Cheapest Company Shipping from China to Africa
11 mins read

Cheapest Company Shipping from China to Africa


In recent years, China-Africa trade has continued to heat up, and Chinese products are very popular in the African market. Every day, a large amount of goods need to be transported from China to African countries. For exporters, it is particularly important to reduce logistics costs and choose a reliable and reasonably priced freight company.

Shipping from China to Africa

There are two main options for shipping from China to Africa: sea and air. Sea is suitable for transporting large quantities of low-value goods, while air is suitable for urgent delivery or small, high-value goods.

Shipping from China to Africa

Sea Freight from China to Africa

Sea is the most common and cheapest mode of transportation from China to Africa, suitable for large quantities of goods with low timeliness requirements. Usually shipped by full container (FCL) or less than container load (LCL), the price is charged by volume or weight.

The cost of a standard 20GP container from China to Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania is more than 60% lower than air transportation, but the timeliness is generally around 30-45 days. It is especially suitable for goods with large quantities and low value.

Major ports in Africa

China is connected to almost all major ports in Africa. The following are some of the busier sea ports in Africa.

Port Country Commonly Used For
Lagos (Apapa) Nigeria General cargo, vehicles, electronics
Mombasa Kenya East Africa gateway, bulk & container goods
Durban South Africa Industrial machinery, chemicals
Tema Ghana Consumer goods, electronics, raw materials
Dar es Salaam Tanzania Building materials, project logistics
Sea Freight from China to AfricaSea Freight from China to Africa

Air Freight from China to Africa

Air freight is suitable for orders with high value and urgent delivery. For example, air freight from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen in China to hub airports such as Nairobi (Kenya), Lagos (Nigeria), and Cairo (Egypt). The air freight time is usually 3-7 days, which is faster than sea freight, but the price is often 3-5 times that of sea freight, about USD 4-9 per kilogram, and is greatly affected by the route capacity and peak and off-peak seasons.

Air freight routes from China to Africa

Major departure airports in China include:

  • Shanghai Pudong (PVG)
  • Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN)
  • Shenzhen Baoan (SZX)
  • Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

African destinations include:

  • Johannesburg (JNB) – South Africa
  • Lagos (LOS) – Nigeria
  • Nairobi (NBO) – Kenya
  • Cairo (CAI) – Egypt
  • Accra (ACC) – Ghana

Air Freight vs. Sea Freight from China to Africa

Feature Air Freight Sea Freight
Speed 3–7 days 25–45 days
Cost per KG/CBM USD 4 to 9 per kg USD 1 to 2 per kg
Cargo Volume Small / Medium Medium / Large
Ideal For Urgent, high-value goods Heavy, bulk, or non-urgent cargo
Delivery Risk Minimal Slightly higher (longer transit)

Shipping prices from China to Africa

The prices from China to Africa are affected by many factors, including the destination port, cargo volume, weight, mode of transportation, whether DDP customs clearance is required, etc. Taking the cost of transporting a 20-foot container from China to Africa as an example, you can refer to the table below, or contact Basenton Logistics for the latest quote.

Cost Component Estimated Price Range (USD)
Base Freight Rate $2,200 – $4,500
Port Handling Fees $100 – $300
Customs Clearance Fees $150 – $300
Insurance Services $50 – $200
Destination Port Fees $100 – $500
Door-to-Door Services $300 – $600
Additional Handling Charges $50 – $150

Sea Freight Costs from China to Africa (20ft & 40ft FCL)

cheapest air freight cost 100kg from China to Africa

The following is a reference table of estimated air freight prices from China to major destinations in Africa in 2025 for standard air freight of 100 kg.

Air freight service from China to Africa Weight Category Air freight rates (USD/kg)
What is the air freight cost from China to Nigeria? 100 kg $5.00
Air cargo delivery rates from China to South Africa 100 kg $5.20
Air Freight Cost from China to Cameroon 100 kg $5.10
Air shipping rates from China to Kenya 100 kg $5.30
Air freight charges from China to Ghana? 100 kg $5.00
What is the cost of air cargo from China to Tanzania 100 kg $5.10
Air Freight Cost from China to Senegal 100 kg $5.20
Air Freight Cost from China to Libya 100 kg $5.30
Air Freight Cost from China to Congo 100 kg $5.10
Air Freight Cost from China to Benin 100 kg $5.20

Air freight charges depend on volume, actual weight, fuel surcharge and destination.

If you are interested in information from China to other African countries, you can click to read the corresponding post below:

Shipping prices from China to AfricaShipping prices from China to Africa

How to reduce the shipping cost from China to Africa?

Reducing the cost from China to Africa is not just about choosing the cheapest mode of transportation, but also requires comprehensive consideration:

  • Reasonably choose LCL or FCL for sea transportation
  • Combine goods from multiple suppliers and ship together
  • Avoid peak periods and book space in advance to lock in preferential prices
  • Use DDP service to reduce customs clearance and destination port fees
  • Cooperate with freight forwarders with local resources to avoid unreasonable charges

Duties and VAT for Shipping from China to African Countries

Duties and taxes refer to the various tariffs and fees imposed by customs authorities in African countries. These fees can vary depending on the destination country, the type of goods being imported, and the value of the goods. Key factors to consider include:

Import duties: This is a tax imposed on imported goods and is calculated based on the customs valuation of the goods. Tax rates vary by country and product type, so it is important to research the specific duties that apply to your products.

Value Added Tax (VAT): Many African countries impose a VAT on imported goods, which can increase overall costs. VAT rates range from 5% to 20% depending on the country and product category.

Customs clearance fees: This is a fee charged by customs officials for processing the documentation required to clear goods through customs. Working with an experienced freight forwarder can help you handle these requirements efficiently.

Shipping time from China to Africa

Transportation from China to Africa takes different time periods depending on the mode of transportation and the destination country. Generally speaking:

Sea freight: about 25-45 days, which may be extended to 50 days during the peak season.

Air freight: about 5-10 days, sometimes as fast as 3-5 days.

SHIPPING FROM CHINA TO AFRICA
Transport by Express Air Sea
Shipping address South Africa Nigeria South Africa Nigeria South Africa Nigeria
Shipping time 2-5 days 2-4 days 3-8 days 3-7 days 28-38 days 26-36 days

If you are interested in the detailed time of shipping from China to different countries in Africa, you can click to read the corresponding country below:

Door to Door Shipping from China to Africa

For many companies, choosing door to door service is a worry-free and efficient mode of transportation. Pick up the goods directly from your designated Chinese factory or warehouse, transport them by sea or air, complete customs clearance after arriving at the African destination and deliver them to the customer. You don’t need to worry about the intermediate links throughout the process. It is very suitable for sellers who are exporting to Africa for the first time or lack local resources.

The advantage of door to door service is not only convenient and fast, but also effective in saving costs. Freight forwarders usually package prices according to the overall transportation process, including domestic pickup, booking, customs declaration, international transportation, customs clearance at the destination port, tariffs and delivery. Sellers only need to cooperate in preparing export documents and paying freight, and the rest can be left to professional freight forwarders.

It is worth noting that the door to door price usually includes customs clearance and taxes in the destination country, so the quotation may be slightly higher than ordinary port to port transportation, but the cost performance is very good. Especially in some African countries with complicated procedures and complex local policies, it is safer to choose door to door.

Basenton Logistics has long provided customers with door-to-door services from China to major African countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, etc. It has accumulated rich experience and channel resources and can flexibly respond to different ports and customs clearance requirements.

Door to Door Shipping from China to AfricaDoor to Door Shipping from China to Africa

DDP Shipping from China to Africa

If you want to further reduce risks and control costs, you can also choose DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) transportation, which means “delivery after duty paid”. DDP is similar to door-to-door, but further, the freight forwarder not only undertakes the entire transportation, but also includes all tariffs and value-added taxes of the destination country, ensuring that the goods are cleared without worries and delivered smoothly.

The advantage of choosing DDP is that you have locked all costs in advance, and you no longer need to worry about high tariffs or hidden fees imposed by the destination country, which is suitable for cross-border e-commerce, wholesalers and other customers. Especially in some African markets where tax policies are frequently adjusted, DDP can help sellers effectively control budgets and profit margins.

Basenton has DDP solutions in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and other countries, providing clear quotations, full tracking services and efficient local delivery capabilities. We will declare and pay taxes in advance according to the customs requirements of different countries, saving you a lot of time and energy.

Note: Door-to-door and DDP are not available in North African countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria. They can only be transported to ports or airports, and customers need to clear customs by themselves. For other African countries, our company can deliver door to door or DDP to the customer’s destination address.

learn more: DDP Shipping from China

Cheapest Company Shipping from China to Africa

Choosing a reliable Chinese freight forwarder is crucial. It will determine whether your freight can be delivered to the destination country in Africa smoothly and on time. It can also reduce transportation costs, speed up customs clearance, and coordinate every step of the international transportation process.

Cheapest Company Shipping from China to Africa Basenton LogisticsCheapest Company Shipping from China to Africa Basenton Logistics

Basenton Logistics is committed to providing customers with efficient and low-cost logistics solutions. Whether it is sea freight, LCL, air freight, or express delivery, Basenton can tailor the best solution for you and has reliable customs clearance and distribution resources in major ports and airports in Africa. We provide:

  • Customized logistics solutions such as sea and air freight
  • DDP tax-inclusive door-to-door and door-to-door delivery
  • Full tracking and after-sales service
  • Free quotation consultation

If you are looking for a Cheapest Company Shipping from China to Africa, please contact us for professional advice and real-time quotes.





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