How much is sea freight, and what does the rate include?
Sea freight is charged per CBM and depends on your country: from $270/CBM to Ghana and Togo, $300 to Benin and Côte d'Ivoire, $320 to Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, up to $450 for East and Southern Africa (see your country page or the calculator). Landlocked countries may add road freight. The rate is an all-inclusive landed rate covering ocean freight from Guangzhou or Yiwu, export customs handling, container devanning, and complete import customs clearance (ICUMS for Ghana, BIVAC for Liberia, PAAR for Nigeria). You collect your cleared cargo without surprise demurrage or clearing penalties.
How should I instruct my supplier to label my cartons?
Every carton must clearly display your unique BBS4 shipping mark, written in permanent marker or printed on a label. Your mark is issued when you create your account and follows the format BBS4-[SN]-[CITY]-[COUNTRY]-[PHONE] — for example BBS4-001-KUMASI-GH-0244412370. It is also your BBS4 Virtual Suite ID, so give it to your supplier exactly as shown in your profile. This ensures zero mix-ups upon warehouse intake.
What is the transit timeline for Sea and Air shipping?
Consolidated Sea Cargo takes approximately 35–45 days from vessel departure to arrival and clearance at Tema Port MPS Terminal 3 (Ghana) and 38–48 days to Monrovia Freeport, Apapa Port (Lagos), and Abidjan. Express Air Cargo takes 5–7 business days to Accra, Monrovia, Lagos, Nairobi, and major African capitals.
Can BBS4 pay my 1688 / Taobao / WeChat suppliers in RMB & AED?
Yes! Our Procurement & Pay Proxy desk handles verified supplier payments directly in RMB (via Alipay, WeChat Pay, or Agricultural Bank of China) and AED for Dubai suppliers. You pay locally in your native currency (GHS, NGN, KES, XOF) or USD, protecting you from foreign exchange freezes and payment scams.
What is the minimum volume required for Sea and Air cargo?
For ocean shipping, consolidated LCL groupage (from 0.1 CBM) is available exclusively for Ghana. For all other African destination countries (including Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, etc.), sea cargo must be booked as a Full Container Load (minimum 64 CBM / 40HC container). Consignments under 64 CBM to these destinations are shipped via Express Air Cargo (minimum chargeable weight 1.0 KG).
Where do I collect my cargo across Africa?
In Ghana, collection is at our Spintex Road Commercial Hub in Accra or Tema Port MPS Terminal 3. In Liberia, at our Bushrod Island depot near Monrovia Freeport. In Nigeria, at our Apapa Port Corridor / Ikeja Freight Depot in Lagos. In Kenya, at our JKIA Cargo Village & Nairobi Industrial Hub. We also coordinate direct regional doorstep delivery.
How do I track my shipment from factory to destination?
Once your goods are delivered to our Guangzhou, Yiwu, Dubai, or Mumbai warehouse, you receive a digital waybill number. Enter this number at bbs4logistics.com/track or in our web portal to monitor real-time intake scans, container stuffing, bill of lading vessel telemetry, port arrival, and release status.
Can BBS4 ship battery items, liquids, or electronic goods?
Yes. We operate dedicated specialized cargo channels for general merchandise, electronics, built-in lithium battery goods, solar equipment, and cosmetics. Hazardous or restricted items undergo DG (Dangerous Goods) declaration and reinforced crate packing for safe maritime and air transport.
How do cargo insurance and damage protection work?
Basic maritime transit coverage is included with every consignment. For high-value electronics, luxury apparel, and specialized machinery, we provide optional comprehensive marine cargo insurance covering total loss, damage, or container water ingress at 1.5% of declared commercial invoice value.
What payment methods are accepted for freight clearance?
We support local currencies and mobile money across Africa: Ghana (MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash, Paystack, Bank Transfer), Liberia (Orange Money, Lonestar MTN, USD cash), Nigeria (NGN bank transfer & Paystack), Kenya (M-Pesa), Côte d'Ivoire (Wave & Orange Money), as well as direct USD/RMB supplier settlements.