UK–Africa shipping guides
Customs, costs, barrels and timing — straight answers from a forwarder who handles all of Africa, every day.
- UK–Africa freight forwarder · since 2007
- Air & sea cargo, door-to-door
- All-in GBP · no charges at the African end
- Free UK collection → 45+ African countries
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Shipping to Africa from the UK: the customs guide
Every African country clears imports differently. We explain the three systems that cover most UK to Africa cargo, and prepare every document in the UK before your shipment leaves.
Read guide →Nigeria customs, Form M & import duty: the UK shipper's guide
Form M, PAAR and SONCAP explained in plain English, with import duty, VAT and levies, and how Rolats prepares your documents in the UK so cargo clears Lagos or Abuja without avoidable holds.
Read guide →Ghana customs & import duty: clearing through ICUMS from the UK
ICUMS, the UCR and the ECOWAS tariff explained, with how Rolats prepares your UK-side paperwork so barrels, boxes, a car or a container reach the recipient's door.
Read guide →ECTN, BSC & BESC: the cargo tracking note for West & Central Africa
The cargo tracking note required across 20+ West and Central African countries, why it must be validated in the UK before the vessel sails, and how Rolats obtains it for you.
Read guide →Africa shipping cost explained: what you're actually paying for
A plain-English guide to chargeable weight, the air-vs-sea trade-off, CIF value, and why customs duty is paid separately at the destination.
Read guide →What is freight forwarding? A plain-English guide
How a freight forwarder differs from a courier, a carrier and a customs broker — and when you actually need one to ship from the UK to Africa.
Read guide →LCL vs FCL shipping: which container option is right for you?
Shared groupage container or a whole 20ft/40ft to yourself? The cost, speed and risk trade-offs, and which one suits your shipment to Africa.
Read guide →The Ghana Must Go bag: history, meaning & how to ship one
The story behind the iconic checkered woven bag, why the diaspora trusts it for sending goods home, and how to pack one so it survives the journey to West Africa.
Read guide →Detty December shipping deadlines: when to send your cargo home
Sending barrels, bags and gifts home for the festive season? Here's when to book your sea and air cargo so it lands in Nigeria and Ghana before Christmas.
Read guide →Africa Import Duty Explained
Duty, VAT and levies decoded — so there are no surprises when your cargo lands in Africa.
Read guide →UK Export Documentation for Africa
EORI, commercial invoice, packing list, HS codes — the UK-side paperwork, done right.
Read guide →DR Congo FERI Certificate Explained
The import declaration every DR Congo shipment needs — raised before the vessel sails.
Read guide →Packaging your cargo for shipping
Pack it right and it arrives right. Our guide to barrels, boxes, electronics, furniture and vehicles.
Read guide →Ready to ship to Africa?
Get a clear, all-in quote in GBP — no charges at the African end. Call, WhatsApp or send us your details.