Import European brands to Southern Africa
Whitworth is a Belgian trading house shipping European food, beverage and appliance brands from Antwerp to Southern Africa: Angola, Mozambique and South Africa, as well as Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe or Malawi. Mixed dry and reefer containers, FCL or LCL groupage, FOB Antwerp or CIF destination port, with a freight forwarder available to the port.
How we ship to Southern Africa
Four main ports on the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Average sea transit times are indicative and confirmed with the proforma invoice.
Luanda
Angola. About 20 days from Antwerp.
Durban
South Africa, also serving Johannesburg. About 28 days from Antwerp.
Maputo and Beira
Mozambique: Maputo for the south, Beira for the centre and the corridors to Zimbabwe and Malawi. About 32 days from Antwerp to Maputo.
Mixed container
Dry and reefer goods in the same order. Several brands per container.
FCL or LCL groupage
Full 20 ft or 40 ft container, or LCL groupage for smaller volumes.
FOB Antwerp or CIF destination port
Buy FOB Antwerp with your own forwarder, or CIF with sea freight included.
Freight forwarder available
We can arrange the forwarder and booking to the port of arrival of your choice.
Countries in the region
Angola
Port of arrival: Luanda
about 20 days from Antwerp
Mozambique
Port of arrival: Maputo
about 32 days from Antwerp
South Africa
Port of arrival: Durban
about 28 days from Antwerp
We also serve
- Botswanavia Durban or Walvis Bay
- Eswatinivia Durban or Maputo
- Lesothovia Durban
- MadagascarToamasina
- Malawivia Beira
- MauritiusPort Louis
- NamibiaWalvis Bay
- Zambiavia Durban or Beira
- Zimbabwevia Beira or Durban
Landlocked countries: arrival at a coastal port, then onward transport by road with your forwarder.
Brands available for Southern Africa
Brands in our selection, loaded in Antwerp. Availability and formats per reference are confirmed on the proforma invoice.
Product categories
- Grocery and beverages
- Seasonings and bouillon
- Malt drinks and soft drinks
- Biscuits and confectionery
- Sauces and condiments
- Small appliances
How an order works
Enquiry
Send your product list, volumes and port of arrival. Online or on WhatsApp.
Proforma invoice
We confirm prices, pallets, container fill, Incoterm and payment terms.
Production and consolidation
Goods are sourced, then consolidated and loaded in Antwerp.
Shipping and documents
Sea freight to the port of arrival and export documents sent to you and your clearing agent.
Fill your container
Pick your port of arrival (Luanda, Durban, Maputo or Beira), add products by case or pallet and see how full your 20 ft or 40 ft container is before you ask for a quote.
Questions from importers
Which port should I choose in Southern Africa?
Choose the port closest to your warehouses and customers: Luanda for Angola, Durban for South Africa and neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Lesotho or Eswatini, Maputo for southern Mozambique, Beira for central Mozambique and the corridors to Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi. The port is stated on the proforma invoice.
Can I start with LCL groupage for a first trial order?
Yes. LCL groupage lets you test a few brands and references before moving to a full 20 ft or 40 ft container (FCL). Send your product list and we confirm on the proforma invoice what fits your volume.
Can I mix brands, dry and reefer goods in one shipment?
Yes. Several European and Belgian brands can go in the same container, and mixed dry and reefer shipments are possible. The split is set out on the proforma invoice.
Which documents come with a shipment to Southern Africa?
We provide the shipping documents for each shipment and send them to you and your clearing agent, who handles import formalities in your country. Tell us before loading what your clearing agent needs.
What is the lead time to the port of arrival?
Average sea transit from Antwerp is about 20 days to Luanda and 28 days to Durban. For Maputo, allow about 32 days; for Beira, transit time is given on request. The total lead time also depends on product availability and consolidation in Antwerp. We give you an estimate together with the proforma invoice.
Send your product list and we return a proforma invoice for your container, FOB Antwerp or CIF destination port.