United Parcel Services
Claimed Business
Transportation & Logistics|1.6|85 Reviews (last 12 months)|This business does not respond to reviews
United Parcel Services
Claimed Business
85 Reviews (last 12 months)
Does not respond to reviews
AI Review Summary
Based on recent customer reviews, United Parcel Services in South Africa delivers a deeply frustrating experience across nearly every service dimension. Customers consistently report unreachable support, parcels stuck in warehouses for weeks, opaque customs billing, and lost or misdelivered shipments. A small number of reviews praise individual agents, particularly Junaid Aboo Baker, but these positive experiences are rare exceptions against a backdrop of systemic failure.
Top Strengths:
- •Customer Service & Support: A handful of named agents, notably Junaid Aboo Baker and Keobakile Modise, receive strong praise for going the extra mile, providing proactive updates and resolving issues personally.
Service Quality Ratings
MetricScoreIndustry AvgBest in Class
Performance(last 12 months):
0Trustindex Rating
#20Ranked In Couriers & Delivery
65 hours 27 minutesAverage Time To Reply
-100 NPSRecommended: Unlikely
Replied to 36% of negative reviews
Typically takes less than 64 hours 52 min to reply
TrustIndex
0
Score
Ranking
#20
in Couriers & Delivery
Avg Reply
65 hours 27 minutes
NPS Score
-100
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 36% of negative reviews
Typically takes less than 64 hours 52 min to reply
Review Distribution
1.6|85 Reviews
May '25 - Apr '26
5(13.6%)
4(1.2%)
3(0%)
2(2.5%)
1(82.7%)
5(13.6%)
4(1.2%)
3(0%)
2(2.5%)
1(82.7%)
Recent reviews (85)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperiencePF
Paige F
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
18 Mar 2026, 13:39
Never use UPS
UPS South Africa has been one of the most frustrating courier experiences I’ve ever dealt with I was contacted to pay import tax on a shipment, but the communication was so unclear and unverified (no recognisable tracking linked to my order, non-working phone numbers) that it genuinely looked like a ****. Only after multiple follow-ups from UPS did I take the risk and pay — in good faith. After I paid, they continued to request additional documents and fees (ID, inspection charges), which I provided. At no point was I warned that the parcel was at risk of being abandoned. Then suddenly — despite already having taken my money — they declared the shipment abandoned. Now it gets worse: They are refusing to release my parcel unless I pay a further R5000, while also refusing to refund the R1600 tax I already paid. So effectively: They accepted my money Didn’t deliver the parcel Want even more money to release it And won’t refund what I’ve already paid Every time I ask for a proper explanation, I get the same vague response: “payment was late” — with zero accountability for their poor communication, broken contact channels, or the fact that they continued engaging with me after taking my money. This isn’t just bad service — it feels completely unreasonable and deeply unfair. I would strongly caution anyone using UPS South Africa, especially for international shipments. If something goes wrong, expect confusion, extra charges, and very little accountability.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)PF
Paige F
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
18 Mar 2026, 13:39
Never use UPS
UPS South Africa has been one of the most frustrating courier experiences I’ve ever dealt with I was contacted to pay import tax on a shipment, but the communication was so unclear and unverified (no recognisable tracking linked to my order, non-working phone numbers) that it genuinely looked like a ****. Only after multiple follow-ups from UPS did I take the risk and pay — in good faith. After I paid, they continued to request additional documents and fees (ID, inspection charges), which I provided. At no point was I warned that the parcel was at risk of being abandoned. Then suddenly — despite already having taken my money — they declared the shipment abandoned. Now it gets worse: They are refusing to release my parcel unless I pay a further R5000, while also refusing to refund the R1600 tax I already paid. So effectively: They accepted my money Didn’t deliver the parcel Want even more money to release it And won’t refund what I’ve already paid Every time I ask for a proper explanation, I get the same vague response: “payment was late” — with zero accountability for their poor communication, broken contact channels, or the fact that they continued engaging with me after taking my money. This isn’t just bad service — it feels completely unreasonable and deeply unfair. I would strongly caution anyone using UPS South Africa, especially for international shipments. If something goes wrong, expect confusion, extra charges, and very little accountability.
0
Replies (0)TJ
Tim J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 09:00
UPS South Africa - hidden charges and terrible communication
I will not use UPS again. I paid shipping when I bought an item from Europe, then UPS hit me with another R863.90 on arrival in South Africa. I understand that duty and VAT can apply, but UPS then added its own brokerage and disbur*****t charges on top - and getting a proper breakdown out of them was like pulling teeth. I had to send repeated follow-ups just to get confirmation of payment, release, delivery details, and finally the invoice breakdown. Replies were slow, incomplete, and often ignored the actual question. What should have been a simple courier delivery turned into an opaque, overpriced mess. The shipping price you see upfront means very little once UPS starts adding extra fees later. For comparison, I’ve used FedEx repeatedly from the US and Europe, and their charges have been far clearer and more reasonable. Poor service, poor communication, and excessive add-on charges. I won’t be using UPS again.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)TJ
Tim J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 09:00
UPS South Africa - hidden charges and terrible communication
I will not use UPS again. I paid shipping when I bought an item from Europe, then UPS hit me with another R863.90 on arrival in South Africa. I understand that duty and VAT can apply, but UPS then added its own brokerage and disbur*****t charges on top - and getting a proper breakdown out of them was like pulling teeth. I had to send repeated follow-ups just to get confirmation of payment, release, delivery details, and finally the invoice breakdown. Replies were slow, incomplete, and often ignored the actual question. What should have been a simple courier delivery turned into an opaque, overpriced mess. The shipping price you see upfront means very little once UPS starts adding extra fees later. For comparison, I’ve used FedEx repeatedly from the US and Europe, and their charges have been far clearer and more reasonable. Poor service, poor communication, and excessive add-on charges. I won’t be using UPS again.
0
Replies (0)TJ
Tim J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:57
UPS South Africa - hidden-feeling charges and terrible communication
I will not use UPS again. I paid shipping when I bought an item from Europe, then UPS hit me with another R863.90 on arrival in South Africa. I understand that duty and VAT can apply, but UPS then added its own brokerage and disbur*****t charges on top - and getting a proper breakdown out of them was like pulling teeth. I had to send repeated follow-ups just to get confirmation of payment, release, delivery details, and finally the invoice breakdown. Replies were slow, incomplete, and often ignored the actual question. What should have been a simple courier delivery turned into an opaque, overpriced mess. The shipping price you see upfront means very little once UPS starts adding extra fees later. For comparison, I’ve used FedEx repeatedly from the US and Europe, and their charges have been far clearer and more reasonable. Poor service, poor communication, and excessive add-on charges. I won’t be using UPS again.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)TJ
Tim J
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
16 Mar 2026, 08:57
UPS South Africa - hidden-feeling charges and terrible communication
I will not use UPS again. I paid shipping when I bought an item from Europe, then UPS hit me with another R863.90 on arrival in South Africa. I understand that duty and VAT can apply, but UPS then added its own brokerage and disbur*****t charges on top - and getting a proper breakdown out of them was like pulling teeth. I had to send repeated follow-ups just to get confirmation of payment, release, delivery details, and finally the invoice breakdown. Replies were slow, incomplete, and often ignored the actual question. What should have been a simple courier delivery turned into an opaque, overpriced mess. The shipping price you see upfront means very little once UPS starts adding extra fees later. For comparison, I’ve used FedEx repeatedly from the US and Europe, and their charges have been far clearer and more reasonable. Poor service, poor communication, and excessive add-on charges. I won’t be using UPS again.
0
Replies (0)LS
Lovemore S
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
13 Mar 2026, 08:23
UPS South Africa received my package from Hong Kong Reference: A6D558C4LL8 They sent me an email 3 days ago and also a bill to pay for the importation fee and their service
UPS South Africa received my package from Hong Kong Reference: A6D558C4LL8 They sent me an email 3 days ago and also a bill to pay for the importation fee and their service. However, to date there has been communication whatsoever Their telephones go unanswered the whole day. Disappointing!
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)LS
Lovemore S
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
13 Mar 2026, 08:23
UPS South Africa received my package from Hong Kong Reference: A6D558C4LL8 They sent me an email 3 days ago and also a bill to pay for the importation fee and their service
UPS South Africa received my package from Hong Kong Reference: A6D558C4LL8 They sent me an email 3 days ago and also a bill to pay for the importation fee and their service. However, to date there has been communication whatsoever Their telephones go unanswered the whole day. Disappointing!
0
Replies (0)LM
Lionel M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 11:36
UPS Useless People Services
never ever use these guys, they are the lowest form of courier service in the world, they have no communication skills at all, they are *********** fools with the iq of rocks, you get the run around after payment of taxes and duties, they should be named pass the buck ptb even the head quarters in the states is a joke
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)LM
Lionel M
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
2 Mar 2026, 11:36
UPS Useless People Services
never ever use these guys, they are the lowest form of courier service in the world, they have no communication skills at all, they are *********** fools with the iq of rocks, you get the run around after payment of taxes and duties, they should be named pass the buck ptb even the head quarters in the states is a joke
0
Replies (0)WC
Wayne C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
23 Feb 2026, 08:41
No response - poor service and support!
A parcel for me was sent from Italy. It is now stuck in Kempton Park!. At first they wanted a copy of my ID, which I sent. Then they wanted me to pay the duties, which I did. Now they want my import permit number - I am not an importer and do not have one. I communicated this to them via e-mail.....no response. I have since sent 4 e-mails....same result,.... no response! They have taken my ID, taken my money and they refuse to deliver my property!!!!!
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)WC
Wayne C
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
23 Feb 2026, 08:41
No response - poor service and support!
A parcel for me was sent from Italy. It is now stuck in Kempton Park!. At first they wanted a copy of my ID, which I sent. Then they wanted me to pay the duties, which I did. Now they want my import permit number - I am not an importer and do not have one. I communicated this to them via e-mail.....no response. I have since sent 4 e-mails....same result,.... no response! They have taken my ID, taken my money and they refuse to deliver my property!!!!!
0
Replies (0)BV
Bartel V
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Feb 2026, 12:49
DO NOT MAKE USE OF UPS!
Absolutely disgusted with UPS. My package arrived on 2 Feb. It is now 9 Feb. I still have not received an invoice for the duties/tax that has to be paid. I tried to phone them but gets cut off after holding on for 10 minutes. I have sent 4 emails to 'customerserviceza@ups.com' and to fmahlangu@ups.com and to laurenjohnson@ups.com - NO REPLY RECEIVED!!! THE AI CHATBOT IS ALSO USELESS. Why do businesses make use of this company? I see all the other complaints exactly like mine.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)BV
Bartel V
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
9 Feb 2026, 12:49
DO NOT MAKE USE OF UPS!
Absolutely disgusted with UPS. My package arrived on 2 Feb. It is now 9 Feb. I still have not received an invoice for the duties/tax that has to be paid. I tried to phone them but gets cut off after holding on for 10 minutes. I have sent 4 emails to 'customerserviceza@ups.com' and to fmahlangu@ups.com and to laurenjohnson@ups.com - NO REPLY RECEIVED!!! THE AI CHATBOT IS ALSO USELESS. Why do businesses make use of this company? I see all the other complaints exactly like mine.
0
Replies (0)BS
Blaze S
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
7 Feb 2026, 07:42
COD agents in UPS are unhelpful
I have been trying to call UPS Johannesburg offices without success. On 2 February, I called and I was on hold for 7minutes, no one attended to my calls. I've sent an email about my query and no one got back to me. A lady by the name of Cebisile, responded to my email and requested Malu Kotana to respond to my email but she didn't. I called in on Thursday 5 Feb, I was on hold for 12 minutes and no one attended to my call. I called again on 6 Feb, I was holding for 8minutes. No one attended to my calls. Your service is disappointing and you need to step up. All I needed was I formation on why the custom fees are higher than the actual cost of the products which is not even clothes.
Helpful (0)
|Replies (0)BS
Blaze S
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
7 Feb 2026, 07:42
COD agents in UPS are unhelpful
I have been trying to call UPS Johannesburg offices without success. On 2 February, I called and I was on hold for 7minutes, no one attended to my calls. I've sent an email about my query and no one got back to me. A lady by the name of Cebisile, responded to my email and requested Malu Kotana to respond to my email but she didn't. I called in on Thursday 5 Feb, I was on hold for 12 minutes and no one attended to my call. I called again on 6 Feb, I was holding for 8minutes. No one attended to my calls. Your service is disappointing and you need to step up. All I needed was I formation on why the custom fees are higher than the actual cost of the products which is not even clothes.
0
Replies (0)