Questions we are asked
What West African buyers ask about routes, ports and clearing.
Your route
Do you ship construction equipment to Nigeria?+
Yes, and Nigeria is one of our busiest lanes. We quote to Apapa, Tin Can and Onne, and which one suits you often depends on where your clearing agent works rather than which is nearest.
Can you ship a machine to Ghana?+
Yes, to Tema or Takoradi. Tema handles most container traffic while Takoradi suits some western projects better, and we will price whichever fits your site.
Do you ship equipment to Senegal and Ivory Coast?+
Yes, Dakar and Abidjan are two of our most regular destinations, and both are close enough to Morocco that our Mohammedia stock becomes genuinely competitive.
Which West African ports do you quote to?+
Dakar, Nouakchott, Conakry, Freetown, Monrovia, Abidjan, Tema, Takoradi, Lomé, Cotonou, Apapa, Tin Can, Onne, Douala, Owendo and Pointe-Noire.
Is Morocco or China cheaper for a machine going to West Africa?+
It depends on the machine. Morocco saves you freight and time, China saves you on the machine price. Send us the machine and the port and we will compare both for you in one message.
Cost and timing
How much does it cost to ship an excavator to Lagos?+
That depends on the origin, the shipping method and what is sailing when you book. Tell us which machine and we will price it from both yards so you can see the difference.
How long does a machine take to reach West Africa?+
From Morocco it is a short voyage. From China it is considerably longer and often involves a transhipment. We give you the real transit time for your specific lane rather than a general figure.
Is it cheaper to ship two machines to West Africa together?+
Yes. The freight is shared and you clear one shipment instead of two, which also cuts your agent's fee and your exposure to storage charges.
Can you deliver to an inland city rather than the port?+
We deliver to the port and your clearing agent takes it from there. Inland haulage in West Africa is best arranged locally by people who know the roads and the checkpoints.
Clearing at your end
Who clears the machine when it arrives in West Africa?+
A licensed clearing agent in your own country. Appoint them before the vessel arrives, because the free storage period at most West African terminals is short and the daily charges after it are not.
What documents will my agent need?+
The commercial invoice, the packing list and the bill of lading. We prepare all three before the machine sails and send them to you so your agent can start early.
Do you know what duty I will pay in my country?+
No, and we will not guess at it. Rates differ by country and change over time, so your clearing agent is the right person to ask and it takes them one call.
Can you recommend a clearing agent?+
We do not appoint agents on your behalf, because you want somebody accountable to you rather than to us. Ask two or three locally and compare, since their fees vary more than people expect.
