Complete Guide to Importing from China to Mauritius (2025)

Importing products from China to Mauritius can transform your business—whether you're an e-commerce entrepreneur sourcing inventory, a retailer expanding your product line, or a manufacturer importing raw materials.

However, many first-time importers make costly mistakes: underestimating customs duties, choosing unreliable suppliers, getting stuck with damaged goods, or experiencing weeks of delays at customs.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the entire import process, from finding suppliers to clearing customs and receiving your goods in Mauritius.

In this guide:

Finding and vetting reliable Chinese suppliers
Understanding shipping options (sea vs air freight)
Calculating total landed costs with duties and taxes
Navigating MRA customs clearance
Working with freight forwarders in Mauritius
Real-world examples and cost breakdowns

We've consulted with Ocean Link Logistics, one of Mauritius' leading freight forwarding companies with 20+ years of experience handling China-Mauritius shipments, to ensure this guide reflects current costs, regulations, and best practices.

Let's get started.

Finding Reliable Chinese Suppliers
Understanding Shipping Options
Calculating Total Import Costs
Customs Clearance Process
Working with Freight Forwarders
Complete Import Checklist
Frequently Asked Questions

Finding Reliable Chinese Suppliers {#finding-suppliers}

The foundation of successful importing is finding trustworthy suppliers. China has millions of manufacturers, but quality and reliability vary dramatically.

Where to Find Suppliers

1. Alibaba.com

Largest B2B marketplace (150+ million products)
Trade Assurance protection available
Verified suppliers with Gold Supplier badges
Minimum order quantities (MOQs) clearly listed

2. Global Sources

Higher-end suppliers, better quality control
Verified factories with certifications
Slightly higher prices than Alibaba

3. Trade Shows

Canton Fair (April & October)
Hong Kong Trade Shows
See products in person, meet suppliers face-to-face

4. Sourcing Agents

Independent agents in China
Handle quality control and negotiations
Typically charge 5-10% commission

Vetting Suppliers: Red Flags to Avoid

❌ Prices too good to be true (20-30% below market = likely scam or terrible quality)
❌ No business license or registration
❌ Won't provide samples (always order samples first!)
❌ Poor communication (delayed responses, vague answers)
❌ No factory inspection allowed (legitimate factories will allow visits)
❌ Only accepts Western Union or untraceable payments

Sample Ordering (Critical First Step)

Always order samples before placing bulk orders:

Cost: Rs 1,500 - 5,000 per sample + shipping
Shipping: Air freight (5-10 days) via DHL/FedEx
Purpose: Verify quality, test durability, confirm specifications

According to Ocean Link Logistics: "We see too many importers skip samples to save Rs 3,000, then receive a container of unusable products worth Rs 200,000. Samples are the cheapest insurance policy."

Understanding Shipping Options {#shipping-options}

Once your order is ready, you need to choose how to ship it from China to Mauritius. The two main options are sea freight and air freight.

Sea Freight (Most Common for Bulk Orders)

Sea freight is the most economical option for shipments over 1 cubic meter.

Full Container Load (FCL)

You rent an entire shipping container:

20ft Container:

Capacity: ~28 cubic meters, ~22,000 kg
Cost from China: Rs 80,000 - 120,000
Best for: Orders filling 50%+ of container
Transit time: 25-35 days

40ft Container:

Capacity: ~58 cubic meters, ~26,000 kg
Cost from China: Rs 140,000 - 200,000
Best for: Large bulk orders
Transit time: 25-35 days

40ft High Cube (HC) Container:

Capacity: ~68 cubic meters (extra height)
Cost: Rs 150,000 - 210,000
Best for: Lightweight, bulky goods

Less than Container Load (LCL)

Your goods share container space with other shipments:

Cost: Rs 80 - 150 per cubic meter
Transit time: 30-40 days (longer due to consolidation)
Minimum: Usually 1 cubic meter
Best for: Smaller orders (1-15 cubic meters)

Example LCL Calculation:

5 cubic meters of goods
Rate: Rs 120/cbm
Sea freight cost: Rs 600

Expert Insight from Ocean Link Logistics:

"Most first-time e-commerce importers start with LCL shipments of 3-5 cubic meters to test the market. Once they validate demand, they switch to FCL to reduce per-unit shipping costs by 40-50%. For a typical clothing importer, LCL makes sense until you're ordering 500+ pieces per shipment."

— Raj Sookun, Operations Manager, Ocean Link Logistics

Air Freight (For Urgent or Small Shipments)

Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive.

Cost: Rs 150 - 300 per kilogram
Transit time: 5-10 days door-to-door
Best for:
- High-value, low-weight products (electronics, jewelry)
- Time-sensitive shipments
- Sample orders
- Products needed urgently

Example Air Freight Calculation:

100 kg of electronics
Rate: Rs 200/kg
Air freight cost: Rs 20,000
Total time: 7-10 days

Which Should You Choose?

Factor	Sea Freight (FCL/LCL)	Air Freight
Cost	Rs 80-200/cbm	Rs 150-300/kg
Speed	25-40 days	5-10 days
Best for	Bulk orders, heavy goods	Urgent, lightweight items
Weight limits	Up to 26,000 kg/container	Practical limit ~500 kg
Environmental	Lower carbon footprint	Higher carbon footprint

Ocean Link Logistics provides both sea and air freight options with transparent pricing. Get a shipping quote →

Calculating Total Import Costs {#import-costs}

Many first-time importers focus only on product cost and forget about the "landed cost"—the total cost to get goods to your warehouse.

Complete Cost Breakdown

1. Product Cost (FOB - Free on Board)

Supplier's price
Includes packaging and delivery to Chinese port
Example: Rs 150,000 for 1,000 units = Rs 150/unit

2. International Shipping

Sea freight or air freight
Example: Rs 100,000 (20ft container)

3. Customs Duties

Percentage of product value (varies by HS code)
Clothing example: 35% duty
Electronics example: 0-15% duty
Calculated on CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight)

4. VAT (Value Added Tax)

15% of (CIF value + Customs Duty)
Applied to almost all imports

5. Freight Forwarder Fees

Customs clearance: Rs 4,000 - 12,000
Port handling: Usually included in freight quote
Delivery to warehouse: Rs 2,000 - 5,000

6. Other Costs

Insurance: 0.5-1% of cargo value (recommended)
Warehouse storage (if delayed): Rs 5,000+/day
Inspection fees (if applicable): Rs 3,000 - 8,000

Real Example: Importing Clothing

Scenario: Importing 1,000 t-shirts from Guangzhou

Product Details:

FOB price: Rs 150,000 (Rs 150/shirt)
Sea freight (LCL, 5 cbm): Rs 10,000
Insurance: Rs 800
CIF Value: Rs 160,800

Customs Duties & Taxes:

Import duty on clothing (HS 6109): 35%
Duty amount: Rs 160,800 × 35% = Rs 56,280
Subtotal: Rs 160,800 + Rs 56,280 = Rs 217,080
VAT (15%): Rs 217,080 × 15% = Rs 32,562

Other Costs:

Customs clearance (Ocean Link): Rs 6,000
Delivery to warehouse: Rs 3,500

TOTAL LANDED COST:

Product: Rs 150,000
Shipping: Rs 10,000
Insurance: Rs 800
Duties: Rs 56,280
VAT: Rs 32,562
Clearance: Rs 6,000
Delivery: Rs 3,500
TOTAL: Rs 259,142

Per Unit Cost: Rs 259.14 per t-shirt

Markup Calculation:

Sell at Rs 500/shirt = 93% markup
Sell at Rs 750/shirt = 189% markup

Expert Tip from Ocean Link Logistics:

"Always calculate your landed cost BEFORE placing the order. We provide free duty and tax estimates so you know your true costs upfront. Too many importers price their products based on FOB cost only, then realize they can't make a profit after duties and VAT."

Get a free import cost calculator from Ocean Link Logistics →

Customs Clearance Process {#customs-clearance}

This is where many first-time importers get stuck. The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) requires specific documentation and procedures.

Required Documents

Commercial Invoice (from supplier)
- Itemized list of goods
- Unit prices and total value
- HS codes for each product
Packing List
- Weight and dimensions
- Number of cartons/pallets
- Detailed contents
Bill of Lading (B/L) for sea freight OR Air Waybill (AWB) for air
- Proof of shipment
- Consignee information
- Shipping terms (FOB, CIF, etc.)
Import Permit (if required)
- Food products: Health permit
- Electronics: ICTA approval (for some items)
- Pharmaceuticals: Pharmacy Board approval
Certificate of Origin (sometimes)
- Preferential duty rates
- Trade agreements
Insurance Certificate

MRA Customs Clearance Steps

Step 1: Pre-Arrival

Freight forwarder submits documents to MRA electronically
Goods declared while still in transit

Step 2: Goods Arrive

Container/cargo arrives at Port Louis
MRA assigns declaration number

Step 3: Duty Assessment

MRA calculates duties and taxes
HS code classification verified
Valuation checked

Step 4: Payment

Pay duties, VAT, and fees
Payment can be made online or at MRA office

Step 5: Inspection (If Selected)

MRA may physically inspect cargo (15-20% of shipments)
Can add 1-3 days to clearance time
Usually random or risk-based selection

Step 6: Release

MRA issues release order
Goods can be collected from port/airport

Step 7: Delivery

Freight forwarder arranges delivery to your warehouse

Typical Clearance Timeline

Standard clearance: 24-48 hours
With inspection: 3-5 days
Complex cases: 1-2 weeks

Ocean Link Logistics consistently achieves 24-48 hour clearance for standard goods because:

Pre-arrival documentation preparation
Correct HS code classification
Established MRA relationships
Electronic payment processing

Expert Insight from Ocean Link Logistics:

"The biggest clearance delays we see are from incorrect HS codes. Using the wrong code can mean paying 35% duty instead of 0%, or getting flagged for inspection. We verify all HS codes before submitting declarations to avoid delays and overpayment."

— Hassan Patel, Director, Ocean Link Logistics

Working with Freight Forwarders {#freight-forwarders}

Unless you're a large company with in-house logistics, working with a freight forwarder is essential for importing from China.

What Freight Forwarders Do

Complete Door-to-Door Service:

Supplier Coordination
- Arrange pickup from factory
- Verify packaging and documentation
International Shipping
- Book space on vessels/aircraft
- Negotiate shipping rates
- Handle export documentation in China
Customs Clearance
- Prepare all MRA documents
- Submit declarations
- Pay duties on your behalf (reimbursed)
- Handle inspections
Local Delivery
- Clear goods from port/airport
- Arrange delivery to your warehouse
- Provide proof of delivery
Cargo Insurance
- Arrange insurance coverage
- Handle claims if damage occurs
Tracking & Support
- Real-time shipment tracking
- Updates on clearance status
- Problem resolution

What to Look For in a Freight Forwarder

✅ Experience with your product type

Food, electronics, textiles all have different requirements
Experienced forwarders know the regulations

✅ Transparent pricing

No hidden fees
Detailed quotes showing all costs
Clear payment terms

✅ Fast customs clearance track record

Ask for average clearance time
References from other importers

✅ Insurance options

Cargo insurance for high-value goods
Claims handling process

✅ Communication

Responsive on WhatsApp/email
English and French language support
Regular updates without you asking

✅ Local presence

Office in Mauritius
Staff at port/airport
Can handle urgent issues in person

Red Flags to Avoid

❌ Unusually low prices (15-20% below market)
❌ No fixed office address
❌ Poor communication
❌ No references or reviews
❌ Upfront payment of full amount
❌ No tracking or visibility
❌ Hidden fees appearing after goods arrive

Ocean Link Logistics: Complete Import Service

Ocean Link Logistics offers full-service freight forwarding from China:

Services Included:

Factory pickup coordination
Sea freight (FCL/LCL) or air freight
Customs clearance (24-48 hour average)
Delivery anywhere in Mauritius
Real-time tracking
Dedicated account manager

Transparent Pricing:

Free quote within 24 hours
All costs shown upfront
No surprise fees

Proven Track Record:

20+ years in business
156 verified client reviews (4.9/5)
Licensed customs broker (MRA authorized)
IATA certified air freight agent

Typical Pricing (China to Mauritius):

Service	Price Range
20ft Container (FCL)	Rs 95,000 - 115,000
40ft Container (FCL)	Rs 160,000 - 195,000
LCL (per cbm)	Rs 100 - 140
Air Freight (per kg)	Rs 180 - 250
Customs Clearance	Rs 4,000 - 10,000
Delivery (island-wide)	Rs 2,500 - 6,000

Get a free shipping quote from Ocean Link Logistics →

Real-World Success Story

Client: Island Boutique (E-commerce fashion store)
Product: Women's clothing and accessories
Order: First 20ft container from Guangzhou

The Challenge

First-time importer, nervous about process
Needed to hit holiday season deadline (8 weeks away)
Budget-conscious startup
Worried about hidden costs and delays

The Solution (Ocean Link Logistics)

Pre-Shipment:

Complete cost breakdown provided upfront
HS code verification for accurate duty calculation
Supplier coordination for pickup

During Transit:

Weekly updates via WhatsApp
28-day transit time
Real-time tracking link

Customs Clearance:

36-hour clearance (faster than promised)
No unexpected fees
Saturday delivery arranged to meet deadline

The Results

✅ Container arrived exactly on schedule
✅ Total costs within Rs 4,800 of original quote
✅ No delays or issues
✅ Store launched holiday collection on time
✅ Gross profit: Rs 450,000 on first container

Client Feedback:

"As a first-timer, I was terrified of importing. Ocean Link held my hand through everything. The transparent pricing and constant communication made all the difference. We've now done 8 containers with them and it's become routine."

— Nadia Ramdin, Founder, Island Boutique

Complete Import Checklist {#import-checklist}

Phase 1: Sourcing (Weeks 1-2)

Research products and suppliers on Alibaba
Request quotes from 5-10 suppliers
Order samples (Rs 3,000-5,000 investment)
Test sample quality thoroughly
Negotiate pricing, MOQs, payment terms
Get shipping quote from Ocean Link Logistics

Phase 2: Ordering (Week 3)

Place order with chosen supplier
Arrange payment (typically 30% deposit, 70% before shipping)
Confirm production timeline
Book freight with Ocean Link
Arrange cargo insurance
Verify HS codes with customs broker

Phase 3: Production & Shipping (Weeks 4-8)

Supplier completes production
Request pre-shipment photos
Arrange quality inspection (optional: Rs 8,000-15,000)
Pay balance to supplier
Ocean Link arranges pickup from factory
Goods loaded on vessel/aircraft
Track shipment via Ocean Link portal
Prepare for duty/tax payment

Phase 4: Customs & Delivery (Weeks 9-10)

Ocean Link submits customs documents
Pay import duties and VAT
MRA clears shipment (24-48 hours)
Arrange final delivery to warehouse
Inspect goods upon arrival
Sign delivery receipt
Start selling!

[Download printable import checklist (PDF) →]

Frequently Asked Questions {#faq}

How much does it cost to import from China to Mauritius?

Total costs depend on product type, weight, and volume. For a typical first-time importer:

Example: 5 cubic meters of goods (LCL)

Product cost: Rs 100,000
Sea freight: Rs 10,000 (5 cbm × Rs 2,000)
Insurance: Rs 550
Customs duty: Rs 15,000-35,000 (varies by product)
VAT: 15% on total
Clearance: Rs 6,000
Delivery: Rs 3,500
Total: Rs 150,000-180,000 depending on product category

Ocean Link provides free detailed quotes so you know all costs before committing.

Get your free cost estimate →

How long does importing from China take?

Sea Freight:

Production: 15-30 days (depends on order size)
Transit: 25-35 days
Customs: 2-5 days
Total: 6-10 weeks

Air Freight:

Production: 15-30 days
Transit: 5-10 days
Customs: 1-3 days
Total: 3-6 weeks

Ocean Link typically achieves 24-48 hour customs clearance for standard goods.

Can I import without a business license?

For commercial imports, you need a registered business in Mauritius. Personal imports have different rules and lower value limits (under Rs 5,000).

Need help incorporating? Ocean Link can recommend business setup services.

What products can't be imported from China?

Prohibited items include:

Counterfeit goods
Weapons and explosives
Certain pharmaceuticals

Restricted items needing permits:

Food products (health permit required)
Some electronics (ICTA approval)
Medical devices

Ocean Link can verify if your product needs special permits before you order.

Should I use a freight forwarder or do it myself?

Always use a freight forwarder unless you're a large company with dedicated logistics staff.

The Rs 4,000-12,000 you pay saves you:

✅ Weeks of delays from paperwork mistakes
✅ Port storage fees (Rs 5,000+ per day if delayed)
✅ Stress and time dealing with MRA, shipping lines, truckers
✅ Overpaying duties due to incorrect HS codes
✅ Potential cargo loss from inadequate insurance

Ocean Link's 20+ years of experience means:

Faster clearance (24-48 hours vs 1-2 weeks DIY)
Correct duty classification (avoid overpayment)
Problem resolution when issues arise
One point of contact for entire process

What if my goods arrive damaged?

With proper insurance:

Document damage with photos immediately
File claim with freight forwarder within 7 days
Insurance company assesses damage
Compensation paid (usually 30-60 days)

Ocean Link provides comprehensive cargo insurance and handles all claims.

How do I track my shipment?

Ocean Link provides:

Real-time tracking portal
Weekly WhatsApp updates
Bill of lading tracking number
Estimated arrival dates
Customs status updates

Ready to Start Importing from China?

Importing from China to Mauritius is entirely achievable when you understand the process, calculate costs accurately, and work with experienced partners.

While some aspects can be DIY, partnering with a reliable freight forwarder like Ocean Link Logistics ensures:

✅ Competitive shipping rates through established carrier partnerships
✅ Fast, reliable customs clearance (24-48 hours typical)
✅ Transparent pricing with no hidden surprises
✅ Expert guidance for first-time importers
✅ End-to-end support from China factory to your Mauritius warehouse
✅ Peace of mind knowing experienced professionals handle everything

Next Steps

Calculate Your Costs - Use our free import cost calculator
Find Suppliers - Start sourcing on Alibaba or request supplier recommendations
Get Expert Help - Contact Ocean Link Logistics for a free consultation

Ready to get started?

Get Free Shipping Quote from Ocean Link Logistics →

Contact Ocean Link Logistics:

📞 Phone/WhatsApp: +230 5699 8877
📧 Email: logistics@oceanlink.mu
🏢 Office: 5th Floor, Harbour Front Building, Caudan, Port Louis
⏰ Response time: Within 4 hours on business days

About Ocean Link Logistics

Ocean Link Logistics is Mauritius' premier freight forwarding and customs clearance company, specializing in China-Mauritius imports.

Why Importers Choose Ocean Link:

✅ 20+ years serving Mauritian businesses
✅ 156 verified client reviews (4.9/5 rating)
✅ Licensed MRA customs broker
✅ IATA certified air freight agent
✅ Member of FIATA (International freight forwarders)
✅ Transparent pricing, no hidden fees
✅ Average 24-48 hour customs clearance

Services:

Sea freight (FCL & LCL) from China
Air freight for urgent shipments
Complete customs clearance
Door-to-door logistics
Cargo insurance
Dedicated account managers

View Ocean Link Logistics Full Profile →

Related Guides

This article was created in consultation with Ocean Link Logistics to ensure accuracy and practical relevance for Mauritian businesses. All pricing and timelines reflect January 2025 market conditions.

Last Updated: January 31, 2025
Reading Time: 18 minutes
Article Type: Complete Guide