The trade relationship between China and Tanzania has gradually strengthened in recent years. As the main trade center in East Africa, Tanzania’s import trade from China is increasing. As the demand for transportation increases, transportation time is also valued. This article will elaborate on the transportation time.
How to Ship from China to Tanzania
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is the most common way to transport from China to Tanzania. It is low-cost and suitable for large and non-urgent goods. There are usually two transportation services. You can choose FCL and LCL according to the demand for goods. There is also a difference in transportation time between the two.
- FCL: Transportation is to use a container independently. The loading and unloading and transportation of the entire container do not need to wait for other goods to be assembled or unloaded. So the transportation time is faster.
- LCL: It is transported together with other goods. It is necessary to wait for the assembly of other goods, and additional loading and unloading time may be required during the transportation process.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation with high safety, but the cost is relatively high. It is suitable for small, urgent and high-value goods.
Shipping Time from China to Tanzania
The time to ship from China to Tanzania varies depending on the mode of transport and route. It is also affected by the following factors:
- Port of departure and port of destination: The loading and unloading speed, customs clearance efficiency, etc. of different ports will also affect the transportation time.
- Weather and seasonal changes: The voyage from China to Tanzania is greatly affected by the season. Storms, typhoons or bad weather may cause route delays or flight adjustments.
- Cargo type and packaging: Some special goods require additional packaging, handling, loading and unloading time.
- Holiday impact: Logistics may be affected during major holidays in China and Tanzania (such as China’s Spring Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Tanzania’s Independence Day, etc.).
Sea Freight Time from China to Tanzania
Cargo is mainly transported to the Port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania through major ports in China (such as Shanghai Port, Shenzhen Port, Ningbo Port). It usually takes 20 to 30 days. The following is the approximate time for transportation from different ports:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Transport time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Dar es Salaam | 20-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Dar es Salaam | 22-30 days |
| Qingdao | Dar es Salaam | 21-30 days |
| Ningbo | Dar es Salaam | 20-28 days |
| Shanghai | Arusha | 20-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Arusha | 21-30 days |
| Qingdao | Arusha | 22-30 days |
| Ningbo | Arusha | 20-29 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Tanzania
Air cargo departs from major airports in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou), either directly or via multiple transfer points, and usually arrives at Dar es Salaam or Kigoma International Airport in Tanzania. The delivery time is usually between 5 and 7 days, which is suitable for goods with urgent needs.
The following is a specific time range for reference:
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Transport time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Julius Nyerere | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Julius Nyerere | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Julius Nyerere | 6-7 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Kilimanjaro | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Kilimanjaro | 6-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Kilimanjaro | 5-7 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 Egypt
- 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 Turkey
- How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Nigeria?
- How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to South Africa?
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Tanzania
For transportation, cost is also a factor that must be considered. The following is the cost of choosing 20ft and 40ft containers according to the goods.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Dar es Salaam | $2450-$3350 | $3000-$4500 |
| Shenzhen | Dar es Salaam | $2400-$3500 | $3150-$4450 |
| Qingdao | Dar es Salaam | $2450-$3350 | $3050-$4450 |
| Ningbo | Dar es Salaam | $2450-$3400 | $3150-$4350 |
| Shanghai | Arusha | $2550-$3350 | $3050-$4500 |
| Shenzhen | Arusha | $2500-$3500 | $3100-$4500 |
| Qingdao | Arusha | $2450-$3650 | $3050-$4450 |
| Ningbo | Arusha | $2600-$3450 | $3050-$4350 |
Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Tanzania
How to Shorten the Time of Shipping from China to Tanzania
While sea transportation is usually slower, there are some measures that can be taken to shorten the shipping time:
Choose a direct route
If the selected ship or flight can reach the destination port directly without transshipment, the time can be reduced.
Airfreight some goods
For some goods that are urgently needed, air freight can be considered to reduce the overall transportation time.
Prepare documents in advance
Make sure all documents, tax bills and customs clearance materials are prepared in advance to avoid delays in the customs clearance process.
Work closely with logistics service providers
Choose experienced and efficient logistics service providers, and keep in close contact to understand the status of cargo transportation in a timely manner.
Steps to Ship from China to Tanzania
The steps to transport to Tanzania usually include:
Cargo preparation and booking
Choose the appropriate mode of transport and route according to the cargo information and make bookings.
Transportation and tracking
During the transportation of goods, you can use the tracking system provided by the logistics service provider to understand the status of the goods and the estimated time of arrival in real time.
Customs declaration and customs clearance
Prepare the necessary customs declaration documents and submit them to the customs for declaration. After the goods arrive in Tanzania, they must also go through customs clearance procedures, including paying customs duties, inspecting the goods, etc. Customs clearance documents:
- Commercial invoice: List the description, quantity, unit price and total price of the goods.
- Packing list: List the packaging, quantity, weight, size, etc. of the goods in detail.
- Bill of lading: If it is shipped by sea, a bill of lading issued by the shipping company is required.
- Certificate of origin: Confirm the origin of the goods, usually requiring certification by the relevant chamber of commerce or trade organization.
- Customs declaration form: When goods enter Tanzania, customs declaration is required to confirm taxes and import and export requirements
Delivery and receipt
After the goods arrive in Tanzania, the logistics service provider will deliver the goods to the designated consignee. The consignee needs to confirm the integrity and quantity of the goods and sign for them.
The shipping time from China to Tanzania is affected by many factors. By choosing the appropriate transportation method according to your needs and preparing all necessary documents, you can ensure that the goods are transported to the destination efficiently and quickly.