“China to Germany – Shipping Method
China and Germany have long-term business cooperation. Every year, many Chinese businessmen come to China to buy goods and import products from China.
So, if you need a complete guide to importing and shipping from China to Germany, we have prepared this article for you, where you can find a lot of useful information on these topics.
Air Freight from China to Germany
If you need your goods quickly and use a freight forwarder, China Air Freight is a great alternative to express shipping, but there are a few important details you need to keep in mind.
Air freight is not a door-to-door service, nor is it “”all-inclusive””, so logistics to and from the airport, customs clearance in Germany will have additional work and costs. Having said that, the total of these fees will be less than the courier fee you pay, and if you use our China door to door service, the work will be managed by the freight forwarder, making air freight a great alternative to courier shipping.
As with express, the best price for air freight is for loads between 300-500 kg.
Shipping from China to Germany
FCL by sea
FCL, or Full Container Load, is when your cargo fills an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container. If you’re shipping in bulk, you can save time and money by shipping FCL. FCL pricing is flat whether your container is completely full or not.
LCL by sea
LCL or less than container load means your cargo will not fill the entire container and will be shipped with other boxes or pallets. Please note that when you ship LCL, your cargo needs to be consolidated at the port of origin and unpacked at the port of destination.
This is the reason why LCL shipping takes several days than FCL shipping.
China to Germany express
When you need fast goods, express is your best option for shipping between China and Germany.
Express shipping involves shipping goods by popular global express companies such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS. Not only do they handle all the logistics and shipping, but the express shipping is also an “”all-inclusive”” and “”door-to-door”” service, which means that once you place your order, the courier will handle every shipping detail, including customs clearance, until your product arrives The specified shipping address. Unlike other shipping methods detailed in this article, shipping by express does not incur any additional charges.
That being said, all this speed and convenience does come at a huge price compared to other shipping methods, especially for cargoes under 200kg. That’s why we only recommend express shipping if you’re shipping very small items (such as product samples) or if you need a very fast shipment.
Even if you use air express, you want to use a freight forwarder instead of booking directly with the courier himself.
why?
Because freight forwarders get exclusive high-volume rates from couriers around the world, it means you pay far less than you would pay for a courier yourself.
shipping time
How long does it take to ship from China to Germany?
Airfreight takes a few days than express, as the goods don’t get in and out of the airport as quickly and they stop at customs for a day or two. The average transit time is about 5-8 days from port to port, or 6-13 days from door to door.
How long does it take to ship from China to Germany?
Ocean freight from China to Germany is the slowest of all shipping methods, ranging from 25-41 days from port to port and 41-47 days from door to door.
How long does it take to express from China to Germany?
Couriers from China to Germany can run anywhere from 1-4 days and the cost increases with the speed of delivery.
Document requirements for importing from China to Germany
All imported goods from China to Germany must include the following documents:
Bill of lading
Certificate of Origin
commercial invoice
customs value declaration
customs import declaration
letter of credit
packing list
proof of insurance
German import taxes and duties
German customs impose import duties and duties on all goods brought into Germany from outside the EU, including China. The exact fee you’ll pay depends on the type of item you’re shipping, most items are taxed at 19%, with the exception of agricultural products, which are taxed at 19%.
The exact taxes and duties payable will depend on the TARIC code (community combined tariff). You can find more information about these fees here.
Tips for reducing cost and shipping time between China and Germany
Book in advance. Shipping by sea is the cheapest, but also takes the longest. Booking in advance can save you money and reduce stress in the event of delays.
Off-peak delivery. When a carrier is busy, both shipping prices and shipping times increase. Ship in low season whenever possible.
Organize your documents. When it comes to fast customs clearance, having your documents organized can play an important role.
Know your HS code. Many shippers are surprised by the extent to which customs fees can affect the cost of doing business. Do your research so you can budget effectively.
Compare quotes from different suppliers. Quotes may vary, so please review quotes from different providers before making a decision.
Find out what’s included in the offer. Is your offer port to port or door to door? What services does it include? Know what you’re paying so you don’t get hit with unexpected charges.”
