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Port of Cotonou — Republic of Benin

Your freight forwarder
at the Port of Cotonou

Customs clearing, vehicle imports and cross-border transit to Niger and Nigeria. One trusted partner on the ground in Benin — transparent pricing, online tracking, answers in English.

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24/7
Online shipment tracking
2 corridors
Niger & Nigeria, door to door
1 partner
From the quay to final delivery
What we do

Services built for international shippers

From a single car to regular container flows — handled with the same rigour.

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Customs clearing

Full import clearing at the Port of Cotonou: declaration, duties, port formalities and release. Fixed, transparent fees announced upfront.

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Vehicle imports

Cars from US auctions (Copart, IAAI), Europe, Dubai and Asia. Purchase support, ocean freight, clearing and registration in Benin.

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Transit to Niger

T1 international transit from Cotonou to Niamey under customs escort via Malanville–Gaya. Niger corridor →

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Nigeria corridor

Clearing in Cotonou and delivery to Lagos through Sèmè-Kraké — including regulated goods. Nigeria corridor →

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Importer of Record & sourcing

Shipping to West Africa without a local entity? We act as your consignee/IOR in Benin, handle compliance and forward to the final market.

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Port logistics & warehousing

Container unstuffing, short-term storage, regrouping and last-mile delivery in Benin and across the sub-region.

Why ADTL

Why importers choose us

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Total transparency

Every duty, tax and fee is itemised before you commit. No surprises at the port — our duty simulator is public and verified.

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One point of contact

A dedicated coordinator follows your file from booking to delivery and answers on WhatsApp, in English or French.

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Real-time tracking

Each shipment gets an online tracking link: vessel arrival, customs status, escort departure, delivery confirmation.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much does customs clearing cost in Benin?
For used vehicles, total duties and taxes typically range from 35% to 55% of the CIF value depending on the type and engine. For general cargo, the ECOWAS Common External Tariff applies (0 to 35% duty plus 18% VAT). Send us your invoice or B/L and we will give you an exact figure.
Which documents do I need to import through Cotonou?
The essentials are the Bill of Lading, the commercial invoice, the certificate of origin and a Benin tax ID (IFU) — which we can arrange through our structure if you do not have a local entity. We check your file before the vessel arrives to avoid storage charges.
How long does clearing take at the Port of Cotonou?
On average 3 to 5 working days for a vehicle and 5 to 7 days for a container of general cargo, provided the documentation is complete on arrival. You can follow every step in our online tracking space.
Can you deliver my cargo to Niger or Nigeria?
Yes — this is our specialty. We run the Cotonou → Niamey transit corridor (T1 declaration, customs escort to the Malanville–Gaya border) and the Cotonou ⇄ Lagos corridor through Sèmè-Kraké, including regulated goods. One contract covers the whole journey.

Ready to ship through Cotonou?

Send us your B/L or invoice — we reply with a full quote and timeline within 24 business hours.

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Answer within 24 business hours — free, no commitment. We reply in English.

🧮 Duty calculator · 📘 English guides →