Country profile Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordering Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. It has a surface area of 274,200 km² and a population of around 23 million (as of 2024). The capital is Ouagadougou, and the official language is French.
Transport from China to Burkina Faso
Although trade between China and Burkina Faso is not as frequent as that between other countries, with the growing development of the African market, the demand for logistics is gradually increasing. Burkina Faso is a landlocked country, so choosing the proper mode of transport is the key to ensuring that goods arrive safely and on time. Standard modes of transport include Ocean Freight and Air Freight. Each mode has its advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the proper mode of transport requires consideration of many factors.
What are the shipping routes from China to Burkina Faso?
Ports such as Shanghai/Ningbo to ports such as Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)/Dakar (Senegal)
- Route: From major Chinese ports, such as Shanghai and Ningbo, through the Indian Ocean to important West African ports, such as Abidjan or Dakar.
- Time: About 20-35 days, depending on factors such as the speed of the route and port congestion.
From ports such as Abidjan or Dakar to Burkina Faso
Land transportation: From the above ports, transport by truck or train to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso.
Time: It takes about 7-10 days, depending on the land conditions.
How long does it take to ship from China to Burkina Faso?
The total shipping time includes the following:
- Ocean Freight: 20-35 days, depending on the port selected and transport conditions.
- Land Freight: 7-10 days, depending on road conditions and traffic.
In total, shipping from China to Burkina Faso by ocean freight + land freight takes approximately 27-45 days.
How much does it cost to ship from China to Burkina Faso?
The price of Ocean Freight is usually affected by the volume and weight of the goods, as well as the port of departure and arrival. Goods that need to be transshipped via a West African port have higher shipping costs.
- Full Container Load (FCL): Ocean Freight for a 20-foot container is roughly $3,000-$6,000, and for a 40-foot container it is approximately $6,000-$12,000.
- Less than container load (LCL): The cost per cubic meter is between $100 and $200, depending on the type of goods and the destination.
Air Freight from China to Burkina Faso
Air freight is a common way to transport urgent goods or high-value items. Although Burkina Faso does not have direct international airport connections, it can be transferred via neighboring international airports. Common transfer locations include Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Accra in Ghana.
What are the air freight routes from China to Burkina Faso?
Major airports such as Shanghai/Beijing to airports such as Abidjan/Accra in Ghana
- Air routes: Depart from major airports in China, such as Shanghai and Beijing, and fly via the Middle East (e.g., Dubai, Abu Dhabi) or Europe (e.g., Paris, Frankfurt) to Abidjan or Accra.
- Time required: Approximately 24-36 hours of flying time (depending on transit and waiting times).
From Abidjan or Accra Airport to Burkina Faso
- Overland transport: From Abidjan or Accra airport, transport to Burkina Faso by truck or minivan.
- Time: 7-10 days, depending on road conditions and traffic.
How long does it take to fly from China to Burkina Faso?
- Air freight time: The flight time from China to Abidjan/Accra is about 24-36 hours.
- Land Freight Time: It takes 7-10 days to transport goods by land from Abidjan or Accra to Burkina Faso.
Overall, the total Air Freight time is about 7-10 days, but it is affected by factors such as transit time, land transportation, and weather.
How much does it cost to ship from China to Burkina Faso by air?
Air Freight costs are affected by a number of factors, including the weight and volume of the goods, the urgency, the airline, and any layovers.
- General Air Freight: around $5-$15/kg, with fluctuations depending on the route and destination.
- Express services: If you choose an international express delivery service such as DHL or FedEx, the cost can be as high as $20/kg or more, especially in urgent cases.
How do I choose the shipping method from China to Burkina Faso?
The following factors should be considered when choosing the appropriate shipping method
Nature of the goods
- For low-value or non-urgent goods, Ocean Freight is a more cost-effective option.
- For high-value goods or urgent deliveries, Air Freight is more suitable.
Shipping time
- If the shipping time is tight, Air Freight is the fastest option.
- If time is not a concern, Ocean Freight can provide lower shipping costs.
Shipping costs
- Ocean Freight is generally cheaper and suitable for large quantities.
- Air Freight is more expensive, but offers greater efficiency for high-value, delicate goods or urgent deliveries.
Infrastructure at destination
- Burkina Faso is a landlocked country and depends on transshipment at a neighboring port or airport. Therefore, transshipment times and costs need to be taken into account.
Factors affecting transit time
Type of transport
- Ocean Freight is usually slower than Air Freight but less expensive.
- Air Freight is relatively faster but more costly.
Transit and trans-shipment
- If Air Freight is used, the connecting flights and waiting times may affect the total duration.
- During Ocean Freight, delays may be encountered due to port congestion or bad weather.
Traffic conditions at the destination
- Burkina Faso’s land transport is sometimes affected by road conditions, seasonal weather, etc., which may affect transit time.
Seasonal factors
- Transit time may be delayed, especially at ports and airports, during specific peak periods (e.g., holidays and trading peaks).
How do I find the best freight forwarder from China to Burkina Faso?
Company Qualifications
- Choose an international freight forwarder with the legal qualifications to handle transport from China to Burkina Faso.
Type of Service
- Check whether the freight forwarder can provide comprehensive transport services from a Chinese port or airport to Burkina Faso, including Ocean Freight, Air Freight, Land Freight, and customs clearance.
Customer Reputation
- You can refer to other customer reviews to get an idea of the company’s performance in areas such as transport and customs clearance.
Shipping Costs and Transit Times
- Compare the shipping quotes and transit times provided by multiple freight companies to choose the most cost-effective service.
