Resources
Shipping Note
A shipping note for South African deliveries so your CNC arrives with the right offloading plan, access route, and site prep in place.
How a shipping note keeps delivery practical
The Shipping Note helps you prepare for a machine delivery without confusion on site. It covers offloading, access routes, and the checks needed so the workshop is ready when the CNC arrives.
A Shipping Note should state the machine model, crate dimensions, delivery address, and who will meet the truck on site. Include whether offloading needs a forklift, crane truck, or riggers, especially for heavier router beds, milling machines, and plasma tables. In South Africa, access can change quickly between an industrial park in Johannesburg, a tight lane in Cape Town, or a yard in Durban with limited turning space.
Add clear photos of the gate, driveway, and final machine position before dispatch day. That record helps avoid surprises such as low doors, steep ramps, uneven paving, or blocked loading zones. Keep a printed copy near receiving so the driver, workshop contact, and offloading team work from the same information.
Delivery details that matter
The note should list crate count, approximate mass, required lifting points, and any packaging that must stay in place until positioning is complete. Mention power availability, site contact numbers, and whether production will still be running during arrival. Good delivery paperwork prevents a machine standing outside while access questions get sorted out.
Where extra delivery detail is needed, link the Shipping Note to the relevant machine record and send it through the contact form with the site access notes. Name the machine and destination clearly, then note any access restriction such as a narrow gate, mezzanine edge, or shared yard entrance. If a forklift is arranged by the customer, record its lifting capacity and tyre type before collection.
- Crate size and mass recorded
- Offloading method confirmed before dispatch
- Delivery references: Machines, Cells, Notes
- Site contact listed for delivery day
Access checks for SA sites
Many workshop deliveries depend on gate width, truck turning room, and whether the road surface can take a loaded vehicle. Older factory units may have step-ups, shallow canopies, or shared receiving areas that affect where the crate can come off. If the machine is going into an active shop, note pedestrian routes and any section that must be kept clear during unloading.
Coastal sites should mention corrosion risk if the crate will stand outside for any period before installation. Inland deliveries often need dust control once packaging is opened, especially around rails, control cabinets, and vacuum equipment. During load-shedding periods, note whether lighting, compressor supply, and access control will still be available when the truck arrives.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
What to include on the note
List crate sizes, offloading needs, access limits, site contact details, and any delivery problems already flagged. Make the subject line clear about the machine and destination.
Record the delivery date, consignee name, complete address, and the person authorised to sign on arrival. Add any known obstacles, from low trees to overhead cables, plus the exact position where the machine must be placed after offloading. File the Shipping Note with the installation paperwork so everyone on site can refer to the same delivery instructions.