The demand for Chinese goods in Tunisia is increasing year by year. In 2021, the value of trade between China and Tunisia exceeded 12 billion dollars, highlighting the great importance of this trade relationship.
However, Tunisian companies wishing to import from China face several challenges, including shipping, customs clearance, and ensuring compliance with standards and product quality. But don’t worry, with the right tips and guidance, this process can be simplified and made more effective.
Shipping procedures from China to Tunisia
If you plan to ship goods from China to Tunisia, here are the basic steps you should follow:
1. Choose the best shipping company: There are many companies that offer shipping services from China to Tunisia, but it depends on the prices and services provided by each company.
2. Cargo Preparation: Once you choose the shipping company, you will need to prepare the goods for shipping. Make sure the goods are properly packed and protected from any damage that may occur during shipping. You also need to ensure that all required documents are available and complete.
3. Start the shipping process: After the goods are processed, you can start the shipping process. You can choose sea or air freight, depending on what suits your needs and budget. It then tracks the shipment to make sure it reaches its destination safely.
4. Customs clearance: When goods arrive in Tunisia, you will need to complete the customs clearance process. You can do it yourself or use a customs agent. Be sure to pay all required fees and taxes to avoid any delays or problems.
5. Receipt: In the end, after completing the customs clearance process, you can receive the goods at the desired place. Make sure the goods arrive in good condition and on time.
Shipping from China to Tunisia can be a complicated process, but you can shorten all the previous steps with one step, which is choosing the right shipping agent and leaving all the previous steps to him, ensuring that he will choose the best choices that ensure a successful and problem-free shipping process at the lowest costs.
Shipping from China to Tunisia Sea or Air freight Costs
If you are planning to ship goods from China to Tunisia, you are faced with two main options: sea or air freight. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the perfect choice depends on your specific needs and budget.
1.Sea freight from China to Tunisia
Sea freight from China to Tunisia is a popular choice for transporting large and heavy goods. Although it may take longer compared to air freight.
When to ship by sea?
If you want to ship by sea from China to Tunisia, there are a few factors you should consider:
- Size and weight: Sea freight is the perfect choice if you have a large or heavy shipment. Naval vessels can carry large quantities of cargo, making them an economical choice for large cargo.
- Cost: In general, sea freight is less expensive than air freight. However, you should also take into account additional costs such as customs clearance, storage and delivery to the final site.
- Time: Sea freight takes longer than air freight. If time is a factor for you, you may want to consider other shipping options.
- Sustainability: Sea freight is a more sustainable option than air freight in terms of carbon emissions.
- Security: While naval vessels are considered a safe means of shipping, they must also take into account factors such as weather and marine conditions.
Seaports of Tunisia
Tunisia has many commercial seaports, but here we will focus on the largest of them, the ports of Rades and the port of Bizerte.
Port of Rades:
- It is located in the city of Rades, which is about ten kilometers from the capital Tunis.
- This port is the first in the country in terms of trade and has undergone rapid development, becoming specialized in container transport and transit.
- This port is managed by the Merchant Navy Office which also manages six other ports in the country.
- Handles 79% of container traffic in Tunisia.
- Sea freight from various Chinese ports to Rades port takes between 29 and 33 days, depending on the Chinese port.
Port of Bizerte:
- It is located in the city of Bizerte in northern Tunisia and is a historic city located between the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Bizerte.
- This port is characterized by good maritime links linking it to the Suez Canal in Egypt and the Strait of Gibraltar in Spain/Europe.
- Sea freight from various Chinese ports to the port of Bizerte takes between 27 and 37 days, depending on the Chinese port.
Time spent shipping from China to Tunisia
Sea freight from China to Tunisia takes between 27 and 37 days depending on the port from which it is shipped in China. And in detail it is as follows:
| Port | Shipping time to Rades port | Shipping time to the port of Bizerte |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 23 days | 27 days |
| Ningbo | 25 days | 29 days |
| Shanghai | 27 days | 31 days |
| Dalian | 30 days | 34 days |
| Qingdao | 32 days | 36 days |
| Tianjin | 33 days | 37 days |
Sea freight rates from China to Tunisia
Expected prices for sea freight from China to Tunisia depend on many factors, including weight, size, type of cargo, etc. For an accurate cost estimate, it’s best to contact your shipping company directly or use our online quote estimator.
But they are approximately:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Sea freight (LCL) | €100 – €200 per cubic meter |
| Sea freight (FCL 20′) | €1,000 – €2,000 per container |
| Sea freight (FCL 40′) | €1,500 – €2,500 per container |
2.Air freight from China to Tunisia
Air freight from China to Tunisia is a fast and efficient option for transporting goods, especially for urgent or light shipments. This option provides unparalleled speed in delivery, making it the ideal choice for businesses that need to deliver their goods as quickly as possible.
When to ship by air?
If you are looking for speed and efficiency in the shipping process, air freight is the perfect choice for you. Air freight is characterized by its ability to reduce the time spent in the transportation process, which makes it the ideal choice when time is the most important element in the shipping process and does not matter to you cost and the size of the goods is relatively small and its importance is high and you are afraid of shipping, transportation and loading conditions.
Air ports of Tunisia
Tunisia has several commercial air ports, but the most important are:
- Tunis-Carthage International Airport: This airport is located in the northeast of Tunis and only 8 kilometers from the capital. This airport is a good alternative to sea freight thanks to its large traffic with other countries. The airport handles about 5.8 million passengers annually and has runways measuring 3,200 meters and 2,800 meters. The airport covers an area of 820 hectares.
- Enfidha Hammamet International Airport: Located in Enfidha, this airport serves many important Tunisian coastal cities such as Hammamet, Sousse and Monastir. This airport is one of the most modern in Tunisia and provides excellent air cargo services.
How long does a cargo plane take from China to Tunisia?
There is no direct flight between Tunisia and China, but there can be continuous flights across the Middle East. Including continuous flights, the journey between China and Tunisia can take from 20 to 24 hours (this duration covers the arrival time of the aircraft and does not include loading, unloading and inspection). The following table shows the time it takes for air cargo from China to Tunisia:
| City | Duration (Tunis-Carthage Airport) | Duration (Enfidha Airport) |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong | 20-24 hours | 20 hours |
| Ningbo | 20-24 hours | 20 hours |
| Shanghai | 20-24 hours | 20 hours |
| Qingdao | 20-24 hours | 20 hours |
| Tianjin | 20-24 hours | 20 hours |
| Dalian | 20-24 hours | 20 hours |
Air freight rates from China to Tunisia
The cost of air freight from China to Tunisia ranges between 4 and 6 euros per kilogram. The shipment must be at least 100 kilograms to be eligible for air freight. Air freight from China to Tunisia can take 3 to 5 days (with the time required for all procedures from loading, unloading, inspection, etc.). Remember that this cost only includes air freight and does not include customs duties or other taxes that may result from import.
Shipping companies from China to Tunisia
There are many distinguished companies that offer shipping services from China to Tunisia:
- Linkshare: It is distinguished by being one of the most prominent companies in this field, as it provides integrated shipping solutions that meet the needs of different customers.
- Alibaba: Alibaba is an excellent choice for fast and efficient shipping, and also offers shipping services at competitive prices.
Always remember to research and check the company and services they offer before choosing a shipping company.
Shipping rates from China to Tunisia
When considering shipping options from China to Tunisia, you can expect to pay between €4 and €6 per kilogram when opting for air freight. Your shipment must be over 100kg to be eligible for this type of shipping. In addition, air freight from China to Tunisia can take 3 to 5 days, and this includes the time required for all procedures such as loading, unloading, inspection and others. You should be aware that this cost only covers air freight and does not include any customs duties or taxes that may result from the import process.
For sea freight, the shipping cost depends on the size of the shipment. For shipments below a full container (LCL), you can expect to pay between €100 and €200 per cubic meter. For shipments that require a full 20-foot container (FCL 20′), the cost is between €1,000 and €2,000 per container. If you need a full 40-foot container (FCL 40′), the cost is between €1,500 and €2,500 per container.
It is important to remember that these prices are estimates and vary depending on many factors.