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!!
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
Being an ex South African and going over annually, hopefully I can help with a few queries
Personally I would be wary of taking my pride and joy there even to the Cape. Car jacking is rife. I'm pretty sure you'd be able to find a similar car to rent for your stay.
Questions/Answers:
1 - It depends on whether the car is in it's own container or shared.
2 - Depends on a few things It's knows to take a half container full of house furnishings around 6 weeks (mainly due to budget and space).
3 - Unlikely as many cars are shipped world wide without any problems. Make sure you have relavent insurance. a couple of ships have sunk enroute from japan a few years ago with a large number of cars.
4 - ?
5 - Don't know how,where etc... but you can expect it to cost a fair bit due to the crime rate etc...
6 - 93 and 95 ron are the norm as far as I can remember at regular filling stations. I think you can get lower grades but not higher - 95 seems more readily available at coastal locations. Octane booster should be available.
7 - Probably. But you do see a few supercars on the roads. I'd imagine they would all have "state of the art" security systems that are supported in the country.
8 - Not really although I'd imagine you would need a thesis of paper work to proove the car is not going to be sold in the country and proof of it returning to the UK.
9 - Rent a similar spec car there? It would probably be more cost efective and safer in the long run. Obviously it won't quite be the same, but I wouldn't risk taking my own pride and joy.
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
Being an ex South African and going over annually, hopefully I can help with a few queries
Personally I would be wary of taking my pride and joy there even to the Cape. Car jacking is rife. I'm pretty sure you'd be able to find a similar car to rent for your stay.
Questions/Answers:
1 - It depends on whether the car is in it's own container or shared.
2 - Depends on a few things It's knows to take a half container full of house furnishings around 6 weeks (mainly due to budget and space).
3 - Unlikely as many cars are shipped world wide without any problems. Make sure you have relavent insurance. a couple of ships have sunk enroute from japan a few years ago with a large number of cars.
4 - ?
5 - Don't know how,where etc... but you can expect it to cost a fair bit due to the crime rate etc...
6 - 93 and 95 ron are the norm as far as I can remember at regular filling stations. I think you can get lower grades but not higher - 95 seems more readily available at coastal locations. Octane booster should be available.
7 - Probably. But you do see a few supercars on the roads. I'd imagine they would all have "state of the art" security systems that are supported in the country.
8 - Not really although I'd imagine you would need a thesis of paper work to proove the car is not going to be sold in the country and proof of it returning to the UK.
9 - Rent a similar spec car there? It would probably be more cost efective and safer in the long run. Obviously it won't quite be the same, but I wouldn't risk taking my own pride and joy.
Good idea taking your car out there. There are cracking roads for driving and amzing scenery but you must watch for animals on the road and overtaking minibus taxis that will usually be on the wrongside of the road overtaking everything in site!
I doubt you'll be a hijack target as it's usually mercs, bmw, golf etc that hijacked to order but you just never know over there! I would suggest that you go in a two or more car convoy in case of breakdowns, accidents, flat tyres etc.
There is a very active Porsche club down there that you might want to contact. I only know because I have seen some of the meets. Don't know there web address but I am sure a google search will come up with something
I doubt you'll be a hijack target as it's usually mercs, bmw, golf etc that hijacked to order but you just never know over there! I would suggest that you go in a two or more car convoy in case of breakdowns, accidents, flat tyres etc.
There is a very active Porsche club down there that you might want to contact. I only know because I have seen some of the meets. Don't know there web address but I am sure a google search will come up with something
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