Cargo shipping from UAE to Africa

This showcase is presented by the M9 Logistics Dubai Office:

Cargo shipping from UAE to Africa

Delivery for business: routes, transit times and customs requirements

Freight shipping from the United Arab Emirates to African countries has become a strategically important logistics route, driven by growing consumer demand, and infrastructure development across the continent.

Commonly exported goods

• Construction materials (steel, tiles, pipes)
• Automotive parts and vehicles (new and used)
• Industrial machinery and tools
• Consumer electronics and appliances
• Cosmetics, perfumes, and personal care items
• Packaged food, cooking oil, bottled water
• Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies

Many goods are shipped Free Zones (e.g., Jebel Ali Free Zone), allowing to avoid VAT at origin and re-export efficiently.

Shipping methods and estimated transit times

Selecting the right mode of transport from the UAE to Africa depends on cargo type, urgency, destination infrastructure, and cost-efficiency. Below is a breakdown of the main shipping methods with practical considerations and transit time estimates.

FCL (Full Container Load) services

Best for: Cargo volumes above 12–15 CBM or when cargo requires isolation from other goods.

• Container types: 20’GP, 40’GP, 40’HC, and special equipment (flat racks, open tops for OOG cargo).
• Advantages: Sealed at origin, minimal handling, lower unit cost for large volumes, reduced risk of contamination or misrouting.
• Booking note: Space should be reserved at least 5–7 days in advance, especially during peak seasons (March–June and October–December).

Estimated port-to-port transit times from Jebel Ali:

LCL (Less than Container Load) services

Best for: Small cargo volumes (typically 1–10 CBM) that do not fill a full container.

• Consolidation hubs: LCL cargo is consolidated in Dubai or Jebel Ali before containerization.
• Transit time impact: Add 5–7 days to FCL transit time due to consolidation at origin and deconsolidation.
• Cost efficiency: Economical for small shipments, but per CBM cost is higher than FCL.
• Consideration: Best for non-urgent, non-fragile cargo with moderate documentation requirements.

Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) services

Best for: New or used vehicles, buses, trucks, construction and mining equipment.

• Ports with Ro-Ro capability:
  • Lagos (NG), Tema (GH), Durban (ZA), Mombasa (KE)
• Advantages: No containerization needed; ideal for driveable cargo.
• Limitations: Schedule less frequent than container lines; Ro-Ro vessels operate on specific days.
• Transit time: Comparable to FCL but often slightly longer due to port-specific scheduling.

Important note: All vehicles must have clear documentation (ownership/title, commercial invoice, chassis number) and may be subject to import restrictions in some countries (e.g. age limits in Kenya and Ghana).

Air Freight services

Best for: Time-sensitive shipments, high-value items, pharmaceuticals, spare parts, samples.

Transit time:

• Dubai to East Africa (e.g. Nairobi, Addis Ababa): 1–2 days
• Dubai to West Africa (e.g. Accra, Lagos): 2–3 days
• Dubai to Southern Africa (e.g. Johannesburg): 2–4 days

Logistics solutions

Popular world routes for sea

The UAE serves as a major export and consolidation hub for goods destined for:

East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda

Mombasa Port (Kenya):

• East Africa’s busiest and most developed port.
• Direct shipping routes from Jebel Ali.
• Offers container terminals, Ro-Ro facilities, and bulk cargo handling.
• Serves as a primary entry point for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan via road and rail.

Dar es Salaam Port (Tanzania)

• Handles cargo for Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, and the DRC.
• Offers multipurpose terminals and inland container depots (ICDs).
• Slightly longer transit times compared to Mombasa.
• Often used for less time-sensitive cargo.

West Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal

Lagos Port (Apapa & Tin Can), Nigeria

• Nigeria’s largest commercial port complex.
• Equipped with terminals for FCL, LCL, and Ro-Ro cargo.
• Prone to congestion; customs clearance delays are common, so proper documentation is critical.

Tema Port (Ghana)

• Ghana’s largest port and one of the most efficient in West Africa.
• Recently expanded container terminals.
• Strategic for shipments into Burkina Faso and Mali.

Abidjan Port (Ivory Coast)

• A key Francophone West African logistics hub.
• Requires BESC/CTN pre-registration for all cargo.
• Handles containerized, bulk, and general cargo.

Southern Africa: South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia

Durban Port (South Africa)

• The busiest port in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Handles over 60% of South Africa’s imports and exports.
• Highly developed container infrastructure and Ro-Ro capacity.
• Offers direct rail and road access to inland cities like Johannesburg.

Maputo Port (Mozambique)

• Growing in relevance due to improvements in logistics corridors (e.g., Maputo Corridor).
• Alternative entry point for cargo to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini.
• Often used for bulk and project cargo.

North Africa: Egypt, Sudan, Morocco

Alexandria Port (Egypt)

• The main entry point for northern Egypt.
• High container throughput and deep-sea vessel capacity.
• Offers customs-free zones and bonded warehousing.

Port Sudan (Sudan)

• Sudan’s primary seaport on the Red Sea.
• Frequently used for humanitarian and commercial shipments from the Gulf.
• Requires advance coordination for customs clearance due to local regulatory conditions.

Casablanca Port (Morocco)

• Morocco’s largest port in terms of volume.
• Hub for North African distribution.
• Handles containerized, Ro-Ro, and general cargo efficiently.

Documentation requirements for cargo transport

Each African country has its own customs regulations. However, common export documents include:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)
• Certificate of Origin (COO) – usually required for duty exemption or reduced tariffs
• Inspection Certificate / Pre-Shipment Inspection (where applicable)
• Import Permits or Licenses – depending on commodity
• For automotive exports from the UAE, a VCC (Vehicle Clearance Certificate) from the RTA is required.

Some countries require registration via electronic platforms (e.g. BESC in Ivory Coast, CNCA in Angola, CTN in Ghana).

Freight costs for business services

Freight rates depend on:

• Volume/weight of cargo (CBM or tonnage)
• Inland delivery requirements
• Type of transport: air freight or sea freight
• Seasonality and carrier capacity
• Surcharges: BAF, CAF, security charges, port handling

For example, a 20’HC container from Jebel Ali ranges from $2,700 to $4,160, while a 40’HC costs about $2,840 to $5,100, with transit times between 32 and 67 days.

Choosing the right freight forwarder

To ensure smooth shipping operations:

• Work with UAE-based logistics providers experienced in worldwide trade.
• Ensure your partner understands country-specific import rules.
• Look for door-to-door or port-to-door capabilities.
• Verify if your cargo requires transshipment, and which ports are used.

Project highlight: perfume logistics for distributor

At M9 Logistics Dubai, we recently completed a multimodal logistics project for a new international client based in Kenya — the authorized distributor for luxury fragrances across East and West Africa. This case demonstrates how our tailored logistics solutions support clients operating across complex global supply chains.

The client’s import model involves shipments from France to Dubai, where we receive and process the cargo at our DG-certified warehouse in JAFZA, approved specifically for storing perfumery and flammable items. Since January, we’ve successfully handled four import shipments and provided secure, compliant storage services aligned with international safety standards.

Once cleared and stored, the perfumes are re-exported to final destinations across the African continent, including:

• Djibouti
• Tanzania
• Mauritania
• Kenya
• Ivory Coast

We now manage regular cargo shipments approximately once a month, ensuring consistent stock replenishment across various African points.

These logistics solutions, powered by advanced technology and close coordination between our Dubai warehouse, international carriers, and local partners in Africa, demonstrate how a logistics business ensures the smooth movement of sensitive, high-value goods. By integrating import handling, warehousing, transport, and re-export, M9 Logistics delivers reliable services in the world of trade.

We continue to expand our services across the African continent, helping our clients navigate the challenges of international trade with expertise, precision, and the confidence that their cargo reaches its destination safely.

Need shipping service from UAE to Africa?

End-to-End Logistics Support from Dubai to Africa and Beyond

Our Dubai-based team provides full-service support tailored to size, destination, and cargo type. We work with both SMEs and large companies involved in international trade, offering reliable solutions across the entire supply chain.

M9 Logistics operates an integrated global network with our own offices across Europe and China, enabling real-time coordination, local expertise, and seamless cross-border movement of goods. This structure allows us to support businesses looking to connect their supply chains from Europe or China to the African continent, while ensuring compliance and visibility at every stage.

We also place a strong emphasis on operating in line with the modern logistics environment — prioritizing efficiency, safety, and sustainable practices wherever possible. From optimized routes to secure warehousing, we design our logistics solutions to align with your commercial goals and environmental standards.

With advanced systems in place, we track every shipment in real time and provide full visibility so you can track performance against your logistics KPIs.

• Route planning and transit time optimization
• Export documentation and cargo inspection
• Secure packaging and container stuffing
• Customs clearance in Africa
• Last-mile delivery

Reach out to us for a customized freight quote. As members of DP World’s logistics network and the WCA global alliance, we leverage strong world partnerships to offer some of the most competitive shipping rates for business.