Tunisia is a country located in North Africa on the Mediterranean coast. It borders the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Libya to the east, and Algeria to the south. Tunisia is one of the most open economies in Africa.
Tunisia has a promising market, especially in the fields of agriculture, energy, construction and electronics, where import demand is growing. Cross-border transportation services have become particularly important for Chinese exporters. This article will provide a detailed introduction to shipping from China to Tunisia to help optimize logistics.
Detailed steps for shipping from China to Tunisia
Confirm the type of goods and the mode of transportation
Choose the appropriate mode of transportation (sea, air or rail) based on the nature, urgency and budget of the goods.
Prepare transportation documents
- Commercial invoice: List the description, quantity, unit price and total price of the goods.
- Packing list: Detailed description of the packaging, quantity, weight, size, etc. of the goods.
- Bill of lading: If it is shipped by sea, a bill of lading issued by the shipping company is required.
- Certificate of origin: In order to confirm the origin of the goods, a certificate from the relevant chamber of commerce or trade organization is usually required.
Choose a freight forwarder and book a space
Book a space for the goods through a professional freight forwarder or logistics company and determine the transportation route.
Transportation process
The goods depart from Chinese ports (such as Shanghai and Shenzhen) through the selected transportation method, and arrive at the main ports of Tunisia after transit or directly.
Customs clearance
After the goods arrive in Tunisia, the importer needs to prepare relevant customs clearance documents, pay customs duties and value-added tax, and accept customs inspection.
Goods distribution and delivery
After customs clearance, the goods are distributed to the destination and delivered.
Learn more: Customs Clearance and Fees
How to Ship from China to Tunisia
The main transportation methods from China to Tunisia are air transportation and sea transportation
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the main mode of transportation, with large transportation volume, low cost, long transportation distance, and can handle various 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.
- Less than container load (LCL): Suitable for customers with smaller quantities of goods, multiple small goods can be transported together to reduce transportation costs.
Air Freight
Air freight has shorter transportation time and higher security, and is suitable for urgent goods, high-value goods and perishable goods that need to reach the destination quickly.
Shipping Costs from China to Tunisia
Shipping costs from China to Tunisia. Shipping costs can vary greatly depending on whether you choose air or sea shipping. Air freight costs are usually $5 to $12 per kilogram, while sea freight costs are $2,500 to $3,800 for a 20-foot container. You can refer to the table below:
| Shipping Mode | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| LCL | $50 – $100 per cubic meter |
| FCL (20-foot container) | $2,550 to $3,800 |
| FCL (40-foot container) | $3,050 to $4,800 |
| Express Shipping (50kg) | $15 per kilogram |
| Air Freight (100kg) | $5 to $12 per kilogram |
Shipping 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Tunisia
The cost of shipping 20ft and 40ft containers varies depending on a variety of factors, including the origin and destination, the type of cargo, seasonal fluctuations, weather, etc. The following is a detailed table:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Tunis | $1950-$2950 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Tunis | $1900-$2800 | $3250-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Tunis | $1850-$3000 | $3050-$4650 |
| Qingdao | Tunis | $1950-$2750 | $3050-$4800 |
| Shanghai | Bizerte | $1950-$2900 | $3100-$5000 |
| Shenzhen | Bizerte | $2000-$2850 | $3050-$4850 |
| Ningbo | Bizerte | $1850-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Qingdao | Bizerte | $1850-$2850 | $3300-$5000 |
| Shanghai | Sousse | $1850-$3000 | $3100-$5000 |
| Shenzhen | Sousse | $2000-$2850 | $3000-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Sousse | $1900-$2800 | $3250-$4750 |
| Qingdao | Sousse | $1850-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
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 Turkey
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Algeria?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Morocco
Shipping Time from China to Tunisia
The shipping time from China to Tunisia is usually affected by many factors, such as the specific port of departure and destination, the congestion of the route, seasonal fluctuations, etc.
Sea Freight Time from China to Tunisia
It is often transported through major ports in China, through the Suez Canal, and finally arrives at the port of Tunisia. The specific time is as follows:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Transport time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Tunis | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Tunis | 32-40 days |
| Ningbo | Tunis | 30-38 days |
| Shanghai | Bizerte | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Bizerte | 31-40 days |
| Ningbo | Bizerte | 30-39 days |
| Shanghai | Sousse | 30-38 days |
| Shenzhen | Sousse | 30-39 days |
| Ningbo | Sousse | 32-40 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Tunisia
The cargo departs from China’s major international airports (such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou) and arrives at Tunisian airports (such as Tunis-Cartagena International Airport) after transit. It takes about 4-7 days：
| Origin Airport | Destination Airport | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong | Tunis-Cartagena | 3-6 days |
| Beijing Capital | Tunis-Cartagena | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Tunis-Cartagena | 3-5 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 Turkey
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Algeria
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Morocco?
Tunisia Customs and Import Requirements
- Import tariffs: Tunisia imposes different import tariffs on different categories of goods. Generally speaking, tariff rates range from 0% to 30%, depending on the type of goods and whether they enjoy free trade agreement benefits.
- Value Added Tax (VAT): The standard VAT rate in Tunisia is 19%, and lower rates may apply to certain goods.
- Import licenses: Certain categories of goods (such as medicines, food, chemicals, etc.) require an import license to be applied for in advance.
- Quarantine and inspection: In order to ensure that the goods meet Tunisia’s quality and safety standards, certain goods are subject to sanitary and phytosanitary inspections.
Choosing the Right Freight Forwarder
Ubest Shipping is a leading freight forwarder specializing in freight from China to Tunisia, offering a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet the specific needs of our clients. Our services include air freight, ocean freight, customs clearance, and warehousing solutions, ensuring your cargo is transported safely and efficiently. We leverage our extensive network of carriers and local partners to offer competitive pricing and reliable schedules, making us the preferred choice for businesses looking to streamline their logistics operations.
The expert team at Ubest Shipping works closely with clients to understand their unique needs and develop customized logistics solutions that meet their needs. Whether you are shipping a small or large shipment, we have the expertise and resources to handle your shipment with the utmost care and efficiency. For a seamless and hassle-free shipping experience from China to Tunisia, trust Ubest Shipping as your preferred freight forwarder.
Through the introduction in this article, enterprises and individuals can smoothly transport goods to Tunisia and meet the Tunisian market’s demand for various commodities.