Guide · 6 min read
Abidjan Apartment Finishing Materials from China (Matériaux de Finition)
Developers in Cocody, Marcory, Riviera and the newer zones of Abidjan who search for matériaux de finition Abidjan usually have a specific problem: a building of 10 to 100 apartments where every unit needs the same kitchen, the same bathroom set and the same floor, delivered on one schedule. Repeating units are exactly where consolidated supply from Foshan works best. This guide covers how an apartment finishing package is specified, the tiers, Côte d'Ivoire documents, container planning and a timeline for a multi-unit development.
What an apartment finishing package includes
| Zone | Items | Repeat per unit? |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Base and wall cabinets, worktop, sink, mixer, hood | Yes — one design per unit type |
| Bathrooms | WC, basin or vanity, shower screen, mixers, accessories | Yes |
| Floors & walls | Porcelain tiles, SPC or laminate, skirting; bathroom wall tiles | Yes |
| Doors | Interior door sets, entrance door, ironmongery | Yes |
| Windows | Aluminium systems with glazing | Yes, by opening schedule |
| Lighting | Downlights, switches, sockets | Yes |
| Bedrooms | Fitted wardrobes | Optional; often a Mid-Range/Premium add-on |
| Common areas | Lobby tiles, lighting, mailboxes | Once per building |
The repeat structure matters: 40 identical kitchens are cheaper per unit and faster to produce than 40 different ones, and installation crews learn the layout after the first floor.
Tier choice for Abidjan apartments
| Tier | Typical use | Kitchen | Bathroom | Floor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Functional | Social or rental housing | Melamine, laminate worktop | Standard WC, basin, single-lever mixer | 600×600 ceramic |
| Mid-Range | Mid-market sale units | PET or lacquer doors, quartz worktop | Rimless WC, vanity unit, thermostatic shower | 600×1200 porcelain or SPC |
| Premium | Upper-market sale units, penthouses | Lacquer or veneer, sintered stone | Wall-hung WC, double vanity, walk-in shower | Large-format porcelain |
Most Abidjan developments mix: Mid-Range for standard units, Premium for the top floor.
Measuring and drawings for repeat units
Because the units repeat, measurement is simpler than for a villa but errors multiply. We need:
- Architectural plans for each unit type (CAD preferred).
- Site measurements of one built unit per type after plastering — kitchen walls, bathroom dimensions, door and window openings.
- A door and window schedule by unit type.
- Tile areas by unit type and common area.
We return shop drawings per unit type (French or English) for sign-off. One kitchen and one bathroom set can be produced and shipped ahead as a sample unit if the schedule allows.
Documents and port
The shipment is a normal import into Côte d'Ivoire. Full detail is in our Côte d'Ivoire import guide; in summary:
| Document | Handled by |
|---|---|
| FDI (Fiche de Déclaration à l'Importation) via GUCE | Importer or clearing agent, from our pro forma invoice |
| VoC Certificate of Conformity (Bureau Veritas programme; building materials and electrical products are covered categories) | Inspection arranged at Foshan; we provide factory access and documents |
| BSC (Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons) from OIC | Clearing agent, from our B/L and invoice |
| Commercial invoice, packing list, B/L, certificate of origin (bilingual on request) | Decoropic |
| Customs declaration, duty and VAT | Your transitaire; rates by HS code not quoted by Decoropic |
Forwarder-published FCL transit from Shenzhen to Abidjan is about 45 days.
Container planning for a multi-unit building
| Development | Indicative containers (kitchens, bathrooms, doors, lighting; tiles separate) |
|---|---|
| 10–20 units | 1–2 × 40-foot HC |
| 30–50 units | 3–5 × 40-foot HC |
| 80–100 units | 7–10 × 40-foot HC |
Planning figures only; the packing list gives the real count, confirmed on your quote. Tiles ship in weight-limited containers on top. Shipping by floor lets installation start before the last units are produced.
Timeline
| Phase | Weeks |
|---|---|
| Unit-type drawings, selection, pro forma | 1–2 |
| FDI and VoC application (parallel) | 2–3 |
| Sample unit (optional) | 3–4 |
| Full production and consolidation | 6–10 |
| VoC inspection, BSC | 1–2 |
| Sea freight to Abidjan | 6–8 |
| Clearing and delivery | 1–2 |
Five to seven months from drawings to first containers on site for a 30–50 unit building.
Installation sequencing on site
Repeat units reward a fixed sequence per floor. The order that works on most Abidjan sites:
- Windows first, so the units are weather-tight before finishes go in.
- Floor and wall tiles in bathrooms and kitchens, then living areas.
- Door frames and then door leaves after painting.
- Bathroom sanitaryware on finished tiles; shower screens last.
- Kitchens once floors and wall tiles are complete and electrical points are live.
- Wardrobes after painting and flooring.
- Lighting final fix.
Our packing list follows this order, floor by floor, so the containers can be unloaded into a staging area and drawn down by trade. Each kitchen and wardrobe carton is marked with the unit number and the drawing reference. A video guide per unit type covers cabinet hanging, worktop seams, shower screen fixing and door hardware; your site team can reach us on WhatsApp during working hours in West Africa.
Where Decoropic fits
Decoropic is Foshan Home Style Import & Export Co., Ltd., founded in Foshan in 2011, with an Accra office and over 20 years in West Africa. We have no office in Côte d'Ivoire. For an Abidjan development we specify per unit type, source across kitchens, sanitaryware, tiles, doors, windows and lighting, consolidate at Foshan and ship to Port of Abidjan with your forwarder or one we recommend. Your transitaire clears; your contractor installs with our shop drawings, floor-by-floor packing, video guides and WhatsApp support. Our Ghana projects are the regional reference for how each tier looks installed.
FAQ
Can we get one sample apartment set before ordering the whole building? Yes. One kitchen, one bathroom set and door samples can be produced and shipped ahead (LCL or air for small items) for approval.
Do you supply in French? Shop drawings, packing lists and invoices can be issued bilingual French/English.
What if unit dimensions differ slightly between floors? We design to the measured unit and include adjustable fillers; significant variations are handled as separate unit types.
Is there a minimum number of units? No. There is no minimum order; small developments ship LCL or in a single 20-foot container.
Next step
Send unit-type plans and unit count to /contact or WhatsApp +233 59 247 0446 for a per-unit package price and container plan.
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