Country Guide

Shipping Luggage to the USA from South Africa

Shipping luggage and personal effects from South Africa to the USA: CBP form 3299, duty-free personal effects and documents.

WhatsApp 068 058 2700

Call Johannesburg 011 972 1111

Form 3299

Unaccompanied personal and household effects arriving in the USA are usually cleared with CBP Form 3299, Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. Whether you are a returning resident or a non-resident affects what qualifies.

Personal effects

Used personal effects for your own use are generally duty-free for new residents and returning residents, subject to CBP rules.

Couple unpacking boxes in their new home

Sea shipments

Sea freight to the USA needs an AMS filing before loading, which is charged separately.

Food and plants

Agricultural products, meat and plants are tightly controlled. Do not pack biltong, seeds or plants.

Checklist

Documents for United States

South African citizens: a copy of your ID (customs wants the ID, not the passport)

Foreign nationals: a copy of your passport

If you ship for someone else, a copy of their ID or passport as well

A signed clearing instruction for customs, which we send you to sign

A valued inventory list of what is in each piece (complete it online)

Full addresses in South Africa and at the destination on the inventory

Contact details at the destination: telephone, mobile and email

Describe what is in every bag or box: many countries reject inventories that just say 'misc' or 'packed by owner'

Your visa or residence permit, and any customs relief form United States requires

Two Options

Door to Airport or Door to Door

Door to airport (CFR): recommended

Includes collection, customs clearance in South Africa, airline handling in South Africa and transport to the destination airport. You clear it and collect it at the destination.
Excludes destination clearance, depot or terminal charges at the destination, storage and examination fees if stopped, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Door to door (DAP)

Available to some countries only, and much more expensive. Includes collection, delivery to your door abroad, customs clearance in South Africa and at the destination, airline handling and all transport fees.
Excludes storage and examination fees if customs stops the shipment, and AMS filing for sea freight to the USA.

Our tip: save by clearing it yourself

Door to airport is by far the cheaper option. You pay the airline handling fee at the destination, process customs yourself with your passport and the inventory, and collect your baggage at the airport. Ask us for both prices and we will tell you what the destination's customs office will ask for.

Customs rules change. We confirm the current requirements for United States when we quote.

Questions

Shipping Luggage to the USA: Questions

Tap a question to open the answer. For anything else, WhatsApp us.

Do I need to be in the USA for clearance?

Usually yes, with your passport and visa, or a broker clears it on your behalf.

Can students ship their belongings?

Yes. Students on study visas commonly ship personal effects for their own use.

How long does it take?

Air takes days to a couple of weeks; sea takes several weeks or more.

Collection

We Collect Across South Africa

More Destinations

Other Country Guides

Sending Luggage to the USA?

WhatsApp 068 058 2700 with the number of pieces and your destination city.