For wholesale orders, the right logistics mode is a function of weight, urgency, and how integrated your customs process is. DHL Express is faster but per-kilogram cost climbs steeply above 100 kg. Sea freight is dramatically cheaper above 500 kg but takes 25–35 days. Here is the matrix we use to recommend a mode in every quote we send.
Decision matrix
| Order weight | Recommended mode | Lead time (Cotonou → destination) | Cost characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–19 kg (sample / retail) | DHL Express | 2–5 business days | $71–$447 per shipment |
| 20–100 kg | DHL Express | 3–7 business days | $450–$2,300 per shipment |
| 100–200 kg | DHL Express (default) | 3–7 business days | $2,300–$4,350 per shipment |
| 200–500 kg | DHL Express or LCL sea freight (your choice) | DHL 5–10 days; sea LCL 18–28 days | DHL $4,350–$9,235; sea ~50–65% cheaper per kg |
| 500–1,000 kg | Sea freight LCL (recommended) or DHL Express by exception | Sea LCL 22–32 days; DHL by quote | Sea ~70% cheaper than DHL per kg |
| 1,000 kg+ | Sea freight FCL (full container) | 25–35 days | ~85% cheaper per kg than DHL Express |
When DHL Express makes sense
- Order is at or under 500 kg.
- Your production schedule needs the ingredient in under 2 weeks.
- Your customs broker is set up for express small-parcel clearance, not sea-container clearance.
- You are placing a first order and want to test the supplier before committing to sea freight infrastructure.
When sea freight makes sense
- Order is 500 kg or more, especially 1,000 kg+.
- You can plan 4–6 weeks in advance.
- Your customs broker handles sea LCL/FCL routinely.
- Your unit economics are squeezed and freight is the variable you can compress.
Hybrid: sea freight + DHL air sample
For recurring large orders we sometimes ship a small pre-production sample (1–5 kg) by DHL Express for your QA pre-clearance, with the bulk order shipping by sea freight on approval. This trades a small DHL cost against the risk of a sea container arriving and failing your incoming inspection. Mention this option in the wholesale quote if useful.
The current Essential Care Plus shipping calculator (visible at checkout) only covers DHL Express up to 550 kg. For sea freight quotes or DHL Express above 550 kg, submit a wholesale request and we quote freight separately so you can compare against your existing logistics.