Cape Town / Mombasa / Tema / Abidjan — Landed-Cost Comparison from Jebel Ali
For an African buyer sourcing Chinese equipment via UAE, the last leg — Jebel Ali to their destination port — has its own cost stack. This article compares the four main African destinations by freight, transit time, and import duty regime.
What this guide covers
Freight comparison (Jebel Ali → African port)
| Destination port | Sailing days | Freight ($/CBM) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mombasa, Kenya | ~8 | $40–55 | Weekly |
| Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | ~10 | $45–60 | Weekly |
| Tema, Ghana | ~14 | $60–80 | Bi-weekly |
| Abidjan, Ivory Coast | ~16 | $65–85 | Bi-weekly |
| Durban, South Africa | ~14 | $50–70 | Weekly |
| Cape Town, South Africa | ~16 | $55–75 | Weekly |
Import duty comparison
| Country | Duty % | VAT % | Total import tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 25% | 16% | ~44% |
| Tanzania | 10-25% | 18% | ~28-46% |
| Ghana | 5-20% | 15% | ~20-38% |
| Ivory Coast | 10% | 18% | ~28% |
| South Africa | 0-5% | 15% | ~15-20% |
Total landed cost comparison (140 CBM 50T crane, worked)
Base: unit landed at Jebel Ali at ~AED 300,000 (used).
| Destination | + Jebel Ali → destination freight | + Duty + VAT | Total to landed at destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mombasa | ~AED 25,000 | ~AED 143,000 | ~AED 468,000 |
| Tema | ~AED 36,000 | ~AED 128,000 | ~AED 464,000 |
| Abidjan | ~AED 39,000 | ~AED 94,000 | ~AED 433,000 |
| Durban | ~AED 33,000 | ~AED 66,000 | ~AED 399,000 |
South Africa is cheapest to land in; Kenya most expensive due to duty structure. But local pricing in each market reflects these costs, so end-selling-price gaps are smaller than the landed-cost gaps.
Country-specific notes
- Kenya: East African Community (EAC) common external tariff. High duties compensate for VAT refund weaknesses.
- Ghana / Ivory Coast: ECOWAS common external tariff frameworks; French vs English language documentation matters.
- South Africa: SACU (Southern African Customs Union) rates; strictest documentation but lowest duties for compliant imports.
Have a question on this topic?
WhatsApp us with the specifics — we'll come back during working hours with answers tailored to your unit and project.
WhatsApp Us Get a Quote