Frequently asked questions
What South African buyers ask us about prices, delivery, site access, condition grades, returns and payment. Can't find your answer? Our team replies within a working day.
Buying
Do your container prices include VAT and delivery?
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Every price on the website is quoted in South African rand and includes 15% VAT. Delivery is free to Johannesburg, Pretoria and the Vaal Triangle on all containers, and R1 850 flat-rate nationwide for standard units. Crane or forklift offloading and any custom fit-out are quoted separately before you pay.
Can I inspect a container before I buy it online?
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Yes. Our Boitekong yard in Rustenburg is open Monday to Friday 07:30 - 17:00 and Saturdays 08:00 - 13:00. Choose 'Inspect at yard' at checkout and our team will book a slot and pin your exact serial number so the unit you see is the unit you get.
Delivery
How long does delivery take?
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In-stock containers are delivered within 2 - 5 working days in Gauteng and 3 - 7 working days to Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. Built-to-order offices, ablutions and conversions take 10 - 25 working days depending on the fit-out. You will get a two-hour delivery window SMS the day before.
What access does the delivery truck need?
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Our standard truck and trailer combination needs about 18m of straight access and a 4.5m vertical clearance. If a crane is needed to place the container over a wall or fence, we quote for a 20-ton mobile crane at checkout. Send us a photo of the site on WhatsApp and we will confirm access for free.
Is a permit needed to place a container on my property?
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In most South African municipalities a container used as a permanent structure needs land-use approval and building-plan submission. Temporary site offices and storage on a registered construction site are usually exempt. We supply drawings and can introduce you to town planners in Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Always confirm with your local authority.
Can you deliver outside South Africa?
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Yes. We regularly export to Namibia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. We handle the export documentation, transport and border clearing and quote delivered-at-place pricing in ZAR. Import duties at destination remain the buyer's responsibility.
Returns
What is your return policy?
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Stock containers can be returned within 14 calendar days of delivery if unused and in original condition. A 15% handling and transport fee applies because containers are heavy, specialised freight. Faulty, damaged or incorrectly supplied units are collected and replaced at our cost. Built-to-order conversions, branded units, reefers and electrical fit-outs are excluded unless faulty. Read our full Return Policy for the process and timelines.
Quality
Are your containers wind and water tight?
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Yes. Every new and used container is hose-tested for leaks and inspected against a 26-point checklist covering floor, roof, doors, gaskets, corner castings and locking gear. Used units are supplied cargo-worthy with a valid CSC plate. If a leak appears within the warranty period we repair or replace it.
Do used containers have dents and rust?
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Cosmetic dents, scuffs and faded paint are normal on cargo-worthy used units, they have crossed oceans. Structural integrity, weather-tightness and door sealing are guaranteed. If you need a pristine finish for a client-facing build, choose a one-trip new container or ask us to quote a respray.
What warranty comes with my container?
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New shipping containers carry a 10-year structural workmanship warranty. Fitted-out offices and conversions carry 12 months on electrical and plumbing plus 5 years on structural work. Used containers carry a 12-month weather-tightness guarantee. Reefers include a 12-month mechanical warranty on the refrigeration unit.
Fit-out
Can you customise a container for my business?
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That is what we do best. We design and build offices, ablutions, kitchens, bars, retail kiosks, cold rooms and homes. Send a brief or a hand sketch via the contact form, and a design lead will come back with a 2D layout, 3D render and a fixed quote within three working days.
Is a container office hot in summer?
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An uninsulated container certainly can be. That is why every AAK Holdings office, ablution and home unit is insulated with PU panels, fitted with whirlybirds or extraction, and supplied with air conditioning or a heat pump. Insulation typically reduces interior temperature by 8 - 12°C and halves cooling costs.
Payment
How do I pay for my order?
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Choose instant EFT, secure card payment or a manual bank transfer at checkout. Card and instant EFT payments are authorised through our PCI-DSS compliant South African payment partner. Bank transfers are confirmed within one business day. We also issue pro-forma invoices for companies and government buyers. A VAT invoice is emailed automatically after payment.
Do you offer finance or rent-to-own?
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We do. Container purchases from R25 000 can be financed over 12 to 36 months through our asset-finance partners, subject to credit approval. Rental with an option to buy is available on office, storage and ablution units in Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban. Ask our team for a no-obligation quotation.