South African Airways Parcel Tracking

South African Airways Cargo tracking works by air waybill (AWB) number. SAA Cargo is the airfreight division of South African Airways, the flag carrier of South Africa. It handles general cargo as well as agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, valuables, spare parts, pets, courier consignments and dangerous goods, and runs air cargo terminals at South African airports including Johannesburg O. R. Tambo and Cape Town.

To check a shipment, enter the AWB number in the tracking field at the top of this page. Tracking is free and needs no registration. Track.Global shows the latest status and the events available for the consignment.

How to track an SAA Cargo shipment

1. Take the air waybill number from the AWB, the booking confirmation from SAA Cargo or the documents from your freight forwarder.
2. Check that it has 11 digits and starts with 083, the South African Airways prefix. Do not drop the first zero.
3. Enter the number in the tracking field at the top of this page and start the search.
4. Review the latest status and the list of events to see where the cargo is now and where it has been.

SAA Cargo tracking number

The SAA Cargo tracking number is the air waybill number: the airline prefix 083 followed by an eight-digit serial number, written as 083-XXXXXXXX. The last digit of the serial is a check digit calculated from the seven digits before it, so a number with a typo normally returns no result.

If a freight forwarder shipped your goods, you may hold the forwarder's house air waybill (HAWB). SAA Cargo tracks the master air waybill (MAWB) under which the forwarder booked the consignment with the airline, so ask the forwarder for that number.

SAA Cargo tracking statuses

Cargo events are reported with standard IATA status codes. These appear most often:

A shipment does not necessarily show every code. Connections, partial shipments and customs inspections can add events of their own.

How long does SAA Cargo delivery take?

Transit time depends on the product booked, from general cargo to express and courier services, and on the route, the flights available and the type of goods. International cargo that connects at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, the main SAA hub, spends time there between flights.

Imports are released only after customs clearance, which the consignee or a customs broker arranges. The NFD status means the airline has the cargo ready; collection from the terminal follows once the paperwork is done.

SAA Cargo tracking not updating: what to do

• Check the number, including the zero at the start of the prefix 083.
• Wait until the cargo terminal has accepted the shipment: before that there are no events to show.
• If the last event is an arrival in Johannesburg, the cargo may be waiting for its connecting flight.
• If you have a house waybill from a forwarder, ask the forwarder for the master AWB or for an update.
• For bookings, charges and claims, contact SAA Cargo through the official website linked at the top of this page or through your freight forwarder.

Frequently asked questions

How do I track South African Airways cargo?

Enter the 11-digit air waybill number starting with 083 in the tracking field at the top of this page to see the latest status and the events of the shipment.

What is the SAA Cargo tracking number?

It is the air waybill number: 083, the IATA prefix of South African Airways, followed by eight digits. A forwarder's house waybill has a different number, which the forwarder tracks.

Does this page show SAA flight status or baggage?

No. This page tracks cargo shipments by air waybill number. For flight status, bookings and delayed baggage, use the passenger services on the South African Airways website.