Transporting goods from China to Africa through sea freight requires careful preparation and planning, considering factors from multiple angles, so as to ensure that the goods arrive at the destination safely and efficiently. In short, the following aspects need to be considered. If you have any questions, you can also consult the freight company for more detailed information.
Cargo list preparation: First, you need to list the information of the goods to be transported in detail for subsequent customs declaration, booking and cargo tracking during transportation.
Cargo packaging: Choose appropriate packaging materials and methods according to the nature of the goods, especially for special goods such as fragile goods and liquids, special packaging materials and protective measures are required, and corresponding warning signs are marked on the packaging.
Freight forwarder screening: Choose a freight forwarder with rich experience and good reputation, such as China SPEED. We have many years of shipping experience and have opened routes from China to different regions in Africa. Please feel free to contact us.
Shipping company selection: Consider factors such as the shipping company's route coverage, ship schedule, ship type, etc., and select a suitable shipping company based on the urgency of the goods and cost budget.
Preparation of customs declaration documents: prepare necessary customs declaration documents such as commercial invoice, packing list, customs declaration, export license, etc. These documents need to record in detail the value of the goods, information of both parties to the transaction, import and export ports and other key information.
Customs declaration process: submit the prepared customs declaration documents to the customs broker or freight forwarding company with customs declaration qualifications. The documents will be entered into the customs system, and the customs will review and inspect the goods.
Preparation of customs clearance documents: before the goods arrive at the African port of destination, prepare customs clearance documents such as bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, etc. For specific commodities, such as food, special documents such as health certificates may also be required.
Freight forwarding arrangement at the port of destination: contact the freight forwarding partners at the African port of destination, and they will assist in the import customs clearance procedures. Local freight forwarders are more familiar with Africa's customs policies, regulations and customs clearance procedures, and will be more efficient.
Booking and confirmation: When booking, detailed information of the goods needs to be provided, such as the estimated weight, volume, loading port and unloading port of the goods. After accepting the booking, the shipping company will send a booking confirmation to the booking party, and check whether the information is correct according to the confirmation.
Supervision of the loading process: When the goods are loaded, it is best to have a dedicated person to supervise to ensure that the goods are loaded into the cabin in the correct order and method. For containerized goods, it is recommended to check whether the container is damaged and whether the lead seal is intact; while for bulk goods, it is necessary to pay attention to the stacking method to prevent the goods from shifting and being damaged during transportation.
Transportation tracking: Shipping companies will track the navigation position of ships through technologies such as satellite positioning, and the dynamics of ships can be understood through the online platform or customer service channels provided by shipping companies.
Cost planning: The composition of ocean shipping costs generally includes ocean shipping costs, terminal fees, document fees, service fees, and possible demurrage fees, etc. In addition, it is necessary to reasonably plan additional costs, such as wooden box fees, insurance premiums, and heavy handling fees.
Insurance purchase: It is recommended to purchase transportation insurance for goods to deal with possible transportation risks.
Understand local laws and regulations in Africa: If you can understand local laws and regulations, customs policies and import restrictions in Africa in advance, you can better avoid the detention or destruction of goods due to violations of regulations.
Pay attention to international situation and weather changes: Pay attention to changes in the international situation, especially the political and economic conditions in Africa, and the impact of weather changes on sea transportation.
Keep in communication: Maintain close communication with multiple partners involved in the entire freight process and jointly seek solutions.
