Trade between China and Germany has a long history. With the acceleration of globalization, more and more companies choose to import goods from China or export to Germany. In order to meet this demand, logistics and transportation play a vital role.
Understanding the cost of shipping from China to Germany has become a focus of concern for companies and individuals. This article will introduce this in detail to help plan logistics solutions.
Shipping from China to Germany
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most common and relatively low-cost mode of transportation from China to Germany. It is suitable for the transportation of large quantities of goods and non-urgent goods. However, the transportation time is long, which is not suitable for urgently needed goods and is greatly affected by factors such as weather and port congestion.
Air Freight
Air Freight is fast and suitable for goods that need to be transported quickly, reducing the risk of damage during transportation, and is suitable for perishable or high-value goods. However, the cost is high, suitable for high-value or urgently needed goods, and is easily affected by factors such as flight arrangements and weather.
Rail Freight
Rail Freight has gradually become an important mode of transportation between China and Europe. It is relatively fast compared to sea transportation, but cheaper than air transportation, especially for bulk goods and medium-weight goods. However, there may be delays due to railway scheduling, and transportation flexibility is low due to the railway routes.
You may also be interested in: Shipping From China to France
Factors affecting the Shipping Cost from China to Germany
The transportation cost from China to Germany is affected by the following factors:
- Mode of transportation: Different modes of transportation have different costs.
- Type of goods: Weight, volume and value of goods will affect transportation costs.
- Timeliness of transportation: Urgent transportation requires higher fees.
- Port of destination: Different German ports may have different fee structures.
- Seasonal changes: During peak seasons, transportation costs may increase.
How to Calculate the Cost from China to the Germany
Freight from China to Germany 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 takes up a lot of 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.
Shipping Cost from China to Germany
The main modes of shipping from China to Germany include sea, air and rail. The cost of each mode varies according to the type of goods, weight, transportation distance and other factors
Sea Freight Cost from China to Germany
The cost of shipping from China to Germany is calculated based on the volume or weight of the goods, usually charged by cubic meter (CBM) or container size.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Hamburg | $65-$125 | $1850-$2850 | $3000-$4200 |
| Shenzhen | Hamburg | $70-$115 | $1800-$1800 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Hamburg | $70-$120 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Hamburg | $65-$120 | $1800-$2900 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Bremen | $65-$120 | $1850-$2750 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Bremen | $70-$115 | $1800-$2800 | $2800-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Bremen | $70-$125 | $2050-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Bremen | $75-$125 | $2000-$2950 | $2950-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Wilhelmshaven | $80-$120 | $1850-$2750 | $3150-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Wilhelmshaven | $65-$120 | $1950-$2850 | $3000-$4900 |
| Qingdao | Wilhelmshaven | $70-$115 | $2000-$2800 | $3100-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Wilhelmshaven | $65-$125 | $1950-$2800 | $3050-$4950 |
Learn more about the article in the following articles: Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Germany
Air Freight Cost from China to Germany
The cost of air freight is calculated based on the weight or volume of the goods, usually charged by kilogram or cubic meter. There are also additional charges such as fuel surcharge and security surcharge.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Germany) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Frankfurt | $4.0 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Frankfurt | $5.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Frankfurt | $5.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Munich | $4.5 – $8.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Munich | $5.0 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Munich | $5.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Hamburg | $4.0 – $8.5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Hamburg | $6.0 – $10.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Hamburg | $5.0 – $9.0 |
Rail Freight Cost from China to Germany
Rail transport offers a balance of relatively low costs and short transportation times. The cost is usually calculated based on the weight, volume or number of carriages of the goods.
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Germany) | Shipping costs |
|---|---|---|
| Zhengzhou | Hamburg | $1,500 – $2,500 / ton |
| Chongqing | Hamburg | $1,600 – $2,300 / ton |
| Wuhan | Hamburg | $1,700 – $2,400 / ton |
| Zhengzhou | Duisburg | $1,500 – $2,400 / ton |
| Chongqing | Duisburg | $1,500 – $2,300 / ton |
| Wuhan | Duisburg | $1,600 – $2,400 / ton |
Learn more about shipping costs to other countries below:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to France?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Greece?
Tips to Save Cost from China to Germany
There are many strategies to save money when shipping from China to Germany. Here are some practical tips to help you reduce overall shipping costs:
Choose the right shipping method
Different shipping methods have different costs and timeliness. Choosing the right method can effectively reduce costs
Optimize packaging
Try to reduce packaging materials and use light and sturdy packaging methods to avoid wasting space, reduce empty space, and reduce costs.
Plan shipping in advance
Freight is sometimes related to shipping time and seasonal changes. Planning shipping in advance can avoid peak seasons and get more favorable freight rates
Compare different quotes
Contact multiple logistics companies or freight forwarders, compare quotes and services, and choose a company with the best cost-effectiveness.
Choose a direct shipping route
Try to choose a direct shipping route and avoid multiple transfers. This will not only shorten the shipping time, but also reduce additional costs and risks in the middle.
Reduce additional costs
Understand the contract terms and cost details to avoid unnecessary additional expenses. Try to concentrate your shipping needs in one batch to avoid the additional costs caused by frequent small batches.
Customs Clearance Documents Required from China to Germany
Transport from China to Germany Importers provide necessary documents and licenses:
- Bill of Lading: Certificate of ownership of goods, which must accurately fill in the consignee and other information.
- Commercial Invoice: Contains basic product information, description, unit price, total price, etc., which is an important basis for customs to assess the value and tariff of goods.
- Packing List: Provides the packaging and detailed information of the goods, such as name, quantity, specifications, dimensions, weight, etc., for customs verification.
- Certificate of Origin: Proves the country of origin of the goods.
- Import License: For special goods, such as food, medicine, etc.
This article provides comprehensive details and influencing factors of shipping costs from China to Germany, helping you better understand and calculate shipping costs, save freight through appropriate strategies, and ensure smooth delivery of goods.