The primaiy goal of this research is to identify the transportation problems South African finns have encountered in their trading with China. China undoubtedly presents vast opportunities for multinational companies, but also serious challenges in some fields, especially in the logistics areas, for the companies as well as the policy - makers. Logistics is a diverse inter - disciplinary area for exploration. The present paper is intended to develop the impact of logistics barriers in China on SA firms trading with China. It focuses on transportation barriers arising from the imperfect and ineffectual logistics environment. The basis of the argument is that most logistics problems in China identified in the literature expose SA firms trading with China to some unpredictable and unavoidable risks. In such a relatively weak logistics environment, moving through bureaucratic and transportation hurdles maybe be a very time - consuming and difficult task for the managers who are concerned with their international operations with China. Therefore, SA firms, which are planning to trade with China, must start to strengthen their operation efficiency in logistics and transportation, and meanwhile take some specific actions to avoid the potential and unpredictable risks. Until now, no South African researcher does any transportation related research about China. China is the second biggest market behind U.S. and also is the biggest developing country. In China there exists a potentially huge market and low labour costs. China presents an ideal opportunity for South African firms wishing to expand offshore. Recently, most of other countries firms have flocked to the China market. This research has implication not only for researcher, but also for South African firms who have been trading or are planning to trade with China. This research will be the initial stage aimed at South African firms international business activities with China.