East Coast vs. West Coast Ports: Which Is Cheaper for Shipping to South Africa?

When I first looked into shipping a car from the United States to South Africa, I assumed the decision would be simple. Find the nearest port to where the car was located, ship it out, and wait for the call that it had arrived safely in Durban. Easy, right? Well, not exactly. The more I dug into it, the more I realized the choice between East Coast and West Coast ports isn’t just about geography. Costs, sailing times, and even the type of cargo can change the math completely.

I remember talking to a freight forwarder over the phone. He chuckled when I asked if it’s always cheaper from the East Coast since South Africa is on the eastern side of the Atlantic. “Not necessarily,” he said. “Sometimes a car out of Los Angeles can get to Durban quicker than one from New Jersey.” That little twist made me stop and rethink everything I thought I knew about shipping logistics.

So, let’s walk through this properly—comparing East Coast vs. West Coast ports, weighing the costs, and looking at the not-so-obvious factors that matter when sending goods (or cars) to South Africa.

The Big Picture: Geography vs. Shipping Routes

On the surface, the East Coast looks like the natural choice. Major ports like New York/New Jersey, Baltimore, and Savannah sit closer to South Africa across the Atlantic. A straight line on the map makes it feel like a no-brainer.

But shipping isn’t about drawing lines on a globe. It’s about routes, alliances, and where container ships are already headed. Big carriers often run services from West Coast ports like Los Angeles, Oakland, and Long Beach down through the Panama Canal or across the Pacific, looping toward Asia before reaching southern Africa. These indirect routes sometimes surprise first-time shippers because the cost doesn’t always match the distance.

Think of it like air travel. Flying from New York to Johannesburg looks shorter, but if a direct flight isn’t available, you might actually get there faster (and cheaper) with a layover through Europe or the Middle East. Ocean shipping works in a similar way.

East Coast Ports: The Usual Starting Point

For most South African importers, East Coast ports are the default option. Cars, machinery, and general cargo flow heavily from Baltimore, New Jersey, and Savannah. Durban, South Africa’s busiest port, has long-established trade links with these cities.

Baltimore, in particular, has a reputation as a go-to port for cars. I remember a dealer in Johannesburg telling me he prefers Baltimore because roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping—where cars are driven directly onto the vessel—is straightforward and relatively affordable. He claimed his average costs from Baltimore to Durban hovered around $1,200 for a mid-size sedan, not including inland transport.

East Coast ports also tend to have more frequent sailings to South Africa. That means less waiting time, which can make a difference if you’re running a business and need faster turnover.

Downsides of East Coast Shipping

Still, the East Coast isn’t always perfect. For one, U.S. inland transport can be expensive if the vehicle or goods are located on the western side of the country. Imagine buying a used SUV in California but insisting on shipping it through Baltimore. The cost of trucking it cross-country could easily wipe out any savings you might have made on the sea leg.

Another subtle issue is congestion. East Coast ports handle a huge volume of cargo, not just to Africa but globally. At peak times, ships face delays, and containers can sit for days before being loaded.

West Coast Ports: The Surprising Alternative

Now, here’s where things get interesting. West Coast ports aren’t the obvious first choice for South Africa, but they can make sense under certain conditions. Los Angeles and Long Beach, for example, are giant gateways for trans-Pacific trade. Ships leaving there may not head straight to Durban, but through global alliances and transshipment hubs, cargo can be rerouted efficiently.

I spoke once with a Cape Town importer who swore by using Oakland. His reasoning was simple: most of his suppliers were in California, so trucking costs were minimal. Even though the sea journey was technically longer, the all-in cost sometimes came out cheaper.

There’s also the timing factor. Ships from the West Coast often connect through Asian or Middle Eastern ports—Singapore, Dubai, sometimes even Port Klang—before making their way to Durban. While that adds distance, some carriers run faster vessels or offer competitive rates because of heavy trade flows on those routes.

The Catch with West Coast Shipping

The drawback is predictability. Transit times can stretch if transshipment hubs are congested. A car leaving Los Angeles may arrive in Durban in six weeks on a good run, or nine weeks if the connections don’t line up neatly. That uncertainty makes some businesses nervous, especially those working with tight schedules.

Another challenge is fewer direct options. East Coast carriers have a more established presence on Africa trade lanes, while West Coast services often rely on indirect connections. If something goes wrong at the transshipment point, your cargo could sit for weeks.

Cost Breakdown: What Really Matters

So, which coast is cheaper? The unsatisfying but true answer is—it depends. Costs are influenced by more than just mileage. Let’s break down the main components:

Ocean freight: The base cost charged by carriers. East Coast rates to South Africa are often slightly cheaper, but not by a huge margin.

Inland transport: If your goods are closer to California, it’s usually more cost-effective to ship from the West Coast. Hauling a car from Los Angeles to Baltimore by truck could cost $1,000–$1,500 alone.

Port fees: Each port has its own charges for handling, security, and documentation. East Coast ports like New York can be pricier than Savannah or Baltimore.

Transit time: Time is money. If your shipment sits in a hub for an extra three weeks, you may pay higher storage fees on the South African side.

Seasonal demand: Rates spike during peak seasons, like late summer when U.S. exporters rush to ship goods before year-end.

One freight forwarder I worked with once gave me this rule of thumb: “If your cargo is within 500 miles of an East Coast port, go East. If it’s within 500 miles of a West Coast port, run the numbers—you might be surprised.”

Hidden Factors People Forget

Beyond the obvious, there are a few things first-time shippers overlook:

Insurance: Longer routes via the West Coast may mean higher insurance premiums.

Customs paperwork: Some ports are known for smoother processing. Baltimore has a reputation for being more straightforward for vehicles, while Los Angeles can be slower.

Carrier competition: The more carriers running a route, the cheaper it gets. East Coast–South Africa lanes generally have more competition.

Destination port in South Africa: Most cargo goes to Durban, but if you’re shipping to Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, the cost dynamics can change.

Personal Anecdote: A Tale of Two Shipments

Let me share a story that really illustrates the difference. A friend imported two vehicles for his logistics business—one from Georgia and one from California.

The Georgia car shipped from Savannah. Total cost: about $1,400, and it arrived in Durban in just under 30 days. Smooth process.

The California car went out of Los Angeles. Ocean freight itself was slightly higher, but he saved nearly $1,200 by not trucking it across the country. The ship routed through Singapore, and it took almost 55 days before he could collect it. In the end, both cars cost roughly the same, but the Savannah shipment arrived nearly a month earlier.

His takeaway? “If time is your priority, East Coast wins. If money is tight, the West Coast can make sense—just be ready to wait.”

Final Thoughts: Choosing Smart, Not Just Cheap

So, East Coast vs. West Coast—who wins? The honest answer is neither side always wins. It depends on where your cargo starts, how fast you need it, and whether you value predictability over saving a few hundred dollars.

If I had to put it simply: East Coast is usually better for speed and reliability, while West Coast sometimes edges ahead in cost if your goods are already nearby.

When I look back at my cousin’s Corolla shipment through Baltimore, I realize why he didn’t regret spending a little extra on trucking. The car arrived quicker, cleared customs smoothly, and he was driving it in Johannesburg weeks before his friend’s California shipment even reached Durban. That’s the kind of detail you only appreciate once you’ve gone through the process yourself.

Shipping isn’t just about picking the closest port—it’s about balancing all the moving parts. Get that balance right, and your shipment to South Africa will feel less like a gamble and more like a well-planned investment.

Published on: Sep 07, 2025

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