Shipping vehicles and machinery to Dakar
Senegal’s main port and the natural gateway for Dakar and the Sahel corridor. Container and RoRo both work; breakbulk for machinery.
West AfricaUN/LOCODE SNDKRContainer · RoRo · Breakbulk
Options
Methods available on this trade
| Method | Available to Dakar |
|---|---|
| Container | Yes — the default |
| RoRo | Yes — RoRo services call Dakar |
| Breakbulk | Yes — for heavy and out-of-gauge units |
Confirm method availability at the time of booking. RoRo coverage in particular depends on which services are calling the port that month.
Timing
Transit time
| From | To | Indicative transit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tianjin / Qingdao | Dakar | 34–48 days indicative — confirmed at booking | Port to port, excluding destination clearance |
| Shanghai / Nansha / Yantian / Shekou | Dakar | 34–48 days (via southern ports) indicative — confirmed at booking | Port to port |
Transit is port to port and excludes destination clearance, inland delivery and any transhipment delay. We give the current figure in writing with the quotation.
Operational notes
What to watch out for on this route
- Cargo tracking formalities apply to shipments into Senegal — arrange the number before the vessel sails.
- Senegal raised the used passenger-car age limit from 8 to 10 years by presidential decree on 24 October 2025 (trucks/HGVs up to 15). Only left-hand-drive vehicles are permitted; a Certificate of Conformity (COC), ECTN/BSC cargo tracking note and a pre-shipment inspection (COTECNA) are required; the Import Declaration (DPI) is filed via the ORBUS platform.
On the ground
Customs clearance in Senegal
We can arrange destination clearance in Senegal — import declaration, duty assessment, inspection coordination and release — through the clearing agents we work with in the country. One party is accountable from the supplier in China through to the vehicle released at destination, and there is no gap at the port where nobody is responsible.
Paperwork
Documents required
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- Cargo tracking formalities arranged before sailing
- Certificate of origin where required
- Consignee import documentation
Documentary requirements change and vary by commodity and consignee. This list is a starting point, not a compliance guarantee — the consignee’s licensed broker confirms what applies.
Book a shipment to Dakar
Send vehicle details, dimensions and weight and the origin city. We come back with methods, cost and the next sailing.
Request a QuoteQuestions we get asked often
How long does shipping to Dakar take?
We quote the current port-to-port transit in writing with the quotation. Published figures go stale quickly; ours are confirmed against the service being booked.
Is RoRo available to Dakar?
It depends on which services are calling. Ask us and we will check the current rotation before you commit to container rates.
Can you handle destination clearance?
Yes. In Senegal we arrange the destination clearance ourselves through the clearing agents we work with in the country — import declaration, duty assessment, inspection coordination and release.
Can you ship machinery as well as vehicles to Dakar?
Yes — construction and mining machinery moves on the same services, by container, breakbulk or on flat racks depending on size and weight.