With the increase in logistics needs, understanding the shipping time is crucial to the business. Accurate shipping time information helps to improve operational efficiency and market competitiveness. This article will give a detailed introduction to the shipping time.
Introduction to Spain
Spain is located in the southwest corner of Europe, bordering France to the north and Morocco in Africa to the south of the Strait of Gibraltar. It has become an important transportation hub connecting Europe and Africa, Europe and America.
Time Efficiency of Shipping from China to Spain
There are two main modes of transportation between China and Spain: Sea Freight and Air Freight . Depending on the mode of transportation, the time efficiency varies greatly. The time it takes to ship from China to Spain is also affected by several factors:
- Sailing distance: The sea transportation distance from China to Spain is relatively long and involves transshipment at multiple stages and ports.
- Seasonal factors: In winter, the time may be extended due to bad weather or port congestion.
- Vessel and route selection: The timeliness of different routes and flights may vary. For example, direct routes are usually faster than routes with transfers.
- Airlines and flight arrangements: Different airlines may provide different timeliness services, and the timeliness of direct flights and flights with transfers varies greatly.
- Airport busyness: Madrid and Barcelona airports in Spain are major transfer hubs for international flights, and busy seasons may cause delays.
Sea Freight Time from China to Spain
Sea transportation is the most common way to transport from China to Spain, especially for bulk goods. The usual shipping route is through major ports in China, such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc., through the Suez Canal, and finally arrives at major ports in Spain. Usually, there are different shipping times between different ports. The following are the arrival times of different ports:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Algeciras | 26-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Algeciras | 28-32 days |
| Qingdao | Algeciras | 24-30 days |
| Ningbo | Algeciras | 28-32 days |
| Shanghai | Barcelona | 27-31 days |
| Shenzhen | Barcelona | 25-30 days |
| Qingdao | Barcelona | 26-32 days |
| Ningbo | Barcelona | 27-31 days |
| Shanghai | Valencia | 25-30 days |
| Shenzhen | Valencia | 25-31 days |
| Qingdao | Valencia | 27-30 days |
| Ningbo | Valencia | 25-29 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Spain
For goods that are urgently needed or of higher value, air transport is a faster option. China’s main air transport ports include Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc., and Spain’s main air transport airports are Madrid and Barcelona. The flight distance is about 10,000 kilometers, and the air transport time is generally 5 to 7 days, depending on the flight schedule and the airline.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Germany) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Madrid Barajas | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Madrid Barajas | 4-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Madrid Barajas | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Barcelona El Prat | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Barcelona El Prat | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Barcelona El Prat | 3-7 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Valencia | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Valencia | 6-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Valencia | 5-7 days |
Learn more about other countries from China below:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Morocco?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Greece?
Tips to Save Time from China to Spain
To improve transportation efficiency, you can use the following tips to save time:
- Choose a direct route: Whether it is sea or air transportation, choosing a direct route can reduce transit time.
- Prepare goods in advance: Before the goods are transported, prepare the packaging, labeling and customs clearance documents in advance to shorten the overall transportation cycle.
- Choose a suitable logistics service provider: Choose a reliable freight forwarding company that can provide faster transportation and customs clearance services.
- Track the transportation progress: Through the tracking system provided by the logistics company, you can keep abreast of the transportation status of the goods, deal with any possible problems in a timely manner, and avoid increasing transportation time due to delays.
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Spain
Cost is also an important factor affecting the choice. Due to the different wharf fees, loading and unloading fees in different ports, the following are the detailed costs of transporting 20ft and 40ft containers from different ports in China to major ports in Spain:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Barcelona | $1850-$2850 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Barcelona | $1900-$2900 | $3150-$4750 |
| Qingdao | Barcelona | $1850-$2950 | $3150-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Barcelona | $1800-$2800 | $3250-$4650 |
| Shanghai | Valencia | $1850-$2850 | $3150-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Valencia | $1800-$2900 | $3000-$5000 |
| Qingdao | Valencia | $1950-$2850 | $3150-$4900 |
| Ningbo | Valencia | $1900-$2750 | $3150-$4850 |
The Process of Shipping from China to Spain
The transportation cycle not only refers to the time from the origin to the destination, but also includes warehousing, customs clearance, loading and unloading. Therefore, understanding the complete transportation cycle is crucial to arrange logistics time reasonably.
Cargo preparation
- Packing: Make sure that the goods meet the transportation requirements to avoid damage or loss. Choose the appropriate packaging method according to the type of goods and the mode of transportation.
- Commodity classification and declaration: According to Spanish import regulations, ensure that all goods are correctly classified and go through relevant export procedures as needed.
Find a freight forwarder
Find a reliable freight forwarder or customs broker to help with logistics and customs clearance. Freight forwarders usually provide complete logistics services, including cargo transportation, export customs clearance, import customs clearance and final distribution.
Transportation process from China to Spain
After the transportation method is selected, the goods start to depart from China. During the transportation process, you need to pay attention to the ship schedule, flight information, etc., and contact the freight forwarder or shipping company in time to ensure a smooth transportation process.
Import customs clearance
After the goods arrive in Spain, they need to go through import customs clearance procedures. The main documents include:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Transport documents (such as bill of lading)
- Certificate of origin (if required)
Payment of customs duties and VAT
The Spanish customs will review the type, value, weight and other factors of the goods to determine whether customs duties and VAT (IVA) need to be paid.
- Tariffs: The customs duty rates in Spain vary depending on the type of goods and the country of origin.
- VAT (IVA): Spain imposes VAT on most imported goods at a standard rate of 21%. Certain goods may have lower rates or be exempt from tax.
Final delivery
After customs clearance, the goods will be sent to the destination, which may be a warehouse, a merchant or directly to the customer. If you choose the DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service, the freight forwarder will handle all the costs and delivery work and deliver the goods directly to the customer.
The shipping time from China to Spain can vary depending on the mode of transportation and is also affected by many factors. Through this article, we can understand how to reduce the impact and quickly complete the transportation of goods from China to Spain.