Driven by China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, Benin has more and more trade with China. As a rapidly developing market, Benin has a growing demand for transportation services. This article will introduce the situation of shipping from China to Benin in detail.
Introduction to Benin
Benin is an important country in West Africa, located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, east of Nigeria, with a superior geographical location. The main port of Benin is Cotonou Port, which is the country’s economic center and the most important seaport. It is an important trade hub in West Africa.
How to Ship from China to Benin
The main modes of transportation from China to Tunisia are air and sea
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the main mode of transportation, with large transportation volume, low cost, long transportation distance, and can handle a variety of goods, including oversized and heavy goods, as well as different types of container options. There are two main service types FCL and LCL:
- Full container load (FCL): suitable for customers with large quantities of goods, you can choose full container load, mainly 20ft and 40ft.
- Less Container Load (LCL): Suitable for customers with a small quantity of goods. Multiple small items can be transported together to reduce transportation costs.
Air Freight
Air Freight is the fastest mode of transportation, with short transportation time and high safety. It is suitable for urgent items, high-value items and perishable items that need to reach the destination quickly.
Shipping Cost from China to Benin
The cost of shipping from China to Benin varies depending on a number of factors, including the mode of transportation, the weight and volume of the goods, and the specific location of the destination. Usually, the cost of shipping from China to Benin is composed of
- Freight: based on the volume (in cubic meters) or weight (in tons) of the goods.
- Destination port charges: including loading and unloading fees, terminal fees, etc.
- Insurance: It is recommended to purchase insurance for the goods, just in case.
- Customs clearance fees: Fees that need to be paid for import customs clearance, including customs fees, tariffs, value-added tax, etc.
The following are the costs of different types of transportation services from China to Benin:
| Shipping Mode | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| LCL | $50 – $100 per cubic meter |
| FCL (20-foot container) | $2,000 to $3,000 |
| FCL (40-foot container) | $3,050 to $5,000 |
| Express Shipping (50kg) | $18 per kilogram |
| Air Freight (100kg) | $5 to $15 per kilogram |
Cost of shipping 20ft and 40ft from China to Benin
Container shipping is the main mode of transportation in sea transportation. The following are the detailed costs of shipping 20ft and 40ft:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Cotonou | $2150-$2950 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Cotonou | $2000-$2900 | $3250-$4950 |
| Ningbo | Cotonou | $2050-$3000 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Cotonou | $2150-$2850 | $3050-$4800 |
| Guangzhou | Cotonou | $2050-$2950 | $3100-$5000 |
If you want to know the container shipping prices in the surrounding areas:
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Nigeria
Air Freight Cost from China to Benin
Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation, but the cost is higher. It is usually charged based on the weight of the goods (kg or lbs), the larger of the volumetric weight and the actual weight. The following are the detailed costs of air freight:
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Cotonou | $5.50 – $12.50 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Cotonou | $5.00 – $13.80 |
| Beijing Capital | Cotonou | $6.50 – $12.80 |
If you are interested in the costs of shipping from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Cameroon
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 Cote d’Ivoire
Shipping Time from China to Benin
The shipping time from China to Benin depends on the selected mode of transportation and is also affected by the following factors:
- Seasonal changes: During holidays or peak seasons, sea and air transportation may be affected by factors such as full flights and port congestion, resulting in delays.
- Customs clearance: Customs clearance time in Benin is generally faster, but the type of goods (such as goods that require quarantine) may affect the time.
- Flights and ship schedules: Different flight and ship schedules for air and sea transportation affect the overall time.
- Weather: Bad weather can cause flight delays
Ocean freight takes about 30-40 days from major Chinese ports (such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) to Cotonou Port in Benin, depending on the ship schedule and route.
Air Freight From major Chinese airports (such as Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun) to Cotonou Airport in Benin, the transportation time is usually 5-7 days, including flight time and time for unloading and customs clearance at the destination.
If you want to know the shipping time to other countries you can read:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Ghana?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Nigeria?
Customs Clearance from China to Benin
Main steps for customs clearance from China to Benin:
Submitting customs documents
Importers need to submit the following documents to Benin Customs:
- Commercial invoice: details of goods information, value, quantity, etc.
- Packing list: lists the packaging details of the goods for customs inspection.
- Bill of lading or airway bill: bill of lading or airway bill issued by the transport company.
- Import license: if restricted goods or specific categories of goods (such as medicines, chemicals, etc.) are involved, an import license may be required.
- Certificate of origin: proves the production source of the goods, which may be provided when Benin requires certain goods.
- Insurance policy: if you have purchased cargo transportation insurance, you need to provide an insurance policy.
Cargo inspection and classification
Benin Customs will inspect the goods to ensure that they meet Benin’s import requirements, especially those for health, plant quarantine, animal and plant protection, etc.
Payment of customs duties and value-added tax (VAT)
- Tariffs: Benin’s tariff rates are generally determined according to the type of goods, usually around 10% to 30%.
- Value Added Tax (VAT): Benin’s VAT rate is 18%, and most imported goods are subject to VAT.
Choosing the Right Freight Forwarder
Choosing a reliable freight forwarder is essential for shipping from China to Benin. Here are a few key points to consider when choosing a freight forwarder:
- Experience and expertise: Choose a freight forwarder with rich experience and expertise in shipping goods from China to Benin.
- Global network: Choose a freight forwarder with a global logistics network that can handle shipping, customs declaration and customs clearance procedures in Benin.
- Service quality and responsiveness: A good freight forwarder should be able to respond to your questions in a timely manner and provide efficient services.
- Cost transparency: Choose a freight forwarder with transparent costs to avoid hidden fees and ensure that import costs are controllable.
Transporting goods from China to Benin involves multiple links. Through this article, you can choose the appropriate mode of transportation, master the detailed process and cost information of transportation, reduce costs, improve transportation efficiency, and ensure the smooth transportation of goods to Benin.