The freight transportation between China and Cameroon is becoming more and more frequent, whether by sea or air, and has become an important bridge connecting the economies of the two countries. This article provides comprehensive guidance for companies or individuals on shipping from China to Cameroon, ensuring that the goods can reach their destination safely and efficiently.
Cameroon Overview
Cameroon is located at the junction of West Africa and Central Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, and bordering Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon and the Republic of Congo. The capital, Yaoundé, is located in the south-central part of the country. It has a superior geographical location and natural conditions. It is known as “Mini Africa”. It is rich in resources, has great potential for agricultural, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery and mineral development, and has a certain industrial foundation.
How to ship from China to Cameroon
The main modes of transportation from China to Cameroon are sea, air and express delivery. Different modes of transportation are suitable for different types of goods and time requirements, and the prices are also different.
Sea freight from China to Cameroon
Sea freight is one of the most commonly used modes of transportation in international trade, especially for bulk goods. Sea freight is significantly competitive due to its low cost. Although the shipping time is longer, the relatively low cost makes ocean shipping the first choice for many businesses.
Ocean shipping can carry a large amount of goods, whether it is full container or LCL transportation, it can meet the needs of different customers. Large cargo ships can carry thousands of containers to meet the transportation needs of large quantities of goods.
The shipping network spans the world and can reach almost any country and region with a port. The shipping line from China to Cameroon is also one of them, providing enterprises with convenient international trade channels.
What are the methods of sea freight?
Full container shipping means that a container only carries the goods of one shipper, and the unpacking of the full container is generally handled by the consignee. It can ensure the safety of goods and prevent them from being damaged or lost during transportation. At the same time, the efficiency of FCL transportation is also high, which can shorten the transportation time of goods. It is suitable for goods with large volume, high value or requiring special protection.
LCL shipping means that after the carrier accepts small-ticket freight consigned by the cargo owner, the quantity is less than the full container, and then it is classified and sorted according to the nature of the cargo and the destination. Concentrate goods destined for the same destination into a certain quantity and put them into boxes. For shippers with smaller volumes, LCL shipping can save freight and reduce transportation costs. At the same time, you can also enjoy services similar to FCL transportation.
Cameroon’s main ports
Douala is Cameroon’s largest city and economic capital, and the capital of Cameroon’s coastal region. Home to the largest port in Central Africa, the Port of Douala is Cameroon’s main seaport. There are road, rail and flight links to all major cities in the country. The deep-water port is home to much of the country’s international trade, with dedicated facilities for cargoes such as timber, gasoline, bauxite and bananas.
As Cameroon’s deep-sea port, Kribi Ship Terminal is well-suited to adapt to the new generation of transoceanic ships and will become a very modern link in the country’s logistics chain. As the gateway to Cameroon and its hinterland countries, including Chad and the Central African Republic, the new terminal is destined to support trade across the region and accelerate the country’s development.
How long does it take to ship from China to Cameroon?
The shipping time from China to Cameroon depends mainly on the distance between the departure and arrival ports, the route chosen, and the efficiency of the shipping company and the vessel. Here are some common route time estimates:
- Shanghai Port to Douala Port: about 30 to 40 days
- Ningbo Port to Douala Port: about 35 to 45 days
- Shenzhen Port to Douala Port: about 30 to 40 days
These time estimates include sailing time and possible transit time. Actual shipping time may vary due to weather conditions, port congestion and other uncontrollable factors.
Freight rates for 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Cameroon
Sea freight prices are usually calculated based on the volume (cubic meters) or weight (tons) of the goods and are affected by several factors:
Cargo type and volume: Bulk and oversized goods usually have higher freight rates.
Routes and shipping companies: Different routes and shipping companies have different pricing strategies.
Seasonal factors: Prices may increase during holidays and peak shipping periods (such as around Chinese New Year and Christmas).
- 20ft container: The average price of shipping a 20ft container from China to Cameroon is $2550 to $4000. The shipping time of a 20ft container from China to Cameroon depends on the route.
- 40ft container: Due to its larger size and capacity, the shipping cost of a 40ft container is usually higher than that of a 20ft container. The average price of shipping a 40ft container is $3200 to $5300.
| Container shipping service from China to Cameroon | Type of container | Ocean freight rates from China to Cameroon: |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2850 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4350 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2950 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4550 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2750 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4650 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2700 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4750 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2850 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4820 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2800 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4850 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $3650 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4850 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2750 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4650 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2850 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4850 40FT | |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Cameroon | 20 foot container FCL | Average price from: $2750 20FT |
| 40 foot container FCL | Average price from: $4650 40FT |
Air freight from China to Cameroon
Air freight is known for its speed, which can greatly shorten the time of cargo transportation. Although there is no direct route from China to Cameroon, relatively fast cargo transportation can still be achieved through reasonable transit arrangements.
High safety: During air transportation, goods are usually strictly packed and secured to reduce the risk of damage during transportation. At the same time, airlines and airports will take a series of security measures to ensure the safety of cargo.
Suitable for the transportation of urgent or high-value goods, such as documents, samples and high-tech products,
Cameroon’s main air cargo airports
- Douala International Airport
Cameroon’s largest international airport, mainly handles the country’s air cargo. It is well-equipped to provide comprehensive freight services, including refrigerated storage and fast customs clearance. - Yaoundé Ensmalén International Airport
Another important international airport in Cameroon, it has the ability to handle international cargo and is suitable for the transportation of small and medium-sized cargo.
air freight Time from China to Cameroon
Usually, it takes 3-7 days for air freight from China to reach Cameroon.
However, the distance is far, and there are no international flights directly between Chinese cities and Cameroon cities. We provide customized transportation solutions according to your needs, so that you can receive the goods as soon as possible.
air freight Cost from China to Cameroon
- Light cargo (45 kg to 100 kg):
Price per kg: $5 to $10
Total cost for 100 kg: $500 to $1,000 - Heavy cargo (101 kg to 500 kg):
Price per kg: $4 to $8
Total cost for 200 kg: $800 to $1600 - Bulk cargo (over 500 kg):
Price per kg: $3 to $6
Total cost for 500 kg: $2500 to $3,000
DDP Shipping from China to Cameroon
DDP shipping from China to Cameroon is an international logistics transportation method, in which the seller is responsible for transporting the goods to the designated place in the importing country and completing all the costs required before delivery (including customs duties, taxes, transportation and insurance, etc.). The following is an analysis of this transportation method, I hope you can understand it through this.
Features of DDP Shipping
All-inclusive: The seller is responsible for transporting the goods to the designated place in the importing country and bears all costs and risks from the exporting country to the importing country before delivery.
Customs clearance responsibility: The seller is responsible for handling the customs clearance procedures in the importing country and paying relevant taxes and tariffs.
Door-to-door service: DDP usually provides door-to-door service, that is, full service from the seller’s warehouse to the buyer’s designated place.
Process of DDP Shipping
- Export preparation: The seller prepares the goods according to the contract requirements and handles the export procedures of the exporting country.
- International transportation: The seller chooses a suitable mode of transportation (such as air transportation, sea transportation, etc.) to transport the goods from China to Cameroon.
- Import customs clearance: After the goods arrive in Cameroon, the seller or its designated freight forwarder is responsible for handling import customs clearance procedures, including submitting necessary documents, paying duties and taxes, etc.
- Delivery: The seller delivers the goods to the place designated by the buyer and completes the delivery procedures.
Precautions for shipping from China to Cameroon
Prohibited and restricted import goods: Cameroon has clear prohibitions or restrictions on the import of certain goods, such as cheap vegetable oils, dangerous toys, cement, sugar, ultra-thin plastics, etc. Before shipping, be sure to confirm that the goods are not prohibited or restricted.
Tariffs and taxes: Understand Cameroon’s tariff policies and tax rates to accurately calculate transportation costs. The general customs tax rate for general goods is 30%, and the value-added tax is 19.25%. But please note that these tax rates may change due to changes in the types of goods and policies.
Import documents: Make sure that the import documents required by Cameroon are fully prepared and meet Cameroon’s requirements, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, etc. In addition, according to the latest regulations in Cameroon, the shipping documents must also include additional details such as the commercial description of the goods, the tariff code (HS CODE), and the year of manufacture of the imported vehicles.
BESC/ECTN certification: According to Cameroon regulations, goods imported from China to Cameroon need to apply for BESC/ECTN certification. This is one of the important conditions for the smooth customs clearance of goods. Make sure to complete the certification application and obtain the certificate before the goods are shipped.
AOC and COC certification: For regulated products such as food, building materials, petroleum products, etc., it is necessary to apply for AOC (Attestation of Conformity) certificates and COC (Certificate of Conformity) certificates. These certificates are important proof that the products meet Cameroon’s import standards.
Choosing the right mode of transportation and a professional Chinese freight forwarding company can help you effectively control costs and improve transportation efficiency. Whether it is sea transportation, air transportation, or door-to-door transportation, you can make the best choice according to your specific needs to ensure that the goods arrive in Cameroon safely and on time.