“Sea and Air Freight from China to France
China is France’s largest trading partner in Asia and France’s second largest supplier. Bilateral trade between the two countries has grown to $62.9 billion in 2018. If you plan to increase this number and import from China to France, you are in the right place.
On this page you will find important information to help you navigate the complex international ocean and air logistics. With our guidance, you can enjoy a more successful and efficient shipping method from China to France.
Shipping from China to France
Less than Container Load (LCL): When you book a LCL shipment, your cargo will be transported in a container that is shared with other shippers’ consignments. Since you don’t have to pay for the entire unit, LCL is probably the most economical way to ship small quantities from China to France.
Full Container Load (FCL): When you decide to use the FCL service, you pay for the use and shipping of the entire container for your exclusive use. This shipping method is even cheaper than LCL if you ship large quantities from China to France.
Air Freight from China to France:
The biggest advantage of air freight is its speed. Items leaving China can arrive in France within 4-6 days. This is the best option for high-value items as they take less time in transit. However, with this speed, there are some tradeoffs.
Air freight is usually more expensive than rail or sea. It’s also better for small items, as airlines have weight and volume restrictions. Air freight also uses more fuel than alternatives, so if carbon footprint is an ethical issue for you and your company, you will need to choose ocean or rail freight.
Keep in mind that air freight usually only involves delivering the goods to airports in France, not to the final destination of the inventory. Additional shipping facilities must be provided to deliver your shipment to its final destination. The exception is, of course, if you have arranged door-to-door shipping. As mentioned above, door-to-door delivery allows arrangements to transport the goods from the airport to the final destination, as well as to clear them through French customs.
Air freight is divided into two categories: general cargo and special cargo. As the name suggests, most items are considered ordinary goods.
Example of general cargo:
electronic
jewelry
drug
Personal accessories such as watches and wallets
Special cargo has different regulations than general cargo and may involve additional inspections.
Examples of special goods:
Fragile items
dangerous goods, such as certain chemicals
Items that require temperature control, such as seafood
Keep in mind that some airlines have restrictions and cannot handle special shipments. When getting an estimate, be sure to mention any items that may fall into this category. The type of item you’re shipping affects which airlines (and which airport destinations) your item can travel through. This, in turn, affects the price you end up paying.
Express package
Express service provides fast and efficient transfer service between China and France. Applicable to items weighing no more than 50kg and outer packaging not exceeding 60cm and 90cm in length, width and height. Its prices are very competitive, especially for international shipping. Shipping is easy from any post office. But it can also be used for large packages (50 to 120 kg).
How much does it cost to ship goods from China to France?
The shipping cost for air or container cargo from China to France depends on several factors. Freight forwarders usually consider the following when issuing your quote:
commodity nature
Selected shipping method (FCL, LCL, Air)
cargo weight
Cargo size
Distance between supplier/origin and recipient/destination
Type of service (eg port-to-port, door-to-door)
The weight of your shipment will likely have the biggest impact on your final price. Remember that when you are moving 100kg or less, the cost of air freight is not much different from the cost of sea freight. However, if your cargo weighs more than 100kg, sea freight is usually a more affordable option.
Documents to prepare when shipping from China to France
1. A single administrative document. This is the declaration document you write to customs.
2. Bill of lading, also known as air waybill, sea waybill or express waybill. This is required for every shipment and is a contract between you and the carrier.
3. Item Summary Statement
4. Certificate of Origin
5. CMR
6. Packing List
7. CIM Waybill
8. Shipping Proof
9. Invoice
Not all of these are necessary, and documentation requirements vary by shipping method. Keeping abreast of current regulations and consulting with your freight forwarder will help ensure that you always have the proper documentation for your shipment.
If you are not sure which documents you need or feel confused when preparing your documents, please contact us. We provide assistance in preparing commercial invoices as well as import and export customs clearance for each shipment.
How to Ship from China to France
Step 1: Contact a freight forwarder in China
The team at TJ-chinafreight is always on call, with the best price guaranteed through our high volume prices.
Step 2: Get a Shipping Quote from China
We will notify you of all available options based on your load, speed requirements and budget.
Step 3: Buy China Cargo Insurance
Make sure to always protect your investment from catastrophic losses because you think it’s more affordable.
Step 4: Arrange customs clearance”
