Heavy courier by air, for less than couriers charge by road.

We collect anything from 35 kg at your door, fly it on scheduled domestic airline cargo and deliver it to the door at the other end. Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

Road courier, Port Elizabeth to JohannesburgR6 8003–5 days by road
By air with us, same shipmentNext dayAt a fraction of the price

A real road-courier quote we were given. Air transit is typically next day; we confirm timing on every quote.

ShipmentUF-24817
In the air
PLZ KorstenJNB Midrand
  1. Collected, Korsten
  2. Lodged at PLZ cargo
  3. Departed PLZ
  4. Landed JNB
  5. Out for delivery
  6. Delivered, Midrand
Weight186 kg
Pieces2 crates
QuotePaid

Example shipment

Two trucks and a flight. One quote.

Scroll to follow a 186 kg crate from a workshop in Port Elizabeth to a client in Midrand.

Your door Port Elizabeth PLZ Cargo terminal JNB Cargo terminal Their door Midrand UPLIFT UPLIFT
Shipment UF-24817 Weight 186 kgElapsed 00:00 Booked
  1. 1

    We collect at your door

    A local truck picks up once the quote is paid. Pallets, crates or loose pieces.

  2. 2

    Lodged at the cargo terminal

    Weighed, documented and handed to the airline cargo desk before cut-off.

  3. 3

    Flown on airline cargo

    Your freight rides in the hold of a scheduled domestic flight. Hours, not days.

  4. 4

    Delivered to their door

    A partner truck collects at the destination terminal and delivers to the receiver.

Know where it is at every handover.

You get an update when it's collected, lodged, airborne, landed, out for delivery and delivered.

Lane boardExample shipments
ShipmentLaneWeightStatus

Four cities. Twelve lanes.

Collection and delivery across each metro. The long haul goes by air, so the distance stops mattering.

  • JNBJohannesburg and PretoriaO.R. Tambo International
  • CPTCape TownCape Town International
  • DURDurbanKing Shaka International
  • PLZPort Elizabeth (Gqeberha)Chief Dawid Stuurman International

The road kilometres you skip

JNBCPTDURPLZ
JNB–1 4005701 050
CPT1 400–1 640760
DUR5701 640–900
PLZ1 050760900–
Approximate road distances. By air, each lane is a flight of roughly one to two hours.

Built for heavy, awkward and urgent.

If it weighs 35 kg or more and needs to cross the country quickly, it belongs on a plane. See business freight and personal courier.

Auto and machine parts

40–300 kg

Gearboxes, cylinder heads, hydraulic units and breakdown spares.

Industrial equipment

50–500 kg

Pumps, motors, compressors and control panels for sites that can't wait.

Retail and online stock

35–400 kg

Replenishment cartons and launch stock between regional warehouses.

Event and AV gear

35–250 kg

Lighting, sound and staging cases that must land before load-in.

Medical and lab equipment

35–200 kg

Diagnostic machines and instruments, packed and handled with care.

Batteries, liquids, gas

Ask first

Dangerous goods need airline approval before we can book them. Tell us up front.

Heavy courier routes between the four metros.

Every route runs in both directions, door to door, for shipments from 35 kg. Pick a route for collection areas, timing and FAQs.

Tell us what you’re sending.

Add the number of pieces, the weight and the size of each piece. We use these to work out your fixed door-to-door price.

Shipment details

Enter the size and weight of one piece. We confirm everything at collection.

Pieces2
Total weight120 kg

Request a quote

  • One fixed quote. Both trucks and the flight in a single price, confirmed before anything moves.
  • Paid upfront. Pay the quote and we book the collection. No accounts, no surprise invoices.
  • Updates at every handover. Collection, terminal, landing and delivery.
PLZ to JNB2 pieces, 120 kg

Prefer to chat? WhatsApp 066 374 3636 or email quotes@upliftfreight.co.za.

Questions about sending heavy freight by air

How much does it cost to courier heavy items from Johannesburg to Cape Town?

It depends on the weight and size of each piece, the number of pieces and the collection and delivery suburbs. We send one fixed price that covers collection, the flight and delivery. Road couriers often quote thousands of rand for heavy items on this route; flying it is usually a fraction of that, and much faster.

How do I send a heavy parcel or freight by air in South Africa?

Tell us the route, the weight and size of each piece and when it will be ready. We send a fixed quote. Once it's paid, a local truck collects from your door, we lodge it at the airline cargo terminal, it flies on a scheduled domestic flight, and a partner truck delivers it to the receiver.

What is the minimum weight you accept?

35 kg per shipment. For smaller parcels a regular courier will usually be cheaper.

How is air freight charged per kg?

The price depends on the route, the weight and size of each piece, and the collection and delivery suburbs. Large, light items can cost more than their weight alone suggests, so send the measurements too. We reply with one fixed price that covers everything.

How long does air freight take between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth?

The flights take roughly one to two hours. Door to door, most shipments are delivered the next day; we confirm the timing on every quote.

Is this airport-to-airport or door-to-door?

Door to door. We handle the collection truck, the airline cargo booking and the delivery truck, so you never have to drive to the airport.

Can you send batteries, liquids or gas cylinders?

Dangerous goods need airline approval before they can fly, and some can't fly at all. Tell us exactly what's in the shipment when you ask for a quote and we'll tell you straight whether it can go.

Do you offer credit accounts?

No. Every shipment is paid upfront once you accept the quote. That keeps our prices low and there are no surprise invoices later.

Moving something heavy between cities?

Tell us what's going where and we'll come back with one fixed price for every leg.

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