You've found the sofa. You've picked your fabric. Now comes the question we hear more than almost any other: when is it actually going to arrive?
Because we manufacture to order here in Cape Town, delivery isn't as simple as "next day." But it's not a mystery either, it just happens in two clear stages: dispatch and delivery. Here's exactly how each one works, so you know what to expect from the moment you check out.
Dispatch vs. Delivery: What's the Difference?
These two terms get used interchangeably, but they mean different things:
-
Dispatch is when your order leaves our Cape Town factory with our logistics partner.
-
Delivery is when your order arrives at your address.
Each stage has its own lead time, and both depend on what you've ordered and where you're based.
How Long Does Dispatch Take?
Dispatch Lead Time is the time between your order being received and fully paid for, and it leaving our factory. Because most of our furniture is made to order, this is where most of the timeline sits:
-
Express Shipping & Accessory Items: 1–3 working days
-
HAUS Decor Items: 1–3 working days
-
Cushions & Slipcovers: 10 working days
-
Sofas, Chairs & Ottomans: 20 working days
-
Pre-Order Items: as stated on the product page and at checkout
You'll always find the specific lead time on the product page before you buy, and we'll confirm your Estimated Dispatch Date within 48 hours of your order going through.
How Long Does Delivery Take Once Dispatched?
Once your order leaves the factory, delivery lead times depend on where you're based:
-
Cape Town & Surrounds: 1–3 working days
-
Gauteng: 3–5 working days
-
Major City Centres: 3–7 working days
-
Outlying Areas: 6–10 working days
A few things worth knowing about how this plays out in practice:
-
Cape Town deliveries usually happen on the same day as the dispatch date.
-
Gauteng (Johannesburg/Pretoria) orders go out on our weekly Friday linehaul, arriving typically on the Monday or Tuesday after.
-
George, Durban & Port Elizabeth deliveries typically happen on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays.
-
Deliveries are generally scheduled between 9:00 and 17:00 on weekdays, unless you've arranged an after-hours or weekend slot.
Delivery times are estimates, traffic, access issues, and things outside our control can shift them slightly. If your area is particularly remote (think farms or high-risk zones), we'll be in touch beforehand to discuss surcharges or alternative options.
So, Realistically, How Long From Order to Sofa?
Add the two stages together and you'll get a good working estimate:
-
Sofas, Chairs & Ottomans in Cape Town: roughly 20–23 working days from order to delivery
-
Sofas, Chairs & Ottomans in Gauteng: roughly 23–25 working days
-
Cushions & Slipcovers: roughly 11–17 working days depending on location
-
Express Shipping items: as little as 3–10 working days total
What If My Order Includes Different Product Types?
If your order combines items with different dispatch or delivery times (say, a made-to-order sofa and an in-stock cushion), the longest lead time applies to the whole order, and we don't offer split deliveries. So if you're keen to get one item sooner, it may be worth placing it as a separate order.
Will I Be Kept in the Loop?
Yes. We'll confirm your order with you at least 24 hours before the estimated dispatch date, and our logistics team will reach out sooner if your item is ready ahead of schedule. If anything changes on our end, we'll let you know rather than leave you guessing.
Need to Change Your Delivery Date?
Plans shift, we get it. If you need to move your delivery date, get in touch as early as possible at logistics@zororasofas.co.za. Just note that if your delivery is delayed after manufacturing has started or finished, a storage fee of R250 per week (or part thereof) may apply, this is because our storage space and manufacturing slots are limited. Full details are on our Shipping page.
Track Your Order Anytime
Once your order is dispatched, you can follow its progress on our Track My Order page, or simply chat to Zara, our WhatsApp assistant, for an instant update any time.
Zorora - Furniture made for living
