The Courier Guy and Takealot: How to Ship Stock to Takealot (2026 Guide)
Updated October 2026
Yes, you can use The Courier Guy to deliver your stock to Takealot. The Courier Guy is one of the couriers Takealot sellers commonly use for inbound shipments to Takealot's distribution centres (DCs). You create the shipment in the Takealot Seller Portal, book a collection with The Courier Guy, then add the waybill number to your shipment in the portal so Takealot knows which courier is bringing it.
This guide explains the full process step by step, what it costs, how to track your shipment, who to contact when something goes wrong and the alternatives to The Courier Guy. For the bigger picture, see our complete guide to selling on Takealot in South Africa.
Which courier does Takealot use?
It depends on which direction the parcel is travelling. Takealot delivers customer orders itself, through its own delivery network, which operates under the Mr D banner in the major metros, according to Takealot Group's profile. As a seller, you do not choose the courier for customer deliveries.
Getting your stock into Takealot's warehouses is different. That is your responsibility, and you choose how it gets there:
- Deliver it yourself in your own vehicle, at a booked time slot.
- Use a courier such as The Courier Guy, Dawn Wing, RAM or DPD Laser. These four are commonly listed as preferred inbound couriers, according to Revenuealot's guide to shipping inventory to Takealot.
- Use Takealot's own collection service through Takealot Fulfilment Solutions (TFS), booked in the Seller Portal.
Takealot has distribution centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The Seller Portal tells you which DC each shipment must go to.
How to ship stock to Takealot with The Courier Guy, step by step
Shipping stock to Takealot with The Courier Guy takes two systems: the Takealot Seller Portal for the shipment and The Courier Guy for the collection. Follow these steps in order.
- Create the shipment. In the Seller Portal, go to the shipments section and create a new replenishment shipment. Add your products, quantities and destination DC.
- Print your labels and documents. Download a product label for each unit, confirm the shipment, then download the shipping label and shipping note.
- Pack to Takealot's standards. Use sturdy boxes, keep each box under 25kg, label every unit and put the shipping label on the outside of each box. Missing labels and poor packaging are the most common reasons stock is rejected.
- Book the collection with The Courier Guy. Book a collection from your address to the Takealot DC on The Courier Guy's website or through your account, and note the waybill number.
- Allocate the courier in the Seller Portal. Back in the portal, choose to deliver through a courier, select The Courier Guy, enter the waybill number and allocate the shipment.
- Hand over and track. The Courier Guy collects your boxes and delivers them to the DC. Track the waybill until it is delivered, then watch the Seller Portal for the stock to be received.
The waybill step matters. If the courier is not allocated to your shipment in the portal, the DC may not be able to match your boxes to the shipment, which delays your stock going live.
How much does The Courier Guy charge for Takealot deliveries?
The Courier Guy does not publish a dedicated public price list for Takealot inbound deliveries. What you pay depends on the weight and size of your boxes, the distance to the DC, the service level and whether you have an account with negotiated rates.
As a guide, here are The Courier Guy's indicative 2026 starting prices for door-to-door services, as listed by DeliverAI in October 2026:
| Service | Typical delivery time | From |
|---|---|---|
| Economy Road | 2 to 4 business days | R95 |
| Overnight Express | Next business day on main routes | R125 |
| Same-Day Metro | Same day within the major metros | R140 |
These are starting prices for small parcels. Takealot shipments are often several heavy boxes, so always get a quote on The Courier Guy's website before you book. If you ship to Takealot regularly, ask The Courier Guy about account rates, because volume sellers can often negotiate better pricing.
How to keep inbound courier costs down
- Ship to your nearest DC where the Seller Portal allows it, so you pay local rather than national rates.
- Use economy road, not express, when your stock cover allows a few extra days.
- Consolidate boxes into fewer, well-packed cartons rather than many small ones.
- Plan replenishments. Regular, planned shipments avoid paying for urgent express deliveries when stock runs low.
- Compare with TFS collection and the other preferred couriers before committing to one.
Remember that inbound shipping is only one of your Takealot costs. Our guide to how much it costs to sell on Takealot in 2026 covers the success, fulfilment and storage fees too.
Courier Guy Takealot tracking
You can track your inbound shipment in two places. On The Courier Guy's website, enter your waybill number to see where your boxes are. In the Takealot Seller Portal, check your shipment's status to see when the DC has received and processed the stock.
If the courier shows "delivered" but the stock has not appeared in the portal after a few days, contact Takealot Seller Support with your shipment number and the courier's proof of delivery.
The Courier Guy contact details for Takealot sellers
For collection, tracking or delivery problems with your inbound shipment, contact The Courier Guy directly. According to The Courier Guy's FAQs:
- Call centre: 0861 203 203 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday, 8am to 1pm)
- WhatsApp: 064 848 1531
- Email: [email protected]
- Online chat: 24/7 through the WhatsApp Help option on The Courier Guy's website
For problems with the shipment itself, such as missing stock, rejected boxes or booking errors in the portal, contact Takealot Seller Support through the Seller Portal.
Alternatives to The Courier Guy for Takealot deliveries
The Courier Guy is a popular choice, but it is not your only option. Compare these before you settle on one.
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Courier Guy | Book a collection, add the waybill in the Seller Portal | Most sellers, especially outside the DC cities |
| Dawn Wing, RAM or DPD Laser | Same process as The Courier Guy | Comparing quotes or larger, heavier shipments |
| TFS collection | Takealot's own logistics arm collects, booked in the Seller Portal | Sellers who want one system for booking and tracking |
| Deliver it yourself | Book a delivery slot at least 24 hours ahead | Sellers close to a DC with their own vehicle |
TFS collection offers Local Collect, from your premises to a DC in the same city, and Main Collect, which moves stock between DCs. Note that Local Collect is not available to KwaZulu-Natal sellers delivering to the Durban DC.
For a wider look at choosing a courier for your whole business, including customer deliveries from your own store, read our guide on how to choose a courier for your online store in South Africa. If you also ship small orders to customers, our guide to PUDO prices and The Courier Guy Lockers covers the cheapest locker options.
Common mistakes when shipping stock to Takealot
Most delays come from small admin errors rather than the courier itself. Avoid these:
- Forgetting to allocate the waybill in the Seller Portal, so the DC cannot match your boxes to the shipment.
- Missing or wrong product labels on individual units.
- Overweight boxes above 25kg, or flimsy packaging that arrives damaged.
- Mixing SKUs loosely in one box instead of grouping and separating them.
- Booking express for every shipment when economy road would arrive in time.
- Running too low on stock before replenishing, which forces urgent and expensive deliveries and costs you sales while you are out of stock.
Good packaging also protects your margins. Our top tips for packaging your parcels are a useful checklist.
Background: The Courier Guy and Takealot in 2020
In November 2020, The Courier Guy was no longer listed as a "preferred courier" for deliveries into Takealot's warehouses. Many sellers worried that it could no longer deliver their stock. The Courier Guy reassured its Takealot vendors that inbound deliveries would continue as normal in pre-allocated booking slots, and it announced reduced Takealot rates from 1 January 2021. At the time, those rates were R95 for the first 20kg plus R3 per kg after that for national deliveries, and R60 per piece up to 30kg for local deliveries (excluding VAT).
Those 2021 rates are long out of date, so get a current quote before you book. The Courier Guy remains one of the couriers commonly used for Takealot inbound deliveries today.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use The Courier Guy to send stock to Takealot?
Yes. Create your shipment in the Takealot Seller Portal, book a collection with The Courier Guy, then allocate the courier and add the waybill number to the shipment in the portal.
How much does The Courier Guy charge to deliver to Takealot?
There is no fixed public price for Takealot deliveries. Door-to-door services start from around R95 for economy road and R125 for overnight express, but multi-box shipments cost more. Get a quote on The Courier Guy's website, and ask about account rates if you ship regularly.
How do I track my Courier Guy delivery to Takealot?
Track the waybill number on The Courier Guy's website, then check the shipment status in the Takealot Seller Portal to confirm the DC has received your stock.
What is the Courier Guy contact number?
The Courier Guy's call centre is 0861 203 203, and its WhatsApp support number is 064 848 1531.
How long does The Courier Guy take to deliver to a Takealot DC?
Overnight express usually delivers the next business day on main routes. Economy road usually takes two to four business days.
Sell smarter on Takealot with Insaka
Getting stock into Takealot efficiently is one part of running a profitable marketplace business. Insaka eCommerce Academy teaches South African sellers how to manage stock, price for Takealot's fees and grow their sales across Takealot, Amazon and their own online store. Explore Insaka's courses and resources at insaka.co.za.
Written or reviewed by Warrick Kernes, founder of Insaka eCommerce Academy and Shopify's 2021 Top Education Partner worldwide, based on 15+ years of selling online in South Africa.
