With the deepening of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, trade between China and Zambia is becoming more and more frequent. As a landlocked country, Zambia has a high degree of dependence on external logistics and transportation. Chinese goods occupy an important position in the Zambian market with price advantages, diversity and good supply capacity. This article will introduce the logistics between the two countries in detail.
Introduction to Zambia
Zambia is an inland country located in southern Africa, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zimbabwe and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west. Many Zambian companies choose to import goods from China to meet local market demand. The advantages of importing from China are:
- Cost advantage: China’s production and manufacturing costs are relatively low, and its product range is complete, which is suitable for the Zambian market’s demand for medium and low-priced goods.
- Strong product quality and supply capacity: Chinese suppliers are highly competitive in machinery and equipment, building materials, daily necessities, etc.
- Infrastructure construction support: With the promotion of the “Belt and Road” initiative, Chinese companies have actively participated in the construction of infrastructure such as roads and electricity in Zambia to promote the growth of bilateral trade.
How to Shipping from China to Zambia
Depending on the type of goods, timeliness requirements and cost budget, choose the appropriate mode of transport. Each mode has its advantages and disadvantages:
Sea Freight
Sea transport is the most economical and efficient option, with low transportation costs. It is suitable for products with large volume but low value. It has strong carrying capacity and can carry a variety of goods. You can choose full container (FCL) or less than container (LCL), but the transportation time is longer, the transit is complicated, and there are more operational nodes and potential delays.
Air Freight
Air transport is fast and time-sensitive, and is suitable for urgent orders, seasonal goods, sample delivery and other needs. Cargo tracking is more convenient, providing an accurate waybill tracking system, the transportation process is more transparent, the process is relatively simple, and the customs clearance process is faster. But the carrying capacity is limited. It is not possible to transport oversized or overweight goods, and the weight/size of a single piece is limited, which is greatly restricted by air space and routes.
Shipping Cost from China to Zambia
The cost of transporting goods depends on many factors. Choosing air or sea transport, considering the weight and size of the goods, and understanding the additional services required will help you make a wise choice. The following are the factors that affect:
- Distance between the origin and the destination: The cost will be slightly different when shipping from different ports/airports
- Type of goods and special needs: Dangerous goods (such as batteries, chemicals), cold chain products, and fragile goods require special handling and additional charges.
- Peak season transportation: Tight air space and port congestion will lead to higher freight rates
Air freight is expensive and is usually charged based on the “chargeable weight” (the larger of the actual weight and the volumetric weight), which is between $5 and $15 per kilogram, much higher than sea freight. The following are the costs of transporting from China to nearby ports in Zambia:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL Cost Range | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Durban | $210–$350 / CBM | $2550-$3350 | $3000-$5000 |
| Shenzhen | Durban | $200–$340 / CBM | $2600-$3500 | $3150-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Durban | $200–$355 / CBM | $2550-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Durban | $210–$350 / CBM | $2500-$3400 | $3050-$4650 |
| Shanghai | Beira | $210–$360 / CBM | $2550-$3450 | $3050-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Beira | $200–$340 / CBM | $2500-$3500 | $3000-$5000 |
| Qingdao | Beira | $200–$355 / CBM | $2650-$3450 | $3150-$4900 |
| Ningbo | Beira | $205–$340 / CBM | $2500-$3350 | $3050-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Walvis Bay | $210–$350 / CBM | $2550-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Walvis Bay | $210–$360 / CBM | $2550-$3450 | $3100-$5000 |
| Qingdao | Walvis Bay | $215–$350 / CBM | $2600-$3500 | $3000-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Walvis Bay | $220–$370 / CBM | $2550-$3500 | $3050-$4850 |
Learn more about costs in the following articles:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to South Africa?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Namibia?
Save on Shipping Cost from China to Zambia
To reduce freight costs from China to Zambia, consider the following strategies:
Choose a reliable freight forwarder
Work with an experienced freight forwarder to get more competitive prices and services.
Book in advance
Avoid rising costs during peak seasons by booking shipping services in advance.
Optimize cargo packaging
Reducing the size and weight of cargo can effectively reduce transportation costs.
Prepare for customs clearance in advance
Prepare all customs clearance documents in advance to avoid additional costs due to customs clearance delays.
Shipping Time from China to Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked country that relies heavily on neighboring ports for imports. The main departure ports for Chinese goods include Durban Port in South Africa, Beira Port in Mozambique, and Walvis Bay Port in Namibia. These ports are important transit points where containers are unloaded and then transported to Zambia by road or rail, with a total transportation time of about 30-40 days.
Since there are no direct cargo flights between China and Zambia, most air routes require transit through the Middle East and Ethiopia for about 5-10 days.
The transportation cycle will be affected by factors such as customs clearance, port congestion, weather, and holidays, so time should be reserved in advance.
The following are the key nodes for transportation from China to Zambia. A detailed understanding will help reduce delays:
- China export customs declaration: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, etc. are required.
- International transportation: sea/air transportation to African ports or airports.
- Transit at African ports (such as Durban Port) → land transportation to Zambia.
- Zambia customs clearance: submit documents and pay tariffs.
- Last mile delivery: Trucks deliver to final destination (e.g. Lusaka, Ndola).
Understand the shipping time to surrounding countries:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to South Africa?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Tanzania?
How to Choose A Suitable Freight Forwarder?
Choosing a reliable and professional international freight forwarder is crucial to ensure that the goods arrive in Zambia smoothly, on time and safely. The following factors should be considered when choosing a reliable freight forwarder
- Experience in Africa/Zambia transportation and familiarity with customs clearance requirements
- Can provide “door to door” or “DDU/DDP” services
- Have good channel resources (Durban Port, Dar Port, transit land transportation)
- Provide transparent quotations and timely feedback
- Support cargo tracking and strong exception handling capabilities
What documents are Needed to Ship Goods to Zambia
International shipping involves a lot of paperwork, and it is critical to understand the following documents:
- Commercial Invoice: details the transaction so that tariffs can be calculated
- Packing List: lists the contents of the shipment for verification
- Bill of Lading: contract and receipt for the transportation of goods
- Import License: confirms that the goods comply with Zambian import regulations
- Certificate of Origin: verifies the origin of manufacturing for tariff assessment
By rationally selecting transportation methods, controlling transportation costs, and standardizing operating procedures from China to Zambia, this article can effectively improve logistics efficiency, reduce risks, and ensure the smooth progress of cross-border transportation.