With the growing strength of China-Africa trade relations, more and more Chinese companies are exporting goods to Cameroon. Understanding shipping times from China to Cameroon and the factors that influence them is crucial for optimizing supply chains.
Shipping Time from China to Cameroon
Demand for freight from China to Cameroon continues to rise. Whether it’s home appliances, building materials, machinery and equipment, or daily necessities, more and more Chinese goods are being exported to Cameroon. Generally speaking, shipping times from China to Cameroon vary depending on the mode of transportation:
| Shipping Method | Average Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight(FCL) | 20–30 days | Bulk, heavy, and non-urgent cargo |
| Sea Freight(LCL) | 25–35 days | Cargo less than 15 cubic meters |
| Air Freight | 5–8 days | Urgent, lightweight or valuable goods |
| Express Courier | 3–5 days | Samples, small parcels, business docs |
| Door to Door Shipping | 12–20 days (sea) / 5–9 days (air) | End-to-end delivery with clearance included |
Learn more about shipping times from China:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Nigeria?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Ghana?
Factors Affecting Shipping Time from China to Cameroon
The above times are approximate estimates based on the shipping method. Actual shipping times are affected by a variety of factors:
Choice of Export and Destination Ports
Transport times vary depending on the route and distance between ports.
Customs Clearance and Port of Destination Congestion
Customs clearance in Cameroon typically takes 5-10 business days. Delays may occur due to customs inspections, port congestion, or incomplete documentation.
Whether to Use a Transit or Direct Route
Some routes require transit in Singapore, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Kenya, and other locations, increasing shipping time. Choosing a direct route or optimizing transit routes can significantly improve efficiency.
Holidays and Uncontrollable Factors
Transport times may fluctuate due to factors such as the Chinese New Year and Christmas in Cameroon, as well as inclement weather, strikes, and policy adjustments.
Common Shipping Routes from China to Cameroon
Trade between China and Cameroon is increasing rapidly. Choosing the right shipping route and method is crucial to ensuring safe, timely, and efficient delivery of goods. This depends on the type of goods, budget, and delivery time requirements.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most commonly used and cost-effective shipping method. It offers low costs and is suitable for bulk trade. Its established and stable routes accommodate a wide range of cargo types, making it ideal for bulk, heavy, and bulky goods with low timeliness requirements. However, port congestion and customs clearance delays are common, requiring buffer time. LCL shipments require waiting for the goods to be fully assembled, resulting in greater time flexibility.
Sea freight typically transits from major Chinese ports through Singapore or the UAE before arriving at the Port of Douala/Kribi. The average delivery time is 30-45 days.
| POL (Port of Loading) | POD (Port of Discharge) | Transport time (days) |
| Shanghai | Douala | 30-42 days |
| Shenzhen | Douala | 30-40 days |
| Ningbo | Douala | 32-38 days |
| Shanghai | Kribi | 35-44 days |
| Shenzhen | Kribi | 30-41 days |
| Ningbo | Kribi | 34-40 days |
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest shipping method. It is fast, secure, suitable for urgent orders, and offers full tracking. It is suitable for high-value, perishable, and time-sensitive goods. However, it carries high costs, fluctuates significantly in price, and has weight and size restrictions.
Air cargo usually arrives at Yaoundé or Douala airport via Ethiopia or Dubai from major airports in China, with an average transit time of 7-10 days.
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Transport time (days) |
| Beijing Capital | Douala | 4-8 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Douala | 5-9 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Douala | 3-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Yaoundé | 5-8 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Yaoundé | 4-10 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Yaoundé | 5-7 days |
Detailed Shipping Process from China to Cameroon
Smoothly shipping goods from China to Cameroon involves multiple steps, including shipment preparation, transportation operations, customs clearance, and delivery. Below is a detailed breakdown of the entire process; understanding the steps involved will help you plan your entire shipment on time:
Find a Suitable Freight Forwarder
Find an international freight forwarder with extensive experience, high transparency, and familiarity with African customs clearance policies and port operations.
Confirm Cargo Information
Provide basic information, including cargo name, volume, weight, packaging method, whether it is hazardous goods, port of departure, and destination.
Select a Suitable Transport Method and Confirm Quote
Based on your budget and timeline requirements, select a suitable transport method. The freight forwarder will provide a formal quote and shipping recommendations.
Prepare Export-Related Documents
Common export documents include:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Contract (if applicable)
- Export Customs Declaration Documents
- Certificate of Origin (CO) (if required by the buyer)
- MSDS (for chemical cargo)
Pick up the goods or deliver them to the warehouse
The consignor will deliver the goods to the designated warehouse or have the freight forwarder pick them up on their behalf.
Export customs declaration.
Submit the goods’ information to China Customs for export declaration. Once the declaration is complete, the goods will be released and you will receive a customs declaration/export release.
Arrange international transportation.
Transportation is arranged based on the nature of the goods and the selected transportation method. We provide tracking and monitoring services throughout the entire transportation process, allowing you to keep up-to-date on the status of your goods, including their location and estimated arrival time.
Goods arrive at a Cameroonian port or airport.
Once the goods arrive, the destination agent or consignee will assist with customs clearance. Customs clearance typically takes 3-7 business days, but may be delayed due to inspection or documentation issues.
Cameroon Import Customs Clearance.
The following common documents are required for import customs clearance:
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
- Certificate of Origin (CO)
- Commercial Invoice, Packing List
- ECTN (Electronic Freight Tracking Note)—mandatory in Cameroon and must be obtained before shipment!
- Importer’s tax number and registration information
Delivery or pickup
After customs clearance, we can arrange truck delivery to the consignee’s warehouse (door-to-door).
How to Speed Up the Shipping from China to Cameroon?
In China-Africa trade, timeliness often directly impacts costs and customer satisfaction. Especially given the frequent port congestion and complex customs clearance in Cameroon, preparing for all aspects in advance and choosing a sound logistics solution can significantly improve transportation efficiency. To shorten shipping time, we recommend the following:
Prepare export documents in advance.
Ensure that all documents, including invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and bills of lading, are complete to avoid delays in customs declaration or clearance due to incomplete information.
Choose a reputable freight forwarder.
Experienced freight forwarders can effectively coordinate all links in the transportation chain, providing customers with multiple routes and avoiding delays.
Plan shipments appropriately.
Avoid holidays and peak shipping periods to avoid delays and port congestion.
Choose an efficient customs clearance agent.
Customs clearance in Cameroon is complex. Choosing a local agent who is familiar with the regulations can significantly expedite customs clearance.
Use Duty-Free Delivery (DDP) services.
This reduces intermediaries, ensuring smoother delivery and faster, one-stop service.
The shipping time from China to Cameroon varies depending on the method. Through reasonable planning and professional support in this article, efficiency can be greatly improved. Choosing the right logistics channels and mastering key node information are the key to improving the timeliness of China-Africa trade transportation.