China is the world’s biggest market where you can purchase high quality products at low prices, deliver them in your country and sell them to your customers at higher costs. For shipping from China to Europe, you need to take care of so many things like documentation, customs clearance, trade routes and shipping duration.
Different Ways of Shipping From China To Europe
There are different shipping modes. You can choose one of them or use a multimodal method for shipping goods to Europe. A multimodal way is used when some of your shipments are time-dependent.
So, some part of your cargo is shipped via sea and some part by air or rail. Below are different shipping methods from China to European countries.
1. Air Freight
The air freight method from China is not a budget-friendly option. However, you will not regret paying so much high once your cargo arrives in your Europe store within a few days. This method is mostly used for lighter shipments weighing up to 500 kg.
So, you can ship fragile, perishable, and time-dependent goods through air freight. However, some Chinese airlines put limitations on some types of products.
2. Ocean Shipping
It is the most time-consuming way of shipping to Europe from China. Despite this, you have the advantage of shipping heavy cargo through vessels. Here, you don’t have any limitation on the weight of cargo. It is economical for you if you have large shipments. For small shipments, it might get costly for you.
Now, if you choose this method for shipping to Europe from China, you have to opt for LCL or FCL. This decision is also based on the dimensional weight of your cargo.
- In Less than Container Load, you will get shared space in a container, not the whole container. So, this is best for you if your cargo is not too big. Therefore, its pricing is decided according to per cubic meter (CBM).
- In a Full Container Load, a whole container is given for shipping your cargo. This container might be 20-foot or 40-foot in size. It depends on the weight and kind of cargo. You can get a consultation from Bansarship whether your shipment needs a 20-foot or a 40-foot container.
3. Rail Freight To Import From China To Europe
Shipping by rail from Chinese cities to your European location also takes time but less than ocean shipping. It is also a budget-friendly option.
Hence, if you need faster delivery than sea and are not able to bear expenses for air freight, rail shipping is the best method. Here, the prices depend on per kg, full container load, or less than container load.
4. Expedited Shipping
The most expensive method to ship from China to Europe is expedited or express delivery. It is used for urgent deliveries of documents or items in short supply. However, express shipping is not applicable for all types of cargo. Primarily, the lighter cargo is shipped via this method.
There are various carriers in Europe and China providing this service. These include UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc. These shipping companies will hand over your products to your doorstep in Europe in only 2 to 5 business days.
Shipping From China To Europe Time
While importing from China to Europe, the transit time may vary from country to country. Because it also depends on the type of service you choose. Likewise, the port-to-port shipping takes less time than door-to-door delivery. In addition, the distance between the Chinese origin and destination ports in Europe affects shipping time.
You also need to consider some other factors that cause delays in shipment. These include sudden weather changes or port or station congestion. The following table shows the transit time from China to major countries of Europe. This duration is based on the mode of transportation.
| Destination Country | Ocean Shipping | Rail Freight | Air Freight | Express Shipping |
| UK | 13 to 55 days | 15 to 21 days | 4 to 8 days | 2 to 4 days |
| Germany | 25 to 40 days | 14 to 18 days | 7 to 10 days | 3 to 5 days |
| France | 30 to 45 days | 16 to 20 days | 4 to 10 days | 2 to 5 days |
| Latvia | 35 to 55 days | 20 to 30 days | 6 to 12 days | 3 to 5 days |
| Ireland | 30 to 40 days | 15 to 28 days | 4 to 12 days | 2 to 5 days |
| Netherlands | 25 to 50 days | 20 to 30 days | 5 to 8 days | 2 to 6 days |
| Spain | 20 to 45 days | 25 to 35 days | 4 to 7 days | 2 to 3 days |
| Estonia | 30 to 50 days | 18 to 30 days | 3 to 7 days | 1 to 4 days |
| Russia | 20 to 45 days | 15 to 20 days | 4 to 8 days | 2 to 4 days |
| Poland | 25 to 45 days | 15 to 25 days | 3 to 6 days | 1 to 3 days |
How Much Does It Cost To Ship From China To Europe?
The cost of shipping goods from China to Europe also depends on various factors. The primary factors are the destination country, shipping mode, and shipment dimensions. The following table shows the cost of air freight, express shipping, and rail freight according to per kilogram.
Shipping Costs For Air, Express, & Rail Freight
The given prices are in US dollars. However, these charges may vary on the basis of the value of the cargo. Furthermore, the rail freight also works on FCL and LCL models. So, if you need a full container, you have to pay $8000 to $12,000 for it.
| Destination Country | Air Freight Cost | Express Delivery Cost | Rail Freight Cost |
| UK | $4 to $6 per kg | $5 to $8 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| Germany | $3 to $5 per kg | $7 to $10 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| France | $5 to $8 per kg | $7 to $10 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| Latvia | $3 to $5 per kg | $5 to $7 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| Ireland | $4 to $8 per kg | $5 to $10 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| Netherlands | $5 to $6 per kg | $6 to $9 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| Spain | $4 to $6 per kg | $5 to $8 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| Estonia | $3 to $5 per kg | $5 to $7 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
| Russia | $3 to $4 per kg | $5 to $7 per kg | $1 to $3 per kg |
| Poland | $5 to $6 per kg | $7 to $9 per kg | $2 to $3 per kg |
China To Europe Ocean Shipping Cost (LCL & FCL)
Below you can take the estimate of ocean shipping from China to Europe. There are different charges for LCL, a 20-foot container, and a 40-foot container. You can choose the one as per your requirements.
| Destination Country | LCL Mode (Per Cubic Meter) | FCL – 20-foot Container | FCL – 40-foot Container |
| UK | $15 – $20 | $1500 – $2000 | $3000 – $4000 |
| Germany | $20 – $45 | $2000 – $2500 | $3500 – $4500 |
| France | $10 – $15 | $1500 – $2300 | $3000 – $4500 |
| Latvia | $10 – $20 | $1000 – $1500 | $1500 – $2000 |
| Ireland | $5 – $15 | $2000 – $3000 | $3000 – $5000 |
| Netherlands | $15 – $25 | $2000 – $4000 | $4000 – $5500 |
| Spain | $20 – $35 | $1500 – $2500 | $3000 – $5500 |
| Estonia | $15 – $30 | $2500 – $4000 | $4000 – $6000 |
| Russia | $20 – $30 | $2000 – $3000 | $3000 – $4000 |
| Poland | $20 – $40 | $1000 – $3000 | $2500 – $5000 |
How To Do Shipping From China To Europe?
Transporting your goods from China to European economies has the following steps:
- First, you need to collect your products from a Chinese manufacturer and pack them. After that, label your packages according to European standards.
- Now, you can move your cargo to the exporting site in China (either seaport, airport or railway) with the help of a local delivery network. We recommend you should choose a freight forwarder in China like Bansar who will handle all your importing requirements to Europe from China including the free warehouse service.
- Following that, you have to fulfill the requirements given by the customs authorities of China. At this point also, you can hire a freight forwarder who can handle this stuff professionally.
- Next, your forwarding partner will load your cargo onto your preferred freight vehicle. It may be a ship, rail, or plane. With this step, the journey of goods will start from China to your designated European city.
- You can track your shipment with the online tracking tools provided by your freight forwarder. With this software, you see how, when and where your products are being shipped from China to the various routes of Europe.
- After that, the logistic partner will unload your cargo at the importing site in your European country. Here, customs clearance at Europe airport or seaport is also done by them.
- Now you have to transport items from the importing location to your desired place. It can be your home, your store or Amazon warehouse. You can move products to the final location in Europe by a local carrier or by your freight forwarder. They do this mostly by truck freight.
Customs Requirements For Importing From China to Europe
The customs authorities of Europe and China require the following things:
1. Customs Duties & VAT
Basically, customs duties include export and import duties. Its percentage varies from zero to 17% based on the value of items being exported from China or imported to Europe. Moreover, it is estimated by the Harmonized System of Codes. In this system, an eight-digit code is given to a specific category of goods.
Value Added Tax (VAT) rate is different for different countries. It is also applied to your imported goods in European countries.
2. Paperwork
You are required to do the necessary paperwork and submit documents to customs. The document preparation can be done by you or your shipping agent. These documents include:
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading or Airway Bill (AWB)
- Certificate of Origin
- Packing List
- Insurance certificate
- Import and export license
- Letter of Credit
- EORI number (necessary for shipping in Europe)
Restricted Products to Ship To Europe From China
The following items are strictly prohibited in Europe to ship from China.
- Counterfeit goods include money, credit cards, or other items
- Unauthorized medical and pharmaceutical products
- Non-regulated drugs and narcotics
- Weapons and explosive items
- Pornographic items like sketches, paintings, or magazines
- Endangered plant species and their seeds
- Endangered animals
- Hazardous products
The following products have restrictions but can be imported to Europe with certain certifications.
- Radioactive materials (Euratom license required)
- Medicinal products (Pharmaceutical license)
- Meat and dairy items (Veterinary Health Certificate)
- Animals include wild or domestic (CITES permit)
- Plants (CITES permit)
- Drugs like tobacco (EMCS license)
- Alcohol (EMCS license)
- Ordnance (European Firearms Pass)
Trade Routes To Ship From China To Europe
There are various trade routes used for importing goods from China to Europe. For ocean shipping, the Arctic route, Suez Canal, and Atlantic route are used. The China-Europe Railway Express route is used for rail freight. It is connected to the Silk Road and passes through various countries of Europe.
All routes start from some point in China and end in Europe. At starting and ending points, the loading and unloading of cargo occurs. These points are called ports. These may be seaports, airports, or train terminals. Below are the most used Chinese and European ports.
Seaports of China and Europe
You can consider the following seaports for shipping from China to Europe.
China Ports
- Port of Shanghai
- Port of Shenzhen
- Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan
- Port of Qingdao
- Port of Guangzhou
- Port of Tianjin
European Ports
- Hamburg Port (Germany)
- Port of Valencia (Spain)
- Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands)
- Port of Felixstowe (UK)
- Port of Antwerp (Belgium)
- Port of Marseille Fos (France)
- Dublin Port (Ireland)
- Port of Gdansk (Poland)
- Port of Novorossiysk (Russia)
Airports of China and Europe
Below are the airports for importing products from Chinese cities to Europe.
China Airports
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
European Airports
- Frankfurt Airport
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Heathrow Airport
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
- Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport
Rail Stations of China & Europe
The given train stations and terminals are used for transporting your goods to Europe from railway lines of China.
Rail Stations of China
- Zhengzhou International Land Port
- Beijing West Railway Station
- Yiwu Railway Station
- Chengdu International Railway Port
Rail Stations of Europe
- Chop Railway Station
- Brest Railway Station
- Malaszewicze Railway Terminal
- Duisburg Intermodal Terminal
- Felixstowe Port
- Teesside Rail Intermodal Park
To Summarize
We at Bansarship can help you ship from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Guangzhou to any of your European countries. Contact us directly for FOB shipping, ocean freight, air freight and railway freight to ship products from China to Europe.
