Shipping from China to Benin
The trade between China and Benin is becoming increasingly close, and the two countries have carried out extensive cooperation in many fields such as economy, trade, culture, and education. Benin, as an important country in western Africa, is one of the important destinations for China’s commodity exports, mainly exporting machinery and equipment, building materials, daily consumer goods and electronic products.
Introduction to Benin
The Republic of Benin is located in western Africa, bordering Nigeria to the east, Togo to the west, Niger to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. Benin has rich natural resources. The Port of Cotonou is Benin’s main port and an important transshipment port in West Africa, connecting trade routes in Europe, Asia and America. In recent years, with the promotion of the “Belt and Road” initiative, the cooperation between Benin and China has been further strengthened, promoting the development of bilateral economy.
How to transport from China to Benin
The main ways to transport goods from China to Mozambique are sea transport, air transport. Each mode has its own characteristics. You can choose according to your needs.
Sea Freight from China to Benin
Sea Freight is the most commonly used mode of transportation from China to Benin, especially suitable for bulk goods and non-urgent goods. Sea transport is very convenient because Benin has an important port such as Cotonou. Major ports in China such as Shanghai Port, Ningbo Port, and Shenzhen Port have routes to Cotonou, Benin. Due to low cost and suitable for large-volume cargo transportation, they provide flexible options for different types of goods. You can choose LCL or FCL sea transport according to the size of the goods and budget.
- FCL: For bulk goods, FCL shipping is the most economical and affordable option because you need to book an entire container (20 feet or 40 feet) for your goods. This option is ideal for businesses that transport large quantities of goods because it can provide better economies of scale.
, FCL shipping is more cost-effective. - LCL: If your goods do not fill the entire container, we always provide LCL services from China to Benin, that is, sharing a container with other customers who are shipping to the same destination at the same time. Of course, the final cost per unit is higher than FCL due to the extra work (merging, splitting, warehousing, paperwork, etc.), and the shipping time is longer. LCL is a good choice for small businesses that are just starting out.
Air Freight from China to Benin
Air freight is suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements, especially electronic products, emergency equipment and perishable products. Major airports in China such as Shanghai Pudong International Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport can fly directly or transfer to Cotonou International Airport in Benin. If your supply chain has enough budget and only needs fast transportation, air freight can not only guarantee the speed you need, but also guarantee higher security compared to other modes of transportation.
Shipping cost from China to Benin
The shipping cost from China to Benin involves many factors, including shipping method, cargo type, weight, volume, shipping location and destination. Please choose the appropriate shipping method according to your budget.
Container shipping rates from China to Benin
These are the average prices to ship a container from China to Benin with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Benin for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments from China to Benin.
| Container shipping service from China to Benin | Type of container | Ocean freight rates from China to Benin: |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $2550 20FT average price from: $4150 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4650 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4450 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3050 20FT average price from: $4450 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4350 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $2750 20FT average price from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3100 20FT average price from: $4850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3050 20FT average price from: $4750 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Benin | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4650 40FT |
Air freight costs from China to Benin
Air freight costs are affected by many factors, including the type of goods being shipped, weight, volume, airline, and specific route. The cost of shipping goods from China to Benin by air will usually range from $5 to $10 per kilogram. Air freight costs are basically a combination of various fees and surcharges, including air freight charges, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal fees and other surcharges.
If you want to find out about the cost of shipping from China to other Africa countries, you can read:
How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Tanzania
How Much does Shipping Cost from China to Nigeria
How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Kenya
How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Egypt
Shipping time from China to Benin
Sea freight time from China to Benin
The transportation time for a container from a Chinese port to a Benin port is 30 to 45 days. The specific time depends on the route, weather and port conditions.
| Port of origin | Port of destination | Transit time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Port of Shanghai | Port of Cotonou | 35 |
| Port of Shenzhen | Port of Cotonou | 40 |
| Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan | Port of Cotonou | 38 |
| Port of Hong Kong | Port of Cotonou | 39 |
| Port of Guangzhou | Port of Cotonou | 40 |
| Port of Qingdao | Port of Cotonou | 42 |
| Port of Tianjin | Port of Cotonou | 42 |
| Port of Dalian | Port of Cotonou | 35 |
| Port of Xiamen | Port of Cotonou | 37 |
| Port of Yingkou | Port of Cotonou | 38 |
Air Freight time from China to Benin
The air freight time to deliver goods from China to Benin usually depends on multiple factors, including the departure city, destination city, flight schedule, and whether transit is required. The air freight time from China to Benin is roughly between 4 and 7 days. In order to accurately understand the transportation time, it is recommended to contact the freight forwarding company or airline to obtain specific flight information and estimated arrival time.
You may also be interested in:
How Long Does it take to Ship from China to Tanzania?
Shipping Time from China to Nigeria
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Egypt
How Long does it take for Shipping from China to South Africa
How Long Does It Take To Shipping From China To Kenya
Factors Affecting Time and Cost of Shipping from China to Benin
- Mode of Transportation: Different modes of transportation determine the time and cost of cargo arrival.
- Cargo Weight and Volume: The heavier and larger the cargo, the higher the freight costs, especially for air and rail transport.
- Weather: Weather conditions can cause delays, especially for sea and air transport.
- Cargo Type: Perishable goods, dangerous goods, or large cargo require special handling and transportation arrangements, which can lead to higher prices.
- Seasonal Factors: Peak shipping seasons can lead to tight capacity, increased port congestion, longer shipping times, and higher prices.
- Port Efficiency: The loading and unloading efficiency and customs clearance speed of Benin ports can affect the total shipping time.
- Vessel Schedule and Flight Frequency: Sea freight vessel schedules and air freight flight frequency can also affect shipping time. Choosing flights or ships with higher frequencies can help reduce delays.
DDP Shipping from China to Benin
DDP, or Delivered Duty Paid, is a comprehensive shipping arrangement that simplifies the process of shipping goods from China to Benin. Under this international trade term, the seller is responsible for almost all aspects of the shipment, including freight, import duties, taxes, and delivery to the buyer’s designated location in Benin. Let’s explore the benefits of DDP shipping from China for businesses and individuals:
- Reduced Complexity: DDP shipping minimizes the complexity of international trade for Benin buyers. They don’t have to worry about arranging shipping, clearing customs, or dealing with import duties and taxes. This simplicity simplifies the logistics process.
- Transparent Costs: With DDP shipping, the seller is responsible for all costs, including freight, duties, and taxes. This provides buyers with clear and predictable costs, making budgeting and financial planning simpler.
- Efficient Customs Clearance: The seller is responsible for all customs formalities and ensures that the goods comply with Benin import regulations. This reduces the risk of customs-related delays or problems, ensuring a smoother customs clearance process.
- Reduce Risk: DDP shipping transfers most of the risk from the buyer to the seller. The seller is responsible for any problems or damage that may occur during shipping, helping buyers avoid unexpected costs or hassles.
- Save Time: Benin buyers can save time because they don’t have to spend time and energy coordinating logistics or dealing with customs formalities. This allows them to focus on other important aspects of their business.
What documents are needed to ship from China to Benin?
- Commercial invoice: It lists the name, quantity, unit price, total price and other information of the goods in detail. It is one of the important documents for import customs clearance.
- Packing list: It describes the packaging, quantity, weight and other information of the goods, which complements the commercial invoice.
- Bill of lading: The sea or air waybill of the goods is the proof of ownership of the goods and an important basis for picking up and clearing customs.
- Electronic cargo tracking number (ECTN): According to the decree of the State of Benin, goods shipped to the port of Cotonou or transferred to other destinations through this port must apply for an ECTN number. This number is used to track the transportation of goods and pay relevant taxes and fees.
- Import license: Benin implements an import license system. Some goods need to obtain an import license issued by the Benin government before importing. Importers need to understand and handle relevant procedures in advance.
- Certificate of origin: A document that proves the origin of goods, which is of great significance for enjoying tariff preferences or avoiding trade barriers.
- Insurance policy (if insured): Provide risk protection for goods during transportation
Shipping from China to Benin involves multiple methods and complex processes. When choosing a mode of transport, you need to consider factors such as cost, time, and risk, and understand and comply with Benin’s import regulations and documentation requirements. I hope you can choose the right logistics service provider and transportation method through this article to ensure that your goods arrive in Benin smoothly and efficiently.
