Shipping livestock from Jhb to Cape Town

I'm looking for transport for a Pleco from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Tried CourierIT but they did not even respond to my request.

If any of the Sponsors or Members are planning a shipment in the next month I would gladly contribute financially to the shipment and comply with whatever the requirements are.
Its just 1 Pleco - about 10cm.

Maybe there will be plenty of shipments just after the Expo? :hmmmm:

Thx in advance!

 

@AquaAddict, mybe you can try and contact @Moolis, know he is doing shipments from time to time down to the Cape

 

Hi @AquaAddict,

Pick a nice day weather wise, bag the fish as pet stores do (as much oxygen as possible, ie. little water), put the bag in a styrofoam box and take them to the SAA Cargo section at the airport, they're called "Express Air Services" for some reason - they give priority to livestock, costs around R120 for a small box of a kilogram or two.

Google Express Air Services and visit their website.
Contact them and find out when they fly Jhb to Cpt and how long before the flight you need to bring the fish in.

Simple as that.
Let me know if you want any more information.

Cheers,
Enjoy!

 

Hello, @Jack Stone and anyone else that has experience in this area. Is this method still valid for shipping live stock through South Africa and maybe any new methods\tips?

 

EXPO???

 

It has been some years since the first expo took place. Hopefully we can arrange another in the next year or two.

 

I liked Bidair. Instant friendly service and they specialize in pet transport. Look for the door that says pet lounge. SAA made me stand in line for an hour and there was only 2 other people in front of me. And after all that they said they couldn't help me.

 

Bidair is very good. Just mark it as same day express and fragile and you're good to go. They usually put flight times on their website every day.

 

Thanks - if you don't mind me asking the estimated costs... just to get an idea

 

I usually send a box up to a kg for about R160-ish but it doesn't go up too much if it weighs more

 

I ordered fish from JHB to CPT. I used the CourierGuy. Go to XOC if you don't have an account with the CourierGuy

 

You the second person to tell me about CourierGuy.

When I checked with them this is the response I got, "Please be advise we have no facilities as we do not send life stock"

 

The branch here has a dedicated animal drop off. It makes it so easy. Rather phone them for flight times, the site wasn't accurate when I flew them. I sent 12 fish to durbs for R590. About 20kg iirc.

 

Thanks @BoelderBeestie I'm assuming these were big / adult fish that needed lots of water making up the 20kg?

 

No all juvies but all the bags add up. You are actually shipping water haha.

 

I think they deliver fish from JHB to Kimberley. I inquired with them I while ago and they were able to assist me, although I did not make use of their services.

 

I also want to get some fish and possibly shrimp from JHB to CT and had thought of taking them myself as hand luggage, but not sure if this is a good idea. I recently took some assassin snails with me on a flight, but they are probably hardier than most fish!

So, if using BidAir, how do you pack the fish in order to keep temperature fairly constant?
Also, I guess they will be in the bag for at least 6 hours - is this cause for concern?

 

We shipped in summer so temp wasn't an issue. You pack them in bags(double up on the bags) and a styrofoam box like Jack explained. You worry your ass off, that's the only concern haha. They travel fine and it's only about 6 hours of worry.

 

Lol only 6 hours of worry - wishing we had a emoticon with the tears from laughing so hard

 

@Zebra Pleco More emoticons(like on what's app)....mmmm good idea.