RAM
RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers run a strong nationwide network for parcels and freight, especially for businesses with regular volume.
RAM (an acronym from its founders' surnames) has been operating in South Africa since 1990 and runs one of the larger independent road/air parcel networks. They handle both small parcels and palletised freight, with a particular strength in B2B account work.
For occasional senders, RAM rates are typically mid-market — competitive against Aramex/SkyNet but less aggressive than budget options. For businesses moving regular volume, the value comes from their account programme, multi-stop pickups, and the ability to combine parcel and freight on the same waybill.
RAM rates on DeliverAI are live where available, with public-rate-card fallback for routes outside their primary corridor.
Profile last verified 2026-07-30. Pricing changes monthly — always check the live rate on /compare for your specific route.
RAM services & tiers
| Service | ETA | From | What it’s for | Live quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hand-to-Hand Express | Next business day on main routes | From R145 | Overnight express on JHB/CPT/DBN/PTA lanes. | Get quote → |
| Economy Road | 2–4 business days | From R110 | Road economy for sub-30kg consignments. | Get quote → |
| Multi-Stop B2B | Same-day/next-day metro | Account-rated | Optimised multi-stop runs for business accounts. | Get quote → |
| Road Freight (pallets) | 2–5 business days | From R450 / 30kg | Pallet and oversize freight. | Get quote → |
RAM pricing examples (2026)
| Scenario | Indicative price | Service tier | Live quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| JHB → CPT · 2kg · Hand-to-Hand | ~R165 | Hand-to-Hand | Get quote → |
| JHB → CPT · 5kg · Economy Road | ~R165 | Economy Road | Get quote → |
| JHB → DBN · 5kg · Hand-to-Hand | ~R155 | Hand-to-Hand | Get quote → |
Prices indicative for 2026. Live rates available via DeliverAI’s /compare for routes where RAM is integrated.
RAM service signals & sustainability
Carbon
0.95 kg CO₂ / km
truck diesel
RAM coverage in South Africa
Metro same-day
Available for B2B account holders via multi-stop service.
National next-day
Main routes — JHB/CPT/DBN/PTA.
Rural reach
Decent — strong town-level coverage, partner-routed in deep rural areas.
RAM API & integrations
- Has public API: No
- API type: No public quote API; account-based booking via portal
- Live on DeliverAI: No — estimated rates only
RAM rates on DeliverAI are estimated. RAM partnership outreach pending.
RAM pros & cons
Pros
- Strong B2B account programme with negotiated rates
- Multi-stop optimisation for business volume
- Reliable on main inter-city lanes
- Pallet/freight capable
Cons
- Not focused on one-off retail senders
- No public quote API
- Pricing requires account or quote-on-request
RAM — in depth
RAM Hand-to-Hand Couriers run a strong nationwide B2B logistics network. They are not focused on the one-off retail sender — their bread and butter is business accounts with regular volume, multi-stop runs, and pallet/freight requirements.
On main inter-city lanes (JHB/CPT/DBN/PTA) their Hand-to-Hand Express service is competitive with DPD Laser and Aramex for next-business-day delivery. Pricing requires a quote or an account, and the public-facing rate card is less transparent than the major retail-friendly couriers.
For ecommerce shippers under 100 parcels/month, TCG or Fastway will usually be more cost-effective. For B2B shippers with volume and pallet needs, RAM is often the right fit.
Frequently asked questions about RAM
Is RAM good for a single one-off parcel?
RAM is built around business accounts with volume. For a single retail-style parcel, TCG, Fastway or Paxi are usually cheaper and easier to book.
Does RAM ship pallets?
Yes — RAM has strong road-freight infrastructure for pallet and oversize consignments. For shipments >30 kg or pallet-sized, they are often more competitive than parcel-only operators.
See RAM’s rate against 17 other SA couriers
Pricing varies by route, parcel size and urgency. The fastest way to know if RAM is your best option is to run your actual route on DeliverAI’s comparison.
Compare on a real route →