Importing from Europe to China

Shipping and importing goods into China involves several steps, including shipping logistics, customs clearance, and compliance with regulations. Here’s a step-by-step guide

1. Choose a Shipping Method

Air Freight: Faster (3–7 days) but more expensive, suitable for small, high-value, or urgent shipments.

Express Courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): Best for small parcels (3–5 days), includes door-to-door delivery and customs handling.

Key Air Freight Routes (Europe → China)

Major Departure Airports in Europe:

Germany: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC)

Netherlands: Amsterdam (AMS)

France: Paris (CDG)

UK: London (LHR, STN)

Belgium: Brussels (BRU)

Major Arrival Airports in China:

Shanghai (PVG – Pudong, SHA – Hongqiao)

Beijing (PEK – Capital, PKX – Daxing)

Guangzhou (CAN – Baiyun)

Shenzhen (SZX – Bao’an)

Chengdu (CTU – Shuangliu)

Transit Time:

Direct flights: 2–5 days (including customs clearance).

Transit flights: 4–7 days (via Middle East/Hong Kong).

Air Freight Shipping Options

Air Freight Costs (Europe → China)

Additional Fees:

Fuel surcharge (varies monthly).

Security fees (€0.10–€0.30/kg).

Customs clearance fees (€50–€200).

Sea Freight: Cheaper but slower (15–45 days), ideal for large or heavy shipments (FCL or LCL).

Key Shipping Routes (Europe → China)

Major European Ports for Export:

Rotterdam (Netherlands) – Largest EU port, frequent sailings.

Hamburg (Germany) – Key hub for Central/Eastern Europe.

Antwerp (Belgium) – Good for chemicals and project cargo.

Felixstowe (UK) – Main UK port for China trade.

Le Havre (France) – Major port for French exports.

Major Chinese Ports for Import:

Shanghai – World’s busiest port, best for East China.

Ningbo-Zhoushan – Major alternative to Shanghai.

Shenzhen (Yantian & Shekou) – Best for South China (Guangdong).

Qingdao – Key port for Northern China.

Tianjin – Serves Beijing and industrial North China.

Transit Time:

Direct route (no transshipment): 28–35 days (e.g., Rotterdam → Shanghai).

With transshipment (via Singapore/Dubai): 35–45 days.

Sea Freight Shipping Options

Sea Freight Costs (Europe → China)

Factors Affecting Cost:

Peak season (Q3–Q4: higher rates).

Fuel prices (Bunker Adjustment Factor, BAF).

Port congestion (delays may increase costs).

Rail Freight: Faster than sea, cheaper than air (ideal for mid-value, time-sensitive cargo like auto parts, electronics).

Key Routes: Europe to China by Rail

Northern Route (Most Common):

From: Germany (Duisburg, Hamburg), Poland (Małaszewicze), Netherlands (Rotterdam).

Through: Belarus → Russia → Kazakhstan → China (via Khorgos/Alashankou).

Destinations in China: Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Suzhou.

Southern Route (Avoiding Russia):

From: Turkey → Georgia → Azerbaijan → Caspian Sea → Kazakhstan → China.

Longer transit time but bypasses sanctions-affected routes.

Transit Time:

12–18 days (vs. 30+ days for sea, 3–5 days for air).

Costs & Pricing

Cost Example: ~$4,000–$8,000 per 40ft container (vs. $10K+ for air, $2K–$4K for sea).

Factors Affecting Cost:

Route (Northern vs. Southern).

Cargo type (dangerous goods cost more).

Container type (reefer, high-cube).

Fuel surcharges and demand fluctuations.

Advantages of Rail Freight

Faster than sea: 2–3 weeks vs. 4–6 weeks.

Cheaper than air: ~50–70% lower cost.

Reliable schedules: Fewer delays than sea (port congestion).

Eco-friendly: Lower CO₂ emissions than air/sea.

Challenges & Solutions

Truck Freight: Faster than sea, cheaper than air High flexibility, can transport any cargo

Key Trucking Routes (Europe → China)

Primary Options for Truck Transport

Since direct trucking from Europe to China is extremely rare (due to distance, borders, and geopolitical factors), most truck freight is used in two ways:

Europe to Central Asia/Russia (for Rail Connection)

Trucks carry goods to rail hubs in Poland (Małaszewicze), Germany (Duisburg), or Russia for onward rail transport to China.

Example:

Munich → Poland (by truck) → China (by rail).

Short-Haul Cross-Border Trucking (for Sea/Rail Links)

Trucks move cargo to major seaports (Rotterdam, Hamburg) for ocean freight.

Example:

Paris → Rotterdam (by truck) → Shanghai (by sea).

Possible (But Rare) Long-Distance Trucking Routes

Trans-Siberian Highway (via Russia & Kazakhstan) – Possible but expensive, slow, and paperwork-heavy.

Southern Route (via Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan) – Avoids Russia but involves multiple border crossings.

Transit Time (Truck + Multimodal):

Truck + Rail: ~15–25 days (e.g., Germany → Poland → China).

Truck + Sea: ~35–50 days (e.g., France → Rotterdam → Shanghai).

Full Truck Route (Rare): ~20–30 days (with delays at borders).

Truck Freight Shipping Options

Truck Freight Costs (Europe → China)

Additional Fees:

Border crossing fees (~€200–€800 per crossing).

Customs clearance fees (€300–€1,000).

TIR Carnet cost (~€200–€500).

2. Prepare Required Documents

Commercial Invoice (must include HS code, value, and description of goods).

Packing List (details of weight, dimensions, and contents).

Bill of Lading (B/L) (for sea freight) or Air Waybill (AWB) (for air freight).

Customs Declaration Form (submitted by the importer or agent).

Import License (if required for restricted goods).

Certificate of Origin (for preferential tariffs under trade agreements).

Inspection Certificates (for food, chemicals, electronics, etc.).

3. Customs Clearance Process

China Customs examines shipments based on:

HS Code Classification (determines duties and taxes).

Duties & Taxes (VAT: typically 13%, import duty varies by product).

Customs Inspection (random or mandatory for certain goods).

Steps:

Submit Documents to China Customs (via a licensed broker).

Pay Duties & Taxes (if applicable).

Customs Inspection (if required, may cause delays).

Release & Delivery (once cleared, goods are delivered).

4. Duties & Taxes

Import Duty: Varies (0%–50+%) based on HS code and trade agreements.

VAT: 13% (standard rate, 9% for some items like food).

Consumption Tax: Applies to luxury goods, alcohol, tobacco, etc.

De Minimis Threshold:

Air/Sea: No threshold (all imports taxed).

Express Courier: ≤¥50 (~$7) may be exempt.

5. Restricted & Prohibited Goods

Restricted: Requires special permits (e.g., medical devices, cosmetics, food).

Prohibited: Weapons, counterfeit goods, certain chemicals, etc.

6. Use a Customs Broker

Recommended for first-time importers to handle paperwork, HS codes, and compliance.

7. Delivery & Warehousing

After clearance, goods are transported to the final destination.

Consider bonded warehouses for temporary storage without paying duties.

Tips for Smooth Import

Accurate HS Codes: Misclassification can lead to delays or fines.

Proper Labeling: Goods should have Chinese labels (for food, electronics, etc.).

Pre-Clearance: Some couriers/brokers offer pre-check to speed up the process.

Final Notes

E-commerce Imports: Cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) has separate rules (lower duties for parcels <¥5,000).

Free Trade Zones (FTZ): Reduced tariffs in designated areas like Shanghai FTZ.

Would you like specific details on a particular product category (e.g., electronics, food, machinery)?

If you want to know more about the import shipping from in China, Please feel free to contact：Lora Yang  E-mail: sales02@viputrans.com   SKYPE|WECHAT|WHATSAPP|MOB:+86 13424468029