With the cooperation of the “Belt and Road” initiative, Djibouti is gradually becoming an important gateway for China-Africa trade and a hub for international logistics and trade. The demand for logistics is increasing day by day. This article will introduce the services of shipping from China to Djibouti in detail.
Introduction to Djibouti
Djibouti is located at the intersection of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, adjacent to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Soma. It has a strategically important port and is an important node connecting Africa, Europe and the Middle East. It has a large import demand and huge market potential.
Main ports:
- Doraleh Multipurpose Port: This is one of the main ports in Djibouti, handling bulk cargo, containers and other goods.
- Port of Djibouti: Although the old port has limited functions, it still undertakes some import and export trade.
How to Ship from China to Djibouti
There are two main modes of transportation from China to Djibouti: sea and air, which can be selected according to the characteristics of the cargo.
Sea freight
Sea freight is the most common mode of transportation, with low cost, suitable for large quantities of cargo, and strong stability. There are two main services: FCL and LCL
- LCL: Less than container load (LCL): Consolidation of multiple shippers’ cargo into one container reduces the shipping cost of a single shipper.
- FCL: Full container load refers to shipping a container from China to Egypt. Standard shipping containers are available in two sizes: 20ft and 40ft.
Air freight
Air freight is the fastest way to ship from China to Djibouti. It is highly secure and suitable for goods that need to be delivered urgently or for high-value goods.
Shipping Cost from China to Djibouti
The cost of shipping from China depends on the weight, volume, and mode of transportation of the goods.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Djibouti
Generally speaking, the cost of shipping varies greatly depending on the type of goods, the size of the goods, and the specific transportation conditions. The cost of shipping a 20-foot container from China to Yemen ranges from $1,800 to $2,800, and the cost of a 40-foot container ranges from $2,500 to $3,500. The following is a detailed shipping cost.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL Shipping Cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Doraleh Multipurpose | $82-$110 | $1550-$2450 | $3000-$3800 |
| Shenzhen | Doraleh Multipurpose | $85-$115 | $1500-$2600 | $3050-$3750 |
| Qingdao | Doraleh Multipurpose | $80-$120 | $1550-$2750 | $3050-$3750 |
| Ningbo | Doraleh Multipurpose | $80-$110 | $1650-$2700 | $3050-$3650 |
| Shanghai | Djibouti | $85-$120 | $1750-$2450 | $3050-$3800 |
| Shenzhen | Djibouti | $80-$125 | $1700-$2700 | $3000-$4000 |
| Qingdao | Djibouti | $90-$120 | $1650-$2850 | $3050-$3900 |
| Ningbo | Djibouti | $80-$120 | $1800-$2550 | $3050-$3850 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Djibouti
Air freight costs are usually higher, but the transportation speed is faster, which is suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements. Air freight costs are generally calculated based on the weight and volume of the goods, roughly between $5-$10/kg, and the specific cost depends on factors such as flight, cargo volume and weight.
Below are the shipping costs to other countries for your reference:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Egypt?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia
How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Oman
Shipping Time from China to Djibouti
The time for shipping from China to Djibouti by sea and air varies greatly and is affected by many factors.
Sea Freight Time from China to Djibouti
Sea freight takes longer than air freight, but is usually less expensive. Depending on the departure port and route, the time for sea freight will vary. It usually takes 20-30 days for goods to travel from major ports in China to Djibouti. The following is a detailed transportation time estimate:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Transport time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Doraleh Multipurpose | 20-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Doraleh Multipurpose | 22-30 days |
| Ningbo | Doraleh Multipurpose | 20-28 days |
| Qingdao | Doraleh Multipurpose | 20-30 days |
| Shanghai | Djibouti | 21-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Djibouti | 20-29 days |
| Ningbo | Djibouti | 20-28 days |
| Qingdao | Djibouti | 20-29 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Djibouti
Compared with sea freight, the transportation time of air freight is significantly shorter, but the cost is also higher. Air freight is suitable for goods that need to be delivered quickly, especially goods with high timeliness requirements. The time required from major airports in China to Djibouti International Airport is approximately 3 – 7 days.
Below are the shipping times to other countries:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Egypt
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Oman
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia?
Factors Affecting Shipping from China to Djibouti
Shipping costs and time are determined by the mode of transportation and are also affected by the following factors:
- Seasonal fluctuations: During holidays and certain peak seasons (such as the Spring Festival, Black Friday, Double Eleven, etc.), transportation demand surges, and shipping and airlines may increase prices or lead to tight capacity, which in turn affects transportation timeliness.
- Route selection: Direct flights are usually faster, and transit may lead to longer transportation time. If the route requires transit or port calls in other countries in the Middle East or Africa, both time and cost may increase.
- Special cargo requirements: For example, special cargo such as cold chain transportation and dangerous goods will increase transportation costs and time
- Weather conditions: Bad weather (such as typhoons, storms, etc.) will affect sailing time and cause transportation delays.
Detailed Steps for Shipping from China to Djibouti
Cargo preparation and document handling
Confirm the type of goods and prepare relevant documents (such as invoices, packing lists). Apply for certificates of origin and necessary inspection certificates.
Choose a mode of transport
Choose sea or air transport according to the nature of the goods. Sign a transport contract with a carrier or freight forwarding company.
Transportation and tracking
During the transportation of goods, the transportation status of the goods can be tracked in real time through the logistics system of the shipping company or courier company.
Cargo arrival and customs clearance
After receiving the goods at the Djibouti port or airport, arrange customs clearance. Submit necessary documents and pay customs duties.
Cargo delivery and distribution
After customs clearance, the goods are delivered to the final destination through local logistics.
Notes on Djibouti Customs and Imports
Djibouti customs policies are relatively strict, and the following are the key points:
Required documents:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading (B/L)
- Certificate of origin
- Product certificate of conformity (depending on the specific type of goods)
Tariff policy
Djibouti imposes tariffs on most goods, and the tax rate is usually between 5% and 20%. Some goods (such as medical supplies) may enjoy exemption policies.
Goods must comply with Djibouti’s import standards and regulations, especially for special goods such as food and medicine. It is recommended to use a local customs clearance agent to ensure smooth customs clearance.
Learn more: How to Choose China Freight Forwarder
Due to the complexity of international logistics, shipping goods from China to Djibouti requires careful planning and coordination. Enterprises can choose reliable freight forwarders to cooperate with. Ubest Shipping is a good choice. Reasonable planning of transportation solutions ensures that the goods arrive in Djibouti safely and on time.