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Shipping to Africa

Freight & Logistics Solutions Across Africa

Reliable freight services from the UK to Africa, including air and sea transport with full customs and inland delivery support.

Air & Sea Freight | Customs Clearance | Africa Coverage | Inland Delivery

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UK to Africa freight

Sea and air freight from the UK to 55 African destinations

Qube Cargo ships from the UK to ports and cities across Africa, from short sea routes to Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt to full containers into Lagos, Mombasa, Durban and Dar es Salaam. We also run air freight to major cities, and arrange onward road and rail delivery to landlocked countries such as Zambia, Uganda and Burkina Faso.

Every country has its own paperwork. Many need a cargo tracking note or pre-shipment inspection, and we check what applies before your goods leave the UK.

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Shipping to Africa


    Africa at a glance

    Destinations55 countries and territories
    Sea transit1–6 weeks to main ports
    Air freight1–3 days to major cities
    DutyReduced or 0% under UK deals in North and Southern Africa*
    Import VATMostly 14% to 20%
    CustomsExport clearance and import paperwork handled

    Watch out for: many West and Central African countries need a cargo tracking note (ECTN or BSC) for sea freight, and some need pre-shipment inspection. Missing documents can mean fines or delays at the port, so we check every shipment. *Import VAT still applies.

    Freight Services to Africa

    We provide reliable freight and logistics solutions for businesses shipping goods between the UK and Africa’s key trade regions

    Shipping to Africa often involves varying infrastructure, longer transit times, and complex inland delivery requirements, making careful planning and coordination essential.

    From full container loads and groupage to time-critical and specialist cargo, shipments are coordinated across air and sea, with onward delivery managed into key regions and inland destinations.

    Our network supports both standard and complex movements, ensuring goods are delivered reliably, even in challenging or infrastructure-limited environments.

    Freight Solutions for Africa

    We provide a range of freight solutions to Africa, tailored to cargo type, urgency, and delivery requirements.

    Air Freight to Africa
    Fast delivery for urgent shipments into major African airports

    Sea Freight to Africa
    Cost-effective transport via major ports across the continent

    Full Container Load (FCL)
    Dedicated containers for high-volume shipments

    Less Than Container Load (LCL)
    Shared container space for smaller consignments

    Inland Transport & Remote Delivery
    Coordinated delivery beyond ports into inland or infrastructure-limited regions

    African Shipping Destinations

    Find your country below for typical transit times, import tax and duty. Click through for ports, customs and FAQs.

    North Africa

    Short sea routes via the Mediterranean. Morocco can also be reached by road through Spain. UK trade deals give 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

    CountrySea freightAir freightImport taxDuty on UK goods
    Morocco flagMorocco4–6 days by road1–2 days20% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*Algeria flagAlgeria7–12 days1–2 days19% VATDepends on the goodsTunisia flagTunisia7–10 days1–2 days19% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*Egypt flagEgypt10–14 days1–2 days14% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*Libya flagLibyaUK sanctions apply––Call us firstSudan flagSudanUK sanctions apply––Call us firstWestern Sahara flagWestern SaharaRestrictions apply––Call us first

    West Africa

    Regular container services to Dakar, Abidjan, Tema, Lomé, Cotonou and Lagos, with road links on to the Sahel. Most countries use the ECOWAS or UEMOA common tariff.

    CountrySea freightAir freightImport taxDuty on UK goods
    Senegal flagSenegal12–18 days1–2 days18% VATDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Gambia flagGambia12–18 days1–2 days15% VATDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Cabo Verde flagCabo Verde10–20 days1–3 days15% VATDepends on the goodsMauritania flagMauritania10–18 days1–3 days16% VATDepends on the goodsGuinea flagGuinea14–20 days1–3 days18% VATDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Guinea-Bissau flagGuinea-BissauUK sanctions apply––Call us firstSierra Leone flagSierra Leone14–20 days1–3 days15% GSTDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Liberia flagLiberia14–20 days1–3 days13% GST (18% VAT from 2027)Depends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) flagCote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)15–20 days1–2 days18% VATDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Ghana flagGhana15–22 days1–2 daysVAT and levies (around 20%)Depends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Togo flagTogo15–20 days1–3 days18% VATDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Benin flagBenin15–21 days1–3 days18% VATDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Nigeria flagNigeria18–25 days1–2 days7.5% VATDepends on the goods (ECOWAS tariff)Burkina Faso flagBurkina Faso30–40 days door to door2–3 days18% VATDepends on the goods (UEMOA tariff)Mali flagMaliUK sanctions apply––Call us firstNiger flagNiger35–50 days door to door2–4 days19% VATDepends on the goods (UEMOA tariff)

    Central Africa

    Sea freight to Douala, Libreville, Malabo and Pointe-Noire, with road links to Chad. Most countries use the CEMAC common tariff.

    CountrySea freightAir freightImport taxDuty on UK goods
    Cameroon flagCameroon18–25 days1–3 days19.25% VATReduced on some UK goods*Gabon flagGabon20–28 days1–3 days18% VATDepends on the goods (CEMAC tariff)Equatorial Guinea flagEquatorial Guinea20–30 days2–3 days15% VATDepends on the goods (CEMAC tariff)Republic of the Congo flagRepublic of the Congo20–28 days1–3 days18.9% VATDepends on the goods (CEMAC tariff)Chad flagChad35–50 days door to door2–4 days18% VATDepends on the goods (CEMAC tariff)Democratic Republic of the Congo flagDemocratic Republic of the CongoUK sanctions apply––Call us firstCentral African Republic flagCentral African RepublicUK sanctions apply––Call us first

    East Africa and the Horn

    Sea freight to Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Djibouti, then by road or rail to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Ethiopia. EAC members share a common tariff.

    CountrySea freightAir freightImport taxDuty on UK goods
    Kenya flagKenya25–35 days1–2 days16% VATDepends on the goods (EAC tariff)Tanzania flagTanzania25–35 days1–2 days18% VATDepends on the goods (EAC tariff)Uganda flagUganda25–35 days + 3–7 days inland1–2 days18% VATDepends on the goods (EAC tariff)Rwanda flagRwanda35–45 days door to door1–2 days18% VATDepends on the goods (EAC tariff)Burundi flagBurundi40–50 days door to door2–4 days18% VATDepends on the goods (EAC tariff)Ethiopia flagEthiopia20–25 days + 2–4 days inland1–2 days15% VATDepends on the goodsDjibouti flagDjibouti18–25 days1–3 days10% VATDepends on the goodsEritrea flagEritrea25–40 days2–4 daysSales tax and leviesDepends on the goodsSomaliland flagSomaliland25–35 days2–4 daysLocal import taxesDepends on the goodsSomalia flagSomaliaUK sanctions apply––Call us firstSouth Sudan flagSouth SudanUK sanctions apply––Call us first

    Southern Africa

    Durban, Walvis Bay, Maputo and Luanda are the main gateways, with road freight on to Botswana, Zambia, Malawi and beyond. UK deals cut duty on many UK goods in the SACU countries and Mozambique.

    CountrySea freightAir freightImport taxDuty on UK goods
    South Africa flagSouth Africa20–28 days1–2 days15% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Namibia flagNamibia25–35 days1–3 days15% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Botswana flagBotswana30–40 days door to door2–3 days14% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Lesotho flagLesotho30–40 days door to door3–5 days15% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Eswatini flagEswatini30–40 days door to door2–3 days15% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Mozambique flagMozambique25–35 days1–3 days16% VATReduced on many UK goods*Zambia flagZambia35–45 days door to door2–3 days16% VATDepends on the goodsMalawi flagMalawi35–45 days door to door2–3 days17.5% VATDepends on the goodsZimbabwe flagZimbabweUK sanctions apply––Call us firstAngola flagAngola20–30 days1–3 days14% VATDepends on the goods

    Indian Ocean islands

    Sea freight via Mauritius or Réunion transshipment hubs, plus air freight. UK deals cut duty on many UK goods in Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles.

    CountrySea freightAir freightImport taxDuty on UK goods
    Mauritius flagMauritius25–35 days1–2 days15% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Madagascar flagMadagascar30–40 days2–3 days20% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Seychelles flagSeychelles30–40 days1–3 days15% VATReduced or 0% on many UK goods*Réunion flagRéunion25–35 days1–3 days8.5% VAT plus dock dues0% on UK-origin goods*

    Sea times are typical port-to-port times unless marked door to door, and vary by service and season. *UK-origin goods with proof of origin; import tax still applies. Click any country for full details.

    Speak to an Africa freight specialist for tailored shipping solutions across air and sea freight.

    Request a Freight Quote

    UK trade deals that cut duty in Africa

    UK trade agreements cut duty on UK-origin goods in a number of African countries. Here is how it works across the continent.

    Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt

    UK association agreements: 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods.

    South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini and Mozambique

    UK–SACUM agreement: reduced or 0% duty on many UK goods.

    Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles

    UK–Eastern and Southern Africa agreement: reduced or 0% duty on many UK goods.

    Cameroon, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire

    UK economic partnership agreements: duty on some UK goods is being cut in stages.

    Rest of Africa

    No UK deal that cuts import duty, so the national or regional tariff applies (ECOWAS, UEMOA, CEMAC or EAC).

    Sanctions and restricted countries

    Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, the DRC, the Central African Republic and Zimbabwe have UK sanctions in place. Please call us on 01200 318108 before you plan a shipment.

    Import VAT or sales tax is charged in almost every country, whatever the duty rate.

    Customs & Shipping to Africa

    Shipping to Africa requires accurate customs documentation and careful coordination with local authorities and partners.

    Customs processes can vary significantly between countries, with additional inspections, documentation, or handling requirements depending on the shipment and destination.

    We manage customs and compliance as part of the overall shipment, ensuring goods move efficiently while reducing the risk of delays at ports or border points.

    Why businesses choose Qube Cargo for Africa freight

    • Established air and sea routes to key African ports and hubs
    • Experience managing complex and infrastructure-limited deliveries
    • Coordinated inland transport beyond major ports
    • Customs and compliance handled across multiple jurisdictions
    • Reliable communication and full shipment visibility

    Frequently asked questions about shipping to Africa

    What documents are required for shipping to Africa?

    Shipping typically requires a commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate commodity codes. Additional documentation may be required depending on the destination and cargo type.

    How long does shipping to Africa take?

    Transit times vary depending on destination and transport method. Air freight is the fastest option, while sea freight provides a more cost-effective solution for less urgent shipments.

    What freight options are available for Africa?

    We provide air freight, sea freight, FCL, FCL and inland delivery solutions across Africa.

    Can you handle customs clearance?

    Yes, we manage customs processes and local coordination to ensure shipments move efficiently through ports and borders.

    Do you deliver beyond major ports?

    Yes, we coordinate inland transport and delivery into remote or infrastructure-limited regions where required.

    Do UK goods pay duty in Africa?

    It depends on the country. UK trade agreements cut duty on UK-origin goods in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa and its neighbours, Mozambique, Mauritius, Madagascar and Seychelles. Elsewhere, the national or regional tariff applies. Import VAT is charged almost everywhere.

    Can you ship to landlocked African countries?

    Yes. We ship by sea to the nearest port, such as Durban, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Lomé or Cotonou, then on by road or rail to countries like Zambia, Malawi, Uganda, Rwanda, Burkina Faso and Niger. Door-to-door times are longer, so allow extra time.