Corporate Moving update — South African rail shutdown and Customs operations
South Africa’s rail operator has announced its annual shutdown across key parts of the national rail network. This will affect freight flows between Durban and Johannesburg during November. Customs authorities have also confirmed reduced staffing and shortened operating hours across late December and early January. Together, these measures will influence inbound and outbound Household Goods shipments to and from South Africa.
Rail network shutdown
The national operator will close Single Lines from 18th to 25th of November and the Double Line until thirty November. The shutdown allows for essential maintenance focused on network stability, backup power, and theft prevention. During this period, all train movement between Durban and Johannesburg will be suspended.
Any freight routed through Durban will need alternative arrangements. Santa Fe South Africa can provide updated road-haul rates from the port of entry in Durban to Johannesburg.
Customs operations
Customs will run on skeleton staff from twenty-four December to four January. Normal operations resume on five January. Offices will close at twelve hundred hours on twenty-four and thirty December.
Shipments processed during this window may encounter port storage or demurrage due to limited operational capacity and public holidays.
Who is affected
All inbound and outbound Household Goods shipments linked to South Africa.
Operational background
Shipping lines may adjust port calls to maintain schedule integrity during the rail closure. Some ports may be omitted without advance notice. This may alter the routing of import bookings. Export bookings may also face extended warehouse handling and storage due to provisional stack dates that can shift by seven to ten days.
Date of implementation
Fifteen November two thousand twenty-five.
Santa Fe analysis
We recommend informing relocating employees and corporate clients of potential delays linked to rail suspension and seasonal Customs capacity. Export shipments may not be loaded into containers at residence during this period. This helps mitigate demurrage and port storage exposure.
We will continue to monitor all operational changes and provide the most accurate routing options for your shipments.
Contacts
For clarifications or shipment-specific guidance, please reach out to:
Maryna Swart
Santa Fe Relocation
+27 21 200 4204
maryna.swart@santaferelo.com
Paolo Longo
General Manager, Africa
Santa Fe Relocation
paolo.longo@santaferelo.com
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