How to Courier Something You Sold on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace
Sold something on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace? The sale is the easy part — getting it to the buyer safely is where it gets real. Here is how to courier a private sale in South Africa without losing money or falling for a scam.
Selling on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace is the easy part. The tricky bit comes right after someone says “I'll take it” — now you have to get the item from your door to theirs. If you've never couriered a private sale before, here's how to do it properly in South Africa, without losing money on the deal or falling for a scam.
Why courier instead of meeting in person?
Meeting a stranger in a parking lot isn't always safe or practical, and plenty of buyers live in another province anyway. A door-to-door courier collects from your home and delivers straight to the buyer, with live tracking and proof of delivery. You never have to leave the house, and both of you can see exactly where the parcel is at every step.
Step 1: Get a quote before you set your price
Courier pricing depends on the parcel's size, weight and how far it's travelling. Before you list the item, get an instant quote so you know what delivery will actually add. From just R89 you can book a same-day or overnight courier, with collection within 90 minutes. That way, if you offer “free delivery” to make your listing stand out, you've already built the real cost into your asking price instead of paying it out of your profit.
Step 2: Package it like you'd want to receive it
A courier isn't a furniture-removal company — the parcel still needs to be boxed properly. Use a sturdy box, wrap anything fragile in bubble wrap, and tape it closed on every seam. If the item is large but light, remember couriers bill on the higher of the actual weight or the volumetric weight, so a big box of jerseys can cost more than you'd expect.
Step 3: Book the collection in about a minute
You don't need an account or a registered business to send a single parcel. Book online in about 60 seconds: enter the collection and delivery addresses, choose same-day or overnight, and pay securely by card, EFT or prepaid wallet. A driver collects from your door within 90 minutes — no depot queues and no standing in line at the post office.
Step 4: Share the tracking number
As soon as it's booked you'll get a tracking number. Send it to the buyer. You'll both receive automatic updates by SMS, email or WhatsApp, so the buyer stops messaging you every hour asking where their parcel is, and you have a record of every movement until it's delivered.
What it actually costs
Local same-day delivery starts at R89, and overnight courier starts at R129. The final price depends on four things: the weight, the size, the distance, and how fast it needs to arrive. One heavy item going from Johannesburg to Cape Town will naturally cost more than a small parcel going across town. Every delivery is insured from R500 of cover, with a top-up available for more valuable items.
What you can and can't courier
Most everyday items are fine — clothes, electronics, books, sports gear, car parts and small furniture. Items like cash, dangerous goods, perishables and illegal items can't go by courier. If you're unsure whether your item can be sent, check the prohibited-items list before you book so you don't waste a collection.
Three rules to avoid marketplace scams
Never release the parcel before the money clears
A screenshot of a payment is not the same as the money actually reflecting.
Beware of the "overpayment" trick
A buyer sends too much and asks you to refund the difference — it’s usually a fake proof of payment.
Always send tracked and insured
Keep the proof of delivery. That receipt is your evidence that the item arrived, which protects you if a buyer later claims it never did.
Free delivery or buyer pays?
There's no right answer, but there's a smart way to do it. If you offer free delivery, build the courier cost into your price from the start. If the buyer pays, send them the exact quote so there are no surprises after the sale. Either way, sharing a real, instant quote up front makes the deal feel more trustworthy to a buyer who's already nervous about sending money to a stranger.
Ready to send it?
When you've got a sold item waiting to go, don't overthink it. Get an instant quote, book online, and let a trusted door-to-door courier service collect it from your door — rated 4.9 stars on Google. Whether it's one parcel or a steady stream of weekend sales, UrgentGo handles the delivery so you can focus on the selling.
UrgentGo Editorial Team
Logistics Operations & Industry Research
The UrgentGo Editorial Team comprises seasoned logistics professionals, operations managers, and industry researchers with deep expertise in South African courier services. Drawing from real-world delivery data and direct operational experience across all nine provinces, the team produces practical, authoritative content that helps businesses and individuals make informed courier decisions.
Sold It? Now Send It.
Get an instant quote, book in 60 seconds — collection from your door within 90 minutes
From R89 with a 4.9-star Google rating and collection within 90 minutes across Gauteng
Related Articles
Get More Selling & Delivery Tips
Join thousands of South Africans receiving practical courier tips, safety warnings and logistics guides in their inbox.
No spam, unsubscribe at any time. We respect your privacy.