Dakar is the closest major West African port to the US East Coast. Transit times are the shortest of any destination we serve - typically 16-22 days from Baltimore or Newark. Senegal is also an entry point for the Sahel region (Mali, Mauritania) via the Dakar-Bamako corridor.
Dakar lane snapshot
Fastest transit. Francophone customs.
Why Dakar is fast
Dakar sits closer to the US East Coast than any other West African port we serve. Vessels often call Dakar as the first West Africa stop on a multi-port rotation, which means transit is short and reliability is high.
Loading ports - US side
Baltimore
Shortest transit to Dakar.
Newark
Frequent direct service.
Brunswick / Jacksonville
Direct RoRo service.
Philadelphia
Alternate East Coast option.
Documents you'll need
Original US title
Required for export.
Commercial invoice in French (preferred)
Senegalese customs is francophone - French invoices clear faster.
Photo ID & NINEA
NINEA tax ID for the consignee in Senegal.
Returning resident docs (if applicable)
Residency proof for diaspora returning with a personal vehicle.
Duty at Senegal Customs
Senegal applies an age-based vehicle duty regime. Limits and rates have shifted multiple times in recent years - verify the current rules with us at booking. Customs valuation can be disputed; declared value is not always accepted.
Transit times - port to port
| Loading port | Dakar transit |
|---|---|
| Baltimore | 16-20 days |
| Newark | 18-22 days |
| Brunswick / Jacksonville | 17-21 days |
| Philadelphia | 18-22 days |
Shipping to Dakar?
Tell us the cargo, pickup ZIP, and consignee details. Quote in one business day.