The trade relationship between China and Tanzania is becoming increasingly close. The cost of shipping from China to Tanzania is a core issue of concern to both buyers and sellers. This article will introduce the cost of shipping between the two countries in detail to help companies better optimize costs.
Introduction to Tanzania
Tanzania is located on the east coast of the African continent and borders Kenya in the north. It is an important trade center in eastern Africa. The promotion of the “Belt and Road” initiative has promoted the growth of logistics demand between China and Tanzania.
How to Ship from China to Tanzania
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most commonly used mode of transportation, especially for bulk goods and long-term transportation. From Tianjin Port in China to Dar es Salaam Port in Tanzania, the route is stable and the service is mature. The main service types include FCL and LCL to meet the needs of goods of different sizes
Air Freight
Air Freight is fast, but the cost is higher, and it is suitable for high-value and urgently needed goods. Departing from major airports in China such as Shanghai, direct flights or transfers to Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania provide fast air transportation services.
Cost of Shipping from China to Tanzania
The cost of shipping from China to Tanzania consists of multiple costs and is affected by many factors including the type of goods, mode of transportation, weight of goods, volume, port of departure and port of destination.
- Shipping costs: basic freight based on mode of transportation and weight of goods.
- Port charges: port charges need to be considered, including unloading fees, storage fees, loading and unloading fees, etc. These costs vary depending on the type and quantity of goods.
- Insurance costs: During transportation, considering the safety of goods, it is recommended to purchase transportation insurance. The insurance cost is usually 0.5% – 2% of the total value of the goods
- Tariffs and taxes: Tanzania imposes tariffs and value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods
- Customs clearance costs: Customs clearance costs are usually borne by the freight forwarder or importer, and the cost is about $100 – $300, depending on the complexity of the goods and the speed of customs clearance.
Cost of LCL Shipping from China to Tanzania
LCL shipping is when multiple shippers share one container for transportation. It has lower costs and charges are shared by volume or weight. It is more flexible and can accommodate small batches.
The following is the cost range of LCL shipping from China to Tanzania:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL Cost/CBM |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Dar es Salaam | $85-$120 |
| Shenzhen | Dar es Salaam | $80-$120 |
| Qingdao | Dar es Salaam | $85-$115 |
| Ningbo | Dar es Salaam | $80-$115 |
| Shanghai | Arusha | $80-$110 |
| Shenzhen | Arusha | $82-$116 |
| Qingdao | Arusha | $83-$115 |
| Ningbo | Arusha | $80-$120 |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Tanzania
Full container load (FCL) is suitable for bulk cargo or cargo owners who need full container load. It has shorter transportation time, reduces transit links, lower risks, and does not mix cargo with other shippers. Choose 20ft and 40ft containers according to cargo:
| 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 |
Read below for container shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to South Africa
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Nigeria
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Kenya
Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
Cost of Air Freight from China to Tanzania
Air freight is suitable for small quantities, high value or perishable goods that need to be transported urgently. It has the fastest transportation speed, frequent air freight flights and reliable delivery speed, but the applicable cargo types and weights are limited.
The following is the cost range for transportation from major airports in China to Tanzania:
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Julius Nyerere | $4.50 – $7.50 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Julius Nyerere | $4.00 – $7.80 |
| Beijing Capital | Julius Nyerere | $4.50 – $7.80 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Kilimanjaro | $4.50 – $8.00 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Kilimanjaro | $4.00 – $7.50 |
| Beijing Capital | Kilimanjaro | $4.50 – $7.80 |
If you want to know the container shipping prices in the surrounding areas:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Egypt?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Ghana
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Nigeria
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to South Africa?
Factors Affecting Shipping Costs from China to Tanzania
The cost of shipping from China to Tanzania is affected by a variety of factors
- The weight and volume of the goods: Shipping costs are usually calculated based on the weight or volume of the goods
- Shipping distance: The longer the shipping distance, the higher the cost.
- Original port and destination: The operating costs of different ports and the distance of the route directly affect the freight.
- Type of goods: Some require special handling and packaging, which may require additional fees
- Shipping season: During the peak season, the space is tight and the cost is higher; during the off-season, the cost is relatively low.
- Shipping company: The service quality and quotation of different companies are different.
Calculation of Cargo Weight and Volume
Freight charges from China to Tanzania are usually calculated based on the actual weight or volumetric weight of the cargo, whichever is higher. This ensures that freight forwarders can reasonably calculate both large and light cargo and small and heavy cargo.
Actual weight
Actual weight refers to the actual weight of the cargo, in kilograms (kg).
For example, if the cargo weight is 50 kg and the volumetric weight is 40 kg, the actual weight of 50 kg will be used for calculation.
Volumetric weight
Volume weight is calculated based on the volume of the cargo to ensure that cargo that takes up more space can be reasonably charged.
Calculation formula: Volumetric weight (kg) = length (cm) × width (cm) × height (cm) ÷ 6000.
If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight, the freight will be calculated based on the volumetric weight.
Tips to Reduce Freight Costs from China to Tanzania
Optimize cargo packaging
Lightweight, compact packaging can reduce space and transportation costs.
LCL transportation
Choose LCL services for small quantities of goods, share shipping containers, improve container utilization, and reduce single-piece transportation costs.
Work with professional logistics companies
Choose experienced logistics companies to optimize customs clearance and transportation routes. Negotiate more favorable freight rates and contract terms.
Plan shipping time in advance
Book space in advance to avoid peak season price increases.
Tracking and visibility
Use tracking tools to monitor the status of goods to avoid detention and additional costs.
How to Calculate Tariffs
Tariffs
After the goods pass the inspection, they need to pay relevant tariffs and VAT. Nigeria’s tariff and tax policies vary according to different commodity categories.
Tanzania’s tariffs are determined based on the classification of goods and the HS code (customs code). Generally speaking, tariff rates range from 0% to 20%.
Tariff calculation formula: Tariff = declared value × tariff rate
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Tanzania’s standard VAT rate is 7.5%. Almost all imported goods are subject to VAT.
VAT = (declared value + tariff) × VAT rate
Through this article, you can learn how to reasonably choose transportation methods, optimize packaging and plan transportation time, reduce costs and improve logistics efficiency, and better facilitate transportation services between China and Tanzania.