Cost Reference
Demurrage Rates at Cape Town Container Terminal
The Port of Cape Town is South Africa's second-largest container port and the primary gateway for imports into the Western Cape. Demurrage charges at Cape Town accrue from the first day a container is detained by SARS Customs. The rates are comparable to Durban — at Maersk's published rate of ZAR 6,693 per day, a 10-day detention costs more than ZAR 66,000.
Cape Town Container Terminal
South Africa's Second-Largest Container Port
The Port of Cape Town, operated by Transnet Port Terminals, is South Africa's second-largest container port and the primary gateway for container imports into the Western Cape. It handles approximately 800,000 TEUs per year and is a significant port for imports from Europe, South America, and the Far East.
Cape Town is also a port of call for many shipping lines that serve the South Africa trade lane, making it a common point of entry for regulated goods. Importers who ship to Cape Town should be aware of the demurrage rates and the financial consequences of detention.
Demurrage Rates
What Shipping Lines Charge at Cape Town
Demurrage rates at Cape Town are comparable to those at Durban. Maersk's published demurrage rate for South African ports (which applies to both Durban and Cape Town) is ZAR 6,693 per day for a standard 20-foot container (as of 2026). Other major shipping lines have similar rates.
As at Durban, demurrage rates at Cape Town are tiered — the daily rate typically increases after the first few days of detention. A container detained for 30 days may incur demurrage charges significantly higher than ZAR 6,693 × 30 because of the tiered rate structure.
Demurrage charges accrue from the moment the shipping line's free time expires. When SARS Customs detains a container, the free time clock continues to run, and demurrage charges accrue regardless of the reason for detention.
Storage Charges
Transnet Port Terminals Fees
In addition to shipping line demurrage, detained containers at Cape Town incur storage charges from Transnet Port Terminals. These charges accrue separately from shipping line demurrage and are the importer's responsibility.
The combination of shipping line demurrage and port storage charges means that the total daily cost of detention at Cape Town can significantly exceed the shipping line's published demurrage rate. Importers should obtain current storage charge rates from Transnet Port Terminals when estimating the total cost of a potential detention.
The Financial Case for Compliance
Why Compliance Is Cheaper Than Detention
At ZAR 6,693 per day in shipping line demurrage alone, a 10-day detention at Cape Town costs ZAR 66,930. Adding port storage charges, the total cost of a 10-day detention can exceed ZAR 80,000–100,000 for a single 20-foot container.
The CoC Vault minting fee is 2% of CIF value for shipments up to R1 million. For a R500,000 shipment, the minting fee is R10,000 — equivalent to less than two days of demurrage. The financial case for compliance is clear.
Importers who ship to Cape Town should ensure that PVoC CoCs are obtained before goods are shipped and that the verification URL is available to their clearing agent before the SAD 500 is submitted.
What are the demurrage rates at Cape Town?
Maersk's published demurrage rate for South African ports is ZAR 6,693 per day for a standard 20-foot container (as of 2026). This rate applies to both Durban and Cape Town. Storage charges from Transnet Port Terminals accrue separately.
Are Cape Town demurrage rates different from Durban?
Major shipping lines typically apply the same demurrage rates to all South African ports. Maersk's published rate of ZAR 6,693/day applies to both Durban and Cape Town.
How quickly do demurrage charges accumulate at Cape Town?
Demurrage charges accrue from the first day of detention. At ZAR 6,693 per day, a 10-day detention costs ZAR 66,930 in shipping line demurrage alone, before port storage charges.
Are demurrage charges the importer's responsibility?
Yes. Demurrage charges are the importer's responsibility. The shipping line will not waive demurrage charges because the goods were detained by SARS Customs.
When does PVoC enforcement become mandatory?
20 September 2026. From that date, SARS Customs will check for valid PVoC CoCs on all regulated goods at Cape Town and all other ports.
Continue Learning
Cape Town Demurrage Costs More Than PVoC Compliance
At ZAR 6,693+/day, a 10-day detention at Cape Town costs more than the minting fee for most shipments. Obtain your PVoC CoC and create your CoC Vault record before 20 September 2026.
Sources: Government Gazette No. 54374 (20 March 2026); Standards Act 8 of 2008; Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964. Last verified: 3 May 2026. certificatesofconformity.co.za is an independent reference publication operated by LinkDaddy LLC, a Florida-registered US entity. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the SABS, NRCS, SARS, or any agency of the Government of South Africa.