Removals to South Africa

With White & Company, moving to South Africa is simple. Complete our online form for a free removals quotation

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    Shipping to South Africa

    Are you considering relocating to South Africa but are unsure how to transfer all your personal belongings with you?

    White & Company are one of the largest and most respected international South Africa removals companies in the UK and are on hand to make your move stress free.

    Our experience is second to none. As members of BAR, FIDI and OMNI, White & Company have been relocating people to destinations all over South Africa and to other countries worldwide for 151 years.

    From collection in the UK, right through to your new home in South Africa, we can ensure that your personal belongings are handled with respect and care.

    When looking for moving companies South Africa, call White & Company for your free home or virtual survey.

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    Survey

    Our experienced surveyor will either visit your home or undertake a virtual pre-move survey to ascertain the volume of effects being shipped.

    This involves him/her being guided through the property room by room noting what items are to be exported and recording it on his electronic tablet.

    A free of charge no obligation quotation will follow within 48 hours.

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    Storage

    White & Company has storage facilities at 19 storage locations throughout the UK.

    All our facilities provide secure containerised storage in personal dedicated storage containers.

    Our trusted partners in South Africa are also able to offer storage should you require it.

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    Packing

    When our quotation has been accepted and a move date has been secured, the vehicle and removal team will arrive at residence.

    The removal team will proceed to export pack and wrap all items being shipped and load onto vehicle for delivery to our closest depot.

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    Shipping

    Upon arrival at your local depot. All effects are transferred to the export warehouse to await loading into a 20ft or 40ft container.

    The container is booked with the shipping line onto the first available vessel destined to the closest port of entry to your final destination in South Africa.

    It is very important that you are in South Africa before your consignment arrives.

    Moving to South Africa? Get a Quick Quote

    Why Move to South Africa?

    There are many reasons why so many people from the UK call this amazing country home.

    For one thing South Africa has a relatively low cost of living. English is widely spoken, and the country boasts a warm sunny climate with pristine beaches and magnificent coastlines.

    With 212,000 Brits reported to be residing in South Africa, the country boasts one of the most vibrant British expat communities in the world and the seventh largest overall.

    For those over 60 you may even be able to live in South Africa and draw your UK state pension.

    Working In South Africa

    Before you seek employment in South Africa you need to obtain a work visa. There are three main categories:

    The General Work visa is the most common type, which covers the majority of work applications.

    The Critical Skills visa is for workers in professions the Republic of South Africa deems to be critical.

    The Intra-Company Transfer visa allows a foreign worker to reside in South Africa and work for the local branch of their employer abroad.

    Finding a good job can be hard but not impossible. Most employers have a preference towards hiring South African natives.

    This said, currently, there is a shortage of experienced professionals with a number of critical skills. Particularly in the areas of telecommunications, finance and chartered accountants.

    The South African consulate should be able to provide an up-to-date list of in-demand skills in 2023

    If you need assistance in finding employment, visit the following web sites to see if there are any opportunities which suit your skills.

    www.wegotads.co.za
    www.findajobinafrica.com

    Property

    As with all countries, South Africa’s property market offers a range of homes to suit all budgets. From luxury real estate to low-cost apartments and everything in between.

    Beachfront properties are always in demand and don’t stay on the market for long. Although these sought-after properties are expensive, there are plenty of them.

    Because of the relative size of the country compared to the UK, homes generally offer plenty of space inside and out.

    Taking two of the country’s most popular relocation destinations as comparisons, Cape Town and Durban property prices are as follows:

    To buy a one-bedroom property in the suburbs of Cape Town you can expect to pay 24,059 R (£1,061) per square metre whilst in the centre this increases to 36,450 R (£1,607).

    For a similar property in the centre of Durban, you need to budget 14,922 R (£658), and on the outskirts of the city 12,857 R (£566).

    Renting before you buy is good advice. It will give you time to visit different areas and neighbourhoods before you commit to purchasing.

    You will find rents are much cheaper than those in the UK. Plus, rental properties are plentiful.

    You can expect to pay an average of 24,585 R (£1084) per month for a 3-bedroom family home in the city. On the outskirts, this price drops to 16,226 R (£715) for a similar-sized home.

    It is important to note that these prices are just a rough guide. There are some incredibly cheap properties in all areas of South Africa, which is why it is vital to research thoroughly before making any large financial commitments.

     

    Schools

    South Africa offers plenty of choice when it comes to schooling. Many expat parents send their children to an international school.

    However, it is worth considering government-funded (public) schools.

    These offer excellent standards of education, but demand is high. Private primary and secondary schools are extremely popular but can be expensive.

    To browse South Africa’s school by Province visit:

    https://www.schools4sa.co.za/province/

    Local Information

    Moving to a new country is a big change, there will most certainly be a host of things to adapt to.

    Currency, laws, health, taxes, bank accounts, driving, and public travel are just a few of the new aspects of life you will need to adjust to.

    South Africa is culturally and ethnically diverse. It has 11 languages and local customs can sometimes be a challenge for newcomers initially. Guidance on adjusting to your new life in South Africa is available from:

    https://www.justlanded.com/english/South-Africa

    Travel

    Transport infrastructure is well-developed in the larger towns and cities across South Africa.

    Driving is the most popular transport choice and is generally safe and enjoyable.

    You do not need to apply for a South African driving license. The rules state that as long as your license is printed in English and that it has a clear photograph it will suffice. However, if the licence is not printed in English, then you will need to obtain an International Drivers Licence.

    The majority of signposts are clear, easy to follow and written in English.

    As with the UK, wearing a seat belt at all times is the law. Using a mobile phone when driving is also prohibited.

    South Africa also has a public transport system, and many people choose to use the bus and taxi services.

    However, the system is not quite as developed, reliable or as safe as its European counterparts. As such, many South Africans choose to drive where they need to be.

    Currency Conversion

    South Africa’s unit of currency is the Rand (ZAR). All major credit cards can be used in South Africa, with Visa and MasterCard accepted most widely.

    In terms of transferring money when you are relocating to a new country it is a good idea to fully investigate and research the best currency exchange rates possible.

    Moving large amounts of money, such as when you purchase a new home, could potentially increase your return substantially.

    Read Our Moving Guide

    Want to find out more about moving to South Africa? Read our comprehensive article that details everything you need to know about emigrating to South Africa!

    Healthcare

    Public health provision is virtually non-existent. As such the majority of South Africans have private health insurance known as Medical Aid.

    Cover ranges from basic hospital plans through to comprehensive screening cover.

    All will include certain chronic medication, however limitations for pre-existing conditions apply so make sure you’re aware of all the details of your particular package.

    If you are uninsured or under-insured, you could be faced with some high medical bills.

    It is difficult to be general with the cost of cover, but as a guide, prices range from R1,000 (£60) to R2,000 (£120) per month for a family of four.

    Visit this helpful web site for further information regarding health care: https://www.justlanded.com

    Storage Provision

    You may find you need to store some or all of your possessions for a period of time prior to moving to South Africa.

    It is good to know that White & Company have storage facilities at all our branch depots across the UK.

    Our depots offer secure containerised storage in personally dedicated storage containers.

    All our warehouses are clean, dry, and are accredited to European standard BS EN 14873. Speak to our surveyor for further information or any special requirements.

    Our partners in South Africa can also offer you storage. You might be renting for a while and may not need all of your belongings to be delivered immediately.

    You can arrange for certain items to be delivered and once settled in your new home, the rest can follow. Please note that storage rates will apply.

    Contacting White & Company

    For further information on our removals to South Africa service, or any other international destination, contact our international office on 01489 858753.

    Alternatively, complete the form below with your details and we can get in touch at a time that best suits you.

    Shipping from the UK to South Africa

    The whole moving experience can be incredibly stressful, especially when relocating abroad.

    White & Company, with its 151 years of experience in the removal industry, can help make the process as smooth as possible.

    White & Company move thousands of families around the globe each year and have 19 branches across the UK. We can arrange a free no obligation home survey and quotation.

    This will be carried out by one of our qualified surveyors, who will be able to answer any of the questions and concerns you may have and offer advice where necessary.

    The purpose of the survey is to determine the volume of belongings you will be shipping. The cost of shipment is based on the space your belongings will take up in the container. Following the visit, you will receive a written quotation.

    Export Packing UK to South Africa

    You will want to know that during your door to door service, your possessions are treated with respect and care. When it comes to international moving, proper packing is essential.

    Our experienced teams located across the UK will pack and prepare your valuable, fragile and bulky furniture ready for export.

    We use a modern range of environmentally friendly, purpose-made packing materials and can pack everything for you prior to your move.

    All china and glassware will be wrapped in special paper and then packed in double-thickness cartons.

    Expert Furniture Movers

    Furniture can be wrapped in bubble blanket for extra protection. Items requiring specialist care, such as antiques, can be packed in made-to-measure wooden crates.

    Each carton and piece of furniture will be labelled, and a detailed inventory will be prepared.

    Upon arrival at your residence in South Africa, our trusted agents will place boxes and furniture in appropriate rooms as directed.

    They will unpack your belongings onto flat surfaces and dispose of all packing materials. They can also offer you other services such as a handyman and cleaning.

    Help with utility connections such as telephone/ADSL, water and electricity can also be arranged.

    Please note that these extraneous services will cost extra and are not included in our quotations.

    White & Company

    Removals to South Africa since 1871

    We recommend booking a visit or a virtual survey with one of our Surveyors for all International moves, so that we can assess your requirements, and the volume of goods to be moved.

    Popular Places to Relocate in South Africa

    • Bloemfontein
    • Cape Town
    • Durban
    • East London
    • Ekurhuleni
    • George
    • Johannesburg
    • Kimberley
    • Mamelodi
    • Nelspruit
    • Pietermaritzburg
    • Polokwane
    • Port Elizabeth
    • Pretoria
    • Soweto

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