💰 Current Freight Rates
Price data updating. Contact us for current rates.
Trade Terms Explained — Who Pays for What
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Sao Tome and Principe is already inside the price. The table below maps the eleven common Incoterms® against the twelve cost stages of a door-to-door shipment, so you can see exactly where our responsibility ends and yours begins.
- Seller — Cost and arrangement sit with the seller / shipper.
- Buyer — Cost and arrangement sit with the buyer / consignee.
- Negotiable — Not fixed by the rule — agree it in the contract.
| Term | 1 Loading on truck | 2 Export customs declaration | 3 Carriage to port of export | 4 Unloading at port of export | 5 Loading on vessel / aircraft | 6 Main carriage | 7 Cargo insurance | 8 Unloading at port of import | 9 Loading on truck at import | 10 Carriage to destination | 11 Import customs clearance | 12 Import duties & taxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EXW Ex Works | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck | Buyer Buyer — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FCA Free Carrier | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to port of export | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FAS Free Alongside Ship | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Buyer Buyer — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| FOB Free On Board | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Buyer Buyer — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CFR Cost and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Buyer Buyer — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Buyer Buyer — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CPT Carriage Paid To | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Seller Seller — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU) | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Buyer Buyer — Loading on truck at import | Buyer Buyer — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DAP Delivered At Place | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Buyer Buyer — Import customs clearance | Buyer Buyer — Import duties & taxes |
| DDP Delivered Duty Paid | Seller Seller — Loading on truck | Seller Seller — Export customs declaration | Seller Seller — Carriage to port of export | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of export | Seller Seller — Loading on vessel / aircraft | Seller Seller — Main carriage | Negotiable Negotiable — Cargo insurance | Seller Seller — Unloading at port of import | Seller Seller — Loading on truck at import | Seller Seller — Carriage to destination | Seller Seller — Import customs clearance | Seller Seller — Import duties & taxes |
EXW Ex Works
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
FCA Free Carrier
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
FAS Free Alongside Ship
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
FOB Free On Board
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
CFR Cost and Freight
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
CPT Carriage Paid To
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
DAT Delivered At Terminal (DPU)
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
DAP Delivered At Place
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
DDP Delivered Duty Paid
Seller carries everything through to your door, duty and tax included. Highest quoted price, least buyer workload.
Two things worth flagging. Under CIF and CIP the seller is obliged to buy cargo insurance and pay the premium; under every other term insurance is optional, and we recommend buyers arrange their own cover so a loss or damage in transit is recoverable. And this table is a working summary for planning purposes — the binding definitions are the ones published by the International Chamber of Commerce in the Incoterms® rules, so confirm the exact term wording in your sales contract before you ship.
📋 Service Details
China to Sao Tome and Principe Sea Freight — how the lane runs
We move door-to-door sea freight from South China into Sao Tome and Principe. Cargo enters through São Tomé and clears with Direcção das Alfândegas de São Tomé e Príncipe, which takes 7–15 days on average.
São Tomé is a very small market served by feeder from Lomé, Libreville or Lisbon; direct Asian calls do not exist. Port handling is basic, so containerised cargo is often better broken down at the transshipment hub. Deliveries to Príncipe island require a further domestic leg.
Route facts
| Destination country | Sao Tome and Principe |
|---|---|
| Region | Africa |
| Mode | Sea Freight |
| Gateways used | São Tomé |
| Transit, China to gateway | 32–42 calendar days |
| Clearance / dwell | 7–15 days |
| Peak season | Sep–Nov |
Delivery cities on this lane
Each city below has its own guide covering the gateway that serves it, the inland leg after clearance and the local delivery requirements.
- China to Sao Tome — capital and the country's only real gateway. Via TMS air / Sao Tome sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Trindade — interior town on Sao Tome island. Via TMS air / Sao Tome sea; inland leg same day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Santo Amaro — northern district settlement. Via TMS air / Sao Tome sea; inland leg +1 day. Sea Freight guide →
- China to Principe — the second island, reached by domestic transfer. Via TMS air / Sao Tome sea; inland leg +3 days. Sea Freight guide →
Track your shipment
Enter your tracking number below
Powered by 17TRACK — supports 2,000+ carriers worldwide
ℹ️ Additional Information
What Direcção das Alfândegas de São Tomé e Príncipe will ask for
VAT 15%; duty 0–20% depending on commodity. The de-minimis position is No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo.
Conformity: Import authorisation for controlled goods.
Known friction points: Transshipment is unavoidable and feeder frequency is low. Port equipment is limited — confirm handling capability for heavy or oversized pieces. Príncipe deliveries need a separate inter-island arrangement.
Documents we file under DDP
- Commercial invoice showing HS codes and the true transaction value
- Packing list with carton count, gross and net weight, and dimensions
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin where it reduces the duty rate
- Product certification or conformity documents where the commodity requires them
Packing notes
- Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 1000 for LCL chargeable volume)
- Use ISPM-15 treated wood for any pallet or crate — untreated timber is a common hold
- Mark every carton with the consignee name, city and carton number of total
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders before booking, not after
Other modes into Sao Tome and Principe
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity rules change by ministerial decision. The figures here are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your HS code with Direcção das Alfândegas de São Tomé e Príncipe or your broker before shipping.
📊 China to Sao Tome and Principe — Shipping Reference Data
| Main sea gateways | São Tomé |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | Direcção das Alfândegas de São Tomé e Príncipe |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo |
| Import tax & duty regime | VAT 15%; duty 0–20% depending on commodity |
| Local currency | STN |
| Typical clearance / dwell time | 7–15 days |
| Peak / busy season | Sep–Nov |
| Conformity & certification | Import authorisation for controlled goods |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
🧰 Free 3D Loading Tools for This Sea Route
This page covers a Sea freight service from China to Sao Tome and Principe. Use the matching tool below to plan your cargo before requesting a quote.
3D Container Loading Planner
Wondering whether your cargo fills a 20GP or needs a 40HQ for this Sao Tome and Principe route? The 3D container planner simulates cartons, crates, pallets, and even mixed box sizes in one container.
Open Container Planner →✅ Sao Tome and Principe Sea Freight Checklist
- Reserve loading space 5-7 days before the sailing cut-off for this route during peak season.
- Verify the receiver's customs import capability in Sao Tome and Principe for DDP terms before booking.
- Ask whether the quote includes destination port charges in Sao Tome and Principe or only ocean freight.
- Photograph the container number, seal, and loading process for insurance evidence.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Sea DDP Door-to-Door from China to Sao Tome and Principe take?
Sea freight on this route runs about 25–45 calendar days door-to-door, plus roughly 7–15 days of clearance/dwell once it reaches the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP terms.
What duties and taxes apply when importing into Sao Tome and Principe?
Clearance is handled by Direcção das Alfândegas de São Tomé e Príncipe. The regime is: VAT 15%; duty 0–20% depending on commodity, with a de-minimis position of No practical de-minimis for commercial cargo. Under DDP these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival.
When does capacity tighten on the China–Sao Tome and Principe lane?
Space and rates tighten around Sep–Nov, plus the China-side windows of Chinese New Year (Jan/Feb) and Golden Week (early Oct). Book 1–2 weeks earlier in these periods.
In what currency is this route priced and paid?
Freight is quoted and invoiced in USD; the destination-side currency is STN. Payment is typically due before departure, and DDP means you settle the full landed cost once.
How is the shipping cost on this route calculated?
We compare actual gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) and charge the greater, rounded up to the next kilogram, then apply the per-KG rate shown in the table above.
Which ports or airports does this route use into Sao Tome and Principe?
Sea cargo to Sao Tome and Principe clears through São Tomé; air freight clears via TMS (São Tomé). We route through whichever gateway gives the fastest onward delivery to your address and build it into the DDP price.
Inland Delivery Coverage — Sao Tome and Principe
We deliver beyond the arrival gateway. Each city below has its own destination guide covering the gateway it clears through, typical inland transit time and the local customs picture.
Note — these are reference guides, not quotes. The city pages describe routing, gateways and clearance for each destination. They do not carry rate tables. For pricing to any city listed here, use the rate table on this page or ask us for a quote.
- Sao Tome TMS air / Sao Tome sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Trindade TMS air / Sao Tome sea inland same day Guide only — no rates
- Santo Amaro TMS air / Sao Tome sea inland +1 day Guide only — no rates
- Principe TMS air / Sao Tome sea inland +3 days Guide only — no rates
Shipping Sao Tome and Principe cargo by industry
This rate is for the lane. What decides whether the cargo arrives intact is the commodity — how it prices, how it must be packed and loaded, and which compliance step holds it at the border. These guides cover that per industry.
- Electronics Manufacturing Equipment Specialised Production Machinery
- Generators New Energy, Power & Electrical
- Automotive Parts Automotive & Vehicles
- Prefabricated Building Building Materials & Construction Products
- Plumbing Products Building Materials & Construction Products
- Injection Molded Parts Plastics, Rubber & Packaging
- Art Ceramics Glass & Ceramic Products
- Base Station Equipment Telecom, Computing & Data Centre
- Electronic Accessories Consumer Electronics & Smart Devices
- Hotel Furniture Furniture & Home Products
- Textiles Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
- Bags Textiles, Apparel, Footwear & Leather
📞 Contact Us
Ready to ship? Our team responds within one business day. We also handle sourcing and purchasing.