You've found the right supplier in China, quality is good, price is negotiated — now the goods need to get to you. Shipping from China is one of the most complex steps: sea freight, air freight, express courier, rail — each has its own pros, cons, costs, and timelines.
The 4 shipping methods at a glance
| Method | Transit Time | Cost per kg | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea freight (FCL/LCL) | 30-45 days | €0.50-2.00/kg | Large volumes, heavy goods |
| Air freight | 5-10 days | €3.00-6.00/kg | Medium volumes, time-critical |
| Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS) | 3-7 days | €5.00-15.00/kg | Samples, small quantities |
| Rail freight | 18-25 days | €1.50-3.00/kg | Middle ground between sea and air |
Sea freight: Cheapest option for large volumes
Sea freight is by far the cheapest shipping method. Over 90% of goods from China arrive in Europe by ship. Two variants:
FCL (Full Container Load)
| Container Type | Dimensions (inside) | Max Weight | Price China→EU (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20ft Standard | 5.9m × 2.35m × 2.39m (33 cbm) | ~28 tons | €1,200-2,500 |
| 40ft Standard | 12m × 2.35m × 2.39m (67 cbm) | ~26 tons | €1,800-3,500 |
| 40ft High Cube | 12m × 2.35m × 2.69m (76 cbm) | ~26 tons | €2,000-4,000 |
LCL (Less than Container Load)
With LCL, you share a container with other importers. Typical price: €40-80 per cubic meter. Cost-effective for shipments of 1-15 cbm.
FCL vs. LCL?
Rule of thumb: From about 15 cbm, a 20ft FCL container is cheaper than LCL. Calculate both options and choose the cheaper one.
Air freight: Fast but expensive
Air freight is 4-6x more expensive than sea freight but significantly faster. It makes sense for light, valuable goods or urgent deliveries.
| Route | Transit Time | Price per kg (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou → Frankfurt | 5-7 days | €3.50-5.50/kg |
| Shanghai → Frankfurt | 5-8 days | €3.00-5.00/kg |
| Shenzhen → Frankfurt | 5-7 days | €3.50-5.50/kg |
Express courier: For samples and small quantities
| Provider | Transit | Price per kg | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | 3-5 days | €8-15/kg | Reliable, good tracking |
| FedEx | 3-5 days | €7-14/kg | Fast, good for US |
| UPS | 3-6 days | €7-13/kg | Competitive with contracts |
| TNT/FedEx Economy | 5-7 days | €5-10/kg | Cheaper, slightly slower |
Rail freight: The middle ground
The China-Europe Railway Express is an increasingly popular middle ground: faster than sea, cheaper than air. Route through Kazakhstan, Russia/Belarus to Duisburg or Hamburg. Transit: 18-25 days at €1.50-3.00/kg.
Cost calculation example
Example: 5,000 stainless steel bottles, 2,500 kg, 4 cbm, Guangzhou to Hamburg:
| Method | Cost | Transit | Per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea (LCL) | €240 | 35 days | €0.05 |
| Sea (FCL 20ft) | €1,500 | 33 days | €0.30 |
| Rail | €5,000 | 22 days | €1.00 |
| Air | €12,500 | 7 days | €2.50 |
| Express (DHL) | €25,000 | 4 days | €5.00 |
Common shipping mistakes
- No pre-shipment inspection: If goods are on a 35-day sea journey and defects are found at port, returns are extremely expensive
- Letting supplier choose the forwarder: You lose control over costs and timelines
- Poor packaging: Sea freight means rough conditions — products must be seaworthy (pallets, strapping, moisture protection)
- No transport insurance: At 0.3-0.5% of value, skipping this is negligent
- Shipping before customs prep: EORI, HS codes, and documents must be ready BEFORE shipping
Quality control before shipping
Before your goods start the long sea journey: our pre-shipment inspection checks quality, packaging, and marking directly at the factory using AQL standards.
SECURE Service — €349Conclusion: Sea freight is almost always the right choice
For professional China import, sea freight is the best choice in 90% of cases. Air freight and express only make sense for samples, small quantities, or truly urgent deliveries. The most important tip: check quality before the goods board the ship. See our Import from China Customs Guide for all costs and duties.
Key Takeaways
- Sea freight is best for 90% of China imports (€0.50-2.00/kg)
- A 20ft container (FCL) costs €1,200-2,500 from China to Europe
- Air freight is 4-6x more expensive but arrives in 5-10 days
- Rail freight (18-25 days) is the middle ground for time-sensitive cargo
- Always get transport insurance (only 0.3-0.5% of cargo value)
- Pre-shipment inspection is essential before the 35-day sea journey
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