Freight between China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo | Rates – Transit times – Duties & Taxes – Advices
Looking out for a better method to import merchandise coming out of china to the democratic republic of Congo(DRC)? Our detailed on complete guide on this topic is created with the aim of saving hours on searching on the internet for the relevant information. By summarizing the most useful information about shipping between these 2 countries. We’ll facilitate things for you. We will provide you with detailed information about the transportation methods and regulations required to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of your cargo to DRC from China. Furthermore, we are pleased to be working for you on our projects. Feel free to contact us.
What is the best method of transport between China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The following part explains the main shipping options that exist between both countries and highlights each one of them in detail. We will compare the air and sea freight solutions for you, pick the most appropriate for your requirements.
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Sea freight between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo
The main shipping seaports in the Democratic Republic of Congo
One of the strongest trading markets of the world, the Chinese economy is at the same time the main commercial Partner of the Congo Democratic Republic (DRC). In the year 20/20, this country represented more than 41 percent of exports from DRC for a total of US$5.79 Billion, whereas the imports of Congolese goods from China totaled 11 percent for US$256 Million. The major sectors of exports of the ROC to China include the minerals such as cobalt, Petroleum and liquified Minerals ( 83%) as well as other rare and not so rare Woods, copper and ships, or any floating objects (“floating structures”). The main products being imported are pharmaceuticals, beef, and technological or electronic components.
The port of Matadi
The country’s number one export and/or import terminal, it’s the country’s largest seaport with an annual carrying capacity of about 2,500,000 tons. With a length of 1610 meters, it includes only 16 quays. But many cranes and other infrastructures fail to work properly, and even though it handles over 90% of the maritime freight in the DRC, the Port Matadi has been overtaken by the new harbor of Matadi Gateway (MGT). It is largely integrated into the city of Kinshasa through rail and bus lines, making it one of the most significant harbors in the country. Meanwhile, this is an internal river harbor, which reduces its depth to 5, 6, and 7 meters.
DocShipper Tip:
- You are shipping large volumes or bulky items, as sea freight offers the most space at a cost-effective rate.
- Your cargo doesn't have an urgent deadline, as sea freight typically has longer transit times compared to air or rail.
- Your shipping routes are between major ports, allowing you to leverage the extensive global network of sea shipping lanes.
The main shipping seaports in Congo
The port of Matadi
The country’s number one export and/or import terminal, it’s the country’s largest seaport with an annual carrying capacity of about 2,500,000 tons. With a length of 1610 meters, it includes only 16 quays. But many cranes and other infrastructures fail to work properly, and even though it handles over 90% of the maritime freight in the DRC, the Port Matadi has been overtaken by the new harbor of Matadi Gateway (MGT). It is largely integrated into the city of Kinshasa through rail and bus lines, making it one of the most significant harbors in the country. Meanwhile, this is an internal river harbor, which reduces its depth to 5, 6, and 7 meters.
Port of Matadi Gateway Terminal (MGT)
Created through a partnership between the Philippine firm of International container services (“International Container Terminal Services”) and the company SIMOBILE (Société de Gestion Immobilière Lengo) since January 2014,It only started functioning recently, in 2016, and is capable to manage about 175,000 cargo containers annually, due to its 6 hectares of storage capacity as well as the 10 hectares of the terminal. The port is expanding steadily, with the objective to reach a total capacity of around 400,000 units annually, So it is not yet the biggest harbor of the country, but is definitely a very important one as it handles nearly an 80% share of all imports or exports of the Congo Republic, owing to its highly functional infrastructures, in comparison to Matadi harbor. While the Port Of Matadi is the official first Port in size and capacity, MGT is the leading Commercial port of Congo regarding the real handled quantity.
Port of Boma
Operated or managed by the Congo Shipping Company, this is one of the second-biggest harbors in the U.S. Located along the north coast of the Congo river, it was initially established for handling the export of agriculture and forest products, however, since its decline, it has specialized in managing those sectors of the industry and is now a hub of the United States’ economy It is approximately 90 kilometers away from the coast of the Atlantic
The maximum capacity of this port is about 40,000m2 storage area, with only 6 cranes and few handlers, making it ideal for managing around 6,600 TEUs and about 500,000 tons per year. And was initially designed to handle exports for agriculture and/or the forest industry, but since the decrease of these sectors, the port is now specialized in vehicle transportation for the RORO. Unlike the other ports, it benefits from an 11 m deep depth which varies depending on the natural sand deposition, which reduces the depth to 7 m at times.
Port of Kalemie
It is located on the Western side of Tanganyika River and is served by a mole measuring about 382 m in length and about 40 m in width. It is situated on the north side of the Kalemie river and south of the unique Lake Tanganyika’s.
Being prepared for the flooding, it is raised by 776 meters over the sea surface through reinforced concretes, with a terminal for fuel transportation and the necessary infrastructures to split the incoming cargo. A dedicated Terminal for the transportation of fuel with the required equipment is planned for the division of the incoming flows. There are 5 main elements of the bridge:
-The DERRICK Group G77 Crane, with a lifting range from 50 up to 30 tons
-The Cranes of the G76 and the 117 of the type ACMT.
-The G76 is out of action for many years.
-The G74 and the G75 of TITAN Anversois types of cranes
-Five tons with a range of up to 7.5 m.
Transit time between Chinese and Congolese ports
| Matadi | Boma | Kalemie | |
| Shangaï | 46 | 46 | 47 |
| Shenzhen | 42 | 43 | 44 |
| Guangzhou | 42 | 43 | 44 |
| Qingdao | 47 | 47 | 47 |
| Tianjin | 49 | 49 | 49 |
| Ningbo | 48 | 49 | 49 |
| Dalian | 48 | 48 | 48 |
Should I choose FCL or LCL when shipping between China and Kazakhstan?
There are three different types and sizes of shipping units described below:
Delivery dates mentioned are approximate and can change according to many factors, we suggest that you be very flexible. In addition, it doesn’t include collection, distribution, and clearance processes.
- 20ft container = 33 m3
- 40ft container = 67 m3
- 40ft HQ container = 76 m3
Here is a comparison of transport according to the last modes presented.
The following provides you with an overall view of the most up-to-date methods used for transportation.
LCL: Less than Container Load
Forwarding is for people who would prefer not to transport a whole cargo box but would like to use the available spaces for other goods inside one container, This method only requires that you pay for the room you use to transport the goods, which means that the shipments you make are more profitable. Therefore, you will have to cover the expenses associated with carrying out the container’s storage activities.
Your shipments will then be transferred with others who have a transit location on the same road as that of the container, so you will have to cover costs related to the transportation of the goods.
This solution is ideal for you if :
- You are sending out a few volumes of goods
- You intend to group several goods for further processing and consolidation.
- The weight of the load may be too high for airfreight.
FCL: Full Container Load
In a full container ship loading (FCL), the entire load is reserved for one customer from the beginning until the end of delivery, in which case all the goods are packed in one container.
The package is secured under a seal to prevent it from being damaged or tampered with – thus minimizing costs of handling and cost of delivery associated with the service offered to the client by the company and its employees. As a result, the amount of storage space is reduced and the prices are lower.
FCL cargo represents reliability and efficiency from 15CBM upward, since subtracting any handling operations would make the cost of an FCL filled at 15CBM more attractive than an LCL at 15CBM.
Unlock hassle-free shipping
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Special maritime transport method between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Special maritime transport method between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo
Reefer container
These refrigerated vessels are for transportation of perishables and/or other chemical commodities, where the temperature is necessary to ensure proper shipping operations as well as safe cargo delivery to the customers’ destinations within a short period of time. Reefers come in many dimensions with the most up-to-date technologies for the control of both temperature and atmosphere, even The level of humidity.
Roro
The word Ro-Ro is used in reference to ships that are specifically made to transport lorries, semi-trucks, railroad trailers, and wagons, and even to carry vehicles or other mini boats at the entry and/or exit of the vessel.
The reasons behind the usage of a RORO from China?
This is the more economical and secure option to transport a large shipment. In many cases, they are charges that may only be carried in a single unit through a dedicated wagon, from point of origin to the target area. Roro’s are stored in their own container so that they are not exposed to weather conditions or damage during transportation.
Out of Gauges (OOG)
The short form of the term OOG (Out of Gauge) refers to ”out of gauge” or out of specification. The two following methods are used: the Open top and the Flat rack containers.
A container with an opened top is designed for transporting A container with an opened top is designed for transporting high volumes and/or high finished goods that need to be handled and loaded by a truck crane.
The container with the flat base is dedicated to the transport of heavy goods in terms of both width and height.
These types of systems allow time-saving when loading cargo not conforming to the standard shipping regulations.
Bulk
This means the carriage of Bulk Shipments that are carried into the hold of a ship. The bulk cargo and the regular goods will have different storage types, ex. the solid or liquid bulk cargoes (such as coal), or minerals, petroleum, and cement are the most frequent for this type of forwarding), These are known as bulk carriers.
What is the cost of sea freight between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo?
When calculating the cost of cargo, the weight and the volume of the goods are crucial in order to obtain the total costs of transport. Here is how to determine the weight and the volume ratio of the products:
The weight/volume ratio : “1 ton = 1 m3”
Most of the world shipping sector agreed that the standard tariff rate is calculated according to the weight/volume ratio and based on the 1 ton = 1 m3 formula. The price is calculated in units of payload (UP) or mass expressed in tons, or the volume in volume expressed in cubic meters,” in favor of the transporter” or the higher value.
For example, A shipment with a mass of six Tons and a capacity of 9 m3 will be counted as a 9 UP. In the case of a 7 tons weight and 6 m3 of volume, we count 7 UP.
Please feel comfortable contacting us directly through our online form. For more information, check the website: Sea freight
Air freight between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo
The different types of air freight
As 90% of goods are shipped by ocean nowadays, many importers are under time constraints that require a rapid and accurate shipment process toward the final destination. This is generally in the case for seasonal products, for electronic items, and for goods that are risky to send out by sea, they prefer to send them by air freight.
There are 2 possible ways to deliver goods: traditional Air Cargo and Express Air Cargo.
Both have significant variations when it comes to price and service:
The traditional Air Cargo is shipped through the available space on the commercial airlines’ companies like Air China, Canada, Qatari Airways, and UAE…
The express delivery by air is made by” courier companies “which operate generally through door-to-door service, including DHL, TNT, and UPS…
With Express Broker, you will get the possibility of having all of your products hand-delivered all over the world in just one week. Also, the customs procedure will not need to be handled by yourself, because this is already covered by the offer.
DocShipper Tip:
Air freight might be the best solution for you if:
- You are in a hurry or have a strict deadline requirement, as air freight offers the fastest transit times.
- Your cargo is less than 2 CBM (Cubic Meter), making it more suitable for smaller shipments.
- Your shipment needs to reach a destination that is not easily accessible by sea or rail, allowing you to tap into the extensive network of global airports.
Main airports in China
- PEK – Beijing Capital International Airport
- CAN – Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- PVG – Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- XIY – Xi’an Xianyang International Airport
- HKG – Hong Kong International Airport
- SHA – Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
- CTU – Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
- SZX – Shenzhen Baoan International Airport
- KMG – Kunming Changshui International Airport
Main airports of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Why choose air transportation ?
1. Speed
When you have to send your cargo rapidly, this is definitely the preferred solution. Nowadays, with the competitiveness of shipping in terms of rapidity, air transportation could provide you with advantages over the other competitors.
2. Reliable schedules
Most airlines maintain their schedules for arrivals or departures, or they even keep their schedules well ahead of schedule. This means that it is not necessary to reschedule your flight for the next day. In case you miss your flight, this is not so terrible as the flights are very frequent, and you can even rebook the flight for the next day.
3. The omnipresence of airports within territories
The airlines have an extensive global presence with many destinations across the world and some of them are in very remote places, making it very difficult to access them by ocean freight. This means that the cargo could be transported to some destinations that are not accessible by maritime transport.
The insurance costs will be cheaper than sea freight because of its lower duration, which means that although the air cargo is more expensive, you may save some money.
4. Safe and low-risk
Transportation by plane has the highest safety standards, with many safety regulations set at airports, both for cargo and for staff.
5. Smaller storage
The quicker delivery time of air cargo enables you to ship less quantity with more regular intervals, resulting in fewer warehouses. Custom clearances and inspections of cargo by customs are more efficient because most goods can be released in just a few hours.
The Air cargo represents only part of the “supply chain”, as well as the major shipping, you will need all the required paperwork related to the import/export, including airport fees and the transportation of products to their final destination… DocShipper can help you with all these services too!
What is the cost of air freight between China and the Democratic Republic of Congo ?
We determine the price of transport by using the weight weight-volume percentage, which corresponds to the amount of taxable weight per kilo. IATA rates may vary according to the amount of freight. It is based on a differential rate, which will be adapted to the country of destination. There is also a minimum taxation fee on volumes under a certain amount.
The price per kg of standard Air freight can be cheaper than that of courier airlines, due to the increased amount of fixed costs. In the end, the higher value between the Gross Weight and the volume weight will be considered as the one used in the final calculation process, which always gives preference to the transportation companies.
What is volumetric weight ?
For the traditional cargo, the ratio between weight / Volume is based on the ratio of 1T.for 6 (1 ton for 6 m3) with an additional fee of the gross load equivalent to 1 for 6. The real bulk is then divided by the 6 in order to calculate the dimensional weight, forming the basis of pricing. There is a 1:5 formula for rapid delivery.
Conventional Air cargo : 1 m³ = 167 Kg
express air freight : we will calculate 1 m³ = 200 Kg
Customs clearance in the Democratic Republic for goods imported from China
Choose an airline for faster delivery, it can be cost-effective, so you save time and money! Just choose the shipment method that meets your requirements and your need! Please fill out our online form(put link) and our experts will contact you in less than 48 hours.
In this section, we are going to cover in detail all aspects related to the border crossing procedure, a key element for importing merchandise out of China to other countries around the world.
It is necessary to be aware of the regulations and requirements concerning the territory of the Congo.
We will provide you with details on which products are legal for importation and which ones are restricted, plus instructions on the calculation of duty and fees.
Restricted and banned goods
We are used to dealing with the importers who have their products stopped by customs for some reason or other. In most cases, this is caused by the fact that the importers are not informed properly. This is why we advise you to inform yourselves through our guide and prevent any problems with customs clearances as much as possible.
Be completely informed of all the information concerning the commodities that you would like to export/import.
Getting every single piece of information on the manufacturer or export company is essential in order to be successful in the process of importation or exportation.
Be certain of the acceptance of the merchandise you are importing into the territory of the Congo.
Restricted Products
- Pharmaceutical products
- Dairy products,
- Alcohol,
- Wheat, barley
- Chicken, turkey, beef
- Eggs,
- Pharmaceutical products
Banned products
- Art objects
- Weapons
- Explosives
- Chemical products
- Minerals
- Precious stones
Customs procedure
In order to avoid any problem, it is necessary to get the Bill of Lading, a unique certificate that allows you to have access to the Customs declaration, as well as to the importation/exportation process, and to calculate all taxes of the products you have bought or exported.
Contact Details for Customs Authorities
China Customs
Official name: General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
Official website: http://english.customs.gov.cn/
Required documents for customs clearance
Through customs. The following are the documents you may need for the clearance of your goods:
Original invoice
Also referred to as a trade invoice, usually serves two functions: the customs release as well as the purchase approval.
The Bill of Lading
There are different types of Bills of Lading, such as the bill of lading. It includes all the terms of the agreement made between the carrier and the forwarder, such as point of departure/arrival, etc. In the case of Air Cargo, it is called an AWB (Air Waybill).
Additional logistics services
Explore the comprehensive range of logistics services offered by DocShipper, streamlining your supply chain end-to-end from manufacturer to market, ensuring smooth and efficient operations.
Warehousing and storage
Seeking reliable warehousing in China and Kazakhstan can feel like a daunting task. The stakes rise when special needs, like temperature control for perishable goods, enter the picture. We understand these complexities, that's why we offer tailored solutions for your storage dilemmas. More info on our dedicated page: Warehousing.
Packaging and repackaging
Ensure your items arrive intact in Kazakhstan from China with careful packaging and repackaging. It's crucial to trust an adept agent given the range of products - think delicate glassware to industrial machinery. Check out how our service navigates these challenges on our dedicated page: Freight packaging.
Cargo insurance
Transporting goods comes with inescapable risks. Unlike fire insurance that only covers losses from accidental fires, cargo insurance extends to damages during transit due to accidents, natural disasters, theft, or mishandling. Sailing through rough seas? Or traversing bumpy roads? This service provides you a safety net. Imagine your cargo, a batch of expensive electronics, suffers water damage. With cargo insurance, you're covered. Securing transport holds crucial for your peace of mind. More info on our dedicated page: Cargo Insurance.
Supplier Management (Sourcing)
Shipping between China and Kazakhstan? DocShipper offers hands-on supplier management. We assist in finding reliable suppliers, manage your procurement, and handle any language barriers, effectively making sourcing from Asia or East Europe feel as easy as ordering from next door. Imagine the time and cost savings! More info on our dedicated page: Sourcing services.
Personal effects shipping
Moving personal belongings from China to Kazakhstan can be a true headache, especially when dealing with fragile or oversized items. Let's ease your stress! Our professional team handles your possessions with supreme care and adaptability, ensuring safe transit even for your grandma's china or that bulky vintage sofa. Get the nitty-gritty at our dedicated page, Shipping Personal Belongings.
Quality Control
Quality control is a crucial piece of the shipping puzzle, especially when dealing from China to Kazakhstan. It's your shield against flaws: from false labeling to defective components. Imagine sending out 5000 custom B2B circuit boards, only to face recalls because of unnoticed malfunctions. With our quality control service, you're covered – inspections are made during manufacturing, ensuring each piece meets your standards. More info on our dedicated page: Quality Inspection
Product compliance services
Shipping goods overseas can feel like a walk on a regulatory tightrope. With our Product Compliance Services, we steer clear of this stress by ensuring regulative obedience. From rigorous lab testing to acquiring essential certifications, every detail is exacted, ensuring your goods won't hit any hitches on arrival. Understand the full extent of our comprehensive services at our dedicated page: Product compliance services.
FAQ | Freight forwarders between China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Depending on the customer's requirements, we can handle the grouping of multiple shipments from several manufacturers at our storage locations, allowing you to deliver all your orders together at once, rather than having them all shipped at the same time. In addition, at arrival, we can provide a deconsolidation service and take charge of shipping them to their desired location.
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