The history of international trade between Africa and China is long-standing, and the amount is rising quickly these years. Importing from China is one of the top choices for African importers looking for cost-effective goods.
Shipping Document: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
The documents for customs clearance is special when importing into Africa. Except the normal Commercial Invoice, Packing List & Bill of Lading, a cargo note is a must at most cases.A cargo note sample
More than half countries in Africa need Electronic Cargo Tracking Note to clear the cargo. Different names used in different countries are listed below.
CTN: Cargo tracking note
CTN NO.: Cargo Tracking Note Number
ECTN: ELECTRONIC CARGO TRACKING NOTE
BSC: Bordereau de Suivl des Cargaisons
BESC: BORDEREAU DE CARGAISON
FERI: Fiche Electronique des Renseignements Importation
COC: Certificate of Conformity
BIC: BORDEREAU D’IDENTIFICATION DES CARGAISONS
CRN: CARGO REGISTRATION NOTE
SONCAP: Standards Organization of Nigeria Conformity Assessment Programe
CNCA: CONSELHO NACIONAL DE CARREGADORES DE ANGOLA
Though there are many different callings in each country, but this note serves the same target. When the importers declare customs at the destination port, they need to provide this number.
- Angola – CNCA Certification
- Benin – BESC Certification
- Cameroon, Congo, Chad, Tanzania and Togo – ECTN Certification
- DRC – FERI Certification
- Gabon – BIC Certification
- Guinea, Mali, Central African, Senegal, Nigeria and Guinea – CTN NO. Certification
- Ivorian, Madagascar -BSC Certification
- Kenya – COC Certification
Before Shipping: How to choose the best carrier?
Choosing the right carrier means you are on the right way to a cheap logistics solution. You can consider these maritime companies: MSK, CMA, NDS, DELMAS, SAF, PIL, MSC, Hamburg Suda, KLINE, CSCL, ZIM and so on.In China-Africa transportation, MSK accounted for 60% of the total market volume, and it domain the African ocean transportation for years.
When it comes to North Africa, CMA which belongs to France is competitive for a historical reason. PIL is doing the best to East Africa.
SAF and Delmas are two African local carriers. And Delmas is the only one specialized in African route, and has the ability to evacuated and distribution very quickly after the arrival of the containers.
Shipping to West Africa
Main Ports: Cotonou, Lome, Tema, Lagos, Abidjan, Douala, Libreville, Luanda.Many importers in Africa will buy FOB, and assign MSK. Because MSK has a very reliable service for customs clearance at the destination, and can manage transportation to inland cities.
CMA is professional with a steady schedule. More importantly, the freight cost is lower than MSK.
MSC, as you may know, needs more transit time than others. But with the lowest price, it’s still popular.
NDS has advantages on clearing at Luanda with a cheap price.
Shipping to South Africa
Main ports: Durban, Cape Town, Elizabeth.Main inland cities: Johannesburg, Gaborone, Harare, Lusaka.
This route, including not only ocean to South Africa, but also inland trucking to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lusaka. The transit terminal can be Durban, or Beira in Mozambique, or Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
SAF is the most advantageous carrier. Though be acquired by MSK in 1999, but it still maintains independent operation. MSK to South Africa always rent spaces from SAF.
Shipping to East Africa
Main ports: Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti.Main inland cities:
From Mombasa to KAMPALA, JINJA, KIGALI, JUBA;
From Dar es Salaam to BUJUMBURA, KIGALI, LUSAKA, KITWE, NDOLA, CHINGOLA, BLANTYRE, LILONGWE, BAKAVU, GOMA, LUBUMBASHI, LIKASI, KOLOWEZI.
PIL is the best in most cases and it can deliver heavy containers.
Shipping to North Africa
Main ports: Algiers, Oran, Casablanca, Tripoli, Alexandria.CMA has high freight rates, but a really good service. Importers from Algiers always choose CMA.
After Shipping: How to clear customs?
There will be different regulations applied for different destination countries. Let’s take Kenya for example.Paper works
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- IDF Form C-61
- Form C-52
- Certificate of Compliance
Common External Tariff (CET)
- Raw materials: 0%
- Semi-manufactured goods: 10%
- Manufactured goods: 25%
Import clearance process
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