With the continuous economic growth and the improvement of consumption level, the demand for Chinese-made products in the country is increasing day by day. The logistics demand between China and Croatia is growing rapidly. The cost has become the focus of attention for enterprises and individuals. This article will introduce the rates of shipping from China to Croatia in detail.
Introduction to Croatia
Croatia is located in Southeast Europe and has a 1,800-kilometer Adriatic coastline. It is an important channel to enter the Central and Eastern European market.
The main ports are Rijeka and Split. Among them, the Port of Rijeka is Croatia’s busiest shipping gateway, undertaking most of the country’s international trade goods import and export tasks.
Cost Structure of Shipping from China to Croatia
Logistics costs from China to Croatia usually include the following parts:
- Freight: the main transportation cost (sea freight, air freight)
- Destination port costs: including customs clearance fees, port miscellaneous fees, pick-up fees, etc.
- Taxes and value-added tax (VAT): EU standard VAT is 25%, depending on the declared value of the goods
- Transport insurance: optional, but it is recommended to purchase insurance to avoid the risk of cargo damage
- Local delivery costs: inland freight from the port to the consignee’s address
Shipping Cost from China to Croatia
The cost of shipping from China to Croatia depends mainly on the selected mode of transport (sea freight, air freight) and the following factors:
- Seasonal fluctuations: International logistics costs are affected by seasonality. (such as Spring Festival, Easter), transportation demand is usually high and freight rates may increase.
- Fuel prices: Fuel surcharges are an important cost in transportation, especially sea and air transportation. Fuel price fluctuations will directly affect transportation costs.
- Port handling fees: The costs of loading and unloading, storage, customs clearance and other operations will vary in different ports. Some ports may charge higher fees, affecting the overall transportation costs.
- Difficulty of customs clearance: Special goods may incur additional costs
- Packing of goods: Packaging requirements will directly affect the cost of transportation, especially for fragile items, liquids, refrigerated items and other goods that require special packaging.
Calculation of Cargo Weight and Volume
Freight from China to Croatia is usually calculated based on the actual weight or volumetric weight of the cargo, whichever is higher. This ensures that freight forwarders can reasonably calculate large, light cargo and small, heavy cargo.
Actual weight
Actual weight refers to the actual weight of the cargo, in kilograms (kg).
Volumetric weight
Volume weight is calculated based on the volume of the cargo to ensure reasonable charges for cargo that occupies a large space.
Calculation formula: Weight (kg) = Length (cm) × Width (cm) × Height (cm) ÷ 6000.
If the volumetric weight of the cargo is higher than the actual weight, the freight is calculated based on the volumetric weight.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Croatia
Sea transportation is the most common way, especially for bulk commodities or heavier goods. Sea transportation is relatively cheap and usually takes a long time from major Chinese ports (such as Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen) to the Port of Rijeka. The cost is generally calculated by container (such as 20-foot or 40-foot container), or by the volume (CBM, cubic meters) and weight of the goods.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Rijeka | $85-$160 | $2050-$3050 | $3000-$4900 |
| Shenzhen | Rijeka | $70-$145 | $1900-$2900 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Rijeka | $90-$140 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Rijeka | $85-$150 | $2000-$3000 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Pula | $90-$165 | $1900-$2900 | $3050-$4850 |
| Shenzhen | Pula | $70-$135 | $2000-$3000 | $3100-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Pula | $70-$145 | $1800-$2800 | $3050-$4700 |
| Ningbo | Pula | $80-$145 | $1950-$2850 | $3000-$4900 |
| Shanghai | Split | $70-$145 | $1950-$2850 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Split | $80-$155 | $1800-$2800 | $3100-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Split | $90-$165 | $2050-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Split | $85-$145 | $2000-$2950 | $2950-$4850 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Croatia
Air transport is the fastest mode of transportation, with high security, less contact, and packaging that is not easily damaged, but it is more expensive and is suitable for small, urgent, and high-value items such as electronic products, mechanical parts, and medicines.
It is usually calculated based on volumetric weight (comparison of volume and weight) or the actual weight of the goods. The calculation formula is usually: Volumetric weight = length × width × height / 6000. The cost is calculated based on the larger part of volumetric weight or actual weight.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Croatia) | Cost Per KG (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong | Zagreb | $5.80 – $10.50 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Zagreb | $6.00 – $11.60 |
| Beijing Capital | Zagreb | $5.90 – $10.40 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Split | $5.70 – $9.70 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Split | $5.80 – $9.20 |
| Beijing Capital | Split | $6.00 – $11.50 |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Greece?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Italy?
Strategies to Reduce Cost from China to Croatia
The cost of shipping from China to Croatia is affected by many factors. The following measures can effectively reduce costs:
Choose the right mode of transportation
For large quantities of goods, choose sea transportation; for high timeliness requirements, choose air transportation or express delivery
Consolidate cargo into containers
Avoid the high cost of air transportation priced by volume.
Plan the shipping time in advance
Avoid peak seasons, such as before Christmas and the “Black Friday” peak season, when logistics costs generally rise.
Use DDP service
You can lock in tariffs and freight costs in advance to avoid sudden costs at the destination.
Choose the right freight forwarding company
Compare quotes from different freight companies and choose the service provider with the best cost-effectiveness.
Detailed Shipping Process from China to Croatia
Here are the detailed steps for transportation from China to Croatia. By understanding these steps, you can better plan your transportation plan
Preparation of goods
Select suppliers, confirm orders, and ensure that the goods packaging meets international transportation standards
Choose appropriate logistics
Choose sea or air transportation through appropriate carriers or logistics companies according to the type of goods and time requirements.
Transportation process
Transport from China to the destination through appropriate transportation methods
Croatia customs clearance
Customs clearance, customs review, payment of tariffs (according to TARIC) and VAT after arriving at the Croatian port or airport. Customs clearance documents include:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin
- Export declaration
Delivery of goods
After customs clearance, arrange shipment to the final destination.
Understanding the shipping costs and their composition from China to Croatia through this article will help you better control logistics costs and improve overall profit margins.