UK → Africa · FCL sea freight · West, East, North & South
FCL container shipping from the UK to Africa.
Full container load sea freight from the UK to all major African markets, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt and beyond. We manage the full move from UK collection to delivery at your African destination.
Destinations we serve
African countries and ports
We ship FCL containers to all major African regions. Key destinations include:
- Nigeria: Apapa (Lagos), Tin Can Island
- Ghana: Tema
- Kenya: Mombasa
- South Africa: Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth
- Morocco: Casablanca, Tanger Med
- Egypt: Alexandria, Port Said
- Tanzania: Dar es Salaam
- Senegal: Dakar
- Ivory Coast: Abidjan
- Ethiopia: Djibouti (transit port)
Shipping to a country or port not listed? Ask us, we access the full African continent through our worldwide agent network.
West · East · North · South
All regions of Africa
Nigeria, Ghana & beyond
25–40 days from UK ports
Nigeria (Apapa/Tin Can) and Ghana (Tema) are our highest-volume West African lanes. We manage Nigerian import agencies, SON, NAFDAC, customs, through in-country partners, so your container clears cleanly.
Kenya, Tanzania & beyond
28–40 days from UK ports
Mombasa serves Kenya and landlocked East African markets. Dar es Salaam is the gateway for Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and beyond. We coordinate local clearance and onward haulage through our East African partners.
Morocco, Egypt & beyond
10–16 days from UK ports
Short transits to Mediterranean Africa, Casablanca and Tanger Med for Morocco; Alexandria and Port Said for Egypt. Post-Brexit UK customs on departure, standard third-country import procedures at destination.
South Africa & beyond
18–24 days from UK ports
Durban handles the bulk of South African container imports. Cape Town and Port Elizabeth cover the Western Cape and Eastern Cape. We arrange South African customs (SARS) through our local partners.
Cross-trade shipments to and from Africa
Maya also arranges cross-trade FCL movements into and out of Africa where neither origin nor destination is the UK, for example, a container moving from China to Nigeria managed through our Asian and West African agent networks. If you need cargo moved between two non-UK countries in this region, get in touch.
Felixstowe / Southampton → African ports
Ports and transit times
UK ports: Felixstowe and Southampton, with collection from anywhere in the UK.
Transit times: North Africa 10–16 days. West Africa 14–21 days. East Africa 20–28 days. Southern Africa 18–24 days. Exact timings depend on the destination port and vessel schedule, confirmed at quote stage.
TRANSIT · 10–28 DAYS DEPENDING ON DESTINATION REGION
UK export and African import procedures
Customs for UK–Africa shipments
Every African country has its own import regime, from Nigeria's multi-agency requirements (SON, NAFDAC, customs) to Kenya's KEBS pre-shipment inspection and South Africa's SARS customs. Getting the documentation right before the cargo ships is critical to avoiding costly delays at destination ports.
We arrange and manage UK export customs and coordinate destination import clearance through our trusted in-country partners across Africa. We'll tell you exactly what's needed for your destination, how our customs service works.
You deal with us throughout, from your UK door to the African port. Not a chain of agents you've never spoken to.
Straight answers
UK–Africa shipping questions
Which African countries do you ship containers to from the UK?
We ship FCL containers from the UK to destinations across the continent including Nigeria (Apapa, Tin Can Island), Ghana (Tema), Kenya (Mombasa), South Africa (Durban, Cape Town), Morocco (Casablanca), Egypt (Alexandria, Port Said), Tanzania (Dar es Salaam) and Senegal (Dakar). Ask us about your specific destination.
How long does sea freight from the UK to Nigeria or Ghana take?
Transit to West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana) is typically 14–21 days from UK ports. East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) is around 20–28 days. South Africa (Durban) typically 18–24 days. North Africa (Morocco, Egypt) 10–16 days. We'll confirm exact timings with your quote.
Do you handle Nigerian import customs (SON, NAFDAC, etc.)?
Yes. Import customs at all African ports, including Nigerian agencies such as SON and NAFDAC where applicable, are arranged and managed through our trusted in-country partners. We prepare UK export documentation before the cargo ships and coordinate with local agents to clear the shipment at destination.
Can I ship household goods to Africa from the UK by full container?
Yes. A full container (20ft or 40ft) is the standard way to move household effects to Africa from the UK. We handle packing lists, export customs and coordinate delivery at the African end through our local agent network.
24h turnaround · No obligation
Shipping a container to Africa?
Tell us your destination country and port, what you're sending and where we're collecting from in the UK. We'll come back with a tailored FCL quote within 24 hours on working days.
Already hold a quote from another forwarder? Send us this route and we’ll give you ours to compare.
Related: Container shipping · Customs clearance · All routes