Shipping from China to Burkina Faso

With the continued expansion of trade between China and Africa, the demand for shipping goods from China to Burkina Faso has grown annually. Whether it’s electronics, machinery, or daily consumer goods, choosing the right shipping method is key to ensuring the safe and on-time arrival of goods from China to Burkina Faso.

Shipping from China to Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is landlocked in West Africa and lacks direct access to seaports. Therefore, most cargo must transit through neighboring ports before reaching the capital, Ouagadougou, by land or air.

Common shipping cities from China include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Ningbo, and Shanghai. Businesses or individuals can choose between air freight or a combination of sea and land transport, depending on the nature of their cargo and their budget. Generally speaking, air freight is suitable for time-sensitive shipments, while sea freight is suitable for large or bulky shipments.

When choosing a logistics partner, consider their customs clearance experience and local transportation network in West Africa. A professional freight forwarder familiar with Burkina Faso’s import regulations and tariff policies can effectively minimize customs clearance delays and additional costs, ensuring smooth customs clearance for your shipment.

By planning your transport routes appropriately, such as choosing the Port of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire or the Port of Tema in Ghana as a transit port, you can optimize overall transport costs and time, allowing your goods to reach their destination more efficiently and safely.

Sea Freight from China to Burkina Faso

Because Burkina Faso is a landlocked country, sea freight typically arrives at a West African coastal port before being transferred to the country by truck or rail. The ports of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), Tema (Ghana), and Lomé (Togo) are the most commonly used transit ports. Depending on the volume and weight of the cargo, sea freight options include either full container load (FCL) or less-than-container load (LCL).

FCL shipping is suitable for large shipments requiring dedicated space, offering greater security. LCL, on the other hand, is suitable for smaller shipments, allowing them to share a container with other goods, saving on freight costs. While sea freight offers relatively low overall costs, it does take longer, typically around 35–45 days (including transit and customs clearance).

When shipping by sea, special attention must be paid to the coordination of loading, unloading, and transshipment. Since shipments must pass through ports in multiple countries and involve land transportation, it is crucial to choose a freight forwarder with extensive experience and a wide network of partners. They can arrange efficient port transshipment and customs clearance services, preventing cargo from being delayed in transit.

In addition, it’s recommended to prepare documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin in advance to ensure smooth customs clearance in countries along the way. This not only saves time but also avoids additional costs due to missing documentation.

Air Freight from China to Burkina Faso

Air freight is the fastest mode of transport from China to Burkina Faso, suitable for high-value, fragile, or time-sensitive goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and samples. Burkina Faso’s main international airport is Ouagadougou International Airport, with flights connecting through European or Middle Eastern hubs such as Paris, Istanbul, and Dubai.

From major Chinese cities, air freight typically takes 3–9 days to complete transportation and customs clearance, significantly saving time compared to sea freight. While air freight is more expensive, its efficiency and stability make it popular for cross-border e-commerce and urgent orders.

When choosing air freight, pay attention to the volumetric weight of your shipment. Airlines typically charge based on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight, so proper packaging and volume control can help reduce costs.

For air freight operations, it’s crucial to work with an experienced international freight forwarder. Not only can they help book flights and arrange cargo collection, they can also assist with import customs clearance in Burkina Faso, ensuring the quick and smooth delivery of goods.

Shipping Cost from China to Burkina Faso

Shipping costs from China to Burkina Faso are composed of multiple factors, including freight, fuel surcharges, port handling fees, customs clearance fees, insurance, and inland transportation costs. Ocean freight is typically charged by full container load (FCL) or less than container load (LCL), while air freight is charged by weight and volume. Please refer to the table below:

• Sea freight LCL: USD 120–200/CBM
• 20ft container: USD 2,300–4,500 per container
• 40ft container: USD 2,800–5,500 per container
• Air freight: USD 4–10/kg

In addition, Burkina Faso’s customs duties and value-added tax also significantly impact overall costs. Importers should understand these rates in advance to avoid budget shortfalls.

To reduce shipping costs from China to Burkina Faso, shippers can consolidate cargo, choose off-season shipping, and book shipping space in advance. Choosing the right shipping route (such as transiting through the ports of Abidjan or Tema) can also reduce overland transit distances, thereby controlling overall costs.

Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Burkina Faso

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Air Freight Cost from China to Burkina Faso

The cost of air freight from China to Burkina Faso depends on several factors: the departure city, the arrival airport in The Gambia, and the weight and volume of the shipment. Typically, the cost per kilogram ranges from US$4 to US$10. Please note that these prices may vary depending on the specific airline and route you choose.

If you are interested in the cost from China to other countries in Africa, you can click on the link:

How long does it take to ship from China to Burkina Faso?

Shipping time from China to Burkina Faso depends on the shipping method and transit routes. A combined sea and land transport typically takes 30–45 days, including export from China, sea transport, customs clearance at the transit port, and land transport. Air freight significantly reduces this time, typically completing door-to-door delivery in 3–9 days.

Shipping time from China to Burkina Faso is also affected by the season, shipping line capacity, port congestion, and customs clearance efficiency. For example, during holidays or peak seasons, port congestion may occur, extending shipping times. Planning ahead and communicating with a reliable freight forwarder can effectively avoid delays.

Door-to-Door & DDP Shipping from China to Burkina Faso

Door-to-Door and DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) services offer significant convenience. The freight forwarder will pick up the goods from the factory in China and handle all international transportation, customs clearance, tax payment, and final delivery to the recipient’s address in Burkina Faso.

This service is particularly suitable for first-time importers or those with little local experience, as the consignee rarely has to deal with the complex customs clearance process. With the DDP model, all duties and taxes are pre-settled by the shipper or freight forwarder, ensuring a smooth import process.

With door-to-door and DDP services, importers can save significant time and effort, allowing them to focus on sales and operations. While the cost is slightly higher, considering the balance of risk and convenience, it’s a highly cost-effective option.

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Cheapest Company Shipping from China to Burkina Faso

International freight forwarding is a key link between China and Burkina Faso. Professional freight forwarders integrate ocean, air, and land transport resources, providing a one-stop solution from cargo collection, booking, customs clearance, to final delivery.

They are familiar with West African ports and transportation networks and can efficiently transfer cargo through the ports of Abidjan, Tema, or Lomé, arranging truck or rail transportation to Burkina Faso. This service is particularly important for bulk cargo, machinery and equipment, and project cargo requiring multimodal transport.

Basenton Logistics, a leading international freight forwarder in China, leverages its extensive experience in African transportation and its extensive local partnership network to offer clients reliable pricing and real-time tracking services, helping businesses easily expand into the Burkina Faso market.

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