When to expect the arrival of a letter

How long does a letter take to reach its destination when posted locally?

Letters generally take two days within the same town or city to reach their destination, three days between two cities in the same province, and four days between cities in different provinces. It takes ten days for an air-mail item abroad and between two and three months for a surface-mail item to a country abroad.

How long does a letter take to reach its destination when posted overseas?

The timeframe depends on the service that the sender chooses as there are a few options. When posting an item from SA we’ve got ordinary/insured and registered airmail, – surface mail and EMS. Airmail has an estimated delivery time of 10 to 14 working days. Surface mail has an estimated arriving time of 8 weeks to 3 months and EMS  takes between 4 to 7 working days.

My letter or parcel is very urgent! How fast can it get to its destination?

Use our Speed Services option to have your item delivered the next day or, at an extra fee, the same day. Ask at your nearest Post Office or click on Speed Services for more information. Ordinary domestic mail takes 3 to 5 working days to reach the destination post office.

Fastmail

Fastmail is a letter service in South Africa with a one-day delivery standard in  the same city or town, a two-day delivery standard for all other destinations. These standards do not include the day of posting.

What is the standard delivery time for a local registered letter?

The delivery time is 4-7 working days

Where is my mail?

Exactly where is my letter or parcel in the postal system?

All parcels and registered letters can be tracked using their tracking number. Go to our tracking page or call the Customer Services Centre on 0860 111 502. Please contact our Customer Service Centre on customer.services@postoffice.co.za if you cannot find your mail item.

Postcards

What is the standard size of a postcard?

The standard size of a postcard is 10cm high by 15cm wide.

Correct mailing address

What are the dimensions needed to accommodate the mailing address?

There are no specific dimensions, the mailing address must be clearly printed or written on the front of the envelope, left-aligned, starting with Ihe name of the addressee on the first line, the number and street address on the second line, the suburb on the third line, the name of the city on the fourth line, and the correct postal code on the last line. Postal code look-up.The correct postal code is vital. How to correctly address an envelope.

Why is a return address necessary?

To inform the sender that the mail did not reach its destination.

Where must the return address appear?

On the back of the envelope, in the same order as the sender’s address. The correct postal code is vital. Postal code look-up.

Postal Codes

 Are the postcodes arranged according to provinces?

No, they are arranged according to our delivery network.

What is the postal code of a particular area?

Visit our postal code look-up page.
           

How can I obtain the latest post code book?

The post code books are currently  out of print, you may send a SMS to 36245 with  your email address, the SMS costs R5.00 

Postboxes

Where can I obtain  a postbox?

From the Post  Office closest to your place of residence.

How much will it  cost to replace a lost post box key?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

How much does it cost to rent a postbox?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

How much does it cost to rent a private bag?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

 How do I cancel my postbox?

Visit your post office to complete the termination of  service forms and return both keys to obtain a key refund.
           

 Can I pay for my box via EFT?

At this stage only companies and government departments  may pay via EFT.
             

Can I pay for my post box online?

Yes, only  at the Virtual Post Office.
           

Can I apply for a post box online?

Not at this stage, you still need to apply at your local  post office.

How much does it cost?

How much does it  cost to mail a letter?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

How much does it  cost to post a parcel within SA?

Depends on the volumetric size and distance it is travelling.
           

 How much does it cost to post a registered mail item?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

How many stamps do I need?

 How many stamps should I affix on an A4 envelope?

Three standard stamps should be affixed.

Domestic mail          

 How do I track a domestic postal article?

Please make use of the convenient Track and Trace System, available from the front page of our website. You can also  call the Customer Service Centre on 0860 111 502. Please contact our Customer Service Centre on customer.services@postoffice.co.za if you cannot find your mail item.Consider downloading our free app from Google Play store and Apple iTunes to follow your mail item.                  

International mail          

When will I receive my international mail item?

Most international mail items travel by ship and can take 14 weeks to arrive at the destination country. Upon arrival the item will be inspected by the Department of Health first, then by the South African Revenue Service and lastly it will go the SA Post Office for distribution.

How do I track a postal item?

Please make use of the convenient Track and Trace System, available from any page on our website. You can also  call the Customer Service Centre on 0860 111 502. Please contact our Customer Service Centre on customer.services@postoffice.co.za or customer.service@postoffice.co.za if you cannot find your mail item.Consider downloading our free app from Google Play store and Apple iTunes to follow your mail item.            

Why must I pay Customs to receive my parcel?

Custom fees are required by law. The South African Revenue Service  (SARS) determines the amount payable. Customs fees can be paid to the SA Post Office upon acceptance of mail items where custom fees are applicable. Should you not agree with the amount charged by SARS, you can send the item back via the SA Post Office for re-assessment. Should the value of the parcel exceed R400, charges will be paid to Customs on the total price actually paid for the item. On gift parcels where the contents are intended for more that one person and the total declared is more than R400,  charges will be paid to Customs, by the recipients, as the Rebate cannot be split and the gifts cannot be linked to other people other than the recipient. – South African Revenue Service

Why is my parcel at Customs?

Please note that the following commodities are subject to inspections by the relevant department before being cleared or dispatched to its intended destination:

All Medications ( including prescriptions, vitamins, enhancers, skin lightening creams, etc. are subject to inspection by Port Health – Department of Health

Plants, vegetables, etc are subject to inspection by the Department  of Agriculture

Animals and their articles thereof are subject to inspection by the State Vet. Please allow up to a period of 48 working hours for the inspection process to be finalised.

The South African Revenue Service

My parcel is a gift

Rebate of duties on gifts – A person can receive 2 gifts per calendar year and of which the value must not exceed R400 for each parcel in terms of Rebate Item 412.10.
           

         Gift – A gift is classified as any item sent from a natural person abroad to another natural person in the Republic that is unsolicited by the recipient. These include but not limited to wedding, birthday, etc.

Please note that the following consumables are excluded from the rebate: wines, spirits, tobacco (including cigarettes and cigars) perfume. – South African Revenue Service
           

Proof of purchase

Please send your invoice or proof of purchase to jimcinvoicerequired@postoffice.co.za or contact Customs on + 27 11 961 6000.

Where do I get my South African tracking number?

Please contact our Customer Service Centre on customer.services@postoffice.co.za or customer.service@postoffice.co.za or call the Customer Service Centre on 0860 111 502 to request your South African tracking number.

Enquiry form

 Can I complete an enquiry form online?

No, you need to visit the post office of posting to complete  the enquiry form.

Insurance on mail

 For how much can I insure my parcel?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

Can I take out insurance for a registered letter?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

Business hours

 What are the official Post Office business hours?

Please contact the branch closest to you to confirm office hours.

Motor Vehicle License renewals

Where can I renew my motor vehicle license?

Contact our customer contact centre on 0860 111 502 for names of offices  that offer the MVL payment service.                      Consider downloading our free app from Google Play store and Apple iTunes to follow your mail item and find a Post Office near you that offers MVL service.

Can I change a vehicle ownership at any Post Office?

No. A change of ownership must be done at the traffic department.

Maximum weight for local parcels

What is the maximum weight acceptable for local parcels?

30kg  

Prohibited items          

What are the prohibited items for international / local  mail?

 Perishables, flammables, pesticides, liquids, pets, animals, reptiles, plants, vermin, insects, any living creature. Precious stones, jewellery, medicine or fragile items.                      Please view the Dangerous and Prohibited Items.          

Redirected mail

How much will it cost to redirect mail from one area to another?

Please view our Mail Tariff booklet.

Can I redirect mail to an international address?

No                      

Complaints          

 How do I direct my Post Office complaint?

A complaint can be made at any Post Office or emailed on customer.services@postoffice.co.za,  customer.service@postoffice.co.za, complaints@postoffice.co.za or on 086 0111 502.

Where can I buy stamps?

I am a stamp collector, who can I contact regarding the purchasing of stamps?

Contact Philatelic Services on 012 845 2814/15, or contact our Customer Services Centre on 0860 111 502. Visit our Philately section to view available stamps. Stamps can be ordered from sa.stamps@postoffice.co.za

Traffic fines

Can I pay a traffic fine at  any post office?

You can pay fines of Tshwane,  Ekurhuleni and City of Cape Town at the Post Office
           

You can pay these traffic fines at any post office countrywide – no need to go to a post office in the municipality where you received the fine.            

You will leave the post office with a valid receipt to prove you have paid the fine.

Can I collect registered mail/parcel on behalf of someone else?

Yes, by presenting both the collectors and sender’s ID books.

Money Orders

Money Orders are now called "Money Transfers".  

What documentation is needed when purchasing money  orders/postal orders?

ID and proof of residence.

What documents are needed to redeem a postal order/money order?

An ID Book.

National Address Database

Details about the National Address Database  

The SA Post Office provides the service to customers who wish to update their details with large companies that correspond with them. The SA Post Office will provide new information to the selected companies.

What is the National Address Database and how does the system work?

The South African Post Office would forward your information to preselected companies of your choice. As a customer, you would not need to get in touch with every company that corresponds with you. With one entry-point it would be more convenient and quicker to update your information only ONCE leaving you with more time on hand to do other tasks.

 What is the cost?

There is no cost to you. By using this system you have one entry-point (SA Post Office) and will be saving money and time. In addition you save money on postage, phone calls and will not have to unnecessarily fax your details, email or update via the Internet whenever your contact details change.

 How many companies can I notify?

You can notify as many companies listed on the “Companies to notify” section as you like.  If you do not find a company name listed, then you can manually add the name of the company at the bottom of  the Companies to Notify page. NB: We are providing you with the service to update your information with large companies that correspond with you.

 How would the companies be notified of my changes?

All companies will be able to process their customers information against the NAD and if you are a customer of theirs your changed details will be made available to them.

  What would happen if I move again?

You would simply have to re-enter this website and update your information.  

Why should I supply my Identity number?

The Identity number is commonly used as a unique link across most company databases to a person’s.