Burkina Faso is one of China’s important trading partners in West Africa. With the deepening implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative, trade ties between China and African countries are becoming increasingly close. This article details the costs of shipping from China to Burkina Faso, helping you plan your entire shipping process.
Shipping Cost from China to Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country, and all imported goods must enter through a transit port country. International logistics involves both sea and land transportation, making transportation costs relatively complex. The following is an approximate cost for the entire shipping process:
| Shipping Mode | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LCL (Less Container Load) | $200/CBM | Suitable for smaller shipments to Skopje or other cities. Shared container space. |
| FCL (20-foot container) | $4,000 | Cost-effective for medium-sized shipments. |
| FCL (40-foot container) | $6,000 | Ideal for larger volumes requiring dedicated space. |
| Air Freight | $10.5 per kg | Fastest option for high-value or time-sensitive goods. |
Shipping Cost Composition from China to Burkina Faso
Logistics costs for exporting from China to Burkina Faso are complex. Understanding the cost structure of shipping can help you better manage your budget. The total shipping cost is composed of the following components:
- Local costs at the export destination: such as trucking fees, customs clearance fees, and warehousing fees.
- International shipping costs: Ocean/air freight.
- Destination port surcharges: Port charges and customs clearance fees at the transit port.
- Land transportation costs: Cross-border road transportation costs from the transit country to Burkina Faso.
- Customs duties and value-added tax (VAT): Calculated based on the Burkina Faso HS code and the type of imported goods. VAT rates typically range from 15% to 35%, depending on the HS code, with VAT around 18%.
- Insurance and agency service fees (optional): These include purchasing transportation insurance and entrusting a customs clearance agent.
Factors Affecting International Shipping Costs
Many factors influence international shipping prices, especially when shipping from China to landlocked African countries like Burkina Faso, where the transportation chain is more complex and costs are more prone to volatility. The following factors are detailed:
Shipping distance and route complexity
Sea freight to West Africa and land transport into Burkina Faso increase costs
Cargo type and weight
Overweight, bulky, and dangerous goods are subject to higher charges
Seasonal fluctuations and fuel surcharges
Freight rates increase around holidays and during peak seasons (e.g., Spring Festival and Christmas)
Bunker fuel surcharge (BAF)
International shipping companies may increase BAFs based on fuel price fluctuations
Destination policies and customs clearance efficiency
Changes in Burkina Faso’s customs efficiency and border policies can also affect shipping time and costs
Insurance and additional service fees
Services such as DDP (including customs clearance) and door-to-door delivery are charged separately
Shipping from China to Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country, and cargo often needs to be transshipped through ports in neighboring countries. This necessitates multimodal transport, typically a combination of sea and land transport or air and trucking. Below are detailed characteristics of different shipping options, tailored to different cargo needs:
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most common and economical shipping method, offering low costs and suitable for bulk cargo or full container loads. West African ports offer stable shipping routes and ample capacity, allowing for large, oversized, heavy, or non-standard cargo. Full container loads (FCL) or less-than-container loads (LCL) are generally chosen.
Ships are shipped from major Chinese ports (such as Guangzhou, Ningbo, and Shanghai) to West African coastal ports, where they are then transported by truck to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, or other cities. Transit times are long (typically 30–50 days) and are susceptible to factors such as weather, port congestion, and limited shipping space.
| Shipping Mode | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL Shipping(Less than container loads) | $180-250/CBM | 35 to 50 days | Smaller shipments. |
| FCL (Full container load) | $3,000-$6,400 | 30 to 45 days | Medium-sized bulk shipments. |
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest mode of international transportation, offering full traceability and fast turnaround times. It’s suitable for urgent orders and high-value products. Air freight also simplifies customs clearance, minimizes ground contact, and offers high security. However, air freight capacity is limited, and some specialized cargo (such as lithium batteries, liquids, and powders) may be subject to transportation restrictions.
From major airports in China, you can reach Ouagadougou International Airport directly or via transit cities (such as Istanbul and Paris), with the entire journey taking only 5–8 days.
| Service | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | $6.0-$9.0 per kg | 5–8 days | Time-sensitive or high-value goods |
Costs of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Burkina Faso
Container shipping is a mainstream ocean freight service, generally charged based on container size (20ft and 40ft containers). Shipping from different departure ports in China to different transit ports can vary significantly due to varying distances, port fees, and land transportation costs. The following are the costs between different ports:
| Departure Port | Arrival Port | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Abidjan | $2300 – $3000 | $3200 – $4800 |
| Shenzhen | Abidjan | $2300 – $3000 | $3200 – $5000 |
| Ningbo | Abidjan | $2400 – $2900 | $3100 – $4700 |
| Shanghai | Tema | $2200 – $3000 | $3500 – $5200 |
| Shenzhen | Tema | $2100 – $3000 | $3100 – $5300 |
| Ningbo | Tema | $2350 – $2900 | $3100 – $4800 |
| Shanghai | Lomé | $2400 – $2950 | $3200 – $5000 |
| Shenzhen | Lomé | $2500 – $2900 | $3400 – $5200 |
| Ningbo | Lomé | $2300 – $3000 | $3200 – $4800 |
Read the following article for more details on transit port charges:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Cote d’Ivoire
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Ghana
How to Save Shipping Cost from China to Burkina Faso?
Using the following strategies can help reduce logistics costs between the two countries:
Choose a cost-effective transit port
Burkina Faso is landlocked, and sea freight must pass through a West African transit port before entering by land. The Port of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) is closest to Ouagadougou, offering established shipping routes and convenient transit, offering the best overall costs.
Optimize packaging and loading methods
Charge by billable weight (volume/actual weight, whichever is greater). Using lightweight, high-density packaging can effectively reduce the volume of cargo and avoid wasted freight costs.
Bulk shipments and consolidate shipments
Consolidate multiple shipments to reduce LCL costs.
Prepare inventory in advance and avoid peak seasons
Preparing inventory 1–2 months in advance and shipping during off-peak seasons can significantly save on freight costs and peak rates.
Book space in advance to lock in low fares
Many shipping companies offer discounted rates or guaranteed early bookings, which are especially important when space is tight. Last-minute shipments are not only costly but also prone to delays.
Choose a reliable freight forwarder
Experienced international freight forwarders can help you avoid hidden fees, secure lower negotiated rates, and reduce transit costs through familiarity with routes.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country with a long transportation chain. By choosing the right transportation method, transit port, and professional freight forwarder, you can effectively control costs and delivery times.
If you’re looking for cost-effective and professional shipping solutions from China to Burkina Faso in 2025, please contact Ubestshipping for a personalized quote. We’ll arrange a personalized contact within 24 hours!