With the deepening development of globalization, Hungary, as an important country in Central and Eastern Europe, has seen increasingly frequent trade between China and Hungary, and the demand for transportation services has also continued to increase. Transportation costs have become the focus of many businesses. This article will introduce in detail the cost of shipping from China to Hungary.
Introduction to Hungary
Hungary is an important economic and trade partner of China in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as an important node of the “Belt and Road” initiative. It is an ideal transit station for Chinese goods to enter the European market, mainly importing electronic products, machinery and equipment, textiles and chemical products from China.
Why import from China
- Rich products: China is a global manufacturing center and can provide a wide variety of goods.
- Price advantage: Compared with the European market, Chinese goods have a higher cost-effectiveness.
- Mature supply chain: China has a complete supply chain system that can meet the needs of different companies and ensure a stable supply of goods.
- Flexible logistics methods: A variety of transportation methods are available, and reasonable planning can be made according to the nature of the goods, transportation time and cost requirements.
- Policy support: The governments of China and Hungary have signed a number of cooperation agreements, providing policy guarantees for bilateral trade.
Shipping Cost from China to Hungary
There are three main modes of transport from China to Hungary, sea freight, air freight and rail freight. The cost of each mode of transport is different. The following is the composition of the costs of the three modes of transport:
- Basic freight: including the costs of sea, air and rail transport.
- Destination port/airport fees: including the costs of cargo unloading, warehousing, customs clearance, etc.
- Tariffs and Value Added Tax (VAT): Hungary’s import tax is calculated based on the type of goods, origin and declared value.
- Customs clearance fees: service fees involving customs brokers or agents.
- Inland transportation costs: distribution costs from Hungarian ports, airports or railway stations to the final destination.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Hungary
Sea transportation is the most common mode of transportation, with low cost and suitable for large quantities of goods, but the transportation time is longer, relying on nearby European ports and Danube ports to effectively manage sea transportation. There are two main modes of transportation: FCL and LCL
- FCL: Best suited for large cargo transportation, the entire container is used by one customer.
- LCL: Suitable for small cargo that shares container space with other shippers.
The charges are also based on the two modes of transportation, and are charged according to the size of the container and the volume weight of the goods. The following are the ranges of sea freight charges:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Csepel | $85-$160 | $2050-$3050 | $3000-$4900 |
| Shenzhen | Csepel | $70-$145 | $1900-$2900 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Csepel | $90-$140 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Csepel | $85-$150 | $2000-$3000 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Baha | $70-$145 | $1950-$2850 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Baha | $80-$155 | $1800-$2800 | $3100-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Baha | $90-$165 | $2050-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Baha | $85-$145 | $2000-$2950 | $2950-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Dunaujvaros | $70-$145 | $2000-$3000 | $3050-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Dunaujvaros | $80-$155 | $1800-$2800 | $3000-$4900 |
| Qingdao | Dunaujvaros | $85-$160 | $2050-$3050 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Dunaujvaros | $90-$165 | $2000-$2950 | $3050-$4700 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Hungary
Fast transportation, suitable for high-value, urgent goods, but the cost is higher, direct flights from major Chinese airports (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou) to Budapest International Airport in Hungary, usually charged based on the larger of actual weight and volumetric weight (length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000).
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Hungary) | Cost Per KG (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong | Budapest | $5.80 – $10.50 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Budapest | $6.00 – $11.60 |
| Beijing Capital | Budapest | $5.90 – $10.40 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Debrecen | $5.70 – $9.70 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Debrecen | $5.80 – $9.20 |
| Beijing Capital | Debrecen | $6.00 – $11.50 |
Rail Freight Cost from China to Hungary
The time efficiency is between sea and air transport, and the cost is relatively low, which is suitable for medium-volume goods. Through the China-Europe Express (such as the Chongqing-Budapest line), it goes directly from major cities in China to Hungary. The fee method is the same as sea transport, which is charged according to the full container and the less than container load:
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Hungary) | LCL Shipping Cost | FCL Shipping Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Budapest | $150 – $250 / CBM | $6000-$7500 /40FT |
| Chongqing | Budapest | $160 – $230 / CBM | $6100-$7800 /40FT |
| Xi’an | Budapest | $170 – $240 / CBM | $6000-$7600 /40FT |
| Yiwu | Budapest | $180 – $250 / CBM | $6000-$8000 /40FT |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Austria?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Germany?
Key Factors Affecting the Shipping Cost from China to Hungary
- Mode of transport: Air freight is the most expensive, while rail and sea freight are relatively cheaper.
- Volume and weight of goods: Large goods are usually shipped by sea, while small goods can be transported by air or rail.
- Tariffs and VAT: As a member of the European Union, Hungary needs to comply with EU tariff and VAT policies for imported goods.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuations in fuel prices directly affect transportation costs.
- Destination delivery: The final delivery method (such as express delivery, truck delivery) also affects the overall cost.
- Peak and off-season: Freight is usually higher during peak seasons (such as Chinese New Year and Black Friday).
- Special cargo requirements: Dangerous goods, cold chain goods, etc. require special handling and are more expensive.
Tariffs for Shipping from China to Hungary
When shipping goods from China to Hungary, import taxes and tariffs can significantly impact your overall shipping costs. The two main types of taxes are Value Added Tax (VAT) and customs duties.
VAT in Hungary is 27% and is applied to the total value of your shipment, which includes not only the goods, but also shipping and insurance costs. Customs duties, on the other hand, vary depending on the Harmonized System (HS) code classification of the goods. These range from 0% to 12%.
For example, electronics may be subject to lower tariffs, while textiles may be subject to higher rates. These taxes are usually calculated based on the CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value of the goods. It is crucial to declare this value accurately to avoid unexpected costs and penalties later.
| Tax Type | Rate | Applied To |
| Value Added Tax (VAT) | 27% | Total value of goods, including shipping and insurance |
| Customs Duties | 0% – 12% | Based on HS code classification |
| CIF Value | N/A | Used to calculate VAT and customs duties |
How to Reduce the Shipping Cost from China to Hungary?
Choose the right mode of transport
Choose the right mode of transport according to the demand for goods to reduce unnecessary costs.
Full container load (FCL)
If the volume of goods is large, it is more cost-effective to choose full container load rather than less than container load (LCL).
Optimize packaging
Reduce volume and weight to reduce volume weight charges.
Avoid peak seasons
Shipping during the off-season can reduce additional costs during peak periods.
Cooperate with a reliable freight forwarder
A professional freight forwarder can help optimize routes and reduce overall logistics costs.
Take advantage of the free trade agreement
Understand the tariff preferential policies of China and Hungary to reduce tax expenses.
Benefits of Choosing Freight Forwarder
- Reduce transportation costs: professional freight forwarders can integrate cargo resources and provide preferential prices.
- Improve transportation efficiency: freight forwarders are familiar with the best routes and reduce unnecessary delays.
- Reduce customs clearance risks: familiar with the customs clearance procedures in Hungary and the EU, and reduce tariff issues.
- Provide one-stop services: including warehousing, distribution, insurance and other services, saving corporate management costs.
- Professional consulting: help companies choose the most suitable transportation plan and improve supply chain efficiency.
The cost of shipping from China to Hungary depends on many factors. By optimizing transportation methods, avoiding peak seasons and other strategies, you can effectively reduce transportation costs and ensure that goods are delivered to Hungary safely and efficiently.