As China’s economic and trade exchanges with African countries continue to heat up, the demand for Chinese goods in the Mauritanian market has increased significantly. Cost is the most concerned issue for every company in shipping between the two countries. This article will introduce the logistics costs between the two countries in detail to help plan the entire transportation budget.
Shipping Cost from China to Mauritania
If you are considering importing goods from China to Mauritania, understanding the latest air and sea freight prices can help you plan your transportation budget and logistics effectively. The following is a comprehensive cost comparison from major departure points in China to major entry points in Mauritania:
| Shipping Mode | Estimated Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| LCL (Less than Container Load) | $120 – $180 per cubic meter | Small shipments |
| FCL (Full Container Load) | $5,000 | Very large shipments |
| Air Freight (1000kg+) | $6.5 per kg | Time-sensitive, high-value goods |
Learn more about costs in the following articles:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Morocco
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Algeria?
Tariffs and Taxes in Mauritania
When exporting goods from China to Mauritania, it is crucial to understand the customs duties and taxes of the destination country, which directly affects your final cost and the efficiency of the smooth customs clearance of goods.
| Type of Charge | Description |
|---|---|
| Import Duties | Rates vary by product category and HS code, typically 5% to 20% of the CIF value. |
| Value Added Tax (VAT) | Standard VAT rate is 16%, applied to the total CIF value plus duties. |
| Additional Fees | Port handling fees and other local charges may apply. |
Main Factors Affecting Shipping Cost from China to Mauritania
When arranging international freight from China to Mauritania, the freight is not fixed, but is affected by a variety of factors. Understanding these factors can help plan logistics costs
Cargo weight and volume
Freight is usually calculated based on the weight and volume of the goods. Heavier or larger items will incur higher freight costs due to the space and weight they occupy.
Port of departure and destination
Prices vary slightly from port to port, and the distance between the port of departure and the port of destination and the specific transportation route will affect the cost
Cargo type
Dangerous goods, refrigerated goods, and oversized goods will incur additional costs
Service items
Whether double clearance (customs clearance + tax included) is required, and whether door-to-door delivery (DDU/DDP) is required has different costs
Seasonal factors
Transportation during peak seasons such as holidays or agricultural harvest seasons may lead to increased demand, resulting in higher freight rates.
International market trends
Oil prices and peak shipping seasons (such as September-December) will affect freight fluctuations
How to Ship from China to Mauritania
Mauritania is an important node in western Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative. More and more Chinese exporters, manufacturers and e-commerce sellers are transporting goods to Mauritania. There are two main modes of transportation: air and sea. The choice depends on the type of goods, budget and timeliness requirements.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most commonly used international transportation method. It is low-cost and the unit cost is much lower than air freight. It is suitable for large quantities of goods and has strong loadability. It can transport heavy goods, large goods, and various general commodities, but there may be port delays or poor transit. It is flexible in loading and can choose LCL or FCL
- FCL: refers to the transportation method of filling the entire container with goods, which has the advantages of higher safety, shorter transportation time and cost-effectiveness of bulk transportation.
- LCL: allows multiple shippers to share container space, reducing costs while ensuring timely delivery.
Main arrival ports
- Nouakchott Port: Mauritania’s main seaport, located on the Atlantic coast, handles most of the country’s imports, including containerized cargo, bulk cargo, and machinery.
Composition of Sea freight costs
- Miscellaneous charges at the port of departure, such as loading charges, trailer charges, and customs clearance charges
- Basic freight (Ocean Freight): charged by container or volume.
- Document fees/booking fees: bill of lading fees, booking service fees, about ￥300-￥500
- Ocean insurance: charged at 0.3%-0.5% of the value of the goods,
- Miscellaneous charges at the port of destination: including THC at the port of destination, devanning fees, port miscellaneous charges, tariffs, etc. It is recommended to use the DDU/DDP method to estimate in advance
| Service | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL Shipping | $120–$180/CBM | 35–50 days | Small shipments consolidated into shared containers. |
| FCL Shipping (20-foot container) | $2,400 – $3,500 | 35–45 days | Medium-sized shipments requiring dedicated container space. |
| FCL Shipping (40-foot container) | $3500–$5200 | 35–45 days | Bulk goods that benefit from cost-effective transportation. |
Air freight
Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation, with simple procedures, relatively simple documents, controlled processes, suitable for high-value goods, reduced transit time, reduced inventory risk, high reliability, regular flight schedules and minimal traffic delays, high security, and reduced handling to ensure the safety of high-value and sensitive goods.
Main arrival airports
- Nouakchott-Oumtousi International Airport (NKC): Mauritania’s main air cargo hub, the airport handles imported goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial supplies.
Composition of air freight costs
- Freight: charged by weight or volume (the larger of the two), divided into billable weight (actual weight vs. volume weight)
- Customs clearance fee: export customs clearance service fee, special goods such as batteries, liquids, etc. may be charged extra
- Document fee: air document processing fee, AMS, etc.
- Airport handling fee: cargo handling fee charged by airlines or airports
- Fuel surcharge/peak season surcharge: fluctuates depending on airline policy adjustments, about 10%-25% surcharge
- Transit fee: additional transit ground fee incurred when transferring through Middle East/European airports
- Destination customs clearance fee: if DDP service is used, it includes destination country customs clearance and tariffs
| Service | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | $8.5–$12.5 per kg | 5–10 days | High-value, urgent goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and fashion items. |
Documents Required for Customs Clearance in Mauritania
After transporting goods from China to Mauritania, successfully completing customs clearance at the destination is a crucial part of the entire international logistics process. Understand the required customs clearance documents:
Commercial invoice
Customs valuation, declaration basis
Packing list
Specify the size, quantity, and packaging method of the goods
Bill of lading / waybill
Required for bill exchange and delivery, telex release/original copy is acceptable
Certificate of origin
Proof of origin in China, helpful for customs clearance and tariff assessment
HS code and product description
Classification and taxation basis, it is recommended to confirm in advance
Importer tax number
Required for local companies in Mauritania to import, can be provided by the agent
Shipping goods from China to Mauritania requires a comprehensive consideration of cost, timeliness and customs clearance convenience. By choosing a professional freight forwarder and preparing customs clearance documents in advance, you can significantly reduce logistics risks.