Route: Nansha, China → Sokhna (Ain Sokhna), Egypt
Container: 1×40HQ FCL
Service: Sea Freight + Door-to-Door
Customer Background
Our client is a Cairo-based importer and distributor specializing in architectural hardware and building materials. They supply door hardware sets to large construction projects across Greater Cairo and the New Administrative Capital. Having previously sourced from local distributors at high markups, they decided to import directly from manufacturers in Guangdong, China — a major hub for architectural hardware production. They reached out to DTFU Logistics to handle the entire shipping process from factory to their warehouse in Cairo.
Cargo Information
The shipment consisted of a complete door hardware set covering multiple product categories — 14 different SKU types in total:
| SKU Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Door Hinges | Butt hinges, heavy-duty hinges |
| Pull Handles | Stainless steel pull handles, various lengths |
| Hollow Lever Handles | Interior door lever handles |
| Roller Locks | Bathroom & bedroom roller latch locks |
| Sash Locks | Mortise sash locks with keys |
| Double Cylinders | Double-sided euro profile cylinders |
| Exit Devices | Panic exit devices for fire doors |
| Lever Trims | Lever trim escutcheons for bathroom privacy |
| Door Closers | Hydraulic door closers, surface-mounted |
| Flush Bolts | Flush bolts for inactive door leaves |
| Door Stoppers | Floor-mounted & wall-mounted door stops |
| Hole Plugs | Plastic hole plugs for door preparation |
| Door Frame Seals | Intumescent & acoustic frame seals |
| Door Bottom Seals | Automatic drop seals & sweep seals |
Total volume: 1×40HQ container
Total weight: ~14,200 kg
Total CIF value: ~$23,800 (ex-factory)
Why This Shipping Method
For a cargo with many SKUs but a consolidated order volume, FCL (Full Container Load) was the obvious choice. A 40HQ container provided enough cubic capacity (approx. 76 CBM) to fit all door hardware items without splitting the shipment.
Three key reasons drove the decision:
- Cost efficiency per unit — LCL for this volume would have been significantly more expensive per CBM, with additional consolidation and deconsolidation fees at both ends.
- Cargo safety — FCL means the container is sealed at origin (Nansha) and opened only at the final destination. Minimal handling reduces the risk of damage or pilferage for small, high-value hardware items.
- Sokhna Port advantage — Unlike Alexandria, which handles the bulk of Egypt's sea freight and frequently faces congestion delays, Sokhna Port on the Red Sea is newer, less congested, and closer to Cairo's eastern industrial zones and the New Administrative Capital. For a Cairo-based consignee, Sokhna Port cut inland haulage time significantly.
Shipping Process
Step 1: Factory Loading in Nansha
All 14 SKU categories were packed into cartons at the supplier's factory in Foshan (30 minutes from Nansha). Each carton was labeled with SKU code, quantity, net weight, and gross weight. The container was loaded under DTFU Logistics supervision to ensure optimal weight distribution and avoid damage.
Step 2: Customs Clearance in China
Export declaration was filed through the Nansha terminal. All door hardware items were classified under their respective HS codes:
- 8302.10 — Hinges
- 8301.40 — Locks (sash locks, roller locks, double cylinders)
- 8302.30 — Door closers
- 8302.41 — Lever trims, lever handles, pull handles
- 8302.50 — Flush bolts, door stoppers
- 4016.93 — Door frame seals, door bottom seals (rubber-based)
- 3926.30 — Hole plugs (plastic)
The shipment was verified by customs and released within 24 hours.
Step 3: Ocean Freight — Nansha to Sokhna
The vessel transited via Shanghai and Singapore, crossing the Indian Ocean, entering the Red Sea through Bab-el-Mandeb, and arriving at Sokhna Port. Total transit time: 18 days.
Step 4: Customs Clearance in Egypt & Inland Delivery
Upon arrival at Sokhna, the importer's customs broker (coordinated by DTFU) handled clearance. After duty and VAT payment, the container was de-vanned at a bonded warehouse near the port, and the cargo was loaded onto two small trucks for final delivery to the client's warehouse in Cairo — approximately a 2-hour drive from Sokhna.
Challenges Encountered
1. Multiple HS Codes — Classification Risk
The biggest challenge was Egypt's strict HS code classification requirements. Door hardware with 14 different SKU categories fell under at least 7 different HS code chapters. One misclassification could trigger a full inspection, causing weeks of delay and potential fines.
2. Incomplete Packing List
The supplier's initial packing list was vague — it grouped all hardware items under a single generic description ("door accessories") without noting individual HS codes, quantities per SKU, or unit values. This would have been rejected outright by Egyptian customs.
3. Egypt's Duty Calculation Complexity
Egypt applies both customs duty and VAT (14%) on imported goods, and duty rates vary significantly by HS code. For example: - Door hinges (8302.10): 10% duty - Locks (8301.40): 20% duty - Plastic hole plugs (3926.30): 5% duty - Rubber seals (4016.93): 2% duty
Without precise HS-level value allocation, the customs broker could not calculate the correct duty amount.
How We Solved Them
For HS code classification: DTFU Logistics' documentation team worked directly with the supplier to re-classify every single SKU. We mapped each product line to the correct Egyptian HS code (based on the 8-digit Harmonized System adopted by Egypt Customs Authority) and prepared a detailed packing list with the following columns: SKU description, carton count, quantity per carton, unit price, total value, HS code, and duty rate.
For the packing list: We provided the supplier with a standardized Excel template and a 15-minute walkthrough call. The revised packing listed each SKU line item separately — no grouping, no vague descriptions. Each carton's contents were itemized, making customs verification straightforward.
For duty calculation: We prepared an HS-level value breakdown so the customs broker could calculate exact duties. Total estimated duties (customs duty + 14% VAT + 1% inspection fee + 0.25% CIF fee) came to approximately $4,850.
Final Timeline
| Stage | Duration | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Factory loading & container stuffing | 1 day | Day 1 |
| Export customs clearance (China) | 1 day | Day 2 |
| Vessel departure Nansha | — | Day 3 |
| Ocean transit Nansha → Sokhna | 18 days | Day 21 |
| Vessel discharge & container release | 2 days | Day 23 |
| Egyptian customs clearance | 3 days | Day 26 |
| Inland delivery to Cairo warehouse | 1 day | Day 27 |
Total: 27 days from factory loading to warehouse delivery.
Final Cost
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Ex-factory cargo value | $23,800 |
| Inland trucking (Foshan → Nansha) | $180 |
| Export customs clearance (China) | $95 |
| Ocean freight (1×40HQ, Nansha → Sokhna) | $1,950 |
| THC & documentation fees (origin) | $285 |
| THC & terminal fees (Sokhna) | $320 |
| Customs clearance (Egypt) | $250 |
| Customs duties & taxes (approx.) | $4,850 |
| Bonded warehousing (2 days) | $160 |
| Inland delivery (Sokhna → Cairo) | $280 |
| Total (Cairo delivered, duty paid) | ~$32,170 |
Total logistics cost (excluding cargo value): ~$8,370 — representing about 35% of the cargo value, which is competitive for a multi-SKU door hardware shipment with full door-to-door service including Egyptian customs clearance.
Customer Review
"This was our first time importing directly from China, and honestly, the number of different door hardware products we had was overwhelming — hinges, locks, cylinders, seals, all under different HS codes. DTFU's team helped us organize the packing list properly and saved us from what could have been a customs nightmare at Sokhna. The whole process from factory in Foshan to our warehouse took just 27 days. We've already placed our second order."
— Mohamed A., Cairo
Lessons Learned
- Never accept a generic packing list for multi-SKU shipments to Egypt. Egyptian customs requires line-item detail. One vague description for "door hardware" is a red flag that invites inspection.
- Sokhna Port is a strategic choice for Cairo-bound cargo. It's newer, faster, and significantly less congested than Alexandria — especially for construction materials destined for the east side of Cairo and the New Administrative Capital.
- Pre-classify HS codes before loading. For door hardware alone, we identified 7 different HS code groups. Each has a different duty rate. Classifying them upfront at the supplier level saves time, money, and stress at destination.
- Multiple SKUs don't have to mean multiple problems. With proper documentation, a 1×40HQ container carrying 14 different hardware lines can clear customs in 3 days — the same as a single-SKU container.
- A small upfront effort on documentation saves disproportionate cost downstream. The hour we spent training the supplier on packing list format prevented weeks of clearance delays and avoided storage demurrage at Sokhna.
Need to ship door hardware or building materials from China to Egypt? Contact DTFU Logistics — your trusted freight forwarding partner for reliable shipping from China to worldwide destinations.