Shopping from China to Europe, Sea, Air, and Rail

China-EU economic and logistics ties are a key part of their trade relationship. Despite global challenges and supply chain shifts, both sides have strengthened cooperation through logistics improvements, innovation, and strategic alignment, showing resilience and growth potential. 

Things European buyers need to pay attention to when importing from China

1. Compliance issues

Ensure your products meet EU regulations: CE certification (safety/health/environmental standards), 

RoHS (hazardous substance restrictions) and REACH (chemical controls). Non-compliance risks customs detention or fines.

2. How to choose a supplier

Choose experienced suppliers because they will be more aware of the needs and regulations of the European market and 

How to properly handle international logistics, customs clearance and other matters.

Ask suppliers to provide certification documents for relevant products to confirm whether these documents are authentic 

and valid. Some documents may be expired or not comply with the latest EU standards.

If conditions permit, visit the factory in person and communicate directly with management and production staff to understand 

production processes, quality control, etc.

If you can't visit in person, you can ask the supplier to provide factory videos or arrange a video conference to see the factory. 

equipment, and working conditions to verify their production capacity and scale.

Platforms such as Alibaba, Made-in-China, and Globalsources can help you find a large number of suppliers, which is very 

convenient for initial screening.

Shopping from China to Europe by sea

Sea freight methods and prices

The lowest cost, suitable for bulk and heavy goods.The longest time (about 30–45 days, depending on the port).

 It can be FCL or LCL.If the cargo volume is large (such as more than 5–10 cubic meters), there is no rush to receive the goods, and a transportation  cycle of about 1 month can be accepted.

 Reference price (market price at the beginning of 2025, approximate range):

20-foot small cabinet (about 28 cubic meters) $1000-$2500

40-foot large cabinet (about 58 cubic meters) $1500-$3500

（Including sea freight, excluding port miscellaneous fees, customs clearance, and taxes)

Railway transportation (China-Europe Railway Express)

1. Features:

 Faster than sea transportation, cheaper than air transportation. It takes about 15–25 days. By land, for example, exit through Xinjiang Alashankou/Horgos Port, and go through Central Asia to Germany, Poland, and other places.

Applicable situations:

Medium volume of goods. Buyers who need faster than sea transportation but cannot afford air transportation

 2. Reference price (based on the market in early 2025):

A 40-foot high cabinet is about $4500-$7000. If it is LCL based on the volume, it is about $0.8-$1.5/kg (depending on the route and warehouse-to-warehouse service). Trains are not suitable for transporting liquids and batteries.

The China-Europe Express passes through many countries (China, Kazakhstan, Russia, Poland, Germany, etc.).Different countries have their regulations on shipping liquids, flammable materials, and batteries—many strictly prohibit the entry of undeclared dangerous goods. This means that the entire train will be delayed, fined, or even returned once violations are found.

Air freight from China to Europe

When should to choose air freight to get your goods to arrive quickly?

It is swift and suitable for urgent orders with high value and timeliness requirements. For example, new product launches, fashion products, samples, and electronic components.

The route is from major airports in China (such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing) to major airports in Europe (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Paris CDG). It can normally arrive in 4–10 days (including pickup, customs clearance, etc.).

Express delivery will allow your goods from China to arrive faster than sea or rail 

If you choose the courier that suits you, how long will it take?

Freight forwarding from China to Europe

Extremely fast, ensuring your goods arrive in the shortest possible time. (door to door, 4–7 days). 

More expensive than air freight, suitable for small, high-value goods.

Common express companies

DHL (fastest, best service

UPS FedEx

EMS (cheap but slow)

 1. Reference price:

Small items (1–5kg): $20-$40/kg

 Large items (over 10kg): The price will be cheaper, about $8-$15/kg.

Express delivery will usually automatically include customs clearance and prepaid import tax options

Freight Forwarding Type

With wide networks and full transport options—by sea, air, or rail—traditional freight forwarders are ideal for bulk shipments and lasting business relationships.

Cross-border e-commerce freight forwarders excel at express delivery and small air shipments, like European lines, for e-commerce sellers with urgent goods.

Smaller, flexible freight forwarders have cost advantages and offer adaptable services, making them great for small batches and custom orders, especially for startups.

Third-party logistics (3PL) companies provide full warehousing and transportation services, ideal for those setting up overseas warehouses.

 2. Recommend excellent freight forwarders.

Founded in 2018, VIPU International Logistics is a global supply chain company with over 15 years of experience. it offers high-quality international logistics solutions,  including air, sea, rail, road, and multimodal transport, covering Russia, CIS, Europe, and beyond.

Vipu International Logistics provides many services. These include sourcing products from China, warehousing, and customs transit. They also handle global exports and e-commerce distribution. This includes kitting, assembly, labeling, and packaging. Additionally, they offer dropshipping from China to the world.

How a Good Freight Forwarder Can Help？-

When trading from China to Europe, choosing the right freight forwarder can significantly reduce costs, shorten delivery times, and improve customer satisfaction.

 Good freight forwarders work closely with airlines and carriers to offer better rates. They also create smart transport plans—like sea + rail or LCL—to reduce costs and prevent storage space from going to waste.

 Avoid unexpected extra charges, such as port detention fees or customs inspection fees.. Many novices are cheated because the freight forwarder does not remind them.

Improve transportation time efficiency

1. A strong freight forwarder can guarantee space and flight priority, and can quickly switch plans when there is a problem. In case of emergencies (such as port strikes and bad weather),

 A good freight forwarder can temporarily adjust the route or arrange expedited processing.

2. During peak logistics periods (such as “Black Friday” and the Christmas season), a reliable freight forwarder can ensure that your 

 goods can be shipped and will not be held in storage and cannot be shipped.

 Reduce customs clearance. Possible issues freight forwarders are very familiar with the import customs clearance requirements of

  3. European countries (Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, etc.).

 They can guide you in preparing compliance documents (such as CE certification, invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin

  CO, etc.).

In case of inspection,

 They can also help to handle it quickly to avoid the goods being detained, fined, or even returned A good freight forwarder is not only a freight forwarder, but also an invisible booster for your overseas business! I believe that choosing VIPU Logistics will give you a pleasant experience.