, Gwynedd,
LL49

Immingham, Lincolnshire,
DN40

£560

RIB boat from Worcestershire to Fuengirola, Spain
RIB Boat

Clows Top, Worcestershire,
DY14

29640 Fuengirola,
Spain

£690

Kayak from Essex to Cardiff
Kayak

South Ockendon, Essex,
RM15

Lisvane, Cardiff,
CF14

£60

Cabin Cruiser on Trailer from Cheshire to Cambridgeshire
Cabin Cruiser On Trailer

Great Sankey, Cheshire,
WA5

Peterborough, Cambridgeshire,
PE2

£280

How Shiply Helps The Environment

By utilising spare capacity of vehicles running on the road, Shiply helps reduce the number of otherwise wasteful journeys needed to transport the item.

2 8 3 0 1 3 2 6 2 Kg/CO2 Saved

Recent Testimonials

Debra W Testimonial

Mark W.

"Simple and effective, will be using regularly. Good value and makes the process of moving big things around so much easier!"

Patrick G Testimonial

Sandy B.

"In a matter of hours, I received an offer that matched my budget from a company with very good feedback. I love being able to rely on Shiply for getting the precious finds from eBay across the country for a reasonable price."

Sophie G Testimonial

John G.

"Shiply fills the gaps between getting bulky items collected and delivered and you having to go get them yourself. Used them many times, saves me lots of time and money."

Gary M Testimonial

Charlotte H.

"All went very smoothly and easily and the courier whose bid I accepted were lovely, good communication, and helpful. Couldn't fault at all and would certainly use again."

4.8/5 Rating

from 4,108 Reviews

Shiply is an official eBay compatible application

4.6/5 Rating

from 28,861 Reviews