Shipping from Dubai
to Benin.
We ship from Dubai and from anywhere in the UAE to Benin every week, by sea and by air. Cotonou is the country's only commercial port, and a lot of what lands there is heading further inland to Niger and Burkina Faso. We ship business and personal cargo, we sort out the tracking note before the ship leaves, and we deliver to your address.
Overview
Sea and air freight
to Benin.
Shipping from Dubai to Benin takes about 18 to 34 days by sea to Cotonou, and 3 to 8 days by air. Cotonou is the only commercial port and it handles containers, vehicles and general cargo. It is also a busy route into Niger and Burkina Faso. We deliver everywhere, including Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou, Abomey, Natitingou and Bohicon. Vehicles are a big part of what moves here, and we ship cars both in containers and on car ships. Navo Shipping handles the sea freight, air freight and customs clearance on the Dubai to Benin route, door to door. Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, and where it is going, and we will tell you which way is cheaper.
Ports and gateways
Sea ports and airports
we ship to from Dubai.
Every bill of lading carries two ports: where the cargo loads, and where it discharges. We load at Jebel Ali or another UAE port. Sea cargo to Benin discharges at Cotonou, the only sea port in the country, so there is no discharge port to choose. What is worth choosing is the mode, and where the cargo clears.
POLPort of loading
We collect anywhere in the UAE, free zones included, and load at whichever of these eight suits the cargo.
- Jebel AliAEJEA
- Port RashidAEPRA
- Khalifa PortAEKHL
- Zayed PortAEAUH
- Port KhalidAESHJ
- Khor FakkanAEKLF
- Port of FujairahAEFJR
- Ajman PortAEAJM
PODPort of discharge
The right one is whichever leaves the shortest inland leg to your delivery address. On a long lane that leg is a shipment in its own right, so it is planned rather than assumed.
- CotonouSea port · Gulf of GuineaCotonou, Porto-Novo and Benin, plus the roads into Niger and Burkina Faso. The only commercial port
How cargo reaches Cotonou
Shipping from Dubai to Cotonou can use a confirmed suitable vessel booking, normally with a West African relay after live Upper Gulf and vessel checks. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cadjehoun is the air alternative when terminal capability, congestion or the final inland destination changes the plan. The quote combines ocean freight, relay charges, terminal handling, customs formalities, security checks and inland delivery. Get a rate for Cotonou - Cadjehoun, CotonouCOOAirportCotonou and the whole country. The air cargo gateway
How cargo reaches Cadjehoun, Cotonou
Air freight from Dubai to Cadjehoun can use accepted connecting capacity, with direct uplift confirmed live, subject to commodity, space, security and local cargo handling approval. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cotonou port is the sea alternative when the booked flight or destination handling cannot accept the shipment. The quote combines air freight, security screening, handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Cadjehoun, Cotonou - Parakou dry portDry portParakou, the north and the Niger road. Cargo heading inland can clear here
How cargo reaches Parakou dry port
Shipping from Dubai to the Parakou dry port can enter through Cotonou, then continue under a confirmed customs transit plan by road to northern Benin. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Cotonou port clearance is the alternative when inland facility acceptance or final delivery makes direct release more practical. The quote combines ocean freight, port and inland terminal handling, road or rail transfer, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Parakou dry port - Malanville crossingLand borderThe Niger border on the corridor north
How cargo reaches Malanville crossing
Shipping from Dubai to the Malanville crossing cannot rely on the Cotonou corridor until the Benin and Niger governments confirm that commercial freight may cross the Malanville and Gaya border. Border and convoy times vary, so we confirm the days when we quote. Lomé through Burkina Faso is the alternative, subject to a live customs and security plan. The quote combines the international leg, trucking, transit guarantees, border handling, security, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Malanville crossing - Hillacondji crossingLand borderThe Togo border on the coastal road west
How cargo reaches Hillacondji crossing
Shipping from Dubai to the Hillacondji crossing can enter through Cotonou, then continue under a confirmed customs transit and road security plan to the border. Border and convoy times vary, so we confirm the days when we quote. The Kraké crossing is the alternative when border status, congestion, security or the final destination changes the corridor. The quote combines the international leg, trucking, transit guarantees, border handling, security, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Hillacondji crossing - Kraké crossingLand borderThe Nigeria border east of Cotonou
How cargo reaches Kraké crossing
Shipping from Dubai to the Kraké crossing can enter through Cotonou, then continue under a confirmed customs transit and road security plan to the border. Border and convoy times vary, so we confirm the days when we quote. The Malanville crossing is the alternative when border status, congestion, security or the final destination changes the corridor. The quote combines the international leg, trucking, transit guarantees, border handling, security, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Kraké crossing
- CotonouSea port · Gulf of GuineaCotonou, Porto-Novo and Benin, plus the roads into Niger and Burkina Faso. The only commercial port
Before you ship
Import rules
for Benin.
One document decides whether your shipment goes smoothly, and we arrange it for you. It is a cargo tracking note. It has to be obtained here in Dubai and approved before the ship leaves, not when the goods arrive. Its whole purpose is to tell customs what is coming before it gets there, so it cannot be done afterwards. Cargo turning up without one is held while storage runs. Two details worth knowing. It covers everything, including personal effects and vehicles, so there is no small shipment exemption. And if your cargo is heading on to Niger or Burkina Faso, you need a second note for that country too. We start it as soon as we have your draft shipping papers, which is the simplest way to avoid the problem completely.
Documentation
Documents you need
for Benin.
These 9 cover most shipments to Benin. The exact list depends on the commodity and its HS code, so send us both and we confirm what applies before the cargo is booked.
- 01Invoice showing what you paid for the goods
- 02Packing list showing what is inside
- 03Certificate of origin showing where the goods were made
- 04Bill of lading or air waybill, which is the shipping ticket
- 05Dubai export paper, which we do for you
- 06Cargo tracking note, arranged before the ship leaves
- 07The destination country tracking note, if the cargo is heading inland
- 08Chassis numbers, where the shipment includes vehicles
- 09Your buyer import registration
Get the paperwork right in Dubai and clearance at destination is routine. Fixing a document after arrival is slow, and storage accrues the whole time it takes.
How it works
Dubai to Benin
shipping, step by step.
Send the cargo details: what it is, where it is going, rough weight and dimensions. We come back with the routes that suit it, sea against air, and a written rate with a validity date on it. You pick one, we book it, and one coordinator stays with the shipment until it is delivered in Benin.
- 01
Tell us the final country
Benin, or Niger or Burkina Faso beyond it. It decides how many tracking notes you need.
- 02
Get a price
We send you a price in writing, with every charge shown. No surprises later.
- 03
We arrange the notes and ship
We get the tracking notes approved before the ship leaves, then collect, load and clear.
- 04
We deliver
We track the shipment and keep you updated all the way, then bring the goods to your door.
Questions
Cargo to Benin
questions, answered.
The 15 we are asked most on the Dubai to Benin route. If yours is not here, send it with the commodity and we will answer it directly.
Do you offer movers and packers for a house move from Dubai to Benin?
Yes. Our movers and packers do the packing, wrapping and listing in Dubai, then we ship your furniture and household goods in a full container, or share one if you have less to send. The item by item list matters, because customs clear personal effects against it. Fuel, gas cylinders, paint, aerosols and loose batteries cannot travel, and we give you the full list before packing day.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Benin take?
About 18 to 34 days by sea to Cotonou, and 3 to 8 days by air. Sea takes a while because the ship sails around West Africa. We give you a date in writing when we quote.
How much does shipping from Dubai to Benin cost?
It depends on what you send, how big it is, and where in Benin it is going. We do not publish prices because every shipment is different. Sea freight to Benin is priced per container when you fill one, and per cubic metre when you share one. Air freight to Benin is priced on weight or size, whichever is greater. Send us the details and we send you a price in writing, usually the same day.
Which cities do you deliver to?
Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou, Abomey, Natitingou, Bohicon and elsewhere. The port sits beside Cotonou so deliveries there are quick. Just give us the address.
What is a cargo tracking note?
It is a document that tells customs what is coming before the ship arrives. It has to be arranged here in Dubai and approved before the vessel leaves. It cannot be done after the goods land, so we start it as soon as we have your draft shipping papers.
Does the tracking note cover vehicles and personal effects?
Yes, everything. There is no exemption for small or non commercial shipments. For vehicles we need the chassis number and whether the car is going inside a container or on a car ship, because that changes how it is declared.
My cargo is for Niger or Burkina Faso. Does that change anything?
Yes. You need a second tracking note for the destination country as well as the Beninese one, and it becomes a transit shipment. Tell us the final country at the start, not just the port.
Do you deliver door to door?
Yes. We handle freight forwarding to Benin door to door. We collect the goods in Dubai, move them, clear them through customs, and bring them to your address. You deal with one company for the whole journey.
Can I send a small shipment, or do I need a full container?
You can send as little as one box or one pallet. We put small shipments from different customers into one shared container. This is called LCL, or less than container load. Your goods load at Jebel Ali and come into Cotonou. When you have more goods, you move up to your own full container, which is called FCL. We will tell you which one is cheaper.
Can you ship a car from Dubai to Cotonou?
Yes, and it is a well established route. Cars travel in containers or on car ships. Send us the make, model, year and chassis number and we will confirm the rules and the cost before you buy.
Can you deliver to Niamey through Cotonou?
Yes. Cotonou is a main route into Niger, with the road heading north through Parakou and across at Malanville. We quote it as two stages, the sea leg and the road leg.
Do you handle customs clearance in Benin?
Yes, at both ends. We handle customs clearance in Dubai and customs clearance in Benin. You do not need to find your own clearing agent.
Can you collect the goods from my supplier in Dubai?
Yes. We collect anywhere in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. We can also hold your goods in warehousing and storage in Dubai until you are ready to ship. That helps when you are buying from several suppliers and want everything to travel to Cotonou in one container.
Can you ship machinery and heavy equipment to Benin?
Yes. We move project cargo to Benin as well. Big, heavy items go in open top or flat rack containers, or loose on the ship into Cotonou. Send us the size and weight and we will work out the best way to move it.
Can you move my household goods to Benin?
Yes. We move full house moves and part loads to Benin, including Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Parakou. We pack, collect, move and deliver, and we handle the customs clearance so your things are not waiting on paperwork.
Ready to ship from Dubai
to Benin?
Send the commodity and its HS code, the weight and dimensions, and the delivery address. We confirm what Benin checks before you ship, then the routing options, then a written rate with a validity date on it.
- Written rates
- One coordinator
- Customs handled in house
- UAE-wide collection
