Africa
Container Shipping from the UK to Namibia
Walvis Bay is one of the few consistently uncongested deep-water ports on Africa's west coast, and the head of corridors into Botswana, Zambia and the Copperbelt.
Container shipping from the UK to Namibia runs full container load to Walvis Bay (NAWVB) and Lüderitz (NALUD). There is no scheduled less than container load service to Namibia at present. Sea transit is 24–31 days port to port and air freight 2–4 days. We collect from any UK address and handle UK export clearance; customs charges in Namibia are not included.
Where we ship
Ports in Namibia
Full container load and groupage both go to Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Select a port for its location, code and indicative transit.
- UK door
- UK port
- Walvis Bay or Lüderitz
Packed and sealed at your premises, then straight to the port — usually Southampton.
Less than container load
There is no scheduled groupage service to Namibia at present. Smaller consignments are quoted case by case — tell us the volume and we will say honestly which option is cheaper.
The FCL and LCL availability shown here is illustrative while we finish confirming our service map. Ask us and we will confirm what runs on this lane before you commit to anything.
Get a price for Namibia
The three modes are quoted separately — they are priced on different things entirely: a container, a cubic metre and a kilo.
Indicative pricing
Starting points for sea freight from the UK, not port-specific figures — the rate for your shipment depends on the arrival port, the sailing and the commodity. Customs charges, duty and taxes in Namibia are payable there and are not included.
Rates for Namibia are quoted per shipment rather than published — request a quote and we will come back with a firm figure for your route.
What can you ship to Namibia?
Mining equipment and spares, construction materials, food commodities, vehicles and machinery move through Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
Cargo needs to be palletised, shrink-wrapped and labelled with the consignee, because groupage is handled several times between your loading bay and the delivery address. Anything containing lithium batteries, aerosols, paints, solvents or compressed gas needs declaring at booking — it usually still travels, it just changes the packing and the paperwork rather than simply the price.
What tax and duty applies on import into Namibia?
Namibia charges VAT at a standard rate of 15%, charged on the customs value plus duty. Customs duty is separate and runs at 0–30% under the Southern African Customs Union common tariff, set by the commodity code of the specific goods.
For cargo bound for the Zambian and DRC Copperbelt, Walvis Bay frequently beats the East African routing on total transit despite the longer sea leg, because the corridor inland is faster and far less congested. It is worth pricing both before assuming the shorter sea distance wins.
What are the import restrictions in Namibia?
Four things are worth checking before you book rather than after the vessel sails.
What documents do I need to import into Namibia?
These cover the far end of the journey and belong to your consignee. We prepare and file the transport and commercial paperwork, but their own registrations are issued to them by their own authorities and cannot be obtained on their behalf.
What documents do you need in the UK to export?
A second, separate set of paperwork — and this one is yours rather than your consignee's. It is the part first-time exporters are most often caught by, because the destination requirements get all the attention and the British side looks like a formality until it stops a booking.
Duty depends on the commodity code of the specific goods, and rates change. This is general guidance, not tax or legal advice. Customs charges, duty and taxes in the destination country are payable there and are not included in our freight quote. Rates last reviewed .
UK to Namibia shipping: FAQs
How long does shipping from the UK to Namibia take?
Sea freight runs about 24–31 days port to port, and air freight 2–4 days airport to airport. Walvis Bay is the quickest sea gateway on this lane at around 24 days. These are indicative figures measured port to port; the transit for your exact collection address and delivery address, including the inland legs at both ends, is confirmed at quote stage.
Which ports do you ship to in Namibia?
We move cargo through 2 ports in Namibia: Walvis Bay (NAWVB), Lüderitz (NALUD). Full container load goes to Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. We have no scheduled groupage service to Namibia at present, so part loads are quoted case by case. Each port page lists its location, code and indicative transit.
Do you handle customs clearance for Namibia?
We handle the UK side: we file your export declaration with HMRC against your GB EORI number and raise the transport and commercial documents that travel with the shipment. Customs charges in Namibia — duty, import tax and any local clearance fees — are payable there by the consignee and are not included in our rates, unless you have agreed a DDP Incoterm that puts them on you. Budget for them separately; they are the most common reason a landed cost comes in above the freight quote.
What should I know before shipping on the Namibia lane?
For Copperbelt cargo, Walvis Bay often beats the east coast on total transit despite the longer sea leg, because the corridor inland is faster and less congested. Worth pricing both routings. Cargo commonly moving on this lane includes mining equipment and spares, construction materials, food commodities.
Compare lanes
Other countries we ship to and from
Rates and transit times for countries near Namibia — each one works as an origin or a destination.
South Africa
Import & export · Durban
LCL from
£88.00
per cubic metre
20+ days
Nigeria
Import & export · Lagos (Apapa)
LCL from
£92.00
per cubic metre
18+ days
Kenya
Import & export · Mombasa
LCL from
£93.00
per cubic metre
24+ days
Plan the rest of the move
Shipping to Namibia? Get a quote.
Any country to any country, import or export — send us the origin, destination and cargo details and we'll come back with a competitive rate within one business day.