Shipping from China to Azerbaijan/Air, Sea, Rail, Truck

The trade relationship between China and Azerbaijan has flourished in recent years, bolstered by China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Azerbaijan's strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. This partnership is characterized by extensive logistics and transportation networks, including air, sea, and road freight, ensuring efficient and reliable movement of goods between the two nations.

What are the shipping methods from China to Azerbaijan?

Air freight from China to Azerbaijan

Sea freight from China to Azerbaijan

Rail freight from China to Azerbaijan

Truck freight from China to Azerbaijan

Shipping time for Shipping from China to Azerbaijan of different modes of transport

Air freight from China to Azerbaijan

Airport in Azerbaijan：

Heydar Aliyev International Airport (IATA CODE: GYD)

It is one of seven international airports serving Azerbaijan. Heydar Aliyev International Airport is the busiest airport in Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus region, and one of the busiest airports in the post-Soviet countries.

Ganja Airport(IATA CODE: KVD)

It is an airport serving Ganja (also known as Gyandzha), the second largest city in Azerbaijan.

It was previously used by the Soviet Air Force. In 1996, the airport was granted international airport status and has been used for civil aviation purposes since then.

Nakhchivan Airport(IATA CODE: NAJ)

It is a civilian airport and Azerbaijan military air base located in Nakhchivan, the capital of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, an inland exclave of Azerbaijan. The airport was built in the 1970s.

The three airports above are customs airports. Azerbaijan has another 5 airports, you can also learn about them.

Gabala International Airport(IATA CODE: GBB)

Lankaran International Airport(IATA CODE: LLK)

Yevlakh Airport(IATA CODE: YLV)

Zabrat Airport(IATA CODE: ZXT)

Zaqatala International Airport(IATA CODE: ZTU)

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

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.

The volumetric weight is the total volume occupied by the item (in cubic centimeters) divided by 6000.

The billable weight is the larger of the gross weight and the volumetric weight.

Advantages of Air Freight Shipping from China to Azerbaijan

1. Speed: The fastest mode of transport for international shipments.

2. Reliability: Minimal delays due to weather or infrastructure challenges.

3. Global Connectivity: Access to direct and transshipment routes ensures coverage.

4. Secure Handling: Ideal for sensitive or high-value items.

Challenges

1. Cost: Air freight is significantly more expensive than sea or rail transport.

2. Weight and Size Restrictions: Cargo space is limited compared to other modes of transport.

3. Customs Complexity: Requires accurate and timely documentation for seamless processing.

China-Baku air transport route

1.Shanghai(SHA)-Diwopu(URC)-Dushanbe(DYU)-Mashhad (MHD)-Mehrabad (THR)-Baku

2.Beijing(NAY)-Baita(HET)-Diwopu(URC)–Dushanbe(DYU)-Mashhad (MHD)-Mehrabad (THR)-Baku

3.Guangzhou(CAN)-Gandhi(DEL)-Herat(HEA)-Mashhad(MHD)-Mehrabad (THR)-Baku

Sea freight from China to Azerbaijan

Main Ports Involved

1.China:

Ningbo Zhoushan Port: Largest cargo throughput.

Shanghai Port: A global hub for container shipping.

Tianjin Port: Key northern port for Central Asia-bound goods.

2.Azerbaijan:

Port of Baku (Alat): Major hub for Caspian Sea trade and multi-modal logistics.

3.Intermediate Ports:

Aktau and Kuryk (Kazakhstan): Main transshipment points for Caspian Sea ferries.

Poti and Batumi (Georgia): Black Sea transit options.

Baku Port is called BAKU in English. It is the capital of Azerbaijan. Baku is a port city on the Caspian Sea. Generally speaking, shipping from China to Baku is transferred from POTI in Georgia. MAERSK provides shipping services to this port. Baku, located in the south of the Absheron Peninsula on the west coast of the Caspian Sea, is a large port on the Caspian Sea, the largest city in Transcaucasia, and the capital of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

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

Shipping from China to Azerbaijan 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.

Advantages of Sea Freight Shipping from China to Azerbaijan

1. Cost-Effective for Large Volumes: Ideal for bulk shipments.

2. Access to Multi-Modal Logistics: Seamless integration with rail or road transport via Kazakhstan or Georgia.

3. Scalable Capacity: Accommodates a wide range of cargo sizes and types.

Challenges

1. Landlocked Access: Sea freight alone cannot reach Azerbaijan; integration with rail or road is required.

2. Longer Transit Times: Sea routes are slower compared to rail or air options.

3. Caspian Sea Bottlenecks: Ferry schedules and capacity constraints can cause delays.

China-Baku sea transport route(Take goods in Beijing as an example)

1. Beijing-Tianjin-Qingdao-Ningbo-Shekou-Odessa-Batumi-baku

The route's total transit time is estimated at around 63 days

2. Beijing-Dalian-Busan-Ambarli-Poti-baku

The route's total transit time is estimated at around 50 days

Rail freight from China to Azerbaijan

TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor, reduces transportation times and ensures the reliability and safety of cargo transportation. One of the advantages is the delivery time – from 12 to 15 days in transit through the territory of Kazakhstan from China to countries such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, Türkiye and others. Previously, similar cargo was transported by trucks through the port of Trabzon, and subsequent sea transit to China took more than 40 days.

China-Baku rail transport route

1. Xi’an station-Khorgos-Kazakhstan-Caspian Sea-Baku

2. Hefei station-Khorgos-Kazakhstan-Caspian Sea-Baku

3. Jinan station-Khorgos-Kazakhstan-Caspian Sea-Baku

China to Baku transit time is estimated at around 14-18 days

Advantages of Rail Shipping from China to Azerbaijan

1. Faster than Sea Transport: Rail shipping offers quicker transit times compared to sea shipping, especially for medium-distance cargo.

2. Cost-Effective for Heavy Cargo: Rail is cheaper than air freight for bulky goods.

3. Environmentally Friendly: Rail has a smaller carbon footprint than road or air transportation.

4. High Capacity: Trains can handle larger volumes than trucks.

Challenges

1. Multi-modal Transfers: Cargo requires transfer to ferries for the Caspian Sea leg, adding time and logistical complexity.

2. Customs Clearance: Variations in customs procedures across countries can cause delays.

3. Gauge Differences: Rail networks in China use standard gauge (1435 mm), while Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan use Russian gauge (1520 mm), requiring transshipment.

Truck freight from China to Azerbaijan

Trucking is an important aspect of global logistics, connecting countries through road networks. Efficient trucking plays an important role in international trade and facilitates the exchange of goods between China and Azerbaijan.

Overland trucking from China to Azerbaijan can take 20–25 days, depending on the exact route, border crossing efficiency, and customs procedures.

China-Baku truck transport route Shipping from China to Azerbaijan

1.China-Kazakhstan-Azerbaijan Route:

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

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

May include ferry crossings across the Caspian Sea, connecting Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan (e.g., from Aktau to Baku).

2.China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Azerbaijan Route:

Trucks pass through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan before entering Azerbaijan.

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

Main Export Goods Transported by Truck

· Machinery and equipment

· Electronics

· Construction materials

· Chemicals

· Textiles and clothing

· Automobile parts

Advantages of Truck Shipping from China to Azerbaijan

1. Flexibility: Trucks can transport goods directly to locations not easily accessible by rail or sea.

2. Cost Efficiency for Smaller Shipments: Ideal for medium-sized cargo where rail or air may be impractical.

3. Multi-modal Potential: Works well with rail and sea routes to provide end-to-end logistics.

Goods prohibited or restricted from import into Azerbaijan

When importing goods from China into Azerbaijan, certain items are prohibited or restricted due to safety, health, environmental, or regulatory reasons. Here’s a list of common **prohibited items** that cannot be imported into Azerbaijan:

 **Prohibited items for m China import into Azerbaijan**

l Weapons, destructive compounds and ammunition.

l Animal remains (skin, bones, organs, horns, fur) and live animals.

l Perishable food (fresh fruits, liquids, vegetables, uncured meat).

l Plants, seeds, tree trunks and miscellaneous items.

l Encryption components, mainly used for secret communications.

l Devices that respond to all kinds of electromagnetic radio waves.

l Creative works of art (antiques and paintings), legal property of others.

l Valuable materials (gemstones, gold bars, diamond nuggets, mined items).

l Products that are directly harmful to the environment.

To import goods into Azerbaijan, 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.

Future Trade Trends between China and Azerbaijan

The future of China-Azerbaijan trade looks promising, with both countries committed to enhancing their economic partnership. The Belt and Road Initiative will continue to play a pivotal role in expanding logistics and transportation networks. Innovations in freight technology and improvements in infrastructure will further streamline sea transport, air freight, and road logistics. Additionally, increasing trade volumes and diversification of goods traded will likely lead to more robust economic ties. The strategic importance of Azerbaijan in connecting Europe and Asia will ensure its continued relevance in global trade dynamics.

If you have any shipping need from China to Azerbaijan,please feel free to contact us

Lora Yang,E-mail: sales02@viputrans.com,SKYPE|WECHAT|WHATSAPP|MOB:+86 13424468029