Shipping my car to South Africa for holiday. Insanity?
Discussion
This could be madness on multiple fronts, which is why I’m looking for some advice.
The idea: I own one of the best sports cars of all time (993RS). South Africa (Cape region) has some awesome driving roads. I fancy combining them by shipping the RS from the UK to the Cape for a driving holiday.
I think a bunch of Jaguar guys did this a few years ago, I know the Bentley owners club are forever shipping their cars all over the World in search of adventure and surely there is someone on this site that has also done this and can answer the following questions – or point me in the right direction.
The questions:
1. Approximate cost of a return journey for the car
2. How long does the shipping take
3. Likelihood of damage to the car in transit
4. Does petrol AND oil need draining from the car for shipping. Anything else need doing
5. How do you get insurance for the car while in South Africa
6. Can you get 98RON unleaded fuel in SA. If not, what is available
7. Is a car like this going to be a target for car-jacking or other criminal nonsense
8. Customs issues/taxes relating to bringing the car in and taking it out
9. Anything else I’ve not thought about
Bit eccentric I know, and I don’t expect it to be easy, but I like a challenge. Any help gratefully received.
Many thanks!!
The idea: I own one of the best sports cars of all time (993RS). South Africa (Cape region) has some awesome driving roads. I fancy combining them by shipping the RS from the UK to the Cape for a driving holiday.
I think a bunch of Jaguar guys did this a few years ago, I know the Bentley owners club are forever shipping their cars all over the World in search of adventure and surely there is someone on this site that has also done this and can answer the following questions – or point me in the right direction.
The questions:
1. Approximate cost of a return journey for the car
2. How long does the shipping take
3. Likelihood of damage to the car in transit
4. Does petrol AND oil need draining from the car for shipping. Anything else need doing
5. How do you get insurance for the car while in South Africa
6. Can you get 98RON unleaded fuel in SA. If not, what is available
7. Is a car like this going to be a target for car-jacking or other criminal nonsense
8. Customs issues/taxes relating to bringing the car in and taking it out
9. Anything else I’ve not thought about
Bit eccentric I know, and I don’t expect it to be easy, but I like a challenge. Any help gratefully received.
Many thanks!!
Hi there. I live in South Africa and you're right. There are some fantastic roads in the Cape.
I can't help with all your questions, but I can answer a couple. You will need to obtain a Carnet to temporarily import your car into the country. Here is a link to the relevant information : www.aa.co.za/Travel+and+Routes/Travel+into+Africa/Carnet+de+Passage.htm
On the fuel issue the highest octane available in SA is 95. It is readily available and of good quality so you should have no problems with your RS. My Noble M400 and a lot of other high-performance cars run on it quite happily.
While there is a fair amount of vehicle related crime in SA, theft or hi-jacking of exotic cars is very, very rare. This is because this crime is motivated by poverty and these cars are very difficult to sell on. I daresay you'd be safer in your RS than in a rental Toyota Corolla.
Vandalism, motivated by jealousy or whatever is also virtually unheard of here.
Porsche Centre also have a top-notch facility in Cape Town should you find yourself in need of any technical assistance.
Hope this helps.
Michael
I can't help with all your questions, but I can answer a couple. You will need to obtain a Carnet to temporarily import your car into the country. Here is a link to the relevant information : www.aa.co.za/Travel+and+Routes/Travel+into+Africa/Carnet+de+Passage.htm
On the fuel issue the highest octane available in SA is 95. It is readily available and of good quality so you should have no problems with your RS. My Noble M400 and a lot of other high-performance cars run on it quite happily.
While there is a fair amount of vehicle related crime in SA, theft or hi-jacking of exotic cars is very, very rare. This is because this crime is motivated by poverty and these cars are very difficult to sell on. I daresay you'd be safer in your RS than in a rental Toyota Corolla.
Vandalism, motivated by jealousy or whatever is also virtually unheard of here.
Porsche Centre also have a top-notch facility in Cape Town should you find yourself in need of any technical assistance.
Hope this helps.
Michael
Just a thought (though I do love your passionate madness....)
Have you looked at hiring/borrowing a GT3 or similar while in SA? All the South Africans I've met are total petrolheads, have plenty of money, and are extremely hospitable. Plus I'm sure there's hire facilities out there for exotica.
I know, I know. It's not the same as driving your own car. But it could be a lot cheaper.
Then there's another point. Maybe this is one place where an SUV isn't innapropiate? That way, with a Cayenne Turbo, or better still a Merc ML63 AMG, you could simply DRIVE there!? Or a Bowler.......
I'll now hurry off before all sorts gets thrown at me.....!!!
Al
Have you looked at hiring/borrowing a GT3 or similar while in SA? All the South Africans I've met are total petrolheads, have plenty of money, and are extremely hospitable. Plus I'm sure there's hire facilities out there for exotica.
I know, I know. It's not the same as driving your own car. But it could be a lot cheaper.
Then there's another point. Maybe this is one place where an SUV isn't innapropiate? That way, with a Cayenne Turbo, or better still a Merc ML63 AMG, you could simply DRIVE there!? Or a Bowler.......
I'll now hurry off before all sorts gets thrown at me.....!!!
Al
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