Shipping & Delivery Policy

SCM Ref Africa Containers arranges container deliveries across South Africa, with cross-border delivery available to approved destinations by prior arrangement. This policy explains our delivery rates, processing times, transport arrangements, and site-access requirements.

Delivery Timeframes

Order Processing: 1–3 Business Days

Confirmed orders are generally processed within 1–3 business days after payment has cleared and the delivery details have been confirmed.

Processing includes preparing the container, checking delivery requirements, and arranging suitable transport.

Shipping: 5–7 Business Days After Dispatch

Standard deliveries within South Africa generally take 5–7 business days after dispatch.

The estimated total time from order confirmation to delivery is therefore 6–10 business days, including processing and transport.

Business days are Monday to Friday, excluding South African public holidays.

These timeframes apply to standard orders for available containers. Orders requiring modifications, special transport arrangements, or cross-border delivery will have their estimated timelines confirmed before payment.

Delivery Coverage

We arrange deliveries across all nine South African provinces:

• Gauteng
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Western Cape
• Eastern Cape
• Free State
• Mpumalanga
• North West
• Limpopo
• Northern Cape

Delivery availability depends on the destination, road conditions, site access, and the suitability of the required delivery vehicle.

Deliveries outside South Africa must be confirmed with our team before checkout.

Shipping & Delivery Costs

Delivery costs depend on the container size, delivery destination, and transport requirements.

Deliveries within the main cities generally range from R2,000 to R7,000 per container. Long-distance and cross-border deliveries may cost R8,000 to R12,000 or more per container, depending on the route and destination.

Container Delivery Rates by Province

The following rates apply per container for delivery to the listed cities.

Province	Main Delivery Locations	3 m Container	6 m Container	12 m Container
Gauteng	Johannesburg, Pretoria	R2,000	R3,500	R4,500
KwaZulu-Natal	Durban	R2,500	R3,500	R4,500
Western Cape	Cape Town	R2,000	R3,500	R4,500
Eastern Cape	Gqeberha, East London	R3,000	R4,000	R5,000
Free State	Bloemfontein	R2,500	R4,500	R6,000
Mpumalanga	Mbombela (Nelspruit), eMalahleni (Witbank)	R2,500	R4,500	R6,000
North West	Rustenburg, Potchefstroom	R2,500	R4,500	R6,000
Limpopo	Polokwane	R3,000	R5,000	R6,500
Northern Cape	Kimberley, Upington	R3,500	R5,500	From R7,000

All amounts are in South African rand (ZAR).

Deliveries to outlying or remote areas, or sites requiring additional transport or offloading arrangements, may cost more than the listed city rates. The final delivery charge will be confirmed before payment.

Regional Delivery Information

Gauteng: Local deliveries benefit from access to established container yards and crane-truck services.

KwaZulu-Natal: Access to Durban’s port and container yards helps keep local delivery costs lower.

Western Cape: Cape Town deliveries benefit from direct access to the port and local container yards. Delivery costs to outlying areas may vary.

Eastern Cape: Container facilities around Gqeberha, Coega, and East London support local deliveries. Inland routes and difficult terrain may increase transport costs.

Free State: Containers are generally transported from Gauteng or Durban, with long-distance road freight contributing to delivery costs.

Mpumalanga: Containers are generally supplied from Gauteng. Remote locations and mining-site routes may require additional transport arrangements.

North West: Containers are generally supplied from Gauteng yards, with delivery costs depending on the destination.

Limpopo: Containers are generally transported from Johannesburg. Longer inland routes may increase delivery costs.

Northern Cape: Long distances from major container hubs and empty return journeys can increase transport costs, particularly for remote destinations.

Multiple-Container Delivery Savings

Ordering more than one container may reduce your delivery cost per unit.

Where container sizes, truck capacity, and the delivery route allow, we can transport two containers on a single truck and pass the transport savings on to you.

Combined delivery is subject to transport availability and load suitability. Please contact our team before placing a multiple-container order so we can confirm the delivery arrangement and combined shipping charge.

Cross-Border Deliveries

For deliveries outside South Africa, please contact us before checkout and provide:

• The destination country, town or city, and full delivery address.
• The required container size and quantity.
• Any known site-access restrictions.
• Any special transport or offloading requirements.

We must confirm that delivery is available to your destination before issuing your invoice.

Cross-border shipping charges and estimated delivery times are quoted individually. Your quotation will identify any applicable border, customs, or clearance charges and explain which costs are included and which are payable separately.

Cross-border deliveries may take longer because of border procedures, customs clearance, permits, and local transport conditions.

How the Delivery Process Works

1. Order Confirmation

Your order is confirmed once payment has cleared and we have verified the container requirements, delivery destination, and agreed transport charges.

2. Handling & Preparation

We prepare the container and coordinate transport during the 1–3 business-day processing period.

3. Transport Booking

We arrange a suitable vehicle based on the container size, quantity, destination, and confirmed site requirements.

4. Dispatch Notification

Once transport is arranged and the container is dispatched, we provide the available delivery information using the contact details supplied with your order.

5. Delivery & Offloading

The container is delivered to the agreed address and offloaded according to the confirmed delivery arrangement.

An authorised person must be available to receive the container and direct the delivery team to the agreed placement area.

Preparing Your Site for Delivery

Please ensure that your site is ready before the delivery vehicle arrives.

The delivery location should have:

• Safe access for a heavy delivery vehicle.
• Sufficient entrance width and overhead clearance.
• Firm ground suitable for the vehicle and any required offloading equipment.
• Enough space for turning, positioning, and offloading.
• A clear, level, prepared area for container placement.
• No obstructions such as parked vehicles, low branches, overhead cables, or unsecured materials.

Tell us about narrow entrances, steep slopes, soft ground, restricted roads, security procedures, or other access limitations before transport is booked.

Any crane or specialised offloading requirements must be discussed in advance so that the necessary arrangements and charges can be confirmed.

If the vehicle cannot safely access or offload at the site, delivery may need to be rescheduled. Any additional transport, equipment, or redelivery charges will be explained and agreed before further arrangements are made.

Changes to Delivery Details

Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change the delivery address, contact person, or site requirements.

Changes requested after transport has been booked may affect the delivery charge and estimated arrival time. We will confirm any revised costs or arrangements before proceeding.

Address changes cannot be guaranteed once the container is in transit.

Delivery Updates & Delays

We will communicate the available dispatch and delivery information using the contact details provided with your order.

Delivery times are estimates. Delays may occur because of severe weather, road closures, vehicle breakdowns, site-access problems, border procedures, or other transport disruptions.

If we become aware of a delay affecting your delivery, we will notify you and provide a revised estimate when available.

Receiving Your Container

Please arrange for yourself or an authorised representative to be present at delivery.

Before signing the delivery documentation:

• Confirm that the correct container has arrived.
• Inspect the container for visible transport damage.
• Record any visible damage or delivery concerns on the delivery documentation.
• Take photographs where appropriate and contact our team promptly.

Keep your order details and delivery documentation available if you need assistance with a delivery concern.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does processing take?

Standard confirmed orders are generally processed within 1–3 business days after cleared payment and confirmation of delivery details.

How long does shipping take?

Standard deliveries within South Africa generally take 5–7 business days after dispatch. Including processing, the estimated total is 6–10 business days.

Are the delivery rates charged per container?

Yes. The provincial rates listed above are per container for delivery to the specified cities.

Will delivery to a remote area cost more?

It may. Outlying locations, longer routes, difficult access, and additional offloading requirements can increase delivery costs. The final charge will be confirmed before payment.

Can I save on delivery when buying two containers?

Yes, where the container sizes and transport arrangements allow both units to travel on one truck. Contact us for confirmation of the combined delivery charge.

Do you deliver outside South Africa?

Cross-border delivery is available to approved destinations by prior arrangement. Contact us before checkout so we can confirm availability, costs, and estimated delivery times.

Can someone else receive my container?

Yes. An authorised representative may receive the container on your behalf. They must be available to provide site access, direct placement, inspect the container, and sign the delivery documentation.

Contact Our Logistics Team

For delivery quotations, multiple-container orders, cross-border enquiries, address changes, or delivery assistance, contact SCM Ref Africa Containers using the details published on our Contact Us page.

Please include your order number, if available, together with the container size, quantity, and full delivery destination.

Website: www.scmrefafricacontainers.co.za