Trade between China and Iran is becoming increasingly close, and transportation costs have become the focus of attention for enterprises and cargo owners. Shipping from China to Iran involves a variety of transportation methods and service types. The costs and influencing factors of different services are also different. This article will introduce in detail the cost of each service from China to Iran.
Trade Relations Between China and Iran
Iran is located in southwest Asia, the Middle East. It is surrounded by the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. To the west, it is adjacent to Turkey and Iraq. Iran’s geographical location makes it an important transportation and trade hub connecting Asia, Europe and the Middle East. The “Belt and Road” initiative has promoted logistics cooperation between the two countries.
Shipping from China to Iran
Transportation from China to Iran can choose sea and air freight. According to the type of goods and transportation needs, choose the appropriate mode of transportation:
Sea Freight
is the most commonly used method, suitable for large-scale cargo transportation. It usually departs from ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen and arrives at major ports in Iran such as Bandar Abbas. It usually takes 20 to 30 days. Ocean freight services include full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL).
- Full container load (FCL): This service involves renting an entire container to ship your goods. This service is most cost-effective when your goods are large enough to fill a container, minimizing the shipping cost per unit.
- Less than container load (LCL): LCL allows you to share container space with other shippers. This is very beneficial for small shipments that do not use a full container space. Although the unit cost may be higher, it provides flexibility for small businesses.
Air Freight
This is the fastest way to ship goods and is ideal for urgent or high-value items. Although the cost is higher, the delivery time is faster and suitable for smaller shipments. It usually takes 3-7 days to fly directly from major airports in China to airports in places such as Tehran and Isfahan.
Shipping Costs and Composition from China to Iran
The shipping cost is usually composed of multiple parts. The following are common cost components:
- Freight: The main cost, depending on the mode of transportation, cargo weight, volume and transportation distance.
- Port fees: including loading and unloading fees, storage fees, terminal service fees, etc., generally charged by cargo tonnage or volume.
- Customs clearance fees: fees for import and export declarations and related formalities, paid in China and Iran respectively.
- Fuel surcharge: additional fees based on international oil price fluctuations, usually accounting for 5-10% of the total freight.
- Insurance costs: used for cargo transportation insurance to ensure the safety of cargo during transportation, usually 0.3%-1% of the cargo value.
Necessity of insurance premiums
In international logistics transportation, insurance premiums are an important expense to ensure the safety of goods. It provides a risk management mechanism for cargo owners, especially in long-distance cross-border transportation, where goods face various uncontrollable risks, such as weather, customs inspections, and mechanical failures. The following are several key factors for the necessity of insurance premiums:
Preventing accidental losses
During long-distance transportation, accidents are difficult to avoid. Natural disasters, fires, collisions and other accidents may occur, resulting in damage or loss of goods. Reduce the financial pressure caused by cargo losses.
Transfer uncontrollable risks
International logistics involves a variety of links, and the uncontrollable risks during transportation are extremely large, which may be affected by port management, weather changes, and third-party delays. Once a loss occurs, the insurance company will bear the relevant compensation liability according to the content of the policy.
Ensure the financial stability of the enterprise
For many small and medium-sized enterprises, through insurance, they can obtain timely compensation in the event of accidental losses, thereby reducing economic pressure and ensuring financial stability and health
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Iran
Below is the cost range for shipping from China to Iran for 20ft container and 40ft container in general.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Bandar Abbas | $1850-$2450 | $2800-$3800 |
| Shenzhen | Bandar Abbas | $1700-$2300 | $2550-$3650 |
| Qingdao | Bandar Abbas | $1550-$2450 | $2650-$3750 |
| Ningbo | Bandar Abbas | $1650-$2300 | $2550-$3650 |
| Shanghai | Tehran | $1750-$2450 | $2850-$3800 |
| Shenzhen | Tehran | $1600-$2400 | $2700-$4000 |
| Qingdao | Tehran | $1650-$2500 | $2650-$3900 |
| Ningbo | Tehran | $1700-$2450 | $2750-$3850 |
Learn more:
Shipping Costs for 20ft And 40ft Containers from China to UAE
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Saudi Arabia
Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Containers from China to Egypt
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Turkey
Cost of Air Freight from China to Iran
Air freight costs from China to Iran are usually between $4-$8 per kilogram, depending on the weight, volume, type of cargo and market demand. Light and small cargo usually costs more, while large quantities are relatively cheaper.
| China Airport (City) | Iran Airport (City) | Air Cargo Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital | Tehran Imam Khomeini | $6.8 per kg |
| Shanghai Pudong | Tehran Imam Khomeini | $6.1 per kg |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Tehran Imam Khomeini | $6.3 per kg |
| Shenzhen Bao’an | Tehran Imam Khomeini | $6 per kg |
| Chengdu Shuangliu | Tehran Imam Khomeini | $5.5 per kg |
| Beijing Capital | Isfahan International | $5.9 per kg |
| Shanghai Pudong | Isfahan International | $5.2 per kg |
| Xi’anGuangzhou Baiyun | Isfahan International | $5.4 per kg |
| Shenzhen Bao’an | Isfahan International | $5.1 per kg |
| Chengdu Shuangliu | Isfahan International | $5.7 per kg |
Cost of DDP Shipping from China to Iran
DDP is a trade term that means the seller needs to bear the greatest responsibility. They are not only responsible for delivering the goods to the designated location in the importing country, but also responsible for handling the import formalities and paying all related taxes and fees. This delivery method allows the buyer to receive the goods without having to pay any additional fees.
| Origin | Destination | Type of Shipping Service | Shipping Cost |
| China | Iran | DDP Sea Freight FCL (20 feet) | $3000 – $3800 |
| China | Iran | DDP Sea Freight FCL (40 feet) | $4000 – $5000 |
| China | Iran | DDP Air Freight | $8 – $12 per kg |
If you are interested in the costs of shipping from China to other parts of the Middle East:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Saudi Arabia
How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Oman
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to UAE
Calculation of Cargo Weight and Volume
Freight charges from China to Iran are usually calculated based on the actual weight or volumetric weight of the cargo, whichever is higher. This ensures that freight forwarders can reasonably calculate both large and light cargo and small and heavy cargo.
Actual weight
Actual weight refers to the actual weight of the cargo, in kilograms (kg).
For example, if the cargo weight is 50 kg and the volumetric weight is 40 kg, the actual weight of 50 kg will be used for calculation.
Volumetric weight
Volume weight is calculated based on the volume of the cargo to ensure that cargo that takes up more space can be reasonably charged.
Calculation formula: Volumetric weight (kg) = length (cm) × width (cm) × height (cm) ÷ 6000.
If the volumetric weight is higher than the actual weight, the freight will be calculated based on the volumetric weight.
How to Effectively Reduce Shipping Costs
- Bulk transportation: Try to combine goods into larger batches for transportation to reduce the transportation cost per unit of goods.
- Optimize routes: Use transportation management software to analyze transportation routes and choose the shortest and most efficient routes to reduce transportation time and costs.
- Negotiate with freight forwarders: Negotiate with freight forwarders or carriers to get more favorable freight rates, especially for long-term cooperation.
- Reduce packaging volume: Optimize packaging design to reduce the volume of goods, thereby reducing transportation costs.
- Use containers: When possible, use container transportation to share transportation space between multiple orders.
- Plan ahead: Plan transportation in advance to avoid additional costs during peak transportation.
- Choose appropriate insurance: Choose cargo transportation insurance reasonably to ensure a balance between risk and cost.
The shipping cost from China to Iran is affected by many factors. By choosing the right mode of transportation, planning the shipping time and route, you can effectively reduce the shipping cost. If you need a specific quote or further advice, it is recommended to consult Ubest Shipping.