Most Affordable Courier Options for Small Businesses in South Africa

As a small business owner in South Africa, keeping your delivery costs low is ESSENTIAL if you want to stay competitive and boost your profit margins.

This is the reality, whether you run an e-commerce store, sell on social media, or offer local services. Lucky for you – there are several reliable and low-cost parcel delivery services designed to help small businesses like yours save money on shipping.

In this article, we’ll break down the most affordable courier services in South Africa that you can use for your business.

Why Affordable Parcel Delivery is SO important for Small Businesses

If you’re running a small business, you know that every rand counts.

Affordable parcel delivery means your business…

Saves on delivery costs (and makes MORE profit)
Looks better than competitors because your shipping is affordable (or even free)

But how do you balance competitive shipping rates with your bottom line? THAT’S where it gets tricky.

You need a courier service that is not only cost-effective, but also reliable, so that you can keep shipping prices low without sacrificing service quality.

Top Affordable Parcel Delivery Services for Small Businesses

Here’s a look at some of the most affordable and convenient courier services in South Africa, specifically for small businesses.

1. Paxi – Store-to-Store Delivery (from R59.95)

Paxi, offered by Pep, is one of the most affordable courier services in the country and is ideal for small businesses that need an economical solution for sending small parcels.

With over 2,600 Pep stores nationwide, Paxi provides super broad coverage, making it easy for your customers to collect their packages at a store near them.

Price: Starts at R59.95 for delivery within 7–9 working days. For quicker delivery (3–5 working days), it costs an additional R50.
Max weight: 5kg
How it works: Drop off the parcel at a Pep store and choose the destination store where the recipient will collect it.

It’s easy, convenient, and cost-effective.

Best for…

Small businesses looking for the absolute lowest shipping cost. Perfect if you don’t need express delivery and your customers are comfortable collecting parcels from a nearby Pep store.

2. Pudo – Locker-to-Locker or Locker-to-Door (from R60)

Pudo, powered by The Courier Guy, is an innovative locker-based courier service that allows small businesses to send parcels for as little as R60.

It’s super convenient for both you and your customers—drop off the parcel at one of the 1,500 Pudo lockers across the country, and your customers can collect it from another locker or even have it delivered to their door.

Price: Starts at R60 for locker-to-locker delivery (up to 5kg), or R70 for locker-to-door service.
Max weight: 5kg
How it works: Drop your parcel at a Pudo locker (usually found at petrol stations and other public areas like shopping centres), and the recipient can either collect it from another locker or have it delivered to their doorstep.

Best for…

Small businesses wanting a quick, cost-effective delivery method.

The locker-to-locker system is perfect if your customers are located near Pudo lockers, but the locker-to-door option adds extra convenience if you want to offer home deliveries at a low cost.

3. Aramex – Store-to-Door (from R99)

Aramex is a trusted name in the courier industry, offering an affordable store-to-door service for small businesses.

With over 1,300 drop-off points, you can drop off a parcel at participating retail stores (like Pick n Pay) and have it delivered directly to your customer’s door within 1 to 3 working days.

Price: R99 for small parcels that fit into a 45cm x 35cm bag.
Max weight: Not specified, but must fit into the provided bag.
How it works: Drop off your parcel at one of Aramex’s participating stores, and they’ll take care of the rest, delivering straight to your customer’s door.

Best for…

Businesses looking for a faster, reliable door-to-door delivery option at a slightly higher price. It is the ideal option for urgent deliveries where convenience is key.

4. D2D – Door-to-Door (from R89)

If your business requires direct delivery to your customers’ homes or offices, D2D is one of the cheapest door-to-door services available.

With a starting price of R89 for packages weighing up to 5kg, this service is GREAT for small businesses looking to offer home delivery without the hefty price tag.

Price: R89 for a 5kg package.
Max weight: 5kg
How it works: You arrange a pickup from your location, and D2D will deliver directly to your customer’s door.

Best for…

Small businesses focused on providing home delivery at a reasonable price.

If your customers prefer the convenience of door-to-door delivery, D2D is a cost-effective option.

5. Fastway – Door-to-Door (from R90)

Fastway is another budget-friendly door-to-door delivery service, offering reliable courier options for small businesses.

Starting at R90 for packages weighing up to 5kg, it’s a close competitor to D2D and provides a similar level of service.

Price: R90 for up to 5kg.
Max weight: 5kg
How it works: Fastway collects the parcel from your business or home and delivers it straight to your customer’s address.

Best for…

Small businesses looking for a trusted and affordable door-to-door courier service. Fastway is ideal if you want a reliable service that gets your package to your customer’s door quickly.

How to Choose the Best Courier for Your Small Business

The right courier service for your small business will depend on a few factors, including:

Delivery speed

If you need quick delivery, options like Aramex or Fastway might be a better fit, as they offer faster shipping times compared to Paxi’s economy service.

Cost

If keeping costs as low as possible is your top priority, Paxi and Pudo offer the cheapest rates, especially for non-urgent deliveries.

Delivery method

Decide whether you prefer store-to-store, locker-based, or door-to-door delivery, depending on what’s most convenient for you and your customers.

By choosing the right courier, you can keep your delivery costs low, offer competitive shipping rates, and ensure that your customers get their parcels safely and on time.