What this shipment size actually costs, and whether consolidating up to the next bracket would be cheaper.
Shipping 1KG from China to Botswana costs approximately USD 533, based on a published rate of USD 532.9 per cubic metre (about USD 3.20 per kg at 1 CBM = 167 KG), billed at the 1 CBM minimum because 1 kg works out below one cubic metre. Treat it as a planning estimate for the freight: what you actually pay depends on the product, its HS code, the declared value and the exchange rate on the day, and duty assessed by the national customs service is quoted separately. The real figure can come in above or below this.
Indicative planning references only, not a quotation. Actual cost depends on the product and its HS code, chargeable weight, declared value, destination duty and tax and the exchange rate on the day, and can be higher or lower.
| Service | Mode | Rate | Billed as | Total (1 KG) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Value Sea · Duty-Paid (tax included) | 🚢 Sea Freight | USD 532.9/CBM ≈ USD 3.20/KG | 1 CBM 1 CBM min | USD 533 | View Details → |
1 CBM = 167 KG
— sea LCL lanes are sold by the cubic metre. Volume converts to weight as
L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000, so one cubic metre is treated as
167 KG.
The ≈ /KG figure is that conversion applied to the CBM rate, for comparison against the air rows.
Shipments under 1 CBM are billed at the 1 CBM minimum.
Freight is not billed on the number on your bathroom scale. It is billed on chargeable weight: the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, where volumetric weight is L × W × H (cm) ÷ 6000. Denser cargo pays on its weight; light bulky cargo pays on the space it occupies. Whichever is higher is the one you pay — never the lower.
Worked example — how the conversion runs, not a quotation. 1 kg ÷ 167 kg/CBM = 0.01 CBM, below the 1 CBM minimum, so 1 CBM is billed. On a per-CBM channel the estimate is the CBM rate × 1 — not the CBM rate × 1.
Enter your tracking number below
Powered by 17TRACK — supports 2,000+ carriers worldwide
Ocean cargo is tracked by container number rather than by a parcel barcode. Enter yours below: we validate the number, identify the line that owns the prefix, and send you to that line's own tracking page.
A container number is four letters and seven digits, for example MSKU6090510. The last digit is a check digit, so a typo can be caught here rather than by an empty result on the carrier's site. We validate it in your browser — the number is not sent to us or to anyone else.
Detailed per-weight pricing for every active route from China to Botswana. Each tier reflects the published rate at that exact weight — useful for accurate budgeting at common shipment sizes.
| Volume | Approx. weight | Rate (USD/CBM) | Shipment total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CBM | ≈ 167 KG | USD 532.91 | USD 532.91 |
| 2 CBM | ≈ 333 KG | USD 486.76 | USD 973.51 |
| 3 CBM | ≈ 500 KG | USD 466.24 | USD 1,398.73 |
| 5 CBM | ≈ 833 KG | USD 455.99 | USD 2,279.94 |
| 8 CBM | ≈ 1,333 KG | USD 463.68 | USD 3,709.44 |
| 12 CBM | ≈ 2,000 KG | USD 489.32 | USD 5,871.85 |
| 20 CBM | ≈ 3,333 KG | USD 479.06 | USD 9,581.29 |
| 30 CBM | ≈ 5,000 KG | USD 443.17 | USD 13,295.02 |
Verified reviews from importers who have shipped with us to Botswana.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Botswana through this team. No hidden charges showed up on arrival. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Shipment was handled properly from start to finish.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Botswana through this team. No hidden charges showed up on arrival. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We tested this lane to Botswana with a mid-volume order. The supplier pickup and export handling were well coordinated. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo. The team kept us informed at the right moments.
This was a DDP shipment to Botswana for mixed cartons. The supplier pickup and export handling were well coordinated. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before. The team kept us informed at the right moments.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Botswana. No hidden charges showed up on arrival. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Would use the same line again for general cargo. Shipment was handled properly from start to finish.
This was a DDP shipment to Botswana for mixed cartons. The supplier pickup and export handling were well coordinated. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Botswana. No hidden charges showed up on arrival. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Botswana through this team. No hidden charges showed up on arrival. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. A practical option when we need predictable landed cost.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Botswana. No hidden charges showed up on arrival. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports. Shipment was handled properly from start to finish.
We tested this lane to Botswana with a mid-volume order. The supplier pickup and export handling were well coordinated. The booking process was straightforward and the team confirmed documents early. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
We used this route for a regular replenishment to Botswana. No hidden charges showed up on arrival. The landed price stayed aligned with the quote, which helped our budgeting. Better coordination than the forwarder we used before.
Booked another door-to-door shipment to Botswana through this team. The supplier pickup and export handling were well coordinated. Cartons arrived clean and labels were still readable on delivery. Overall a reliable experience for repeat imports. Shipment was handled properly from start to finish.
The rate above is quoted on one specific trade term. Change the term and you change how much of the journey to Botswana 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.
| 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 |
Buyer takes over at the seller's door and carries every cost from there. Lowest quoted price, highest buyer workload.
Seller clears the goods for export and hands them to the carrier the buyer nominated.
Sea and inland waterway only. Seller delivers alongside the vessel; loading is on the buyer.
Sea and inland waterway only. Risk passes once the goods are on board. The most common buying term.
Seller pays the main carriage but carries no insurance obligation; risk still passes on loading.
As CFR, plus the seller must buy and pay for cargo insurance (minimum cover unless you agree more).
Any mode. Seller pays carriage through to the named destination; insurance is not obligatory.
As CPT, plus the seller must insure the cargo through to the named destination.
Seller delivers unloaded at the named terminal. Renamed DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) in Incoterms® 2020.
Seller delivers to your address ready for unloading; import clearance and duty stay with the buyer.
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.
Historical freight rates from China to Botswana for 1 KG shipments. Data sourced from live carrier price feeds.
Verified shipping reference data for the China → Botswana lane:
| Main sea gateways | the main commercial seaport |
|---|---|
| Destination customs authority | the national customs service |
| De-minimis / duty-free threshold | No practical de-minimis on most routes |
| Import tax & duty regime | Import VAT plus duty 5–35%; pre-shipment inspection common |
| Local currency | USD (freight priced in USD) |
| Typical port/airport dwell time | 7–21 days (congestion common) |
| Peak / busy season | Oct–Dec |
| Conformity & certification | Pre-shipment conformity certificate often mandatory |
| Main air gateways | the primary international airport |
Thresholds and duty bands are buyer-planning references, not formal customs rulings — confirm the exact HS-code rate for your goods before shipping.
Shipments of 1 KG or under are most commonly used for product samples, quality inspection requests, documents, and single-unit e-commerce orders. At this weight range, express air freight is almost always the most cost-effective option — sea freight minimum charges would make it uneconomical.
Shipping to Botswana by air or sea? Plan cartons and container loading in 3D before requesting a quote.
Check how many units truly fit per carton for this Botswana shipment: the 3D packing tool computes layers, rotation, and protection gaps from your exact product size.
Open Packing Tool →Sea freight to Botswana prices by CBM or container — plan 20GP/40GP/40HQ loading in 3D, mix different box sizes, and check utilization before booking.
Open Container Planner →| Method | Transit Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air Freight DDP | 5–10 business days | From China warehouse to Botswana door |
| Express Courier | 3–7 business days | DHL/FedEx/UPS door-to-door, good option |
This is a multi-country channel, so duty treatment differs by destination and the numbers here are a planning baseline only. ITC Market Access Map resolves the applicable tariff for a specific origin and destination pair, which is the fastest way to check the country you are actually shipping to.
Classification drives everything downstream: the same carton can attract very different duty depending on the heading it lands in, and the structure those headings come from is the World Customs Organization Harmonized System. If your product sits near a boundary between two headings, resolve it before shipping rather than at the border.
On the air side, anything with a cell or a battery in it, plus liquids, powders, magnets and aerosols, is governed by the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. Those articles are not refused outright, but they need to be declared at booking so the shipment is built correctly — declaring them late is the single most common cause of an air consignment being offloaded.
If this is your first shipment into Botswana, the Botswana Country Commercial Guide covers the practical import environment in more depth than a rate page reasonably can, and it is written by a party with no stake in your booking.
Current rates for shipping from China to Botswana start at USD 532.91/CBM via Sea DDP w/Tax. For 1 KG, the estimated total is approximately USD 533, duty included. Final landed cost depends on the Import VAT plus duty 5–35%; pre-shipment inspection common applied by the national customs service.
Imports into Botswana are assessed by the national customs service. The applicable regime is: Import VAT plus duty 5–35%; pre-shipment inspection common. The duty-free / de-minimis position is No practical de-minimis on most routes. Under our DDP service these charges are pre-paid and included in the per-KG price, so there is nothing to settle on arrival.
Chargeable weight is the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, where volumetric weight is L × W × H in centimetres divided by 6000. One cubic metre therefore equals 167 kg. If a consignment weighs 300 kg but measures out to only 200 kg volumetric, it is charged on the 300 kg — the higher of the two always wins. Sea LCL and sea DDP channels are published per cubic metre rather than per kilogram, with a one cubic metre minimum. Where a page knows only a weight, it converts at 167 kg per CBM to show an indicative volume — 1 kg shows as about 1 CBM. Send real dimensions for a firm figure.
Door-to-door transit to Botswana: air freight 5–10 business days, sea LCL 30–50 days, sea FCL 28–45 days. On arrival, allow roughly 7–21 days (congestion common) of clearance/dwell at the gateway. All times include customs clearance under DDP.
the national customs service typically requires: (1) commercial invoice with HS codes and declared value; (2) packing list with weights and dimensions; (3) bill of lading or air waybill; (4) certificate of origin (may lower duty); and (5) any product-specific certification (Pre-shipment conformity certificate often mandatory). Under DDP we prepare and file these for you.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to Botswana means we handle the freight, the customs entry with the national customs service and last-mile delivery to your door, and quote them together so you settle once. The duty and tax element is not a fixed number: it follows your product's HS code, its declared value and the exchange rate applied on the day of entry, so it is confirmed on your specific goods rather than read off a rate card. The No practical de-minimis on most routes de-minimis position applies.
Yes. Air shipments to Botswana get an air waybill (AWB) trackable within 24 hours of departure; sea shipments are tracked by bill-of-lading through the carrier portal. We push status at key milestones: departure, arrival at the gateway, clearance by the national customs service, and final delivery.
For regulated goods entering Botswana, plan for: Pre-shipment conformity certificate often mandatory. Missing conformity paperwork is the most common cause of clearance holds with the national customs service, so confirm requirements for your HS code before the cargo leaves China.
The rates above answer the cost question. This covers the mechanics — useful if you have not shipped to Botswana before and are still working out how to structure the order.
Air Freight from China: Soaring Through the Skies of Global Trade — SINO Shipping. Published on YouTube by a third party; we link it because it explains the process well, not because we produced it or endorse the provider.
Rates above are lane rates and apply to general cargo. Packing specification, HS classification and the clearance step that matters are all commodity-specific — these guides cover them industry by industry.
I need three things to price your cargo. Give me sixty seconds and I can quote today.
A freight specialist is looking at it now. You will have a price by email within one working day.