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Shipping machinery from the U.S. to Africa

Trade lane

Shipping machinery from the U.S. to Africa

From the U.S., machinery rolls on at Baltimore, Jacksonville or Freeport for West Africa on two published RoRo services, South Africa has one weekly direct container service, and East Africa is reached by transshipment.

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days, Baltimore to Lagos on Grimaldi’s published sailings[1]
14–23
RoRo services from Jacksonville to Africa listed by the port[3]
3
direct container service between the U.S. East Coast and South Africa[4]
1
AES filing lead time for a used self-propelled machine[5]
72 h

How U.S. cargo reaches Africa

Africa is not one lane. West Africa has direct RoRo sailings from the U.S. East and Gulf coasts: Grimaldi’s North America – West Africa service calls Dakar, Lagos, Cotonou and Tema[1], and Sallaum Lines discharges at Cotonou, Lomé and Lagos[2]. Both load at Baltimore, Jacksonville and Freeport, which is why those three ports appear on most quotes for Nigeria and Ghana.

South Africa has one direct container service. MSC runs eight ships for a weekly call between New York, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Freeport and the ports of Gqeberha, Durban and Cape Town[4]. Some Sallaum voyages also continue to Durban by RoRo[2].

East Africa has no direct U.S. sailing in these schedules. Cargo for Mombasa and Dar es Salaam is transshipped, usually through Europe, the Middle East or Durban, and the routing is fixed when the booking is made. Allow for the extra port call when you plan the delivery date.

Published sailings from the U.S.

Each column is one carrier service. Days run from the ship’s call at the U.S. port shown to its arrival, across the voyages the schedule listed when we checked it.

Map of U.S. load ports and destination portsU.S. load ports: Freeport, Jacksonville, Brunswick, Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore, Newark. Ports with a direct sailing: Dakar, Tema, Lomé, Cotonou, Lagos, Durban, Gqeberha, Cape Town. Ports without one: Mombasa, Dar es Salaam.FreeportJacksonvilleBrunswickCharlestonNorfolkBaltimoreNewarkDakarTemaLoméCotonouLagosDurbanGqeberhaCape TownMombasaDar es Salaam
Solid line: RoRo serviceDashed line: container serviceOpen circle: no direct U.S. sailingSchematic. Port positions are approximate and lines show which ports a service links, not the ship’s track. Land: Natural Earth.
Published sailings from the U.S.
Destination portGrimaldi[1]North America – West AfricaRoRoSallaum Lines[2]USA to West AfricaRoRoMSC[4]USA – South Africa (weekly)Container
Loads atFreeport, Brunswick, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Newark, Wilmington (DE), Davisville (RI), Providence (RI)Freeport, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Davisville (RI)Newark, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Freeport
Dakar
  • 12–17 days from Baltimore
No direct callNo direct call
Tema
  • 22–27 days from Baltimore
No direct callNo direct call
LoméNo direct callCalls; transit not listedNo direct call
CotonouCalls; transit not listedCalls; transit not listedNo direct call
Lagos
  • 14–23 days from Baltimore
  • 13–27 days from Jacksonville
  • 27–32 days from Freeport
  • 21–36 days from Baltimore
  • 23–36 days from Jacksonville
No direct call
DurbanNo direct call
  • 37–42 days from Jacksonville
Calls; transit not listed
GqeberhaNo direct callNo direct callCalls; transit not listed
Cape TownNo direct callNo direct callCalls; transit not listed
MombasaNo direct callNo direct callNo direct call
Dar es SalaamNo direct callNo direct callNo direct call
  • Grimaldi: Lomé is served by transshipment on this service. The ships continue to Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, so the U.S. calls come in a different order on each voyage.
  • Sallaum Lines: Durban is on some voyages only. Cargo cut-off is 4 to 8 days before the ship reaches the U.S. port.
  • MSC: The only direct container link between the U.S. East Coast and South Africa, with eight ships for a weekly call. Flat racks and open tops ride the same ships when the carrier accepts the cargo.

Which method for which machine

Shipping methods to Africa compared
MethodUse it whenAvoid it when
RoRoThe machine drives or tows and is going to a West African port on the RoRo services above, or to Durban.The destination is East Africa, where no direct RoRo sails from the U.S., or the machine cannot move under its own power and no roll trailer is booked.
Flat rackThe machine is wider or taller than a container door but within a flat rack’s payload, and a container line serves the port.The load is concentrated on a short footprint: the carrier reduces the rated payload when the weight does not spread over the floor.
ContainerThe machine fits through a 7 ft 8 in (2.34 m) wide door, as most compact equipment does, or can be taken apart to fit.Taking it apart costs more than the flat rack or RoRo premium, or the buyer cannot reassemble it at destination.
BreakbulkA single piece is beyond flat rack and roll trailer limits, such as a transformer or a mining truck frame.A regular RoRo sailing can take the piece on a roll trailer, which avoids lifting at both ends.

Import rules by country

Duty, VAT and other charges as recorded in our country guides, with the authority that publishes them and the month we checked. Where an authority publishes a vehicle rate, that is the rate shown; duty on machinery follows its HS code and is confirmed before the machine ships. Charges fall on the customs value, usually the CIF value.

Import rules by country
CountryImport dutyVATOther chargesPublished by
Nigeria20% (used passenger vehicles)7.5%National Automotive Council (NAC) levy 15% (used) / 20% (new), a 4% FOB levy, plus smaller statutory chargesNigeria Customs Service (NCS)checked June 2026
Ghana5–20% of CIF by engine size (ECOWAS CET)15% (on the duty-inclusive value)NHIL 2.5%, GETFund 2.5%, ECOWAS levy 0.5%, examination fee ~1%, plus overage penalty on CIF: 5% (10–12 yrs), 20% (12–15), 50% (15–25), 70% (25–35), 100% (over 35)Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) / ICUMSchecked June 2026
SenegalWAEMU CET (confirm by HS code)18%ECOWAS levy + statistical tax; ECOWAS CoC + ECTN requiredDirection Générale des Douanes (Senegal)checked June 2026
BeninWAEMU CET 10–20% of CIF18%ECOWAS levy 0.5% + statistical tax 1%; ECTN requiredDirection Générale des Douanes (Benin)checked June 2026
South AfricaUp to ~36% for passenger vehicles under 20 years (20% for older vehicles)15% (calculated on value + duty + 10%)Ad valorem (luxury) duty on a sliding scale (~0.75–20% by value)South African Revenue Service (SARS) / ITACchecked June 2026
KenyaTypically 25–35% of the CRSP-based customs value16%Excise duty 20–35% (by engine size and fuel type), an Import Declaration Fee, and a 2% Railway Development LevyKenya Revenue Authority (KRA)checked June 2026
Tanzania25% of the CIF/UMVVS customs value18%Excise duty 5% (1,001–2,000cc) or 10% (over 2,000cc); age penalty +15% (8–10 years) or +30% (over 10 years); ~1.5% Railway Development Levy plus registration feesTanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)checked June 2026

U.S. export rules that apply on this lane

Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.[7][5][8]

Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks

Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[9][8]

Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle

SOLAS verified gross mass (VGM)IMO

Since 1 July 2016 the shipper must give a signed verified gross mass for each packed container, found by weighing the packed unit or by adding the weighed cargo, lashing and dunnage to the container tare. The carrier needs it before the stowage plan is drawn up; without it the container is not loaded.[10]

Applies to: Every packed container, flat rack and open top

ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS

Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[11]

Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage

Planning a sailing

RoRo cut-offs come early. On Sallaum’s schedule the cargo cut-off falls 4 to 8 days before the ship reaches the U.S. port[2], and a used machine also needs its export filing 72 hours before export[5], so the machine should be at the terminal with its title or bill of sale about a week ahead.

The U.S. calls change order from voyage to voyage. On Grimaldi’s schedule the Texas call can be the first or the last U.S. port[1], which is why Freeport to Lagos took 27 to 32 days while Baltimore to Lagos took 14 to 23. Pick the load port by the sailing, not only by the distance from the pickup.

Questions about shipping to Africa

Is there a direct RoRo ship from the U.S. to Mombasa or Dar es Salaam?

Not on the published schedules we track. The direct U.S. RoRo services sail to West Africa, with some voyages continuing to Durban. Machines for Kenya and Tanzania go by flat rack or container with a transshipment, or by RoRo with a change of ship.

How long does shipping take from Texas to Lagos?

Freeport, Texas is the Gulf load port on both West Africa RoRo services. On Grimaldi’s published sailings Freeport to Lagos took 27 to 32 days because the ship called East Coast ports afterwards. When Freeport is the last U.S. call the voyage is shorter.

Can a non-running machine go by RoRo?

Yes, on a roll trailer (MAFI). The machine is loaded onto the trailer at the terminal and stays on it for the voyage, so it needs no lifting at either end. The heaviest roll trailers in one operator’s fleet carry 154 US tons (140 tonnes).

What does a used excavator need before it can leave the U.S.?

An AES filing at least 72 hours before export, with the ITN, the serial number and the ownership documents presented to CBP at the port. Destination rules come on top: duty, VAT and, in some countries, a pre-shipment inspection.

Countries We Serve in Africa

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.

  1. [1]Grimaldi Lines, North America – West Africa Service schedule (published 16 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  2. [2]Sallaum Lines, USA to West Africa sailing schedule (updated 17 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  3. [3]JAXPORT, RoRo services to and from Jacksonville, checked October 18, 2026
  4. [4]MSC, Standalone direct service between South Africa and the USA (customer advisory), checked October 18, 2026
  5. [5]U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Exporting used self-propelled vehicles, checked October 18, 2026
  6. [6]Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Cargo handling equipment, checked October 18, 2026
  7. [7]eCFR, 19 CFR 192.1 Definitions (used self-propelled vehicles), checked October 18, 2026
  8. [8]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
  9. [9]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
  10. [10]IMO, SOLAS verified gross mass requirement enters into force (1 July 2016), checked October 18, 2026
  11. [11]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026

Send us the machine and the destination

Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.

Get a quoteor call +1 (888) 996-7619