Egypt is an important node of the “Belt and Road” initiative in Africa. There are many kinds of goods imported from China, and the transportation services are increasing. It is very important for enterprises and cargo owners to understand the logistics and transportation costs from China to Egypt. This article will introduce the transportation costs between China and Egypt in detail.
Where is Egypt?
Located at the intersection of the three continents of Asia, Africa and Europe, Egypt is across the Red Sea from Saudi Arabia and Jordan. It is an important international trade and transportation hub, especially the existence of the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean and the Red Sea and has become one of the most important shipping channels in the world.
Shipping from China to Egypt
The main modes of transportation from China to Egypt are sea and air, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Enterprises can choose the most suitable mode of transportation according to their own needs.
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most economical choice for bulk cargo transportation, suitable for bulk and heavy goods and diversified commodities. Almost all types of goods (such as machinery, electronic products, raw materials) can be transported by sea. However, the transportation time is usually long and it may take weeks to reach the destination. There are two main types of ocean freight services: Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL).
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest mode of international shipping, usually arriving in just a few days. It is suitable for high-value goods to reach the market quickly. However, air freight costs are usually higher and are not suitable for bulk low-value goods. The cargo space is limited, so it is suitable for shipping lighter and smaller goods.
Composition of Shipping Costs from China to Egypt
The cost of shipping from China to Egypt is usually made up of various components:
- Basic freight: A basic fee calculated based on the mode of transportation (sea or air), usually based on weight or volume.
- Insurance: In order to protect the safety of the goods during transportation, insurance is usually purchased. The insurance premium is usually calculated as a percentage of the value of the goods.
- Duties and import taxes: Taxes and fees imposed on imported goods according to Egypt’s customs policy. The calculation of duties and import taxes depends on the type and value of the goods.
- Handling charges: Includes handling charges at ports or airports, which involve loading and unloading of goods.
- Storage charges: If the goods need to be stored during transportation, storage charges may be incurred.
- Documentation charges: Includes the processing charges for customs declaration documents, shipping documents and other related documents.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Shipping from China to Egypt
Mode of transportation
The cost of sea and air transportation varies significantly, and choosing a different mode of transportation will directly affect the total cost.
Cargo characteristics
The weight, volume, and type of goods (such as perishables and dangerous goods) will affect the transportation cost. Special goods also require special handling
Transportation routes and distances
Choosing different routes or ports of call will affect the total cost. Generally, direct routes are more expensive, while indirect routes may be more economical.
Market supply and demand
Fluctuations in transportation demand and seasonal demand changes (such as holidays) will cause fluctuations in freight rates.
Port and airport fees
Different ports and airports charge different fees, and choosing the right departure and arrival locations will also affect the fees.
Fuel price fluctuations
Fuel price changes directly affect the fuel surcharge, which is generally 5-10% of the freight, thus affecting the overall transportation costs
Cost of LCL Shipping from China to Egypt
LCL allows you to share container space with other shippers. This is very beneficial for small shipments that do not use a full container space. Although the unit cost may be higher, it provides flexibility for small businesses. Usually calculated per cubic meter or per ton, the cost is between $80 – $120 per cubic meter
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Less than Container Load Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Alexandria | $85 – $110 per cubic meter |
| Shenzhen | Alexandria | $83 – $113 per cubic meter |
| Qingdao | Alexandria | $82 – $115 per cubic meter |
| Ningbo | Alexandria | $80 – $120 per cubic meter |
| Shanghai | Said | $85 – $110 per cubic meter |
| Shenzhen | Said | $86 – $111 per cubic meter |
| Qingdao | Said | $80 – $120 per cubic meter |
| Ningbo | Said | $83 – $116 per cubic meter |
| Shanghai | Damietta | $84 – $115 per cubic meter |
| Shenzhen | Damietta | $83 – $113 per cubic meter |
| Qingdao | Damietta | $80 – $120 per cubic meter |
| Ningbo | Damietta | $85 – $115 per cubic meter |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
This service involves renting an entire container to transport your goods. This service is most cost-effective when your goods are large enough to fill a container, minimizing the cost of shipping each piece of goods. 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:
Shipping Costs for 20ft And 40ft Containers from China to UAE
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Saudi Arabia
Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Turkey
Cost of Air Freight from China to Egypt
Air freight charges are based on the weight and volume of the goods, usually between $5 – $8 per kilogram, and are suitable for small quantities of goods with a strong timeliness. The following are the general air freight costs
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Cost per Kilogram |
| Beijing Capital | Cairo | $5.1 – $7.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Cairo | $6.1 – $7.5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Cairo | $5.5 – $7.6 |
| Beijing Capital | Alexandria | $5.3 – $7.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Alexandria | $5.2 – $7.7 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Alexandria | $5.0 – $8.0 |
If you are interested in the costs of shipping from China to other parts of the Middle East:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia
How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Oman
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to UAE
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Iran?
Tips to Reduce Freight Costs from China to Egypt
To reduce transportation costs, here are some practical tips:
- Off-season transportation: When freight rates rise during the peak season, you can choose to ship during the off-season to reasonably avoid the peak period of freight rates and save costs.
- LCL shipping: For small quantities of goods, LCL transportation is more economical. Especially suitable for the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises and e-commerce businesses.
- Compare multiple inquiries: Choose multiple freight forwarders for price comparison and choose the most cost-effective logistics company.
- Optimize packaging and volume: Under the premise of meeting transportation safety requirements, try to optimize the packaging and volume of goods to reduce excess weight and occupied space.
How to Calculate Taxes and Strategies to Reduce
In Egypt, imported goods are often subject to customs duties and VAT, and these fees can significantly affect the overall cost of importing. Understanding how duties and VAT are calculated can help importers better estimate costs.
Tariff
Egypt imposes tariffs on imported goods, with rates varying depending on the category of goods. For commodity categories and tariff rates, please refer to the Egyptian Customs Tariff Code (HS Code).
Tariff calculation formula: Tariff = declared value × tariff rate
- Declared value: generally refers to the actual cost of the goods (CIF value), including the cost of the goods, insurance and freight.
- Tariff rate: Usually between 5% and 40%, the specific rate depends on the type of goods. For example, different tax rates may apply to commodities such as machinery and equipment, textiles, and food
VAT
Value-added tax rate: Egypt’s standard value-added tax rate is 14%, but some goods (such as food and medicine) may be subject to lower rates or enjoy exemptions.
Value-added tax = (declared value + tariff) × value-added tax rate
VAT is calculated based on the total amount of declared value and customs duties, that is, VAT is levied on the goods plus customs duties.
Strategies to reduce import tax costs
- Optimization of goods classification: Carefully check the HS code of the goods to ensure that the correct tax rate is applied to the goods and avoid higher taxes due to incorrect classification.
- Consider local supply chains and free trade agreements : Egypt has signed free trade agreements with some countries, which can reduce or eliminate import duties on some goods.
- Reasonable declaration of value: Ensure that the CIF value is in line with the actual price, and pay attention to reasonable and legal declaration to avoid overestimating or underestimating the value of the goods.
The shipping cost from China to Egypt is affected by many factors. Understanding the composition and influencing factors of the cost can effectively reduce the freight and improve cost-effectiveness. Through this article, you can choose the right transportation plan to help the goods arrive smoothly.