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Shipping Snack Carts and Food Trucks from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Douala, Cameroon: 20FT/40FT Full Container and LCL Sea Freight

Shipping Snack Carts and Food Trucks from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Douala, Cameroon: 20FT/40FT Full Container and LCL Sea Freight

Shipping food trucks or snack carts from China (Guangzhou/Shenzhen) to Douala Port, Cameroon, involves careful planning, packaging, and choosing the appropriate shipping method. Whether you opt for Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL), both options provide reliable routes, with a typical transit time of 55 days by sea. Below, we’ll cover the key aspects of this shipping process, including packaging and the differences between FCL and LCL shipping methods.

1. Shipping Methods: FCL vs. LCL

  • FCL (Full Container Load):
    This method is ideal if you’re shipping a large number of snack carts or food trucks, as you’ll be using an entire container (either 20FT or 40FT) dedicated solely to your cargo. FCL shipments generally ensure faster transit times and more secure handling, as the goods are loaded and unloaded in one single shipment without sharing space with other cargo. For a 20FT or 40FT container, you can ship multiple units of snack carts or food trucks, ensuring maximum efficiency.

  • LCL (Less than Container Load):
    If you’re shipping fewer units or need to share container space with other cargo, LCL is a more cost-effective choice. With LCL, your cargo will be consolidated with other shipments in a single container, which reduces the shipping cost but can result in slightly longer transit times. In this case, your snack carts or food trucks will be carefully loaded and sealed in a part of the container designated specifically for your goods.

2. Sea Freight Transit Time

The sea freight from Guangzhou or Shenzhen to Douala Port typically takes around 55 days, depending on the specific shipping line and any potential delays. The port-to-port transit time is based on weather conditions, customs clearance, and port operations at both the departure and arrival points.

3. Cargo Packaging

Packaging is a critical part of shipping food trucks and snack carts to ensure they arrive at their destination in good condition. The packaging process should protect against possible damage during the long sea voyage and unloading process.

  • Packaging for FCL Shipments: In FCL shipments, since the entire container is dedicated to your goods, you can ensure the snack carts or food trucks are well secured inside the container. Typically, food trucks or snack carts will be:
    • Secured with wooden pallets or steel frames to prevent movement during transport.
    • Covered with waterproof tarps to protect from moisture, especially during transit across the sea.
    • Wrapped in protective materials such as bubble wrap or foam padding for added security, especially for fragile parts of the carts.
    • Packed in a way that maximizes space to reduce the chances of shifting and instability.
  • Packaging for LCL Shipments: For LCL shipments, packaging becomes more critical, as your goods will share space with other cargo. The packaging should be:
    • Individually wrapped and boxed to avoid damage from other items in the container.
    • Placed in a wooden crate or custom-made frame to prevent excessive movement.
    • Clearly labeled with the appropriate shipping information to ensure proper handling and identification.
    • Waterproof and moisture-resistant packaging is essential, as LCL shipments often involve more handling and exposure to the environment.

4. Customs and Documentation

Whether you choose FCL or LCL, ensure that all documentation is in order for a smooth customs clearance process. This includes:

  • Commercial invoices
  • Bill of Lading
  • Packing list
  • Certificate of Origin
  • Insurance documentation

You may also need to work with a local customs broker in Cameroon to ensure that taxes and duties are handled appropriately.

5. Delivery and Final Considerations

Once your snack carts or food trucks arrive at Douala Port, Cameroon, the next step is the unloading and clearance process. In the case of FCL, the entire container will be unloaded and delivered directly to your designated warehouse or location. For LCL shipments, your goods will be de-consolidated, and your portion of the cargo will be sent to the final destination after clearing customs.