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Importing from China to Cameroon: the steps and the costs

Updated

Importing from China to resell in Cameroon means chaining three jobs: buying from the right supplier, getting the goods delivered in China, then bringing them to Cameroon. Each step has its cost and someone responsible for it. Knowing them before you order avoids nasty surprises.

Buying wholesale: minimums and tiers

Chinese suppliers sell wholesale. Two numbers matter on every item page:

  • The minimum order: the number of pieces below which the seller will not sell. It varies from one seller to another.
  • Price tiers: the more pieces you take, the lower the unit price. Compare the price at the tier you will actually buy.

For a first purchase from a seller, a small quantity lets you judge the quality before ordering more. To choose the seller: how to tell if a Chinese supplier is reliable.

The costs to plan for

  1. The items, at the seller’s price. On Cofilo, they are shown in CFA francs.
  2. Buying and delivery to your forwarder in China: on Cofilo, this is the Cofilo fee, 10% of the item prices, at least 5 000 F per order, less from your 6th order.
  3. Shipping from China to Cameroon, at your forwarder’s rate, by the kilo or by volume depending on them.
  4. Customs, to check with your forwarder: ask whether their rate includes it.

To ask your forwarder for a quote, use the weight the sellers estimate, shown before you pay. It is the seller’s estimate, and some sellers don’t give one.

Before you pay, Cofilo also shows an approximate cost per piece up to your forwarder, fee included: compare it with your resale price, adding shipping and customs.

Timings

On Cofilo, we usually buy within 1 working day of your payment. Sellers usually ship within 2 to 5 days of the purchase. If a seller has not shipped everything 7 days after the purchase, the order shows "Shipping late" and we chase them. The time between China and Cameroon is your forwarder’s: only they can tell you.

Who is responsible for what

  • Up to your forwarder’s warehouse in China, Cofilo is responsible for your items: a lost parcel, or an item missing, different or broken in the seller’s packaging, is refunded, or replaced if the seller agrees.
  • After the warehouse, during transport and at customs, your forwarder is responsible.

Goods to check

We do not buy counterfeits, weapons, medicines, dangerous products, or anything banned from import into Cameroon. Batteries, phones, liquids, cosmetics and perfumes are often a problem for forwarders: an item your forwarder refuses once it has reached their warehouse is not refunded. Ask them before you order.