We plan around the destination, not just the border.
Southern and East African pipe movements can involve several borders, ports and transport modes. Explore the corridors we use and what each one means for your delivery.
Six corridors. Pick the one that fits the cargo.
Select a corridor to highlight it on the map and see its gateway, border posts, transport modes and the markets it serves.
- Gateway
- Port of Durban and the Gauteng supply base
- Modes
- Road and rail
- Serves
- Zimbabwe, Zambia and the DRC Copperbelt
Route and border posts (border posts in copper)
The backbone route for inland Southern African destinations. Pipe from Gauteng moves north through Beitbridge and Chirundu, with Kasumbalesa the main crossing into Haut-Katanga.
- Gateway
- Port of Maputo
- Modes
- Road (N4) and rail
- Serves
- Southern Mozambique and the Maputo industrial zone
Route and border posts (border posts in copper)
The shortest route from Gauteng to an Indian Ocean port. Useful for southern Mozambique projects and for cargo transhipped by sea to northern ports.
- Gateway
- Port of Beira
- Modes
- Road and rail
- Serves
- Central Mozambique, Zimbabwe and onward to Zambia
Route and border posts (border posts in copper)
Connects Zimbabwe and the inland SADC market to the Indian Ocean. Relevant where sea freight into Beira is combined with road delivery inland.
- Gateway
- Port of Nacala
- Modes
- Rail and road
- Serves
- Northern Mozambique, Malawi and eastern Zambia
Route and border posts (border posts in copper)
A deep-water port with a rail link inland. An eastern alternative for eastern Zambia and northern Mozambique projects.
- Gateway
- Port of Dar es Salaam
- Modes
- Road (Tanzam highway) and rail (TAZARA)
- Serves
- Tanzania, Zambia and the DRC Copperbelt from the east
Route and border posts (border posts in copper)
Serves Tanzanian projects directly and gives the Copperbelt an eastern gateway. Sea freight from Durban to Dar is combined with road or rail inland.
- Gateway
- Port of Durban to Dar es Salaam, Nacala, Beira or Maputo
- Modes
- Coastal shipping, then road or rail
- Serves
- Coastal and northern destinations where road distance is long
Route and border posts (border posts in copper)
Container or break-bulk shipping along the coast, then inland delivery from the port. Often the practical option for Tanzania and northern Mozambique.
Corridor references are planning context only. Actual routing, border requirements, permits and freight costs are confirmed per shipment.
The paperwork, prepared before dispatch.
A typical South African pipe export involves the documents listed here. We prepare and check them against the destination’s requirements so cargo is not held at a border.
- 01Commercial invoice
Values, Incoterms and consignee details for customs on both sides of the border.
- 02Packing list
Pipe sizes, lengths, bundle counts, weights and dimensions for loading and inspection.
- 03Customs export declaration
Lodged in South Africa through a registered clearing agent before departure.
- 04Certificate of origin
SADC or other origin certificate where the destination grants preferential duty.
- 05Transport documents
Road manifest or waybill for trucks, bill of lading for sea freight.
- 06Transit documentation
Transit bonds or guarantees where cargo passes through a third country.
- 07Permits and inspections
Abnormal load permits, and any import permit or pre-shipment inspection the destination requires.
- 08Insurance certificate
Cargo insurance covering the agreed delivery terms.
Pipe is long, bulky and sometimes oversize.
Loading, securing and routing are planned around the actual cargo profile before an order is dispatched.
Load planning
Bundle sizes, nesting of smaller pipe inside larger pipe, and securing methods are agreed with the manufacturer and transporter.
Abnormal loads
Large-diameter or long-length pipe moves as abnormal cargo, with route surveys, permits and escorts where required.
Transit time
Border queues and seasonal road conditions are built into the programme so site dates are realistic.
Risk and insurance
Cargo insurance and delivery terms are aligned so responsibility is clear at every handover.
Markets and their corridors.
A summary of the main corridors and project hubs for each priority market. Each country page has the detail.
| Market | Main corridors | Project hubs |
|---|---|---|
| DRC | Durban / North–South Corridor, Dar es Salaam Corridor | Lubumbashi, Kolwezi, Likasi |
| Zambia | Durban / North–South Corridor, Dar es Salaam Corridor | Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe |
| Zimbabwe | Beitbridge / North–South Corridor, Beira Corridor | Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare |
| Mozambique | Maputo Corridor, Beira Corridor | Maputo, Matola, Beira |
| Tanzania | Dar es Salaam Gateway, Southern African connections | Dar es Salaam, Dodoma, Mbeya |