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.
From the first customs declaration to the final delivery — every service Airwaves offers is backed by 37 years of freight expertise and a network that spans the globe. Hover to explore.
Part of a network of over 500 agents worldwide. Our skilled coordinators ensure your goods move on time, at competitive rates, with transparent communication from first contact to final delivery.
Get a Quote →Our SARS-registered customs specialists clear your goods with surgical precision — maintaining logistical efficiency, eliminating detentions, and cutting unexpected costs before they arise.
Get a Quote →Live tracking tools and real-time cargo monitoring give you total visibility and an extra layer of security from origin to destination — so nothing moves without you knowing.
Get a Quote →We go the extra mile to deliver the most competitive pricing available — without cutting corners on service quality. Real rates, real routes, real fast. No vague estimates, ever.
Get a Quote →Deep-rooted relationships with trusted road transport agents deliver top-quality door-to-door service to virtually any location across South Africa and into sub-Saharan Africa.
Get a Quote →From raw materials to finished products — we manage the storage and movement of any cargo type, playing a pivotal role in keeping your supply chain lean, reliable, and always moving.
Get a Quote →Once booked, every shipment is closely monitored by our team with the highest standard of care — ensuring your goods are moved safely, correctly, and without incident at every stage.
Get a Quote →Our tariff experts stay current on the latest SARS laws and international regulations — classifying your goods with precision and keeping you entirely clear of fines, delays, and penalties.
Get a Quote →Organisation is the backbone of logistics. Our team identifies sailing schedules, prioritises bonded and commercial facilities, and ensures your goods are always in motion — or perfectly stored when they shouldn't be.
Get a Quote →One email connects you to 37 years of freight expertise. Real numbers, real routes — no estimates, no delays.
Break-bulk, perishables, pharma, mining machinery — 37 years means we've handled every category, every regulation, every port. Whatever your industry moves, so do we.
Out-of-gauge, break bulk, and abnormal dimension cargo handled with specialist precision.
Heavy equipment, machinery spares, and consumables — coordinated for mine lifecycle requirements.
Raw materials in, finished goods out — seamless supply chain for production continuity.
Time-critical temperature-controlled logistics with priority handling and real-time tracking.
High-volume, schedule-driven imports and exports for retail supply chains across Africa.
Compliant handling of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and regulated health cargo.
Transportation of heavy machinery, building materials, and structural components to site.
Ship spares, marine equipment, and stevedore coordination at South African ports.
FCL & LCL — anywhere in the world
Specialist brokering, zero delays
Priority delivery worldwide
Door-to-door, any location
As an independent, family-owned business built on three decades of freight experience, we treat every shipment as if it carries our name. Because it does.
Our team holds deep, current knowledge of international trade law and SARS requirements — so your cargo clears cleanly, every time. No surprises. No detentions. Just expertise at work.
We go the extra mile to find the sharpest rates in the market — without sacrificing service standards. The best price and the best service aren't a trade-off at Airwaves. They're both expected.
No two shipments are the same. We understand every cargo has its own pressures, timelines, and complexity — and we flex to meet them without missing a beat. That's not a promise. It's our track record.
Airwaves (Pty) Ltd is a global clearing & forwarding company — we will move your goods from end to end. An efficient, family-owned business since 1988, still owned and led by the de Matos family. Having been in the shipping industry for over 37 years, we understand every shipping requirement. No task is too big to handle or too difficult to manage when creativity is applied to find the best solution.
What started as a family vision has grown into a globally connected forwarding house — with 3 national offices and access to 770 international offices through United Shipping Lines and CLN. Most of our staff have been with Airwaves for over a decade. That continuity means we don't just know the regulations — we know your account, your cargo profile, and the best route before you've even sent the email.
"Building relationships that last forever." — Our Vision Since 1988
FCL, LCL, airfreight, road freight, project cargo, break bulk, out-of-gauge, stevedore supervision, lashing, fumigation — every mode, every complexity, coordinated with precision.
Forward with Confidence
Airwaves have been our forwarding partner for over a decade. Their team's knowledge of regulations and their proactive communication have made complex shipments feel effortless. We wouldn't trust anyone else with our cargo.
We had an urgent project cargo shipment — oversized equipment, tight port windows, three countries involved. Airwaves coordinated everything flawlessly. The de Matos family treats every shipment like it's their own business.
Customs clearance at Durban harbour can be a minefield. Airwaves' team knows every regulation and tariff code. We've never had a detention or unexpected cost. Their expertise saves us real money every month.
From day one they've been transparent, competitive on price, and genuinely helpful. In 37 years they've clearly learned how to actually look after a client — not just move boxes. Our supply chain has never run smoother.
Their network of 500+ agents means we can ship to markets we couldn't access before. Airwaves handles the relationships, the documentation, the tracking — we focus on our business. That's the partnership we needed.
I've worked with several freight forwarders over 20 years. Airwaves is the only one that actually calls you before a problem becomes a crisis. Their people are experienced, their rates are competitive, and their word is their bond.
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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.
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.