Container shipping Antwerp to Cotonou
Would you like to ship a container from Antwerp to Cotonou (BJCOO)? Sea freight has many advantages: it’s perfect for heavy and bulky items, it’s transparant and containers can also be used for further transportation by road or rail. Transporting a container by sea with breakbulk or cars and other vehicles can be facilitated by shippinglines like Zim Integrated Shipping Services. When you want to forward a container, you can choose from many different types of shipping containers. There is made a difference between full containers (FCL) and (LCL) and partial shipments. Via our portal we provide you with up-to-date information about international transport Cotonou (BJ COO). You can read extensive information about how to choose a suitable container for your freight. You will also find a step-by-step export plan. Provide us with your transport details and we will prepare a quote with market prices.
- Ocean shipping is a reliable, safe and affordable way to transport large and heavy loads.
- When you compare it with air shipments, it is cheaper and there are less restrictions.
- Sea freight is a solution for international movings and the transit of container cargo or cars.
- The Port of Cotonou offers excellent transit options in Benin.
- The range of containers includes: 20 foot, 40 foot and Hard-Top, Flat Rack, Insulated, Open-Top, Tank, Ventilated containers.
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Shipping to Cotonou (BJCOO) from Antwerp (BEANR)
Ocean freight shipping is the process of shipping goods by sea using containers. 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 departure port Cotonou (BJ COO), and will be shipped overseas to the importer at the port of destination. You need to make a choose out of: port-to-door, port-to-port, door-to-door, door-to-port. In the attached table we provide you with details about the arrival port.
| Port of departure | Port of Antwerp (BEANR) |
| Country of departure | Belgium |
| Port of destination | Port of Cotonou |
| Country of destination | Benin |
| Port Code | BJCOO |
| Transit Time | +/- 19 days |
| Shipping costs | $$$ |
| 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 Antwerp – port of Cotonou
- Details of your shipment
Enter the departing port and the POD (port of destination). Specify your preference: (FCL) Full Container Load or LCL (Less than Container Load). You can also choose the size of the container (20-foot, 40-foot, or a 40-foot high cube).
- Preparing the cargo
To start with, you need to make sure your load is packed correctly. To prevent damage, we advise you to use pallets. Don’t forget to label the cargo!
- Customs documents and procedures
In the situations that you export goods to Cotonou (BJCOO), you should organize several export documents (on behalf of national customs): commercial invoice, export/import customs declaration, certificates of origin, bill of lading, packing declaration. A Bill of Lading is a required document issued by the carrier or agent to acknowledge that they have received the goods and that they are ready to be shipped.
- Incoterms for transport
Incoterms are relevant terms for worldwide shipping to define responsibility and liability for shipment of the goods. The Incoterm defines who bears responsibility for e.g. insurance, transport and all documents. Much chosen incoterms are Ex Works (EXW), Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), Free On Board (FOB).
- Track and Trace shipment
Use the Ocean Shipment Tracking to see where your shipment is right now. You can check the status when the cargo is loaded at the POL (port of origin), arrived at Port of Destination (POD) and when your cargo has been unloaded at the final destination.
Sea freight from Cotonou (BJCOO) to Antwerp (BEANR): pick a container
Would you like to ship a container from port of Cotonou – (BJ COO) to port of Antwerp – (BE ANR)? It is important to get a suitable container. You can choose from large and small sizes (20 foot, 40 foot) and multiple transport options (FCL shipment or LCL shipment). 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. In the next chapter we help you choose the right type and provide info about the most common sizes and types. Check also more information about Flat Rack Container.
Important specifications of the 20 FT container
20 foot containers (which is a standard dry van) is the most commonly used and most commonly available size. They are very efficient, that means they are quite cheap. Particularly suitable for the transport of personal items and international movings. Nice to know: TEU abbreviation stands for Twenty Foot Equivalent Unit.
- This box is often used for sending goods with transport ships.
- A 20-foot container know the following size description: 5.90m x 2,35m x 2,39m.
- A 20’ft container can hold eleven pallets.
- You must take into account a maximum permitted weight of +/- 27.000 kg.
Details of a 40 FT container
The 40 foot container is the largest of the standard shipping containers. He can hold much more cargo. This makes it a popular choice for shipping large sea freight. Good to know: there are also special 40 foot containers such as the ‘high cube’ variant. You have more height at your disposal. Ideal if you have high cargo.
- They are ideal for big shipments.
- The format is universal: L 12.19m x W 2.44m x H 2.59m.
- The FEU can hold between 20 and 24 pallets.
- The maximum load is +/- 28.500 kilogram.
Instant Ocean Freight Rates: 40 / 20 Ft Sea Container Shipping Cost
Get instant prices from several major shipping lines worldwide
FCL: Full Container
If you want to ship a lot of cargo, then it is usually better to book a full container. This is known as an FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share it with other merchandise. It is a popular transport method: efficient transit time, chance of damage is reduced to a minimum and the rates are more favorable. There are also disadvantages: the transport over land is more complex (truck) and unloading can be a hassle. Sending the sea freight from another port? Also see Rotterdam to Cotonou (BJCOO) and Hamburg to Cotonou (BJCOO).
- The goal of FCL is that you temporarily own a complete container.
- Ideal for bulk items and large-volume products.
- For shipments that are larger than 10 CBM.
- Available at: e.g. MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, CMA CGM, COSCO.
Information about Less than container (LCL)
If your cargo does not fill an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container, inquire about the possibilities for a shared container. Transport specialists call this Less Than Container Load (LCL). LCL means that you just pay for the amount of space used in a single container. There are many positive aspects to mention like: you’re only charged for the space you are using, you can save on inventory costs and it is faster during peak-season. Important: if you can fill more than half of a container, then it is usually more interesting to opt for FCL. LCL shipping charges are generally computed based on volume, usually in cubic meters (CBM).
- LCL Means that means that your cargo is transported in a partial container.
- Cost effective for shipments between 3,5 m3 & 16,5 m3.
- Freight costs are typically based on cargo volume.
- There is always sufficient availability (every season).
- Available at: e.g. POL, Evergreen, HMM, Wan Hai, Yang Ming.
Other container types for special loads
The range of boxes is very diverse for freight forwarding. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry van is the variant that most people will recognize. But there are also specific options for liquid bulk, flour, coffee or cocoa or very expensive items. You can read all about it in the section below. You can also look further at transport options in Moss (NOMSS), port of Hambantota (LKHBA), Lae (PGLAE) harbor and terminal Genoa (ITGOA).
- Bulk Containers: often used for dry bulk cargo like as grain, feedstuffs, spices.
- Flat Rack Containers: versatile containers that make it possible for you to ship unique cargo.
- Hard-Top Containers: a specialized version of general dry van (with special roof).
- High-Cube Containers: perfect when some extra height is required.
- Insulated Containers: for transporting goods with the need of low temperature for a short distance.
- Open-Top Containers: the top is open and is covered with a strong rubber tarpaulin rather than a solid roof.
- Palletwide Containers: 5 cm wider and are designed for optimal transportation of cargo on EURO pallets.
- Refrigerated Containers: cold air blows from the refrigeration unit through the vents at the bottom of the reefer.
- Tank Containers: ideal for transport and distribution of bulk liquids.
- Ventilated Containers: used to transport cargo with good moisture contents which requires ventilation while transit.
Main types of ocean freight: What do you want to ship?
Exporting load by ocean from Antwerp (BEANR) to Cotonou (BJCOO) have all kinds of advantages: low prices, best for Bulky Goods and it’s better for the environment than air freight. Much seen ocean cargo shipped via sea routes are: break bulk, roll on/roll off, neo bulk, containerized, dry bulk. You can read more about it in the section below.
- Car shipping: it saves money and time to to have your vehicle shipped.
- House Moving: get your private goods shipped for relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): your household effects are shipped in a fast and secure manner.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. chemicals, petroleum, hydrogen, biofuels, gasoline, kerosene.
- Dry Bulk: grain, iron ore, grain and sugar, sand, salt, rods.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): the vessel is designed so that vehicles or loads can be entered straight by rolling.
- Breakbulk: For the transport of cargo that don’t fit in standard-size shipping containers or cargo bins.
- Retail & other: goods like medical/pharmacy, clothes, electronic goods, toys, sports equipment or fashion, shoes, food, machines, drinks.
All you need to know about international transport (FAQ)
Shipping a container from Antwerp (BE) to Cotonou takes approx 19 days. The total distance is about 4450 nautical miles (NM). That is about 8241 km. If you ship something by sea, you will receive updates about the ETD and ETA. ETD means the Estimated Time Of Departure. ETA means the Expected or Estimated Time of Arrival. Shipping time varies from case to case and depends on factors such as: the speed of the boat, weather and maintenance.
Shipping rates from Antwerp (Belgium) to Cotonou (Benin) are slightly above average. The actual costs are determined by various components as cargo type, shipping time and incoterms. Fill in the request form for a quote for your transport.
When sending goods to Cotonou, then customs clearance is an important step. The following documents are required: Packing List, Commercial Invoice, Letter of Credit, Insurance Certificate, Certificate of Origin, Import/export Licenses. For more substantive information and tips please contact the customs of Benin or navigate to the website of the port or the government (www.gouv.bj).
Incoterms are a widely used system to define, simplify and clarify transactions between an exporter and an importer. Common sea freight incoterms are CIF and FOB. CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) means the seller is responsible for all the costs up to and including the ocean freight to the port of destination. Free on Board (FOB) means the selling party is fully liable for the freight until all cargo is on the ship. One can also choose from one of the alternative Incoterms 2000: Carriage Paid To (CPT), Free Carrier (FCA), Free Alongside Ship (FAS), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) & Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Cost and Freight (CFR), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP).