China to Africa Shipping Cost Calculator
Shipping from China to an African country depends on four factors: method (air express/standard, sea LCL/FCL), arrival port, weight or volume (CBM), and the specific lane. 2026 ranges span ~US$6/kg for air standard up to ~US$280/CBM for sea LCL.
Use the calculator below for a per-country estimate plus local-currency conversion. All methods use indicative rates; always confirm with your freight forwarder.
China → Africa shipping calculator
+ customs duty + VAT applied at arrival (see the customs page for your country).
Estimate based on indicative China → Africa rates (June 2026 reference). Real quotes vary by season, container availability, weight density and forwarder relationship. Confirm with your freight forwarder before booking.
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Air vs sea: which method for which order?
Simple rule: air for speed and small lots, sea for volume. The economic crossover for medium-density goods is typically 100–200 kg. Above that, sea LCL becomes more cost-effective despite the wait. Above ~10 CBM or ~3,000 kg, a 20ft FCL container becomes competitive.
Air express (DHL/FedEx/UPS): 1–7 days door-to-door, US$9–17/kg depending on country. Best for samples, urgent orders, high-value electronics. Usually includes express customs clearance.
Air standard / consolidator: 6–14 days, US$5.5–12/kg. A consolidator pools multiple shippers on the same cargo flight. Cheaper but less visibility and slower clearance.
Sea LCL (groupage): 25–60 days door-to-door, US$170–380/CBM. You share a container with other importers. The economical pick for 1–10 CBM. Port + handling fees apply on arrival.
Sea FCL 20ft / 40ft: Similar transit time to LCL, flat per-container price (US$2,300–8,500 depending on size and lane). Cost-effective above ~10 CBM or for sensitive goods you want sealed in a dedicated container.
How is CBM calculated?
CBM (cubic metre, m³) is the volume your cargo occupies. It is the standard billing unit for sea LCL.
Formula: CBM = L × W × H (in metres). For dimensions in cm: (L × W × H cm) ÷ 1 000 000.
Example: a 60×40×30 cm carton = 72,000 cm³ ÷ 1,000,000 = 0.072 CBM. At US$230/CBM, that carton runs ~US$17 in pure LCL freight (before port fees).
Multi-carton case: add up the CBM of each carton. 50 cartons at 0.072 CBM = 3.6 CBM total.
Forwarders often round up to the next CBM ("W/M", whichever is greater of weight or measure) at 1 ton per CBM. For dense goods (metal, books), you may be billed on weight, not CBM.
Beyond freight: the hidden arrival costs
The freight rate quoted by your forwarder is rarely the total you'll pay. Several cost layers stack on arrival and typically add 30 to 60% on top of the freight cost for a standard LCL.
- Port handling fees. Handling, unloading, first-days storage — typically US$200–500 LCL.
- CFS deconsolidation. The arrival consolidation warehouse separates pooled shipments — US$100–300.
- Customs broker fees. US$100–500 for LCL, US$300–1,000 for FCL.
- Physical inspection (if required). US$50–200 plus deconsolidation/repack costs.
- Inland transport. From port to your warehouse — varies hugely (US$100–800 by distance and country).
Always request a "door-to-door" quote that includes all of the above — it's the only comparable number between forwarders.