South African Couriers
With the rising cost of living in South Africa, many people are turning to starting their own businesses. Most new
businesses that entrepreneurs start are online. This includes side hustles and startups backed by venture capital, many
focusing on e-commerce.
Private courier companies are vital to South African businesses’
e-commerce chains. This is partly because the South African Post Office is often unreliable.
But with so many to choose from, how do you know which will fit your business well?
We surveyed over 100 South African businesses to find out which couriers they use and why they use them. Here are the
results.
The Most Popular South African Courier For National Shipping
The most popular courier for national shipping among our participants was Courier Guy.
75.5% of businesses surveyed named Courier Guy one of their Top 3 courier companies.
This was not too surprising. They are one of the top courier companies in the country. They have over 200 kiosks and 22
depots spread across the nation and now power PUDO lockers, which provide a 24/7 Pick-up/Drop-off spot for packages.
Some reasons for choosing Courier Guy included:
- Reliable delivery performance.
- Wide coverage area.
- Good customer service.
- Established relationships.
- Compensation for lost parcels.
- Positive feedback from customers regarding the delivery experience.
- Flexibility and custom solutions.
The second most popular courier company the businesses named was RAM, with a significant drop-off from the first: 18.6%
included RAM in their top three.
Fastway was in third place, at 13.7%.
| National Shipping | Percentage Included in Top 3 Couriers |
| Courier Guy | 75.5% |
| RAM | 18.6% |
| Fastway | 13.7% |
| Other | 12.7% |
| Aramex | 10.8% |
| DHL | 9.8% |
| DSV | 7.8% |
| Postnet | 6.9% |
| City Sprint | 2.0% |
| Tunl | 1.0% |
| FedEx | 1.0% |
*The total does not add up to 100% because participants could include up to 3 couriers in their answer.
Some of the companies mentioned under “Other” included
- MDS Collivery
- DTP Laser
- Xpress
The Most Popular South African Courier For International Shipping
The most popular courier for international shipping among our businesses was DHL. 35% of participants named them in
their top three.
However, if we remove the businesses that do not offer international shipping, that jumps up to 45%.
DHL isn’t a South African-born brand but operates in over 220 countries and territories. Its global reach probably
enhances its suitability for shipping internationally from South Africa.
DHL received comments from our participants that included:
- Quick and reliable performance.
- Good customer service.
- Damage or Loss Protection.
- Positive feedback from clients.
Second up was FedEx, with 25% of businesses that ship internationally mentioning them in their top 3.
And third, there was the local Courier Guy.
| International Shipping | % included in top 3 (Total) |
% included in top 3 (excl no international shipping) |
| DHL | 35.0% | 47.4% |
| Don’t have international shipping | 23.3% | N/A |
| FedEx | 18.4% | 25.0% |
| Courier Guy | 15.5% | 21.1% |
| RAM | 13.6% | 18.4% |
| DSV | 7.8% | 10.5% |
| Postnet | 7.8% | 10.5% |
| Aramex | 6.8% | 9.2% |
| Tunl | 5.8% | 7.9% |
| Fastway | 2.9% | 3.9% |
| City Sprint | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
*The total does not add up to 100% because participants could include up to 3 couriers in their answer.
Notable Newcomer Courier
In our survey results, Tunl looks to be a relatively small player in the courier space. We suspect this is partly due to
it only starting in 2021. We’ve marked Tunl as a notable newcomer in the industry. In our survey, it was a rising
favourite for international shipping.
Despite its low overall usage, it had a surprisingly high mention rate relative to its size. And the feedback that
businesses shared in our survey answers is why they were brought up!
Here’s what some businesses had to say:
- I only use TUNL, and trust them with my life (or rather the life of my parcels heading out over the ocean).
Their customer service is amazing, and I have yet to have an issue with a parcel. 10 outta 10
recommend. - TUNL is fantastic as it’s so affordable compared to other companies! We had trouble with a parcel going missing,
and they were really helpful in trying to locate and redirect the parcel. - They do it all for you! Find the best rates, great customer service, an easy-to-understand booking platform, and
a great calculator of rates/duties/taxes. - 1st: they are the cheapest option I’ve found. 2nd: They are genuinely interested in small South African
businesses and really want to help us expand globally. I feel that they are more than just a shipping
company…
Tunl is a great option for small businesses that need a quick and affordable courier for global orders.
Final Thoughts
Picking the right courier can influence the whole customer experience. This is true for reliability, speed, and cost.
According to our 2025 survey, Courier Guy is the top choice for national deliveries. Meanwhile, DHL is still the
preferred option for international shipping. The rise of new players like Tunl shows there’s still room for innovation.
This is especially true for small businesses aiming to grow globally.
The best courier for your business is one that meets your needs, supports your growth, and offers excellent service to
your customers.