Air Sea Rail Truck Shipping from China to Armenia

Armenia, a landlocked country in the South Caucasus, relies heavily on efficient international logistics for its imports. For businesses shipping goods from China to Armenia,

selecting the right transportation mode involves balancing cost, speed, and reliability. This article outlines the four primary modes of transportation—air, sea, rail, and road—and their respective benefits and challenges.

What are the shipping methods from China to Armenia? 

Air freight from China to Armenia

Sea freight from China to Armenia

Truck freight from China to Armenia

Air freight from China to Armenia

Air freight is the fastest option for shipping goods from China to Armenia, making it ideal for time-sensitive and high-value shipments. Flights typically arrive at Zvartnots International Airport in Yerevan, Armenia's main hub for international air cargo.

Airport in Armenia：

Zvartnots International Airport  (IATA: EVN, ICAO: UDYZ) 

Zvartnots International Airport is located near Zvartnots, 15 km west of Yerevan, the capital city of Armenia. It acts as the main international airport of Armenia and is Yerevan's main international transport hub. It is the busiest airport in the country.

China to Yerevan air shipping route:

1. Shanghai (PVG)-Moscow(SVO)-Yerevan(EVN)

2. Shanghai(PVG)-Doha(DOH)-Yerevan(EVN)

Direct flights only take one day, and connecting flights take about 3-5 days

Advantages:

· Speed: Transit times range from 3 to 7 days, depending on the route and connections.

· Reliability: Minimal exposure to delays caused by weather or geopolitical factors.

· Security: Higher safety standards for fragile or valuable cargo.

Challenges:

· Cost: Air freight is significantly more expensive than other modes of transport.

· Weight and Volume Limitations: Not suitable for bulk shipments due to strict capacity restrictions.

Best Use Cases:

· Electronics, luxury goods, pharmaceuticals, and urgent orders.

How to calculate the billable weight of air freight from China to Armenia?

What is Gross Weight?

Gross weight, also called actual weight, is the total weight of a shipment. It includes the net weight of the actual product coupled with the weight of the packaging.

What is Volumetric Weight？

The air freight volumetric weight, or dimensional weight, is an estimated weight value based on a package’s length, width and height. It is a theoretical weight calculated using a minimum air cubic conversion factor chosen by the freight carrier. This is generally stated as 6000 cm3 = 1 kg or 1 cbm (cubic metre) = 167 kg.

Note: The billable weight of your product is usually different from its actual weight.

The billable weight is determined by measuring the gross weight (actual, physical weight) and volumetric weight of the shipment.

For example.

Your supplier in China will send you a box with the length 100cm, width 80cm, height 60cm, and gross weighing 50kg.

Your supplier in China will send you a box with the length 100cm, width 80cm, height 60cm, and gross weighing 100kg.

Sea freight from China to Armenia(via Georgian Ports)

Although Armenia is landlocked, sea transportation is possible by shipping goods to Poti or Batumi ports in Georgia, followed by overland transport to Armenia via trucks. This option is best for large-volume or bulk shipments.

Advantages:

· Cost Efficiency: Ideal for shipping heavy machinery, raw materials, and construction equipment.

· Capacity: Sea freight can accommodate large and heavy shipments that other modes cannot.

Challenges:

· Long Transit Times: Shipping to Georgia typically takes 30–45 days, including final delivery to Armenia.

· Complexity: Requires multimodal coordination between sea and road transport providers.

Best Use Cases:

· Bulk goods, raw materials, non-urgent shipments, and oversized cargo.

China to Yerevan sea shipping route:

China to Armenia sea transport time about 48-52 days

Main Ports in China：

Shanghai Port

Shanghai Port is the world's largest and busiest port, carrying more than 25% of the world's shipping volume. The container throughput of Shanghai Port has remained the world's first for 11 consecutive years.One of the leading trans-shipment hubs in China, the port of Shanghai has three container terminals: Yangshan, Wusongkou, and Waigaoqiao. It has a 20 km-long quay with 125 berths. Yangshan Port is the largest freight terminal in the world.

Ningbo Port

Ningbo Port is the second largest port in China and the third largest port in the world. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is the largest port in the world in terms of cargo throughput. Ningbo Port has 170 large berths of 10,000 tons or more, 100 extra-large deep-water berths of 50,000 tons or more, and 620 productive berths. It has strong freight facilities and container throughput capacity and is the largest transshipment port for ultra-large container ships in China. In terms of trade, Ningbo-Zhoushan Port is the largest iron ore and crude oil transshipment base in the country, and is also the main trade storage and transportation hub for coal, liquid chemicals, grain, etc.

Shenzhen Port

Shenzhen Port connects South China with the rest of the country. It is the fourth largest seaport in the world and the third largest port in China. The port is divided into different areas according to the type of cargo, with the main trading areas located in Yantian, Shekou, Chiwan, Nanshan and Dachan Bay. Shenzhen Port handles more than 550 vessels per month and has 140 container berths. Shenzhen's main exports include medical equipment, tableware, chemicals, machinery parts and plastic molds.

The throughput of Chinese ports in the past five years

FCL (Full Container Load) means full container transportation: the customer's goods are placed in a fully filled and sealed container for transportation;

LCL (Less than Container Load) means less than container load transportation: the customer's goods are not enough to fill a container, and the goods of several customers are placed in one container for transportation. If the goods are less than 15CBM, it is highly recommended to choose LCL transportation.

Truck freight from China to Armenia

Road freight is the most flexible option for delivering goods directly to Armenia, often used in combination with rail or sea freight. Trucks typically travel through neighboring countries such as Georgia and Iran to reach Armenia.

Advantages:

· Door-to-Door Delivery: Direct transportation to warehouses or businesses.

· Flexibility: Ideal for last-mile delivery or customized routes.

· Cost: More affordable than air freight for small-to-medium-sized shipments.

Challenges:

· Weather Dependency: Harsh winters and mountain passes can disrupt schedules.

· Geopolitical Issues: Border crossings may experience delays depending on regional conditions.

Best Use Cases:

· General cargo, retail goods, and goods requiring customized routes.

China to Yerevan truck shipping route:

China to Armenia truck transport time about 22-28 days

1.China-Kazakhstan-Armenia Route:

Trucks travel from western China (e.g., Urumqi or other logistics hubs) through Kazakhstan and into Armenia.

Often involves crossing the Khorgos Gateway at the China-Kazakhstan border.

May include ferry crossings across the Caspian Sea, connecting Kazakhstan to Armenia 

2.China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Armenia Route:

Trucks pass through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan before entering Armenia.

This route is slightly longer but supports cargo destined for multiple Central Asian countries.

Recommended Shipping Routes from China to Armenia

Air Freight:

China → Armenia (via direct or connecting flights through hubs like Istanbul, Moscow, or Dubai).

Sea and Road Freight:

China → Poti/Batumi (Georgia) or bandar abbas(Iran)→ Armenia (by truck).

Rail and Road Freight:

China → Central Asia/Georgia (rail) → Armenia (by truck).

Popular rail routes include the China-Kazakhstan border (Khorgos) or Alashankou before transitioning to road freight.

Direct Road Freight:

China → Kazakhstan → Uzbekistan → Armenia.

Goods prohibited or restricted from import into Armenia

Armenia has previously imposed import bans on certain products from China due to health concerns. In January 2015, Armenia banned the import of live birds, poultry meat products, eggs, and related items from China because of avian influenza ("bird flu"). This ban was lifted on July 12, 2022, after the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) provided updated information indicating improved conditions.

Additionally, on January 26, 2020, Armenia imposed a temporary ban on the import of animal products and raw materials from China due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. This ban was lifted on February 19, 2020, after it was determined that the virus was not transmitted through objects but only through personal contact among humans.

As of December 2024, there are no known active import bans by Armenia specifically targeting products from China. Trade relations between the two countries have been strengthening, with bilateral trade reaching $2.08 billion in the first nine months of 2024, marking a 34.7% increase.

It's important to note that Armenia has extended import restrictions on cement and clinker from Iran and other countries, effective from January 20, 2025, to July 20, 2025. However, these restrictions do not specifically target China.

For the most current information on import regulations, it's advisable to consult official sources such as Armenia's Food Safety Inspection Authority or the Ministry of Economy.

To import goods into Armenia, you typically need the following documents for customs clearance:

l Invoice:Detailed description of the goods, unit price, total value, currency, and payment terms.

l Packing List:Details of the cargo, including weight, dimensions, and contents of each package.

l Sales Contract (if applicable):Agreement between the buyer and seller outlining terms of the transaction.

l Road Transport Document (CMR):Required for goods transported by truck.

l Customs Declaration (SAD Form):Standard form used to declare the goods to customs authorities.

l Certificate of Origin:Confirms the country of origin of the goods. It may be mandatory for preferential tariffs under trade agreements.

l Import License or Permit (if applicable):Required for restricted or regulated goods.

Why Choose VIPUTRANS for Your Logistics Needs?

As a trusted logistics partner, we specialize in tailored shipping solutions from China to Armenia. Here’s what sets us apart:

· Comprehensive Expertise: Knowledge of air, sea, rail, and road transport ensures you get the best option for your needs.

· End-to-End Solutions: We manage customs clearance, multimodal transitions, and last-mile delivery.

· Real-Time Tracking: Monitor your shipments every step of the way with GPS-enabled tracking.

· Cost Efficiency: Competitive rates across all modes of transport to maximize your savings.

If you have any shipping need from China to Armenia please feelfree to contact  Lora Yang : sales02@viputrans.com  SKYPE|WECHAT|WHATSAPP|MOB:+86 13424468029