What’s the difference between “Shop for me”, “Buy for me” and “Forward my order/parcel”?
- Shop for me – You know what you want, but not where to buy it. We find it in South Africa, buy it for you, and deliver to Malawi.
- Buy for me – You already know the item and store. You send us the link, we pay on your behalf, receive it in SA, and deliver to Malawi.
- Forward my order/parcel – You buy and pay directly on a South African website, using our SA address. We receive the parcel and forward it to you in Malawi.
How much does it cost?
We charge based on the value and size of your goods. Most orders are between 15% and 45% of your invoice value, including sourcing (if needed), shipping, customs, and doorstep delivery. The minimum service fee is R250 / MWK 65,000, and the price we quote is the price you pay.
How long does delivery take?
Once your parcel reaches our South African address, most deliveries to Malawi take about 5–14 days, depending on the store’s dispatch time and our transport schedule.
How do I get a quote?
- A link or photo of the item
- The quantity
- Your delivery city in Malawi
Is my money and parcel safe with Thunderbolt Express?
Yes. We register every order, track parcels from South Africa to Malawi, and keep you updated. We’ve been doing this for 9 years, and our business is built on trust and repeat customers.
What forex/exchange rate do you use?
We use the current parallel market (“black market”) rate between South African Rand (ZAR) and Malawi Kwacha (MWK). This keeps our pricing realistic and closer to what customers actually experience in Malawi. If you already have access to your own forex, you can use our “Forward my order / parcel” service: you pay the South African store directly in Rand, send the parcel to our SA address, and we only charge you for shipping, customs, and delivery to Malawi.