Shipping a car from China takes 4 to 8 weeks from confirmed payment to delivery: inspection and purchase 3-7 days, export documentation and booking 5-10 days, then sailing — 18-24 days to Jebel Ali, 25-32 to Mombasa, 32-40 to Lagos, 35-45 to Klaipeda and Novorossiysk, 7-12 to Laem Chabang. Destination clearance adds 2 days to 3 weeks.
Key Facts Table
| Port | Sailing time |
|---|---|
| Laem Chabang | 7-12 days |
| Jebel Ali | 18-24 days |
| Jeddah | 20-28 days |
| Mombasa | 25-32 days |
| Durban | 28-35 days |
| Lagos | 32-40 days |
| Klaipeda | 35-45 days |
| Novorossiysk | 35-45 days (18-25 via Khorgos land route) |
Where delays come from
Incorrect VIN details on the bill of lading, missing conformity certificates, unpaid balances holding document release, Q4 port congestion, and Chinese public holidays — Chinese New Year and the October National Day week add one to two weeks.
The single biggest time saver
Get your telex release or original bill of lading to your clearing agent early. Jebel Ali often clears in 2-4 days; Mombasa 5-10; Lagos and Durban can take 2-3 weeks if inspection is required or documents are incomplete.
FAQ
Does shipping time include customs clearance? No — sailing time is port to port. Add 3-21 days destination clearance depending on port and document completeness.