Port Elizabeth & Eastern Cape Deliveries — Routes & FAQ
Partner serviced via Cool Running · All pricing ex-VAT · Effective 1 March 2026
The Frozen Food Courier now reaches Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and the surrounding Eastern Cape. As with the Garden Route, this works as a relay: we run the long leg from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth on our scheduled transfer, and our partner Cool Running handles the last leg to your recipient’s door. This page explains how the route works, what it costs, and who is responsible at each stage.
The basics
What does “partner serviced” mean?
The last-mile delivery is performed by a partner carrier, not our own trucks. We move your goods under our cold chain to Port Elizabeth, then hand over to Cool Running for delivery. You deal with us for booking and the transfer; Cool Running performs the final delivery.
Which Eastern Cape areas are covered?
Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Kenton-on-Sea, Port Alfred, Addo, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Makhanda (Grahamstown), Kirkwood, St Francis Bay, Natures Valley and Plettenberg Bay. (Not an exhaustive list — ask us about a specific address.)
How do goods reach the Eastern Cape?
A two-leg relay:
- Transfer leg — Cape Town → Port Elizabeth on our Fridge Freight service, twice a week, under continuous refrigeration.
- Last-mile leg — Cool Running delivers from Port Elizabeth across the Eastern Cape.
Goods either start in Cape Town with us, or are consigned to us via LMC from Johannesburg or Durban first.
Routes
What routes are available?
| Origin | Destination | What can ship | How it moves | Last mile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Town | Port Elizabeth + Eastern Cape | Parcels | Fridge Freight (weekly) | Cool Running |
| Cape Town | Port Elizabeth + Eastern Cape | Parcels, half & full pallets | LMC, Fridge Freight | Cool Running |
| Johannesburg | Port Elizabeth | Parcels, half & full pallets | LMC | Cool Running |
| Durban | Port Elizabeth | Parcels, half & full pallets | LMC | Cool Running |
How do I get my goods onto the network?
- Parcels: consign to us in Cape Town; we transfer to Port Elizabeth (transfer fee applies) for Cool Running delivery.
- Pallets (half / full): consign consolidated via LMC.
- From Johannesburg or Durban: send consolidated via LMC (parcels and pallets).
Pricing & lead times
How is the price made up?
Pricing is itemised into two legs, so it reconciles regardless of origin:
- Transfer leg — Cape Town → Port Elizabeth: R175 per consignment (ex-VAT, parcels, Fridge Freight).
- Last-mile leg — the Cool Running delivery fee for the destination town.
Why is Eastern Cape pricing quoted per box, not per delivery?
Cool Running prices on a per-box basis: the first two boxes are each charged at one rate, and each additional box at a lower rate. This differs from our Gauteng, Cape Town and Garden Route zones, which are a flat rate for up to 3 parcels / 60 kg. Think of it as a taxi meter that starts higher for the first two passengers and drops for each extra one, rather than a fixed fare for the whole trip. Current figures are on the Rate Schedules page.
Is there a fuel surcharge?
Yes — a tiered fuel surcharge applies per delivery when active, moving between bands as fuel prices rise and fall. It is quoted at booking and is not baked into the base rates.
How long does delivery take?
The Eastern Cape is not a next-day service. The Cape Town → Port Elizabeth transfer runs twice a week, and routes are planned the day before from confirmed bookings. Please confirm the next available transfer with us before promising a date to your recipient.
Can I send pallets?
Yes — half and full pallets move via LMC. These pallet legs are partner serviced and quoted on application.
Responsibility & cold chain
Who is responsible if something goes wrong?
On partner and third-party legs (the transfer carrier and Cool Running’s last mile), those carriers operate under their own terms, insurance and liability limits, and claims are made against the responsible carrier. Report any problem immediately at delivery, while the driver is present — once goods are signed for, they are accepted in their delivered condition. Temperature claims require an invasive probe measurement per R638. Full terms: Terms & Conditions.
Must my goods already be frozen?
Yes. Goods must be frozen solid (−18 °C throughout) before collection. Our transfer maintains temperature (around −12 °C) — it does not freeze goods down in transit. Packaging is the sender’s responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you deliver to Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape?
Yes. Port Elizabeth and the Eastern Cape are partner serviced. Frozen goods travel Cape Town to Port Elizabeth twice weekly on our Fridge Freight transfer, and our partner Cool Running delivers the last mile to Port Elizabeth, Kenton-on-Sea, Port Alfred, Addo, Jeffreys Bay, Humansdorp, Makhanda, Kirkwood, St Francis Bay, Natures Valley and Plettenberg Bay.
Why is Eastern Cape pricing quoted per box?
Our Eastern Cape partner prices per box: the first two boxes are each charged at one rate, and each additional box at a lower rate, rather than a flat rate for up to three parcels. Figures are on the Rate Schedules page.
How long does Eastern Cape delivery take?
It is not a next-day service. The Cape Town to Port Elizabeth transfer runs twice a week and routes are planned the day before from confirmed bookings.
Is there a fuel surcharge on Eastern Cape deliveries?
Yes. A tiered fuel surcharge applies per delivery when active and is quoted at booking. It is not included in the base rates.
Who is responsible if something goes wrong on a partner route?
On partner and third-party legs the carriers operate under their own terms and liability limits, and claims are made against the responsible carrier. Problems must be reported at delivery while the driver is present; temperature claims require an invasive probe measurement per R638.
How do I book?
Request a quote on the website or contact us on +27 82 575 0085 / hello@thefrozenfoodcourier.com, weekdays 08:30–17:00.