China
South AfricaFreight rates from Shanghai to Cape Town.
FCL, LCL and air freight. Containers: 20GP, 40GP, 40HC from Shanghai (CNSHA) to Cape Town (ZACPT), 28 to 45 days in transit. Prices as of 28 Oct 2026, with their source. Run a live search for a price you can book.
Live rates Shanghai to Cape Town
Checks carriers and forwarders connected to Navo at the moment you search.
LCL, air or other cargo types: open Navo Rates.
Container shipping cost Shanghai to Cape Town
Ocean freight per container in USD. Carrier prices are port to port before local charges; live quotes keep the terms the provider quoted. Reference prices with date and source, not an offer.
| Container | Source | From | Median | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20GP | Navo Rates | $3,820 | $6,099 | 20 sailings, updated 28 Oct 2026 |
| 40GP | Navo Rates | $5,310 | $7,965 | 20 sailings, updated 28 Oct 2026 |
| 40HC | Navo Rates | $5,310 | $7,965 | 20 sailings, updated 28 Oct 2026 |
Source: Navo Rates, 20 priced sailings updated 14 Oct 2026 to 28 Oct 2026. Page built 11 Nov 2026.
Freight rates from Shanghai to Cape Town by shipping type
Lowest price we hold on this lane, in USD. Source: Navo Rates. Reference prices, not an offer: run a live search for a price you can book.
Other shipping types
- FTLFull truck load
- LTLLess than truck load
- BulkDry bulk and break bulk
- RoRoVehicles and rolling cargo
- Rail freightContainers and wagons by rail
Estimates: Navo Rates formula from comparable lanes, distance and fuel prices (VLSFO $816.5 per tonne, 2026-11-11), USD. Indicative, not bookable: request a rate on Navo Mesh or run a live search.
Road, bulk, RoRo and rail prices depend on cargo, weight and dates: open a live search or request rates on Navo Mesh below.
Cheapest upcoming sailings Shanghai to Cape Town
Carrier list prices on scheduled departures. Space and the final price are confirmed when you book.
| Carrier | Departs | Arrives | Transit | 20GP | 40GP | 40HC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 ZIMCosco Wellington · SA1 | 16 Nov 2026 | 7 Dec 2026 | 38 d · via | $3,820 | $5,310 | $5,310 |
 OOCLSunny Phoenix · SAF2 | 12 Nov 2026 | 13 Dec 2026 | 31 d | $5,020 | $6,225 | $6,225 |
 MSC | 16 Nov 2026 | 17 Dec 2026 | 31 d | $6,375 | $7,250 | $7,250 |
 ONE | 13 Nov 2026 | 13 Dec 2026 | 30 d | $6,190 | $7,365 | $7,365 |
| OOCL | 13 Nov 2026 | 23 Dec 2026 | 40 d | $5,100 | $7,400 | $7,400 |
| OOCL | 20 Nov 2026 | 30 Dec 2026 | 40 d | $5,100 | $7,400 | $7,400 |
 PIL | 13 Nov 2026 | 13 Dec 2026 | 30 d · via | $4,817 | $7,617 | $7,617 |
| PIL | 20 Nov 2026 | 20 Dec 2026 | 30 d · via | $4,817 | $7,617 | $7,617 |
Shipping lines from Shanghai to Cape Town
6 carriers with priced sailings or quotes on this lane, lowest price per container.
Container shipping cost from Shanghai to Cape Town
Shipping a container from Shanghai to Cape Town starts at $3,820 for a 20GP, $5,310 for a 40GP and $5,310 for a 40HC in the prices we hold for this lane.
The median 40ft price over 20 sailings is $7,965; the cheapest is $5,310 and the dearest $10,924. Compare sailings before you book, the gap is $5,614 per box.
Carrier prices are ocean freight, port to port, before origin and destination terminal handling, documentation, customs and any trucking.
Shipping from Shanghai to Cape Town
20 sailings from Shanghai to Cape Town carry a published price between 12 Nov 2026 and 7 Dec 2026.
Scheduled transit is 28 to 45 days port to port; 10 of the 20 sailings are direct, the rest tranship.
Carriers on the lane: CMA CGM, MSC, ONE, OOCL, PIL and ZIM.
By sea Shanghai to Cape Town is 7,752 nautical miles via Cape of Good Hope and Sunda Strait, about 23.1 days of pure steaming at 14 knots. Liner services take longer because they call at other ports on the way.
Freight rates from Shanghai to Cape Town: where the numbers come from
Prices come from Navo Rates: sailings with a published price, updated between 14 Oct 2026 and 28 Oct 2026. Each figure is a list price for one sailing, not an offer: availability and the final price are confirmed when you request a quote.
For a price you can book today, run a live search for Shanghai to Cape Town above: it asks the carriers and forwarders connected to Navo at the moment you search.
FAQ
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai to Cape Town?
The lowest price we hold for Shanghai to Cape Town is $3,820 per 20GP, $5,310 per 40GP and $5,310 per 40HC. Carrier prices are port to port, before local charges. Prices change every week; run a live search for today's rates.
How long does shipping from Shanghai to Cape Town take?
Carriers schedule 28 to 45 days port to port on this lane. The sea distance is 7,752 nm, about 23.1 days at 14 knots without port calls.
Which shipping lines sail from Shanghai to Cape Town?
CMA CGM, MSC, ONE, OOCL, PIL and ZIM have priced sailings or quotes on this lane.
Can I book these freight rates?
No, they are reference prices from Navo Rates with their date. To book, run a live search or request a quote: the price you get there is confirmed by the carrier or forwarder.
What is included in the price?
Carrier prices cover ocean freight for one container, port to port. Terminal handling, documentation, customs clearance, inland transport and insurance are extra unless a live quote says it includes them.
More freight rates from Shanghai
- Shanghai to
Hamburg40HC from$1,944 - Shanghai to
New York40HC from$6,800 - Shanghai to
Rotterdam40HC from$2,416 - Shanghai to
Manzanillo40HC from$4,300 - Shanghai to
Sydney40HC from$4,330 - Shanghai to Houston40HC from$8,457
- Shanghai to Los Angeles40HC from$6,548
- Shanghai to
Singapore40HC from$1,530
More freight rates to Cape Town
Hong Kong to Cape Town40HC from$7,680- Ningbo to Cape Town40HC from$5,310
- Qingdao to Cape Town40HC from$7,900
All lanes: freight rates by country, China to South Africa, from China, to South Africa. Distance and transit: Shanghai to Cape Town shipping route. Other references: Shipping Routes Directory, Carrier Directory.
Request freight rates from Shanghai to Cape Town
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