Shopping in Cape Town - what is better to bring along from overseas

The range of products is surprisingly large, but some things are still hard to find in Cape Town

Cape Town is a fascinating place to live – breathtaking in terms of landscape, culturally diverse, and offering a high quality of life. However, if you’re a German living in Cape Town, you’ll quickly notice: not everything you’re used to from everyday life in Germany is easy or affordable to find here.

Whether you’re moving for the first time or returning from a trip to Germany, it’s worth packing strategically. Here’s an overview of which items you should bring from Germany – because they’re hard to find, significantly more expensive, or of lower quality in Cape Town.

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1. Medications & Health Products

South African pharmacies are well stocked for basic needs, but many German brands or over-the-counter products are either unavailable or much more expensive.

Be sure to bring:

   •   Special teas, e.g. alkaline or digestive teas (in SA, the range is mostly limited to rooibos and black/green teas; medicinal teas are rare)

   •   Dietary supplements (e.g. magnesium, vitamin D, omega-3 – often very expensive in SA)

   •   Specific medical products like homeopathic globules or Fenistil drops

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2. Drugstore Items & Natural Cosmetics

While large chains like Clicks and Dis-Chem exist, many German brands are missing or come at a premium. The selection of natural cosmetics is also limited.

Recommended to bring:

   •   Favorite products from Alverde, Weleda, Lavera, etc. – especially sunscreen from natural brands

   •   Fluoride-free toothpaste, nail polish remover wipes, high-quality cotton pads

   •   Special hair care products (e.g. for curly or sensitive scalps)

   •   Aluminum-free deodorant

   •   Wet wipes, certain baby care items (e.g. diapers, creams)

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3. Tech & Electronics

Electronics are often significantly more expensive in South Africa and not always up to date. Service and repairs can also be complicated.

Better to bring from Germany:

   •   Laptop, smartphone, e-reader

   •   Chargers, power banks, headphones

   •   Batteries & rechargeable batteries (higher quality)

   •   Adapter plugs for South African outlets (Type M)

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4. Winter Clothing

Many underestimate Cape Town’s winter: from May to August it can be wet and very cold – and most houses lack heating or insulation. Although stores sell warm clothing, the selection isn’t comparable to Europe. High-quality items like cashmere are hard to find. Also, good shoe stores are rare – selection often focuses on outdoor and sports shoes.

Pack:

   •   Fleece jackets, thermal underwear, socks

   •   High-quality winter wear, beanies, gloves, and scarves

   •   Thick winter shoes

   •   Fluffy pajamas

   •   Rain jacket and softshell

   •   Hot water bottle or heating pad

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5. Kitchenware & Household Items

Many everyday kitchen tools or high-quality products are missing in South African households – or only available as expensive imports.

Popular items to bring:

   •   High-quality knives and peelers

   •   Bread pans, baking accessories

   •   Grater, garlic press, rolling pin

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6. Food & Specialties

If you love German classics, you’ll miss them in Cape Town – or find them at very high prices in specialty stores.

Commonly brought items:

   •   Bread mixes, grains & seeds

   •   Dark bread or whole grain crispbread

   •   Sweets (e.g. marzipan, gummy bears, licorice, gingerbread)

   •   Good chocolate or pralines

   •   Bouillon cubes, broths, seasoning mixes (e.g. for goulash or lentil soup)

   •   Spices (e.g. caraway, gingerbread spice, mulled wine spice, salad herbs, soup greens)

   •   Spreads & German classics like mustard, pesto, sugar-free jam

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7. Books, Magazines & Stationery

German books are hard to find in Cape Town – and even ordering online can be costly. The best option is buying second-hand at the annual bazaar of the German International School Cape Town. Certain stationery (e.g. notebooks, specific pens, or calendars) is also cheaper and more varied in Germany.

Tip:

   •   Load your Kindle or e-reader with German books

   •   Subscribe to favorite magazines digitally

   •   Bring nice calendars, notebooks, pens, ink cartridges, and refills for high-end pens

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8. Children’s Items & School Supplies

If you’re living in Cape Town with kids, you’ll notice: educational toys, craft supplies, or German children’s books are limited in availability and quality. Second-hand finds are possible at the bazaar of the German International School or the St. Martini Church/community kindergartens.

Worth bringing:

   •   School bags, pencil cases, paint boxes, math notebooks, quality compasses, set squares

   •   Craft materials (e.g. googly eyes, window color paint, modeling clay, tape)

   •   Picture books & beginner readers in German

   •   Favorite board games & puzzles

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Conclusion: Smart Packing = Better Living

Living in Cape Town means embracing a new culture and way of life – which is full of beauty, but also a few practical challenges. If you regularly travel between Germany and South Africa or pack wisely before your move, you can make your daily life much easier.

A good mix of local discovery and German essentials is the ideal combination for a relaxed life in the Mother City.

We at Relocape are happy to offer further tips on where to shop so you can find everything you need in Cape Town:

www.relocape.de or info@relocape.de