Forward with Confidence
From factory floor to customer door — we clear customs, move ocean and air freight, and deliver across South Africa and beyond. 37 years. 500 agents. Zero compromises.
B-BBEE Level 2
B-BBEE Level 2
Priority air cargo for time-sensitive shipments. Direct and indirect routings worldwide, with full tracking from origin to destination.
FCL and LCL ocean freight from Durban, Cape Town & Johannesburg — direct to any port worldwide at competitive rates.
SARS-registered customs specialists who classify your goods correctly, optimise duty payments, and eliminate costly detentions.
From factory floor to customer door — Airwaves manages every link in your supply chain across road, rail, sea and air.
Behind every Airwaves shipment is a dedicated team keeping eyes on your cargo from origin to destination — so you stay at the helm, even from a continent away.
Airwaves was founded in 1988 by Daniel Salbany de Matos (1953–2014) on a single conviction: every container is someone's livelihood, and a forwarder's job is to treat it that way. Three generations of the De Matos family have kept that promise — clearing customs, chartering cargo, and walking clients through every border, every time.
Quick answers about Airwaves, our services, and how to get started.
Airwaves (Pty) Ltd is a South African clearing and forwarding company founded in 1988. We provide international freight forwarding, customs brokering, airfreight, ocean freight (FCL & LCL), road transport, project cargo handling, and end-to-end supply chain management. We operate from Durban (head office), Johannesburg, and Cape Town, supported by a global network of 770+ offices and 500+ agents worldwide.
Email forwarding@airwaves.co.za or call +27 87 820 7171 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:30 SAST). To get an accurate quote, share your origin, destination, cargo type, weight/volume, and preferred mode (air, sea, or road). Our team responds quickly with competitive rates tailored to your shipment.
Yes. Airwaves is a SARS-registered customs broker. Our specialists manage import and export permits, HS tariff classification, duty optimisation, and full customs clearance at all major South African ports and border posts — including Durban, Cape Town, and OR Tambo International Airport.
Airwaves (Pty) Ltd holds a Level 2 B-BBEE certificate, making us a highly compliant procurement partner for South African businesses that require preferential procurement suppliers.
Yes. We arrange FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load) ocean freight from Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg to any port worldwide. Our team manages all documentation, customs clearance, and port liaison on your behalf.
We serve retail & FMCG, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, marine, agriculture (including perishables), automotive, mining & energy, construction, and specialised break-bulk cargo. Each industry has unique customs and logistics requirements — our team has deep sector expertise across all of them.
Airwaves operates from three offices: Durban HQ — AirWaves House, 84 Armstrong Avenue, La Lucia Ridge, Durban 4051; Johannesburg — The Meadows, 4 Essex Street, Meadowdale, Germiston 1614; Cape Town — Suite 12, Canal Edge 2B, Tyger Waterfront, Cape Town 8012. All offices are open Monday–Friday, 08:00–16:30 SAST.
Yes. Airwaves (Pty) Ltd is a member of the South African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF) — the official industry body representing clearing and forwarding agents in South Africa, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Have a more specific question? The Airwaves AI knows our services inside out.
One email to Airwaves opens the door to 770 offices and 500 agents across the globe. Tell us where, and we'll tell you how — competitively, clearly, and fast.
