Shipping a Motorhome to Africa: Overlanding South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania

Which port should I ship to?

Durban

RORO to South Africa, the usual start for South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini and the road north

Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha)

RORO to the Eastern Cape, for the Garden Route and Cape Town

Walvis Bay

Namibia, quoted separately

Cape Town

By container

Mombasa

Kenya, for East Africa and the safari circuits

Dar es Salaam

Tanzania, and onward to Zambia and Malawi

Sailings leave from Southampton, Sheerness, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Hamburg, Bremerhaven. Book at least 2 months for RORO ahead. South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Tanzania all drive on the left, so a UK right-hand-drive vehicle suits the roads.

What does it cost to ship a motorhome to Africa?

Motorhome to South Africa

US$3,490–5,070 sea freight

4x4 camper to South Africa

US$2,540–4,350 sea freight

Expedition truck to South Africa

US$5,280–7,950 sea freight

Motorhome to Kenya or Tanzania

US$3,480–5,120 sea freight

4x4 camper to Kenya or Tanzania

US$2,510–4,370 sea freight

Expedition truck to Kenya or Tanzania

US$5,350–8,060 sea freight

Export costs at the loading port

About €295 (EU ports) or £250 (UK ports)

Pest treatment, where the carrier requires it

From about €250 (car) to €501 (motorhome), plus €50 admin

Kenya and Tanzania port and clearance charges

Confirmed and paid direct to the local agent; Kenyan charges have risen recently

Marine insurance

Not included unless stated; motorhomes from €300 single trip, for values up to €50,000

The sea freight ranges are the lower and upper quartiles of our RORO quotes from European and UK ports in the last 90 days, including the bill of lading, BAF and LSL. UK departures usually sit toward the top of each range.

How much does it cost to ship a vehicle? Prices on every route →

Carnet rules in South Africa and Namibia

South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini form the Southern African Customs Union and are treated as one territory, so one carnet entry covers them. SARS accepts the carnet de passages from tourists and visitors; without one, the vehicle needs a temporary import permit or a customs declaration with security.

Validity

Generally 12 months from the carnet's issue

Extension

Once only, for up to a year, requested at least 30 days before expiry and agreed by the issuing club

At the border

The vehicle is examined on entry and exit with you or your representative present

Use

The holder must be the owner or have the owner's letter of authority; no lending, hiring, selling or modifying without permission

Leaving it behind

The vehicle may not stay in the country while the carnet holder is not there, so you cannot store it and fly home

If it does not leave

Duty and VAT become payable, even after theft; affidavits are not accepted as proof of export

Kenya and Tanzania

The Kenya Revenue Authority requires visitors from outside the EAC and COMESA to hold a carnet de passages or pass sheet valid for Kenya, plus a Foreign Motor Vehicle Permit. For a touring vehicle on a carnet that is a paid permit for one month, with extensions from Customs and Border Control. For Tanzania, we confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship. Destination charges in both countries are paid direct to the local agent.

Crossing borders: insurance and paperwork

• Every border stamps the carnet out of one country and into the next, and each entry uses a new page, so order enough pages
• Third-party motor insurance is needed in each country. The COMESA Yellow Card is a regional third-party motor insurance scheme that runs in 13 countries, including Tanzania, and insurers in South Africa issue it for travel into the COMESA region
• Border fees, road permits and insurance differ between the countries of southern Africa; we confirm the rules for your route before you ship
• IVSS arranges marine cargo insurance for the sea crossing. For motor insurance on the road we give you contacts and introductions to insurers
• Customs clearance support at the arrival port through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker

Preparing the vehicle

• Removable gas bottles out; any bottle or fixed tank that stays must be empty with a gas-free certificate
• Limited tourism items on some carriers, stowed out of sight, at your own risk unless covered by contents cover on marine insurance taken through us (up to €15,000 for motorhomes)
• Clean inside and out; some carriers require pest treatment for motorhomes and trucks
• Fuel below a quarter of a tank; the vehicle travels inside the ship's enclosed hold

Preparing your vehicle for shipping: the checklist →

What is RORO? How your vehicle travels →

Shipping home from South Africa

When the trip ends, RORO from Durban or Port Elizabeth to the UK or Europe typically costs US$3,650–5,320 for a motorhome and US$2,650–4,550 for a 4x4 camper, from our quotes in the last 90 days. South African export costs are about US$750–1,250, confirmed on booking, and port storage if a ship is delayed runs from R1,492 a day for a passenger vehicle. Containers also leave from Cape Town and Walvis Bay. Ask us about sailings home from Mombasa and Dar es Salaam. IVSS is a member of BIFA and FIATA.

Get a shipping quote