Shipping Costs Explained: China to Africa and the Middle East

One of the most common questions we get is about shipping costs. Here is a transparent breakdown of what it costs to ship a vehicle from China to major destinations in Africa and the Middle East.

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping

The most affordable option — your car is driven onto a cargo ship and secured for transport. Typical costs from Shanghai: Dubai (Jebel Ali) $800–$1,200; Jeddah $900–$1,300; Mombasa $1,100–$1,500; Dar es Salaam $1,100–$1,500; Lagos $1,400–$1,800; Durban $1,200–$1,600; Djibouti $900–$1,300. Transit times range from 15–35 days depending on route and port stops.

Container shipping (20ft)

For extra protection or to ship parts alongside the vehicle, a standard 20ft container fits one sedan or small SUV. It typically costs $500–$1,000 more than RoRo but offers complete protection from weather and handling damage.

What’s included in the FOB price

When you buy through Autoimport Africa, the FOB price includes the vehicle, pre-shipment inspection, all export documentation, and delivery to the port. You pay shipping separately — we can arrange it for you, or you can use your own freight forwarder.

Hidden costs to watch for

Budget for destination charges: import duty (varies by country, typically 5–35%), VAT or sales tax, port handling ($100–$300), clearing agent fees ($100–$200), and technical inspection fees. As a rule of thumb, add 20–40% on top of FOB plus shipping for your total landed cost.

Autoimport Africa ships to ports across Africa and the Middle East. Contact us for a specific quote to your port at autoimport.africa.