In a country as diverse and geographically spread out as South Africa, getting your parcels from point A to point B can sometimes feel like navigating a maze. Whether you’re an e-commerce entrepreneur shipping products to customers in Cape Town from your Johannesburg base, or simply sending a gift to family in Durban, knowing how to ship effectively can save you time, money, and headaches.
As South Africa’s favourite courier with over two decades of experience and more than 18.7 million deliveries completed in 2024 alone, The Courier Guy has gathered some insider knowledge on making every delivery smooth and successful. Here are some pro tips to transform your shipping experience.
Understanding your shipping options
Before you send any parcel, it’s worth knowing the full range of delivery services available to you. The Courier Guy offers several options to match different needs and budgets. Get a quick quote now.
Same Day Express: when tomorrow won’t do
For those urgent business documents, supplies, or last-minute gifts, Same Day Express ensures delivery within hours. Available in major centres, this premium service includes priority handling, real-time tracking, and even direct driver contact when necessary. It’s the go-to solution when time is of the essence.
Overnight courier: Tomorrow morning guaranteed
The backbone of many business operations across South Africa, our Overnight Courier service guarantees delivery by 11am the next business day to major centres. With comprehensive tracking and insurance options, it strikes the perfect balance between speed and value for business-to-business deliveries and e-commerce fulfilment.
Economy Service: Wallet-friendly delivery
Our Economy Service delivers within 36-120 hours at our most competitive rates. This makes it the ideal courier option for non-urgent shipments, large items, or regular business shipping where time isn’t pressing. Perfect for the cost-conscious sender who still wants reliability.
Locker-to-Locker: The most affordable option
For self-service enthusiasts, our network of over 1200 parcel Lockers offers the most budget-friendly shipping solution. You can send parcels between Lockers nationwide, with the added benefit of 24/7 access for drop-offs and collections.
Packaging like a pro
Even the fastest delivery service can’t protect poorly packaged items. Read our packaging tips guide to ensure your parcels arrive in perfect condition.
Choose the right container
Select a box that’s slightly larger than the item you’re shipping to allow room for protective materials. For documents and clothing, padded envelopes work well. For fragile items, use double-walled corrugated boxes. Most Kiosks stock a complete range of shipping supplies if you need them. You can also order packaging materials from us online.
Protect your contents
Bubble wrap isn’t just fun to pop; it’s essential for protecting breakables. Wrap each fragile item individually and use additional cushioning like packing peanuts, air pillows, or even crumpled newspaper to fill empty spaces. Top packaging tip: your item shouldn’t shift when you shake the sealed box.
Seal securely
Use quality packing tape and apply it in an H-pattern (across all seams). Reinforce the bottom with extra tape in a crosshatch pattern for heavier parcels. Avoid household tape, string, or paper wrap; these aren’t sturdy enough for the shipping journey.
Label clearly
Write both the delivery and return addresses clearly. Better yet, use typed and printed labels. Remember to include contact numbers for both sender and recipient. For international shipments, add the destination country in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Shipping internationally from South Africa
Sending parcels overseas requires additional preparation. Here’s what you need to know.
Documentation requirements
International shipments require a commercial invoice that details:
- Complete sender and recipient information
- Detailed description of items (be specific)
- Quantity, weight, and value of each item
- Harmonised System (HS) codes for each item
- Country of origin for the goods
- Reason for export (commercial, personal, gift, etc.)
The Courier Guy’s international service team can help guide you through this paperwork to ensure smooth customs clearance. Please reach out, we are happy to assist.
Email us: support@thecourierguy.co.za
WhatsApp us: +27 82 823 3254
Understanding prohibited and restricted items
Each country has its own list of items that cannot be imported. Common prohibited items include perishables, dangerous goods, ammunition, and counterfeit products. Research your destination country’s import regulations or consult with our international shipping experts before sending your parcel.
Cost considerations
International shipping costs depend on:
- Parcel weight and dimensions
- Destination country
- Service speed (express vs. standard)
- Additional services (insurance, signature requirements)
For the most competitive rates on international shipping from South Africa to popular destinations like the UK, USA, Australia, and neighbouring African countries, compare our international document courier and international airfreight services.
Tech tools for tracking and managing shipments
Use our website
Tracking your pakkie is as easy as 1-2-3:
- Enter your waybill number
- Hit “Track”
- And just like that, you’ll see exactly where your parcel is!
No stress, no guesswork – just real-time updates at your fingertips.
WhatsApp support
Need quick assistance? Our WhatsApp support line (086 120 3203) is available 24/7 to help with tracking, bookings, and general inquiries.
Business API Integration
For e-commerce businesses and high-volume shippers, our API integration allows you to:
- Automatically generate waybills
- Print shipping labels directly from your system
- Provide real-time tracking to your customers
- Manage bulk shipments efficiently
- Streamline your logistics operations
Cost-saving strategies for regular shippers
Frequent shipping doesn’t have to break the bank:
Bulk discounts
If you’re sending multiple parcels regularly, inquire about our volume-based discounts. Businesses sending over 20 parcels weekly can save significantly on their shipping costs.
Strategic service selection
Not every parcel needs the fastest service. Save by matching the delivery speed to your actual needs:
- Use Economy for non-time-sensitive items
- Reserve Overnight and Same Day for truly urgent shipments
- Consider Locker-to-Locker options for the best rates
Optimising parcel dimensions
Courier pricing is typically based on volumetric weight (size) or actual weight, whichever is greater. Minimise packaging size where possible without compromising protection to potentially reduce costs.
Special shipping scenarios
Shipping fragile items
For delicate items like electronics, glassware, or artwork:
- Use double-boxing with cushioning between boxes
- Mark parcels clearly as “FRAGILE”
- Consider our insurance options for valuable items
- Opt for services with fewer handling points when possible
Shipping during peak seasons
Holiday periods (especially November-December) see increased volumes:
- Ship earlier than usual—add 1-2 extra days to expected delivery times
- Book collections in advance
- Package extremely securely to withstand busier sorting facilities
- Track actively and have contingency plans for critical shipments
Shipping during load shedding
South Africa’s unique challenge of rolling blackouts requires special consideration:
- Our major facilities have generator backup to minimise disruptions
- Consider using our 24/7 Lockers which remain accessible during power outages
- Track parcels actively during affected periods
- Allow for slight delays during prolonged outages
For specific rates and service availability in your area, please click here, visit your nearest Kiosk, or contact our friendly team.
For more information, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page, and don’t hesitate to reach out on 086 120 3203 (WhatsApp) or support@thecourierguy.co.za (email).
