Atlantic Forwarding SA

16/10/2026

Air or sea? The answer is rarely just about speed.

Air freight gets your cargo there faster, but you pay for it. Sea freight costs less, but only works if you plan ahead.

The right choice depends on what you are shipping, how urgently you need it and what a delay would cost your business.

Some importers split the difference: urgent stock by air, the rest by sea.

Which do you use most for your imports, and why? Tell us in the comments.

Not sure which suits your next shipment? Send us a message and we will help you weigh it up.

12/10/2026

One wrong tariff code can cost more than the freight.

Every product imported into South Africa is classified under a tariff code, and that code decides the duty you pay.

Get it wrong and you either overpay on duty, or underpay and face penalties later. Either way, your shipment can be held while it is sorted out.

The three checks above take minutes. Fixing a wrong code after arrival takes far longer.

Save this for your next order.
Not sure how your products are classified? Send us a message and we will help.

09/10/2026

Most storage bills start with paperwork, not with the port.

A missing invoice detail or a late document can hold a container for days. The charges keep running while everyone waits.

The three checks above take a few minutes. A week of storage costs far more.
Save this for your next shipment.

Importing soon? Send us a message and we will talk you through it.

07/08/2026

21/07/2026

Stopped at the border. Vehicle impounded. Cargo going nowhere.

That is the new reality for anyone crossing into South Africa without declaring first.

Since 1 June 2026, every foreign registered vehicle must be declared online through the SARS TMS before it reaches the border. The old SACU exemption is gone. That includes Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.

The fix is simple. Declare in advance, get your permit, keep moving.

Crossing soon? Send us a message before you do.

09/07/2026

Your container can land in Cape Town and still sit there.

SARS wants 7 documents before anything clears. Miss one and your cargo waits, your costs climb, and nobody at the port is in a hurry to help.

Most people worry about the invoice or the Bill of Lading. The one that actually catches first time importers is on slide 6, and you cannot backdate it once goods are moving.

Swipe through all 7, then tell us in the comments which one has held you up before. It is more common than any importer admits.

25/06/2026

Warehouse in action 📦

Loading, offloading, checking, prepping. Every box has a destination and every shipment has a deadline. This is what moving cargo really looks like.

23/06/2026

Michelle Christian and I had a great time attending The Africa Food Show, where we had the opportunity to catch up with many of our customers who import food products into South Africa. As a company that specialises in food imports, it was great to connect face-to-face, strengthen relationships, and...

23/06/2026

Atlantic Forwarding SA PTY (Ltd) is looking for experienced, self-motivated sales people in the freight forwarding and logistics industry. This is NOT a salaried position and it is NOT a traditional job opportunity. Please read this post carefully before applying. We're creating opportunities for in...

23/06/2026

Atlantic Forwarding would like to officially welcome Cameron Dickinson to the team. Cameron joins us as the Business Development Representative and will be working alongside Andrew Roberts and Michelle Christian to assist clients with their freight, logistics, and sales-related enquiries. You can re...