There is a large amount of commodity trade between China and Egypt every year. For importers and exporters, it is important to understand the time and related processes required for shipping from China to Egypt, which will be described in detail in this article.
Shipping from China to Egypt
Egypt is located at the intersection of Asia, Africa and Europe, across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia and Jordan. There are two main ways to ship from China to Egypt, sea and air. You can choose according to the characteristics of the goods.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most commonly used method, especially for large quantities of goods that are not time-sensitive. There are two main types of services, you can choose FCL and LCL according to your needs:
- FCL: suitable for large quantities of goods, the price of full container transportation is more favorable, but the goods need to fill a container. The cost range of containers is generally about $2,000-$3,000 for a 20-foot container and about $3,000-$4,000 for a 40-foot container
- LCL: suitable for small quantities of goods, the goods of different shippers are assembled in one container, and the charge is based on volume or weight, usually $100-$150 per cubic meter
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest and most secure mode of transport. There are two main types of services.
- Standard air freight: Suitable for light, high-value or time-sensitive goods. The cost is higher, but the transportation time is shorter. The general cost is about $6-$10 per kilogram.
- Express air freight: Suitable for smaller and urgent goods. It is usually a door-to-door service. The cost is higher, but it provides the fastest delivery. The general cost is about $12-$20 per kilogram.
Sea Freight Time from China to Egypt
Goods are mainly shipped from major ports in China (such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Guangzhou) to Alexandria or Suez in Egypt. Sea transportation usually takes 20-30 days, and is also affected by different factors:
- Distance between departure and destination ports: There are different voyages from different ports in China (such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) to major ports in Egypt (such as Al-Tur or Alexandria). The longer the voyage, the longer the shipping time.
- Route selection and intermediate ports: Some routes will stop at multiple ports along the way, which will extend the shipping time. Direct routes are usually faster.
- Seasonal weather impact: Weather conditions have a significant impact on maritime transportation. Bad weather (such as typhoons, storms, etc.) may lead to route adjustments or delays.
- Port efficiency and congestion: The loading and unloading efficiency of the departure port and the destination port will directly affect the transportation time of the goods.
- The busyness of the shipping channel: The busyness of important international shipping channels such as Singapore and the Strait of Malacca may also affect the sailing speed.
Here are the time frames for shipping from China to Egypt:
| POL (Port of Loading) | POD (Port of Discharge) | Transport time (days) |
| Shenzhen Port | Alexandria Port | 20-28 days |
| Shanghai Port | Alexandria Port | 22-29 days |
| Ningbo Port | Alexandria Port | 23-28 days |
| Guangzhou Port | Alexandria Port | 23-27 days |
| Shanghai Port | Said Port | 20-28 days |
| Shenzhen Port | Said Port | 20-30 days |
| Ningbo Port | Said Port | 20-28 days |
| Guangzhou Port | Said Port | 21-28 days |
| Shenzhen Port | Damietta | 20-27 days |
| Shanghai Port | Damietta | 21-28 days |
| Ningbo Port | Damietta | 20-28 days |
| Guangzhou Port | Damietta | 21-29 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Egypt
Goods generally travel from major airports in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) to Cairo International Airport in Egypt. Air transportation usually takes 5-7 days, including customs clearance and loading and unloading time. It is also affected by the following factors:
- Route and airline selection: Different airlines and routes may have different transportation times. Direct flights can reduce the time of transfers.
- Flight frequency and availability: If the flights selected for air transportation are not frequent enough or there are flight cancellations, the transportation time may be delayed.
- Weather conditions: Air transportation is also affected by weather. Bad weather (such as fog, blizzards, thunderstorms, etc.) may cause flight delays or suspensions, thereby extending the transportation time.
- Customs clearance and customs clearance efficiency at the destination airport: After arriving in Egypt, the airport customs inspection is cumbersome or delayed, which will affect the final delivery time.
- Cargo nature and air freight restrictions: Some special goods may require special handling and may be subject to air transportation restrictions, resulting in longer transportation time.
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Transport time (days) |
| Beijing Capital | Cairo | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Cairo | 5-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Cairo | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Alexandria | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Alexandria | 5-7 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Alexandria | 5-6 days |
If you want to know the shipping time to other countries you can read:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Kuwait
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Dubai
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Iran?
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
There are two common sizes: 20ft and 40ft. The following are their average prices:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Alexandria | $2550-$3150 | $3500-$4200 |
| Shenzhen | Alexandria | $2500-$2900 | $3450-$4150 |
| Qingdao | Alexandria | $2650-$3050 | $3350-$4250 |
| Ningbo | Alexandria | $2600-$3150 | $3450-$4350 |
| Shanghai | Said | $2650-$2850 | $3550-$4300 |
| Shenzhen | Said | $2600-$2800 | $3300-$4200 |
| Qingdao | Said | $2850-$2800 | $3550-$4200 |
| Ningbo | Said | $2800-$2850 | $3450-$4250 |
| Shanghai | Damietta | $2450-$2850 | $3350-$4250 |
| Shenzhen | Damietta | $2650-$2950 | $3450-$4300 |
| Qingdao | Damietta | $2500-$2900 | $3500-$4250 |
| Ningbo | Damietta | $2600-$2850 | $3550-$4200 |
Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Egypt?
How to Shorten Shipping Time from China to Egypt
Choose a direct route
Choosing direct ships or flights can reduce transit and docking times and ensure that goods reach their destination faster.
Use air freight to speed up delivery time
For goods that arrive urgently, choosing air freight can significantly shorten transportation time.
Optimize file preparation
Prepare all required documents in advance before shipment to reduce customs clearance time. Working with a professional freight forwarder can speed up customs clearance efficiency. Required customs clearance documents:
- Bill of Lading: It is the document of the cargo transportation contract, including cargo information, consignee information and port information.
- Commercial Invoice: It details the type, quantity, unit price and total price of the goods. It is one of the important documents for customs clearance.
- Packing List: Details the packaging, quantity, volume and weight of the goods, used for customs clearance and receipt.
- Certificate of Origin: proves the origin of goods and helps determine import tariff rates.
Customs declaration documents: Depending on the type of goods, local Egyptian customs declaration documents may also be required.
Avoid peak season transportation
Peak transportation seasons (such as Spring Festival, Black Friday, etc.) can easily lead to port and flight congestion. It is recommended to ship goods in advance or later to avoid delays.
Book your space in advance
During peak seasons or logistics peaks, booking space in advance can help avoid delays caused by insufficient warehouse space.
keep in touch
Maintain good communication with carriers and customs to resolve possible problems in a timely manner.
The time it takes to ship from China to Egypt depends on the mode of transport you choose. This article will help you transport your goods efficiently by choosing the mode of transport you choose based on the time and cost tables, preparing documents in advance, and avoiding peak seasons.