Material Handling dealers in South Africa
There are 7 dealers of material handling equipment in South Africa, with branches in Cape Town, Richards Bay, Bloemfontein and 23 other towns: Bell Equipment Sales South Africa (BESSA), Babcock Equipment, Goscor Lift Trucks, HPE Africa, Manitou Centre SA, CES Forklift and 1 more. Last checked October 2026.
Country guide
Buying material handling equipment in South Africa
South Africa is the largest and most developed heavy equipment market in sub-Saharan Africa. Many manufacturers run their African operations from Johannesburg, and several South African dealers also support customers in neighbouring countries.
- Currency
- South African rand (ZAR)
- Main ports
- Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Gqeberha
- Drives on the
- Left
- Languages
- English, plus 11 other official languages
Importing and registering, in brief
Ports
Durban (the busiest for containers), Richards Bay (bulk and heavy cargo), Cape Town, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Ngqura.
Register as an importer
Register with SARS (South African Revenue Service) before bringing in equipment.
Used machines need a permit
Used or second-hand goods, including used machinery, need an import permit from ITAC (International Trade Administration Commission).
Registering for road use
A machine driven on public roads must be registered and licensed.
General guidance only. Confirm with the official bodies or your clearing agent before you buy. Last checked October 2026.