Shipping Policy

International & Cross-Border Shipping

Yes, we do ship beyond South Africa! 🌍 For our customers in other African countries (or anywhere else in the world), here’s how it works: international shipping is not automatically calculated at checkout. If you’re ordering from outside SA, you can select a “Request Shipping Quote” option or simply get in touch with us for a shipping estimate.

We’ll find a reliable courier or freight service and provide you with the cost and delivery time estimate to your country. Please note that free shipping offers do not apply to international orders, and the recipient may be responsible for any import duties or customs fees (every country’s rules are different). We’ll guide you through the process and keep you informed – we’ve successfully delivered to various African countries, so you’re in experienced hands.

Important: If you do place an order to an international address without arranging shipping first, we may hold the order and reach out to you with the shipping cost. We promise not to surprise you with this – we’ll communicate everything clearly.

International deliveries usually take longer (anywhere from 5–21 days or more, depending on distance and customs processes). We appreciate your patience and will keep you updated every step of the way.

Payment Clearance (EFT Payments)

We happily accept EFT (bank transfers) as a payment method (in addition to card payments), but please be aware of our policy: your payment must reflect in our bank account before we release any goods for shipping. If you pay via Instant EFT or transfer from the same bank, this can happen immediately or within a few hours. However, if you’re paying from a different bank, transfers can take 1–3 business days to clear, even if you send us a proof of payment.

Sending us the POP (proof of payment) is appreciated, but banks don’t notify us of actual clearance until the money is really in our account. If you need your parts urgently, we strongly recommend either using a faster payment method (like a credit/debit card via our secure PayGate gateway) or explicitly requesting your bank for immediate clearance (they often charge a small fee for this service).

A Friendly Note: We know waiting for a payment to clear can be frustrating – but please be patient and kind. Our team will ship your order the moment the funds are confirmed. We have a zero-tolerance policy for abuse directed at our staff regarding payment clearance times. If a customer becomes abusive or threatening because a transfer hasn’t cleared yet, we reserve the right to cancel the order and refund the payment (once it does arrive) rather than proceed under hostile circumstances. Let’s keep it civil – we’re here to help, and we promise we’re processing things as fast as we can!

Shipping Delays & Issues

We partner with reputable courier companies to deliver your parts on time. However, once the package leaves our hands, there are occasional hiccups that can occur in transit. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Unforeseen Delays: Sometimes “overnight” deliveries might take longer due to factors outside our control. These include courier issues like vehicle breakdowns, logistical backlogs, weather disruptions (looking at you, heavy rain and snow), strikes or industrial action, and in rare cases, things like road closures or unrest. If there’s a delay, we’ll do everything we can to push for updates and keep you informed. We know you need your part, and we’re on it with the courier if anything goes awry.

Outlying Area Schedules: As mentioned, very remote areas don’t get daily courier service. Couriers might serve a far-off region only on certain days of the week. If you suspect you’re in such an area, feel free to ask us or check the courier’s service guide. It might be normal that a package takes a week or so to reach, simply because of route planning. Planning ahead helps – if you have a repair scheduled, order a few days early to be safe.

Third-Party Handovers: Sometimes one courier hands off to another (smaller) courier for final delivery in remote towns. This can occasionally cause tracking information gaps or slight delays. Rest assured, your parcel will still find its way to you. We track these handovers closely and will assist if it looks like something’s stuck.

Public Holidays & Weekends: Couriers generally do not move or deliver parcels on public holidays and weekends. So if you order right before a long holiday weekend, add those non-working days to the expected delivery time. (We too enjoy a good public holiday braai now and then! 🥩🔥)

If a significant delay occurs or a parcel seems lost (very, very rare), we’ll work with the courier to resolve it. Your purchase is insured during transit against loss or severe damage, so you’re covered. We’ll either get a replacement out to you or issue a refund as soon as possible.

Receiving Your Parcel – Please Inspect!

We take great care to pack your orders securely. Fragile parts get bubble wrap, electronic items get antistatic bags, and everything goes into a sturdy box with tape. However, the journey from us to you can be bumpy, and occasionally items get jostled.

When the courier arrives, please try to inspect the parcel in their presence. If the box has visible damage, dents, or looks like it’s been opened, point it out to the delivery person immediately. If possible, open and check the goods while they are there. Couriers have protocols for noting damage – it helps a lot if issues are identified on the spot.

If you (or someone on your behalf) signs for the package and later discover damage, it becomes trickier to claim it happened in transit. Not impossible, but harder. So we urge you to give that box a once-over on arrival. If something is wrong, let us know right away. Take some pictures of the parcel and the item’s condition, and email or WhatsApp them to us. We will jump in to sort it out – whether that means sending a replacement or filing a claim with the courier. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’ve got your back.

Lastly, even if everything looks perfect, it’s good practice to double-check you received the correct items. We do have humans packing boxes, and on rare occasions, a mix-up could happen. If anything’s amiss – wrong part, missing item, etc. – notify us as soon as possible so we can make it right.

In Summary: We aim to make shipping a breeze. Fast dispatch, reliable couriers, and clear communication are the cornerstones of our delivery service. When in doubt, reach out – we’re here to help ensure your parts arrive safely and promptly. Thank you for trusting MotorSparesAndParts.co.za to deliver your spares!