For the purpose of this guide, we’ll be shipping garri, but the steps we show here can be applied to almost any other food item you’re planning to ship.

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Preparing food items for shipping is crucial before you send them. This step ensures your items arrive at their destination in the best possible condition. Also, ensure that the item you are attempting to ship is not prohibited in the destination country. You can refer to this article on prohibited items.

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How Do I Prepare Food Items for Shipping?

Preparing your food items for shipping involves 2 steps - drying and packing.

1. Drying: Make sure to thoroughly dry your food items to avoid problems caused by moisture during transportation. Perishable foods, which contain moisture, can spoil while in transit and lead to odours or health risks. To prevent this, you can sun-dry your food or use any other drying method you prefer.

2. Packing: After drying, be sure to package your food items. Boxes are the best choice for shipping food because they are sturdy and prevent damage and spillage. However, it is recommended that food items be packed in an airtight bag first. To ensure the bag is airtight, use a vacuum sealer to remove air from it, and then place it in your box.

After placing the food items in a box, fill any empty spaces with shredded paper or packing peanuts for padding. If the food is extremely fragile, consider using airbags or bubble wrap for extra protection. Seal the box with tape, and if needed, use "fragile" tape or stickers for added caution.

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Note: Do not package food items with other items like clothing, skincare, etc. Snails should be packed and shipped separately, and not more than 2kg per shipment.

Now that your food item is ready to be shipped, the next step is to book your shipment.

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How Do I Book a Shipment for Food Items?

1. Login into your Terminal Africa account.
2. Click the ‘Book shipment’ button from your dashboard and enter the sender’s and receiver’s addresses.

3. Select the type of packaging and click on Add Item.
   

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4. Enter the food item name and select “Dried Food Items” as the item category.

5. Choose the option that best describes the food you want to send from the item sub-category.
   

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6. Next, select the HS code . The Harmonised System (HS) code is based on the item’s category and sub-category you chose. HS codes are commonly used throughout the import and export process for the classification of goods. Here are a list of HS codes for food items.
   

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7. Add the volumetric weight of your shipment, as well as the quantity, and value, and click save. Here’s how to accurately measure your shipments package. Also ensure you take & keep a photo of the items weight as evidence in case of weight discrepancy.
   

8. Upload the Proof of Purchase and Proof of Weight documents. Here’s a guide to do this.
9. Select a courier and insurance for your shipment.
10. Review your shipment and make payment.

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What do you do after booking your food Shipment?

Label Your Shipment: After packing your food, you’ll need to label it. Labelling helps make customs inspections fast and hassle-free. You can label your food shipment by attaching your Shipping Waybill to the box package. Here’s an example below:

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Take Photos & Videos: Take a picture or video here while measuring your volumetric and actual weight. It will be helpful in case of weight discrepancy charges.

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That’s how you correctly ship food using Terminal Africa. Depending on your booking process choice, you can drop off your shipment at the selected hub or wait for pick up.

If you have any questions or concerns about booking a shipment, please reach out to us on help@terminal.africa.

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