Container shipping Rotterdam to Cotonou
Are you looking for a service to ship a container from Rotterdam to Cotonou (BJCOO)? Sea freight has many advantages: you can ship many goods for an attractive price, it is efficient and it is eco-friendly. Ship a container overseas with refrigerated cargo or cars is easy with shippinglines like Matson. When you are exporting, you can choose from various types of containers. An important distinction is Full Container Load (FCL) and a container with combined cargo (LCL). Via our experts we share up-to-date information for the purpose of international transport Cotonou (BJ COO). We get you up-to-date information about how to choose a suitable container for your freight. You will also find a step-by-step export plan. Fill out the form and get a quote with a competitive rate.
- Ocean shipping is a smart, staunch and affordable way to transport bulk containers.
- When we compare this to air freight, it is far cheaper and you can easily transport large shipments.
- Sea freight is suitable for worldwide removals and importing break bulk or cars.
- The Port of Cotonou is one of the most important ports in Benin.
- We handle a wide variety of container sizes including: 20 foot, 40 foot and Hard-Top, Dry Van, Flat Rack, Tank, Open-Top, Ventilated containers.
Topics
Shipping to Cotonou (BJCOO) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Ocean freight shipping is a cost-effective option to ship goods internationally. Your goods are wrapped up in shipping containers. The freight forwarder sends the location details to you. Your goods are loaded into the shipping vessel at the port of origin Cotonou (BJ COO), and will be shipped by ocean to the addressee at the port of destination. They provide you options like port-to-door, door-to-door, port-to-port, door-to-port. In the attached table you will find important information about the port of discharge.
| Port of departure | Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM) |
| Country of departure | Netherlands |
| Port of destination | Port of Cotonou |
| Country of destination | Benin |
| Port Code | BJCOO |
| Transport Time | +/- 20 days |
| Shipping prices | $$$ |
| Port address | Autonomous Port of Cotonou Cotonou – Boulevard of the Marina Litoral – BP 927 – Cotonou |
| contact@pac.bj | |
| Website | www.gouv.bj |
| Telephone number | (+229)21312637 |
Freight Forwarder Rotterdam – port of Cotonou
- Details of your shipping
Enter the departing port and destination of shipment. Determine the desired transport method: a full container for yourself (FCL) or (LCL) and partial shipments. You also choose the size of the container (20-foot, 40-foot, or a 40-foot high cube).
- Cargo preparations
To start with, make sure your goods are tightly packaged. To avoid damage, ensure that your cargo is always placed on pallets. Also make sure you have good labels.
- Customs Documentation for Exporters
When you transport goods to Cotonou (BJCOO), you will need required export documents (on behalf of national customs): certificates of origin, export/import customs declaration, packing declaration, bill of lading, commercial invoice. A Bill of Lading is a legal document issued by the carrier or agent confirming goods were received in an acceptable condition and that the load is prepared for shipping.
- Choosing the Incoterms
Freight forwarders make us of incoterms to define the seller’s and buyer’s responsibilities. The Incoterm states who takes care of, among other things, insurance, transport and all documents. For freight by sea, these are the most popular terms: Free On Board (FOB), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Ex Works (EXW).
- Live tracking of the shipment
Use the track and trace service to see where your shipment is at this moment. You can see 24/7 when the shipping is departed from Port of Loading, arrived at Port of Destination (POD) and when the cargo has reached its final destination.
Sea freight from Cotonou (BJCOO) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): choose container
You need to ship a container from port of Cotonou – (BJ COO) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? The first step is to find the right container type. You can choose from large and small sizes (20 foot, 40 foot) and different ways to fill a container (LCL shipping or FCL shipping). Major shipping lines that sail here include CMA CGM, Maersk, MOL, MSC. Well-known cities around the harbor are Cotonou, Abomey-Calavi, Sakété, Ouidah, Allada, Comé, Pobé, Lokossa, Dogbo, Athiémé, Cové, Bohicon, Abomey, Kétou, Aplahoué, Savalou, Savé, Tchaourou, Bassila, Bétérou. Below you can read all important information about the most popular boxes. You can also click through to our page about Cargo Security.
Advantages of a 20 ft container
20 FT containers (sometimes also called dry van) is the most preferred container size. It’s a very common and efficient size, which means they are cheaper to ship. Widely used for transporting household goods and removals. Keep in mind: The term “TEU” stands for twenty-foot equivalent unit.
- This box is widely used for transporting goods by means of shipping.
- A 20-foot container know the following size description: 6058mm x 2438mm x 2891mm.
- It can hold between 9 and 11 pallets.
- A lot can be loaded in terms of goods weight: +/- 27.700 kg.
Explanation about a 40 ft container
A40 foot container is standard applied to shipping bulk goods. Many kinds of products can be loaded and stored in it. This makes it a popular choice for transporting large loads by sea. Moreover, you can also choose a higher ‘high cube’ variant. You’ve got just a little extra height. This makes them particularly useful for niche applications.
- Used for dry freight of all kinds.
- In terms of format, this type comes out to: L – 12.05M · W – 2.35M · H – 2.23M.
- It allows the transport of up to 28 pallets.
- Important: maximum load weight of +/- 28.000 kg.
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What is a FCL container and what are the benefits?
If you want to ship a lot of cargo, than you can reserve your own full container. Freight forwarders then refer to it as FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share space with others like LCL. This has multiple advantages: faster transit time, less potential for damage and it’s more cost-effective. You have to pay attention to a few things: it is unsuitable for Small Packages and the financial risk is much greater. Departing from another port? Also check out Antwerp to Cotonou (BJCOO) and Hamburg to Cotonou (BJCOO).
- The idea of FCL is that you temporarily own a complete container.
- Ideal for bulk items and large-volume products.
- When you send more than 10 standard pallets.
- Available at: e.g. COSCO, MSC, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM.
In which situations do I choose an LCL container?
If your cargo does not fill an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container, then your freight will be bundled with other freights. This is known as LCL (Less Than Container Load). With LCL transport, you share the space in the container and the shipping costs, with other businesses. There are many positive aspects to mention like: you pay only for the volume you need, you spend less on inventory space and easy time-management and scheduling. Important: if your shipment takes up more than half a container, then it is often more interesting to go for an FCL shipping. The shipping costs are calculated on the basis of the dimensions and weight of the cargo.
- With LCL transport, you reserve space in a partial container.
- For low-volume shipments of between 2 m3 and 15 m3.
- Deal for cargo that does not fill the entire container.
- More Availability During Peak Season.
- Available at: e.g. Evergreen, Wan Hai, HMM, ZIM, POL.
Special containers for special freight
There is a wide range of boxes for shipping your items. Each type of cargo has its own characteristics and methods. A Dry van is the most common type of freight transportation. There are innovative and special constructions for oil or petroleum, vegetables and fruit or unique high value cargo. We’ve explained it all below. Be sure to check out the transport options to Buenaventura (COBUN), port of Montreal (CAMTR), Bilbao (ESBIO) harbor and terminal Casablanca (MACAS).
- Bulk Containers: used for transport of foodstuffs or bulk such as grain and coal.
- Flat Rack Containers: internationally used when the cargo cannot fit inside a standard box.
- Hard-Top Containers: a specialized version of general dry van (with special roof).
- High-Cube Containers: extremely functional for transporting light and large cargo.
- Insulated Containers: for e.g. pharmaceutical products, fresh produce, beverages, frozen goods, and chemicals.
- Open-Top Containers: ideal for bulky cargo such as machinery.
- Palletwide Containers: provides a higher cubic capacity than standard boxes.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers can hold cargo above or below freezing point.
- Tank Containers: are barrel-shaped vessels serving multi-purposes.
- Ventilated Containers: make use of extra fans, air tubes, and ventilation flaps.
Load types: what are you going to transport?
Shipping load by sea from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Cotonou (BJCOO) has a lot of pluses: low cost, high sea vessel load capacity and minimal restrictions. Frequently chosen ocean cargo transported by sea include: roll on/roll off, containerized, dry bulk, liquid bulk, neo bulk. Below we explain some goods/cargo.
- Car shipping: your vehicle will be loaded and shipped to the port of your choice.
- House Moving: advice and support in the field of relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): have your household effects shipped to a new home.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, biofuels, petroleum, chemicals.
- Dry Bulk: iron ore, coal, grain but also salt, sand, sugar, coils.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo.
- Breakbulk: common method used to successfully transport cargo or goods that cannot fit in standard-size shipping.
- Retail & other: products like electronic goods, clothes, toys, sports equipment, medical/pharmacy + fashion, machines, food, drinks, shoes.
FAQ: everything you need to know about international transport
Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to Cotonou takes approx 20 days. The total distance is approx. 4700 nautical miles. This is equivalent to 8704 km. When you export something, you have to take into account 2 important values (ETD and ETA). ETD means the expected departure time of the vessel. ETA It is the date and time that the vessel has been scheduled to arrive into port. The exact shipping time has several factors: displacement of the vessel, wind force and wind direction and cargo flows.
Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Cotonou (Benin) are slightly above average. The total cost is determined by various ingredients such as type of goods transported, shipping route and pickup charges and Send us a message for a completely free, no-obligation quote today.
When you are sending goods to Cotonou, then you must have the administration in order for customs clearance. You will need the following documentation: Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Import/export Licenses, Letter of Credit, Insurance Certificate, Packing List. For questions or additional information, then we advise you to contact the customs of Benin or view the website of the port/government (www.gouv.bj).
Incoterms define who is responsible for each phase of shipping process. The two most important Incoterms in sea transport are FOB and CIF. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the exporting party is responsible for the cost and freight of bringing the goods to the port of origin. By Free on Board (FOB) we mean the seller is responsible for all expenses the goods until they are loaded on a shipping vessel. Other Incoterms 2000 you can choose from are: Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Carriage Paid To (CPT), Ex Works (EXW), Free Alongside Ship (FAS) and Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Cost and Freight (CFR).