The trade relationship between China and France is becoming increasingly close, and a large amount of goods travel between the two countries every year. Understanding the time required to ship from China to France is an important part of corporate logistics planning. This article will introduce the time of shipping from China to France in detail.
Geographical location of France
France is located in western Europe, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Germany, Switzerland and other countries to the east, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and the English Channel to the north. Its main ports include Le Havre, Marseille and Dunkirk, which are important hubs for China-France shipping.
Sea Freight Time from China to France
Sea transportation is the most common and cost-effective method, with low cost and large transportation volume, suitable for bulk commodities. Cargo ships depart from major ports in China (such as Shanghai, Ningbo or Shenzhen), via the Suez Canal, and arrive at the Port of Le Havre or the Port of Marseille in France
Factors Affecting Sea Freight Time
- Direct flights and transit: Direct flights are usually faster, while transit requires stops at other ports, adding 5-10 days.
- Season: Peak season (such as the third and fourth quarter of each year) will cause delays in shipping schedules, adding 1-2 weeks.
- Weather conditions: In case of bad weather (such as typhoon season), shipping schedules may be delayed.
- Port congestion: Congestion at the destination port or the departure port may cause delays, especially during peak periods.
Below is a detailed sea freight time:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Le Havre | 30-35 days |
| Shenzhen | Le Havre | 28-35 days |
| Qingdao | Le Havre | 26-34 days |
| Ningbo | Le Havre | 28-33 days |
| Shanghai | Marseille | 25-35 days |
| Shenzhen | Marseille | 27-33 days |
| Qingdao | Marseille | 25-35 days |
| Ningbo | Marseille | 26-34 days |
| Shanghai | Brest | 25-33 days |
| Shenzhen | Brest | 28-32 days |
| Qingdao | Brest | 26-35 days |
| Ningbo | Brest | 30-35 days |
Air Freight Time from China to France
Air freight is fast and suitable for high-value and time-sensitive goods, such as electronic products and fashion goods. Flights from major airports in China to Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport usually take 3-7 days.
Factors Affecting Air Freight Time
- Flight frequency: There are frequent flights from major cities (such as Shanghai and Guangzhou) to Paris, and air freight time is shorter. Remote cities may need to be transferred, resulting in increased time.
- Customs clearance time: Customs clearance in France generally takes 1-2 days, but it may be extended to 3-5 days during peak seasons or holidays.
- Seasonal factors: During peak periods (such as October to December before Christmas), flights are tight and airports are congested, which may cause delays.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Canada) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Charles de Gaulle | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Charles de Gaulle | 3-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Charles de Gaulle | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Lyon Saint Exupery | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Lyon Saint Exupery | 3-6 days |
| Beijing Capital | Lyon Saint Exupery | 3-7 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Marseille Provence | 4-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Marseille Provence | 4-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Marseille Provence | 5-7 days |
Rail Freight Time from China to France
Rail transport is between air and sea transport and is suitable for goods that require a shorter time, especially through the China-Europe Express, which is usually 15-25 days.
Factors Affecting Rail Freight Time
- Customs clearance and transshipment: When passing through the border of the country, multiple customs clearance and transshipment may be required, especially when switching from the CIS countries (broad gauge) to the European standard track, which will incur additional time.
- Busyness of the line: The China-Europe Express is very busy during the peak season (such as September to December each year), which may cause some queues and delays.
- Weather and season: Severe weather in winter (such as blizzards in Russia and Eastern Europe) may lead to longer transportation times.
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(France) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Zhengzhou | Paris | 16-20 days |
| Chongqing | Paris | 16-18 days |
| Wuhan | Paris | 16-22 days |
| Chengdu | Paris | 17-21 days |
| Yiwu | Paris | 16-19 days |
| Zhengzhou | Lyon | 18-20 days |
| Chongqing | Lyon | 18-22 days |
| Wuhan | Lyon | 17-21 days |
| Chengdu | Lyon | 18-23 days |
| Yiwu | Lyon | 16-22 days |
To understand the shipping time from China to other countries:
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How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Algeria
How to Shorten the Time of Shipping from China to France
Optimize the transportation route
Choose a direct flight or direct route to reduce the number of transfers.
Priority handling service
By paying an additional fee, prioritize the loading and customs clearance of goods.
Efficient freight forwarding cooperation
Choosing an experienced freight forwarding company can help optimize the transportation process.
Book in advance
Booking space or express service in advance can ensure that the goods are shipped within the planned time and avoid delays due to tight space or express space.
Cost of 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to France
To optimize the time of shipping from China to France, costs are inevitable. Here are the costs of shipping 20ft and 40ft containers from China:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Le Havre | $2050-$3250 | $4000-$4200 |
| Shenzhen | Le Havre | $2100-$3300 | $4050-$5250 |
| Qingdao | Le Havre | $2050-$3250 | $4050-$5250 |
| Ningbo | Le Havre | $2000-$3400 | $4050-$5350 |
| Shanghai | Marseille | $2050-$3450 | $4050-$5200 |
| Shenzhen | Marseille | $2000-$3200 | $4000-$5300 |
| Qingdao | Marseille | $2050-$3350 | $4050-$5200 |
| Ningbo | Marseille | $2000-$3150 | $4050-$5150 |
| Shanghai | Brest | $2050-$3250 | $4050-$5250 |
| Shenzhen | Brest | $2050-$3250 | $4000-$5300 |
| Qingdao | Brest | $2000-$3300 | $4000-$5200 |
| Ningbo | Brest | $2050-$3100 | $4050-$5150 |
Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to France?
Steps for Shipping from China to France
- Choose a logistics method: Choose the appropriate logistics method based on the type, size and time requirements of the goods.
- Prepare customs clearance documents: including commercial invoice, air waybill, certificate of origin, etc.
- Choose ports and routes: Choose appropriate ports and routes according to the goods situation and needs.
- Arrange shipment: Hand over the goods to the freight forwarding company or courier company and record the courier number.
- Track the goods: Use the waybill number or tracking ID to monitor the status of the goods in real time.
- Customs clearance and delivery: After the goods arrive in France, customs clearance is carried out and delivered to the consignee.
You may also be interested in: Customs Clearance and Fees
Through this article, you can understand the factors affecting time and optimization strategies to transport goods from China to France more efficiently, understand the transportation process and preparation work to ensure timeliness, and ensure that the goods arrive quickly.