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Shipping generators and transformers from China to Africa and the Middle East

Freight is often 5–15% of the delivered cost of power equipment, and getting the container type wrong can double it. This is how we plan shipments.

Which container

• Small gensets (up to about 100 kVA): several units fit in a 20 ft or 40 ft container; single units can go as shared cargo (LCL).
• 500–1,000 kW open sets: usually one unit per 40 ft high-cube.
• 1,500 kW sets and large transformers: often too wide or tall for a closed box; a 40 ft flat rack is used.
• Containerised gensets: the 40 ft enclosure itself ships as a container.

Indicative ocean freight (October 2026)

Recent quotes from Shanghai or Qingdao, per container, US$: Durban about 5,100 (20 ft) / 6,500 (40 ft HC); Mombasa about 3,700 / 5,500; Jebel Ali about 7,800 / 8,800; Jeddah about 6,800 / 9,500; Chittagong about 2,850 / 3,350. Rates change weekly; add origin charges, insurance and destination charges. Our instant estimate uses these figures.

Transit time

Roughly 25–35 days to East and South Africa, 20–30 days to the Gulf, 30–45 days to West Africa, plus customs at both ends.

Documents

• Commercial invoice and packing list.
• Bill of lading.
• Certificate of origin (Form E or general CO as needed).
• Factory test report.
• Pre-shipment inspection certificate where your country requires one (for example SONCAP for Nigeria, PVoC for Kenya).

Tell us the destination early: some countries require the inspection before the goods leave China.