Freight Shipping from China to Europe

Shipping from China to Europe: A Comprehensive Guide

In this guide, we will delve into everything you need to know about freight shipping from China to Europe: the best transportation options, routes, timelines, delivery costs, and customs-related issues.

China offers a wide range of products at competitive prices, making it an attractive sourcing destination for European businesses. Therefore, for a business owner, understanding the logistics of shipping from China to Europe is crucial for a smooth and successful transportation process.

The shipping options from China to Europe include sea, rail, air, and express transportation. Each of them has its own features and advantages tailored to your needs. Let’s take a closer look at these methods.

At the same time, sea freight is the longest shipping method from China to Europe. The total transportation duration can take up to two months, depending on the distance, route, schedule, and other factors.

Plan your supply chain considering this extended duration to avoid stockouts and potential sales losses.

When to choose sea freight China to Europe:
1) You need to ship a large batch of goods (over 300 kg);
2) You need to ship goods that are prohibited for air transportation;
3) Long delivery time is not critical for you, and you want to save on costs;
4) You need to deliver oversized freight.

Full Container Load (FCL)

• Full Container Load (FCL) can be the cheapest shipping from China to Europe, but only if your goods truly occupy an entire container. In this case, you pay for the container rather than the weight of the goods. The most commonly used containers are 20-foot and 40-foot containers.

Often, Full Container Load (FCL) can be a faster shipping method than Less-than-Container Load (LCL). This is because you are not dependent on other shippers who need to fill the container. Additionally, you don’t have to wait for unloading and deconsolidation at the destination point.

FCL is slightly safer than LCL. Since only your goods occupy the container, it reduces the risk of damage or loss of part of the cargo.

Less-than-Container Load (LCL)

• Less-than-Container Load (LCL) becomes the cheapest shipping of small batches from China to Europe. In the case of LCL, you rent not the entire container but space within it. Your cargo is consolidated with others, and you only pay for the space you use.

As mentioned earlier, LCL shipping may take longer than FCL.

Rail Freight from China to Europe

Rail freight from China to Europe presents a convenient alternative to sea or air freight. Land transportation takes half the time of sea shipping and remains more affordable than air delivery. Shipping by train also facilitates the delivery of goods to countries and cities distant from ports.

Railway transportation enhances safety, with significantly lower cargo damage risks compared to sea or air freight. Although railway transport is less weather-dependent, it is more susceptible to obstacles along the route. If there is a breakdown or track repair, an alternative railway route may not be available.

Every year, shipping by train from China to Europe is becoming increasingly popular among entrepreneurs due to its convenience and relative reliability.

Similar to sea freight, you have the option to rent either a full container (FCL) or just a portion of the space within it (LCL) with railway transportation.

Rail freight from China to Europe is a good choice in the same cases as sea freight:
1) You are shipping a large batch of goods weighing over 300 kg;
2) You are shipping goods that are prohibited for air transportation;
3) You are willing to wait for the cargo for a month;
4) You are shipping oversized cargo.
However, you will wait less and pay more as compared to sea freight.

Air Freight from China to Europe

Air freight provides fast delivery from China to Europe, significantly reducing transit time compared to sea or land transport. This is particularly advantageous for time-sensitive or perishable goods. Additionally, air freight allows the delivery of cargo to virtually any European country with airports capable of handling cargo aircraft.

When considering air freight for shipping from China to Europe:
1) If you need to receive the goods within a week.
2) If the goods are perishable.
3) When transporting valuable or fragile cargo.
4) If the weight of your cargo does not exceed 500 kg.
In the case of air freight, it is also important to ensure that the type of your goods is allowed for transportation. Prohibited items include compressed gas, flammable liquids and solids, oxidizing and corrosive substances.

Express Shipping China to Europe

Express shipping China to Europe is the optimal choice when time is of the essence. Your cargo will be with you in just 1-3 days.

Express delivery services are provided only by international courier services such as DHL, UPS, TNT, and FedEx.

It is always door-to-door delivery (D2D). The courier service takes care of the entire process, including document preparation, customs formalities, logistics, and delivery to the specified location. You just need to accept the shipment upon arrival.

Express shipping China to Europe will be the preferred option if:

1) You have perishable goods;
2) You need to receive the cargo as quickly as possible;
3) You need to transport a small batch of goods or documents.

Door-to-door Shipping (D2D)

“Door-to-door” shipping ensures that your goods are received directly from the supplier or manufacturer in China and delivered right to your doorstep in Europe. The freight forwarder will take care of all necessary documents, customs clearance, and transportation organization, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process. You only need to accept the shipment.

Fulfillment-Box – your reliable partner for door-to-door delivery from China to Europe. We offer special rates for our clients in Europe, ensuring excellent service and efficient delivery.

In addition to the full logistics cycle, there are several options where the importer and exporter take on different parts of the cargo delivery. This includes options such as port to port, port to door, and door to port. Similar options exist for railway and air transportation as well.

Depending on the combination, the exporter is required to independently deliver the cargo to the point of departure, while the importer is responsible for picking up the cargo from the port, railway station, or airport.

What is the shipping cost from China to Europe?

There are numerous aspects that determine the shipping cost from China to Europe. These include obvious factors such as the shipping method, distance, dimensions of the cargo, as well as less obvious ones like seasonality, competitiveness among carriers, and others. Therefore, there is no fixed rate, and even an approximate price can be misleading.

The main thing is to understand what is included in logistical costs and what they depend on. Let’s consider the primary expenses associated with cargo shipping from China to Europe.

The payment for the services of a freight forwarder

No one can perform a task better than a person who specializes in it. Therefore, it’s advisable to entrust the freight shipping from China to Europe to a reliable freight forwarder. This way, you can patiently await the arrival of your cargo without having to navigate through a multitude of logistical issues.
The services of a freight forwarder from China to Europe may be expensive, but it’s the cost for convenience, peace of mind, and the safety of the cargo.

The payment of duties

For import from China to Europe, you will need to pay customs duties. The amount of the duty will depend on the type and value of the goods, as well as the destination country. Legislation and customs rules vary in each country.

Insurance expenses

Insurance protects your cargo and allows you to feel at ease. In the event of loss or damage to the cargo during delivery from China to Europe, you can expect compensation.
The actual cost of insurance depends on several key factors: the mode of transportation, the nature of the cargo, the chosen insurance broker, and the type of transportation (air, sea, or rail).

Transportation costs

The cost of transportation is one of the main components of expenses. It heavily depends on the chosen mode of transport (rail, sea, or air freight) and the delivery timeframe. Additionally, it’s important to consider the expenses for transporting the cargo from the supplier’s warehouse to the port, airport, or railway station in China, and then from there to your warehouse in Europe.
Door-to-door (D2D) delivery makes transportation costs more predictable, as you pay upfront for everything. Additionally, freight forwarders often have agreements with local transportation companies and can offer more favorable conditions.

Sea freight rates from China to Europe

Sea freight will be the least expensive option for you although you may have to wait.

The shipping cost of a fully loaded container (FCL) from China to Europe will range from $1500 to $3000, depending on the distance and the size of the container (20-foot or 40-foot).

Shipping LCL will cost approximately $50 to $100 per cubic meter.

Rail freight from China to Europe cost

Rail freight will be much more expensive than sea, but still cheaper than air delivery. For the rail delivery of a FCL (Full Container Load) container, you will have to pay from 7000 to 10000 dollars. LCL (Less than Container Load) delivery will cost around 3-5 dollars per cubic meter.

Air freight rates from China to Europe

Air transportation will be the most expensive delivery method (excluding express delivery). However, you won’t have to wait long for the cargo. On average, air delivery will cost around 8 dollars per kilogram.
In the case of air delivery, external factors play a significant role in pricing. During holidays, peak seasons, and winter, the delivery cost can be several times higher than during the off-season and warmer months. Competition among airlines also plays a role. Under the same delivery conditions, the cost may vary between different companies.

Cost of express shipping from China to Europe

Express shipping will be the most expensive delivery method. On average, it will cost you around 10 dollars per kilogram. The weight and packaging of the goods, as well as the courier service you choose—whether it’s DHL, UPS, TNT, or FedEx—significantly influence the cost.

What is the shipping time from China to Europe?

Depending on the delivery method and the planned route, international shipping from China to Europe can take anywhere from 1 to 60 days.

Sea transportation takes the longest time, typically up to two months (30-50 days). The delivery time by sea heavily depends on the destination. The port of departure in China and the chosen route are just as important as the different clearance times at customs and the subsequent transport by lorry to the final destination.

Delivery by train takes less time than sea transportation, but you still have to wait for the cargo. On average, railway transportation takes from 2 to 3 weeks.

Air transportation is a relatively fast delivery method, taking from 3 to 10 days depending on the route. A direct flight can take just a couple of days, considering the transportation of the cargo to the airport. An indirect flight will take more time.

Express shipping lives up to its name and takes only 1-3 days.

Certainly, all figures are approximate and depend on various factors such as seasonality, current workload, distance, type, and weight of the cargo.

Main Shipping Routes from China to Europe

Understanding the delivery routes and transit times is crucial for planning and assessing the delivery schedule of your cargo. Air, sea, and land transportation have specific routes connecting China and Europe.

Sea freight shipping routes

Sea freight shipments from China to Europe typically follow two main routes: the Northern route and the Southern route.

The Northern route passes through the Arctic Ocean, providing a shorter transit time during the summer months. The Southern route traverses the Suez Canal, which is the most commonly used route for container shipping. The delivery time for maritime cargo varies from several weeks to several months, depending on the route and the chosen shipping line.

Rail freight shipping routes

From China to Europe, there are several railway routes for freight shipping:

• The Eastern (also known as the Northern route) passes through the eastern part of China, Siberia, Belarus, and enters Europe.
• The Central route passes through the northern part of China, Mongolia, and then continues through Russia and Belarus.
• The Western (or Southern) route passes through the southwestern part of China, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus.

Since 2022, shipping by train from China to Europe has experienced new developments. China is actively testing multimodal routes bypassing Russia—via Kazakhstan and Turkey. These routes combine both maritime and railway transportation.

Air freight shipping routes

Air freight from China to Europe is carried out through various international airports, including Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Beijing Capital International Airport, and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. The most common air routes include direct flights or transshipment through major transit hubs such as Dubai, Hong Kong, or Frankfurt. The transit time for cargo air transportation varies from a few days to a week, depending on the specific route and carrier.

How to deliver from China to Amazon FBA warehouse

Shipping goods from China to Amazon FBA warehouses in Europe deserves special attention.

Direct shipping can save you money but comes with certain risks. Amazon FBA has strict requirements for the quality, packaging, and labeling of goods. The Amazon warehouse may reject the product or demand payment for additional processing. Additionally, when shipping from China, you have limited quality control options.

By using the services of intermediaries and freight forwarders, you can ensure the secure delivery of goods from China to Amazon FBA warehouses in Europe and avoid unforeseen situations.

Often, sellers request manufacturers to prepare goods specifically for Amazon FBA, and in such cases, it is advisable to engage an inspector in China. They will conduct a product inspection before shipment and ensure that the items meet all quality standards.

You can also utilize the services of a local company specializing in preparing goods for shipment. This will help ensure the quality of the products before sending them to Amazon FBA warehouses in Europe.

For a secure delivery, it is recommended to choose the Door to Door method to avoid potential issues with receiving the cargo.
The Fulfillment-Box warehouse in China offers services for inspecting and preparing goods for Amazon FBA. Our logistics specialists will assist you in planning the optimal delivery route from China to Amazon FBA warehouses in Europe. Fulfillment-Box provides a comprehensive solution, covering the entire cycle of services.

Conclusion

The cargo shipping from China to Europe requires careful planning, coordination, and the selection of the right transportation solution. Whether you opt for air, railway, or maritime transportation, understanding delivery routes, transit times, customs procedures, and packaging requirements is crucial for a successful delivery.

It is advisable to turn to a professional freight forwarder from China to Europe, such as Fulfillment-Box. Utilizing the services of a freight forwarder can help reduce the likelihood of unforeseen problems and delivery delays, ensuring a smoother and more controlled process. Freight forwarders also possess essential information about customs procedures and transportation regulations, aiding in the avoidance of potential errors and simplifying the entire process. Professionalism and knowledge of all nuances can be a decisive factor for the successful and secure delivery of your goods.