General Cargo Transport
Point to point, full or part load, priced on the vehicle and the distance.
Per km, half-ton, from
Ton maximum vehicle
Provinces covered
Insured in transit
General cargo transport is the simplest shape of freight work: one pickup, one delivery, a full or part load. No multi-drop sequencing, no parcel network, no consolidation hub — the goods go on a vehicle and that vehicle takes them where they are going.
Because the shape is simple, the pricing is too. Under 200 km it is a call-out plus a rate per kilometre. Beyond that it is the distance multiplied by the vehicle rate. Both are published below, so you can size the job yourself before you call.
Full load or part load
A full load means the vehicle carries your goods only and travels direct. A part load means you pay for the space you use and the vehicle carries other consignments on the same run, which is materially cheaper but comes with a delivery window rather than a fixed time. The trade is the same one that governs shared versus dedicated on our removals work: flexibility for cost.
What we carry
Palletised stock, machinery and equipment, building and hardware supplies, furniture and fittings, retail goods, exhibition and event kit, office and IT hardware, and general commercial freight. Loads can be palletised, crated, boxed or loose — loose goods simply take longer to secure properly, which we build into the time rather than treating as a surprise.
Loading, securing and the part that goes wrong
Most cargo damage happens because a load moved, and loads move because they were not secured for the distance. A part load on a 1,400 km run behaves very differently from the same goods travelling 30 km across town. We strap, block and brace to the distance being travelled rather than to a standard, and we would rather spend twenty minutes securing than deliver something that shifted through the Karoo.
Choosing the right vehicle
Getting the vehicle size right is most of the cost decision. A half-ton takes a pallet or two and suits samples, single machines or small consignments. A 1-ton handles roughly six standard pallets. A 4-ton covers most part loads and retail consignments. An 8-ton takes a genuine full load of palletised stock, and a 12-ton is for high-volume freight. Undersizing means two trips and two charges; oversizing means paying for air. Send us the pallet count, the dimensions or a photo of the staged load and we will size it for you.
Flexible dates cut the price
A cargo movement that is not tied to a specific day is the cheapest freight we carry. Month-end is when our removals work peaks and vehicles are committed; mid-month they are not. If your load can travel any time in a given week rather than on a named date, say so when you request the quote — it changes the number materially, and on a long route it changes it a lot.
Cargo we cannot legally carry
We are a furniture and general freight operator, not a dangerous-goods carrier. That means no hazardous or dangerous goods, flammables, gas cylinders, explosives, corrosives or agricultural chemicals, no livestock, and no perishables that need refrigerated transport. Unaccompanied high-value cargo such as cash, bullion or precious stones also falls outside what we carry. Ask before booking if your load is borderline.
We offer the following value to our clients
Our reasonable rates, careful and personalised service and track record of satisfied customers have made us the ideal choice
for many South African households and businesses needing help with any size and type of move.
Local transport rates (200 km or less)
Local work is priced as a call-out plus a rate per kilometre, by vehicle size:
| Vehicle | Typical load | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| ½ Ton | Parcels, small pallets, single items | R390 + R9/km |
| 1 Ton | Up to about 6 standard pallets | R590 + R12/km |
| 4 Ton | Part loads, retail deliveries | R1,590 + R17/km |
| 8 Ton | Full loads, bulk stock | R2,590 + R23/km |
| 12 Ton | Large volume, palletised freight | R5,590 + R35/km |
Indicative, excluding VAT. Mid-month bookings are discounted — see below.
Interprovincial transport rates
Beyond 200 km the price is the distance multiplied by the vehicle rate, with no separate call-out:
| Vehicle | Per km | Johannesburg – Durban (580 km) | Johannesburg – Cape Town (1,400 km) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ Ton | R9 | R5,220 | R12,600 |
| 1 Ton | R12 | R6,960 | R16,800 |
| 4 Ton | R16 | R9,280 | R22,400 |
| 8 Ton | R25 | R14,500 | R35,000 |
| 12 Ton | R35 | R20,300 | R49,000 |
Indicative, excluding VAT. Other routes are priced the same way — Polokwane 310 km, Nelspruit 330 km, Bloemfontein 430 km, Gqeberha 1,100 km.
Our other logistics services
- Distribution Services — One collection, many drops, with proof of delivery at each
- Bulk Courier Services — Priced on weight or volume, for goods a parcel network will not take
- Special Delivery Services — retail and supplier delivery with placement in the room
Not sure which fits? Start at transport and logistics.
We also offer additional relocation services across South Africa
Small Load Movers
Moving a few items rather than a whole home. A single fridge, a bedroom of furniture, a student move or one delicate piece. You pay for the space your goods actually occupy rather than for a whole vehicle, which is what makes it affordable.
Home Furniture Movers
Full household removals handled by trained, permanent crews. Packing, wrapping, dismantling and reassembly, loading and offloading, all on our own branded fleet with Goods in Transit cover on every job.
Office Movers
Corporate and SME relocations planned around your downtime, including IT equipment and servers with anti-static handling. We work after hours and over weekends so your business keeps running.
Long Distance Moves
Interprovincial removals to every major centre in South Africa, on shared or dedicated loads. Shared loads cost materially less because you only pay for your share of the vehicle.
Packing Services
Full or partial packing with proper double-walled cartons, bubble wrap, blankets and anti-static materials for electronics. Everything we pack ourselves is covered.
Special Moves
Pianos, safes, artwork, antiques, gym equipment and oversized items that need extra hands, proper equipment and a crew that has moved them before.
How a transport booking works
From the first call to proof of delivery.
Request a Quote
Submit your move details using our calculator or inventory checklist.
Moving Assessment
Our team evaluates the size and requirements of your move.
Planning & Scheduling
We schedule the move and allocate the appropriate truck and crew.
Packing & Loading
Furniture is carefully wrapped and securely loaded onto the truck.
Safe Transport
Your items are transported safely to the destination.
Delivery & Offloading
We unload and position your furniture at your new location.
General Cargo Transport — frequently asked questions
On the published rate, a 1-ton vehicle over the 1,400 km is around R16,800, a 4-ton about R22,400 and an 8-ton about R35,000, excluding VAT. Other routes work the same way — distance multiplied by the vehicle rate.
A full load travels direct with your goods only, on your dates. A part load shares the vehicle with other consignments, so you pay for the space you use and accept a delivery window instead of a fixed time. Part loads are considerably cheaper.
No. We carry palletised, crated, boxed and loose goods. Loose loads take longer to secure properly, which we allow for in the time rather than treating as an extra.
Yes, under Goods in Transit cover as standard. Declare unusually valuable items before collection so cover is agreed upfront.
Usually yes, and for commercial premises it is often easier. Tell us the access windows at both ends when you book and we will schedule around them.
Vehicles need dedicated transport rather than a cargo truck — see our vehicle transportation service.
What our customers say
Verified Google reviews — 4.8 average across 91 reviews. Read our reviews.