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Are you looking for transportation and logistics services from China to Germany?
We offer a wide variety of services tailored to your needs.
Whether it’s shipping by air freight or via ocean shipping containers, our team will endeavor to bring you the best and most affordable transport solutions from China to Germany.
This dedicated Germany country guide will give you all the main details related to your shipment from China to Germany: time, rates, processes, duties and taxes…
Table of Contents
Sea Freight & Container Shipping From China To Germany
Transport by sea is one of the most popular options for shipping and this is a key means for goods coming to Germany from China.
Ocean freight will be the best deal for you if :
- Your suppliers are located near a major Chinese port
- Your goods are bigger than 2 CBM
- You’re not in a hurry to receive them
In China we can make sure your goods are exported from all major ports such as Shanghai, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Dalian, Tianjin, Xiamen, Macao, and Hong Kong.
We offer a variety of services from full door-to door, to door-to-port, and port-to-port.
With a door-to-door service, your goods will be in our hands from the factory/retailer in China all the way to your address in Germany.
Goods shipped by sea coming into China arrive at Germany premier ports such as Hamburg, Bremen and Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven…
HAMBURG
Port Facts:
- Germany’s largest ocean port.
- Third busiest container port in Europe.
- 19th busiest container port in the world.
- 4 container terminals and 22 berths and 40 cranes
- Over 8 million TEUs in annual container throughput
Owned By: Hamburg Port Authority.
Annual Container Volume: >8.5 million TEUs.
UN/LOCODE: DEHAM.
BREMERHAVEN
Port Facts:
- Four container Terminals
- Capacity for over seven million TEUS at terminal four
- Largest closed container-handling area in the world
- The fourth busiest container port in Europe.
Owned By: Free Hanseatic City of Bremen.
Annual Container Volume: >5 million TEUs.
UN/LOCODE: DEBRV.
Transit from China to Germany via ocean container shipping takes around 20 to 30 days from port to port.
This time varies according to certain factors such as the ports of departure and arrival and season sailing schedules.
FCL and LCL shipping
You can transport your goods by both FCL and LCL shipping.
There are many factors you need to consider when shipping from China to Germany.
A standard 40 foot container can accommodate 22 standard pallets, with a 20 foot container holding 10 pallets.
If you’re shipping large volumes and can fill a container, it makes sense to choose FCL (Full Container Load).
The other advantage of Full container load is that your items are kept separate from other importers.
On the other hand, LCL (Less than a Container Load) refers to shipping where your goods share space within a container with other goods.
If you’re OK with that, then LCL shipping (also known as groupage) offers a more economical way to ship smaller quantities that make up less than half of the volume of a full container.
FCL Ocean Freight Shipping Costs from China to Germany (updated July 2023)
Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping
FCL shipping means renting an entire container for your shipment.
If you have a large enough cargo to occupy a container, or even most of a container, FCL shipping may make the most economical sense.
It’s also quicker than LCL shipping as there is no need to consolidate or deconsolidate your items from others.
Your container will also remain sealed throughout the journey and unless customs officials select it for inspection will be sealed until it arrives at your address or chosen destination.
LCL Consolidation Sea Freight Shipping Costs from China to Germany (updated July 2023)
Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping
LCL shipping means your goods will share space with goods from other companies.
This also means that your delivery might take a little bit longer, because of both the packing and unpacking process.
Before departure, your goods will be stored in a consolidation warehouse in China until departure, and then on arrival be held in a de-consolidation warehouse in Germany before they are delivered to your address.
Air Freight From China To Germany
We have developed a vast network of carriers that specialize in air cargo transportation, offering daily and weekly departures from China’s main airports to any air destination in the globe.
Air freight will be the most efficient solution if :
- Your goods are smaller than 2 CBM and 200 kg
- You’re in a hurry to receive/send the goods
Our SINO Shipping air freight service from China to Germany provides safe and reliable solutions for all your air transportation needs including time sensitive and high value commodities.
Our shipping freight by air services include airport-to-airport, door-to-door, airport-to-door and door-to-airport services, among others.
With our service, we’ll take care of each step of the journey, making sure that your goods arrive at your destination when you need them.
The normal transit time for air freight from China to Germany is around 3 to 7 days.
This can vary owing to seasonal demands and traffic in the freight market at certain times of year. Our years of experience can bring expert knowledge to your logistical needs in this respect.
The charter service offers you peace of mind and bespoke services as well as a long list of goods that are possible to ship. We can arrange this service for you and ship goods such as:
- Consumer goods
- High-value goods
- Sensitive cargo such as hazardous, fresh, or perishable goods
- Time-critical freight
- Medical supply & humanitarian relief aid
- Heavy load & oversized equipment
- Car, Aircraft and ships spare parts
When it comes to weight, we offer options from 10,000lb (5000kgs) to 45,000lb (22,000 kgs) which can be transported in crates or boxes, on pallets, or as bulk.
Our part charter and full charter options range from 10.000 lbs (5.000 kgs) to 45.000 lbs (22.000 kgs), loadable in pallets, skids, crates or simply bulk.
Air freight Shipping Costs from China to Germany (updated July 2023)
Rail Freight from China to Germany
Railway shipping is an option and it is getting faster.
The service from Xi’an in China to Hamburg and Neuss in Germany is run by DHL global forwarding and Xi’an International Inland Port Investment and Development Group Co. Ltd. as well as China Railway, Belintertrans, RTSB and UTLC ERA. Xi’an is an important hub of Chinese industry and is known for its electronics, automobiles and bio-pharmaceuticals and cutting edge computing such as A.I., among other products.
Special economic zones means that foreign investment is attracted to working in the Greater Xi’an region.
The train travels across the continent, through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Kaliningrad Oblast, and Poland before finally reaching Germany in 10-12 days.
Previously it had taken 17 days, but managed to speed the journey by travelling through the Mamonovo-Braniewo border in Russia and Poland.
Customers who are importing through the Xi’an-Germany railway, will be able to track their goods via GPS based on iSee software. This allows you to follow your goods and provide excellent customer service based on real time insights.
Rail freight rates from China to Germany (updated July 2023)
Door to Door shipping – Importation from China to Germany
When it comes to DDP shipping, there are 2 main options for you: DDP air shipping and DDP sea shipping.
With your authorization, we can pick up the goods from your factory to transport them to the sea port or airport.
Otherwise, the goods you wish to ship need to be sent to our warehouses in Shenzhen, Guangzhou…
Door-to-door quotes include the above, as well as:
- Customs clearance fees. If customs require a further inspection of your cargo, additional fees may be charged.
- Trucking fees
- Cargo insurance (this is a must have. Don’t ship your products without getting them covered!)
DDP air freight
- First Leg: Air freight
- Shipping Type: LCL shipping by default
- Shipping Time: 10-15 days
- Export Declaration: The declaring exporter could be your factory.
- VAT & EORI: We use the VAT and EORI of our business partners as importers for import declarations.
- Destination: Business and Private addresses, or Amazon FBA warehouse.
DDP rail freight
- First Leg: Rail freight
- Shipping Type: LCL shipping by default
- Shipping Time: 30-35 days
- Export Declaration: If the total weight is more than 100kg, your factory could declare themselves as the exporter.
- VAT & EORI: We use the VAT and EORI of our business partners as importers for import declarations.
- Destination: Business and Private addresses, or Amazon FBA warehouse.
DDP sea shipping
- First Leg: Sea shipping
- Shipping Type: LCL shipping by default
- Shipping Time: 30-35 days
- Export Declaration: Your factory could be the declaring exporter.
- VAT & EORI: We use the VAT and EORI of our business partners as importers for import declarations.
- Destination: Business and Private addresses, or Amazon FBA warehouse.
DDP truck freight
- First Leg: Truck freight
- Shipping Type: LCL shipping by default
- Shipping Time: 20-25 days
- Export Declaration: Your factory could be the exporter to declare.
- VAT & EORI: We use the VAT and EORI of our business partners as importers for import declarations.
- Destination: Business and Private addresses, or Amazon FBA warehouse.
How long is shipping from China to Germany right now?
Ocean Sea, Air & Express transit times (February 2023)
*Express freight is always door to door
What is the cheapest way of shipping from China to Germany?
The most affordable option to ship from China to Germany, regardless of the shipping method you choose, is through a reputed China Freight Forwarder like SINO Shipping who can guarantee you the lowest freight costs and container freight rates from China.
We at SINO Shipping are able to pass along our high-volume shipping rates in addition to providing a best rate guarantee on all modes of transportation.Start now and get a shipping estimate from China.
Do I have to pay customs duties for a package sent from China to Germany?
Any merchandise you bring into Germany from China will be subject to customs duty (also known as import tax), while merchandise from other nations may be excluded due to various international trade agreements.
Navigating the waters of customs documentation as well as arranging for your goods to be transported in the most cost and time-efficient way can be a daunting task for importers.
That’s why it makes financial sense to utilize the services of a freight forwarder, who will not only take care of the details but also bring their wealth of knowledge and contacts to negotiate the best deals for your transportation needs.
If you’re transporting goods from China to Germany, then choosing the right freight forwarder can make a huge difference to the success of your business.
You’ll save not only money but time as well, which can be just as important to businesses.
We make it our business to be familiar with the ins and outs and the fine print of importing laws and regulations.
Of course, each country has different regulations and expected standards when it comes to importing.
By using a freight forwarding service, you save yourself the hassle of having to learn all the different contexts and required documentation.
That’s our job, and we’ll be able to make sure your goods’ journey is as smooth as possible while you can devote your time to better serving your bottom line elsewhere.
SINO Shipping – Freight Forwarder China to Germany
Who we are
SINO Shipping by FS International has become one of the most trusted freight forwarding company in global logistics and transportation in its region and the world.
When we start
SINO Shipping by FS International was established in Hong Kong in September 1989.
What we do
SINO Shipping provides a full range of logistics and transportation services with particular emphasis on efficiency and reliability at a competitive rate and, of course, the assurance of personal service. Our tactical services include import/export freight-forwarding, ocean and air transportation, overland transportation, custom brokerage and regulatory compliance, project cargo services, warehousing and distribution, supply chain management and information management.
Where we are
Headquartered in Hong Kong , the company has branch offices in major cities in the Far East. Together with our agents in over 50 countries worldwide, we are able to extend our logistics, know-how and experience in serving our clients.
How we do it
Through recognition of consolidated strengths to benefit our global client SINO Shipping by FS International founded together with its long years business partners an international network namely EUROPE ASIA ALLIANCE (EAA) back in 2007. Over the years EAA has grown to a medium sized freight forwarding network with remarkable success due to its binding rule “exclusivity” which is the key to make ourselves distinctive from the other networks.
Why we do it
SINO Shipping’s business philosophy focuses on the principles of honesty, integrity and complete dedication to our clients.
Our operations and management staff adhere to these principles with much enthusiasm and professionalism. In addition to providing superb customer services to our clients, we commit ourselves to know what matters most to our clients, by listening, by learning, by comprehending and by delivering tailored solutions.
Cross-functional teams of professionals from every unit in our organization work with every one of our clients closely, continuously seeking opportunities for process improvement and savings. Ready to deliver attention to every detail, on every shipment, every time is our promise.
Our intense customer focus is well complimented by a strong, mature global network of agents that enable us to meet our clients’ most complicated shipping challenges, delivering even greater bottom-line value to their supply chain.
At SINO Shipping, we’ve been helping customers grow for years by never losing sight of two basic values: We care. And we keep our promises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shipping cost from China to Germany?
LCL: 50 USD /cbm ; FCL: 1000 USD/20’ – 1800 USD/40’
How long does it take to ship from China to France?
Average transit time by sea: 40 days Average; transit time by airfreight: 7 days (daily direct flight); Average transit time by rail freight: 27days; Express shipping door to door (10kg): 4 days
What are the best freight options to send good from China to Germany?
There are 3 options, by sea, by air or by railway, it depends on how big the volume and the weight are, and then you will decide which shipping methods is more adequate. You must calculate the ration time/cost.
How much tax will I pay for importing goods from China to Germany?
The import duty is a percentage that is calculated based on the customs value. How much you pay, depends on the HS code. The European Commission has prolonged the 2011 anti-dumping measures on Chinese imports of seamless pipes and tubes of stainless steel until 2023. The duties go from 48.3% up to 71.9%.
