FAQs

Customer. I would like to ship my car to South Africa, do you handle that?

Oakbridge. What car is it you wish to ship? Is it a saloon car or a 4 x 4 vehicle?

C. It is a saloon car a Peugeot 406

O. Where in South Africa did you want to ship it?

C. I am not sure but I live in Johannesburg

O. Well there is a sailing to Durban where you can collect your car from.

C. Okay that’s fine, does it go in a container?

O. No, the sailing to Durban is a Roll-on, Roll-off vessel. That means the car is driven on and off using it’s own power at the docks.

C. Is that the cheapest way of doing it?

O. Yes it is, we can load your car into a container at our warehouse but it works out more expensive as you pay the freight for the container plus loading costs and the transport of the container to and from the dock.

C. Do most people ship Roll-on, Roll-off then?

O. Yes, although a prestige car with a high value would most likely be loaded into a container for extra security.

C. How long will it take? And how often are the sailing’s?

A. There is a sailing every 3 weeks from Tilbury and a different shipping line from Southampton which is every 10 days. The port to port transit time is 21 days, you should allow for delivery about 3 days before she sails and collection in Durban a couple of days after customs clearance.

C. Customs clearance! do I do that!

A. You arrange an agent to clear it for you, its quite straight forward. We can recommend a couple for you if you wish, although the local yellow pages will advertise a lot for you, once you are there you can source one.

C. Do I need to be there, in South Africa once it arrives?

O. Not necessarily, you can consign the car to somebody else, if they are the importer or to family or friends to act for you if you will not be there upon the car’s arrival.

C. Do you collect the car, or do I have to deliver to the docks?

O. Whichever you prefer. If you deliver it is cheaper, we attend to all the paperwork and give you explicit details of where to OR we collect from you on our road trailer, there is a charge depending on where it has to be collected from.

C. Can you quote me for collection from Cambridge and if I deliver?

O. Sure no problem, just give me your name and contact details and I will fax or e-mail a firm price to you.

Vehicle export/import guide

Export Certificate
In most cases you will be taking your vehicle abroad for longer than 12 months.

This is classed as a permanent export and as such you should complete the V5 registration document to show the intended date of export.

We can normally ship a vehicle without an export certificate, however your certificate

will reduce the chance any delays by clarifying to UK Customs and Excise the correct ownership of your vehicle.
This should then be returned to your local VRO or to the DVLC. In its place you will receive a Certificate Of Export V561 as confirmation of your vehicles registration. For further details see the website at DVLA.

Vehicle Registration Offices
There are local Vehicle Registration Offices throughout the UK. You can apply in person to these offices and will normally be issued an Export Certificate over the counter, provided you are the registered keeper and can produce your V5 registration document. These offices are usually open to the public from 0900 hrs to 1600 hrs. Monday to Friday. Click on the link for details of your local VRO offices. DVLA

HPI Credit Checks
Without an Export Certificate, UK customs may decide to check on any outstanding finance owed, especially if it is a new or high value vehicle. This is commonly known as an HPI check and will confirm that no finance is due on the car. You can also check this yourself with HPI Ltd.
In the event that outstanding finance is due, you may still be able to ship your vehicle providing you can get written approval from the credit or loan company.

Duty and Taxes
We can ship your vehicle anywhere! However please bear in mind that you may be liable to pay import duties once your vehicle has arrived at the destination port.

Whilst Oakbridge can arrange for the necessary import clearance documentation, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully conversant with import regulations and requirements.

We have no control over any charges incurred by customs authorities overseas. They may charge duties and taxes at their discretion.