With the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative, Iraq has continuously imported construction materials, machinery and equipment, and electronic products from China. The prosperity of commodity trade has led to the continuous expansion of logistics demand between the two countries. This article will introduce the cost of transporting from China to Iraq in detail.
Shipping from China to Iraq
Iraq is located in the Middle East, bordering Iran to the east, Kuwait to the south, Syria and Jordan to the west, and Turkey to the north. It is an important hub connecting the three continents of Asia, Europe and Africa. The main modes of transportation are air and sea. Choose the appropriate mode of transportation according to the characteristics of the goods
Sea freight is the preferred mode of transportation for bulk goods. It is suitable for the transportation of various large goods with its low cost and large capacity. Sea transportation provides two modes of transportation: full container (FCL) and less than container (LCL), which are suitable for customers with different cargo volume needs and have strong flexibility.
The transportation time is long. Sea transportation from China to Iraq usually takes 25-35 days, and is affected by factors such as weather and port congestion, so the transportation time is relatively long.
Air freight is a fast and efficient mode of transportation, suitable for time-critical goods. High safety, low risk of cargo damage during air transport, relatively simple air transport process, more efficient operation, and usually shorter customs clearance time.
Air freight usually takes only 4-7 days to reach Iraq from China, greatly shortening the transportation time, which is very suitable for goods that need to be replenished urgently or have time constraints.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Shipping from China to Iraq
Cargo Type and WeightCargo Characteristics
Shipping costs are usually calculated by weight or volume. For cargo that is large in volume but light in weight, it may be charged by volume, while cargo that is heavy in weight but small in volume is charged by weight. Some special cargoes (such as dangerous goods, refrigerated goods, fragile goods, etc.) require special packaging and transportation conditions, resulting in increased costs.
Transportation Distance
The longer the transportation distance, the higher the cost. Direct flights are faster than transit routes, but the cost is usually higher. If multiple transit ports are required, it will affect the transportation cost.
Seasonality and Market Demand
During peak freight seasons (such as China’s export peak season or the eve of holidays), there is a high demand for freight, and shipping companies and airlines may increase freight rates.
Cost of LCL Shipping from China to Iraq
LCL refers to the transportation of goods from multiple shippers in one container when the goods are not enough to fill a standard container. This method is suitable for small-volume cargo transportation. It is more economical to calculate the cost by volume (cubic meters) or weight, especially for small quantities of goods.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL Cost/cbm |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Basra | $80–$115 |
| Shenzhen | Basra | $80–$125 |
| Ningbo | Basra | $85–$120 |
| Shanghai | Umm Qasr | $80–$115 |
| Shenzhen | Umm Qasr | $85–$120 |
| Ningbo | Umm Qasr | $75–$115 |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Iraq
Full container load and unload operations are simple and take less time; full container loads are loaded independently in containers, which makes transportation safer and reduces the risk of cargo damage and mix-up. FCL is suitable for large quantities of goods, and the unit cost of full container transportation is lower than that of small quantities of LCL transportation.
The cost of FCL (full container load) transportation from China to Iraq consists of the following costs:
- Ocean freight: The cost is estimated based on the loading volume and specific route of the goods.
- Port charges: Includes loading and unloading fees, terminal handling fees, and container yard fees. These fees vary in different ports.
- Customs clearance fees: Various types of handling fees involved in the customs clearance process, such as customs declaration fees and customs inspection fees, will increase the overall cost.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Basra | $1550-$2600 | $2600-$3600 |
| Shenzhen | Basra | $1600-$2500 | $2550-$3600 |
| Ningbo | Basra | $1550-$2500 | $2550-$3750 |
| Shanghai | Umm Qasr | $1500-$2700 | $2450-$3600 |
| Shenzhen | Umm Qasr | $1650-$2850 | $2650-$3600 |
| Ningbo | Umm Qasr | $1600-$2800 | $2500-$3500 |
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 Iraq
Air freight costs from China to Iraq are affected by many factors. Here are some of the main components and approximate cost ranges:
- Freight: Air freight costs are usually calculated per kilogram, ranging from US$5 to US$10 per kilogram, depending on the airline and route.
- Fuel surcharge: Air freight costs usually include a fuel surcharge, which may account for 10% to 20% of the total freight.
- Insurance costs: Cargo insurance is generally 0.5% to 2% of the value of the cargo, depending on the specific insurance policy.
- Destination surcharge: Depending on the specific airport in Iraq, there may be additional destination handling fees.
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Cost per Kilogram |
| Beijing Capital | Baghdad | $5.1 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Baghdad | $6.1 – $7.8 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Baghdad | $5.5 – $8.6 |
| Beijing Capital | Basra | $6.1 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Basra | $5.4 – $8.6 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Basra | $5.3 – $8.8 |
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 Kuwait?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to UAE
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Iran
How to Calculate Customs Duties
In Iraq , imported goods are often subject to customs duties and VAT, and these fees can significantly affect the overall cost of importing. Understanding how duties and VAT are calculated can help importers better estimate costs.
Tariff
Iraq imposes tariffs on imported goods, with rates varying depending on the category of goods. For commodity categories and tariff rates, please refer to the Iraq Customs Tariff Code (HS Code).
Tariff calculation formula: Tariff = declared value × tariff rate
- Declared value: generally refers to the actual cost of the goods (CIF value), including the cost of the goods, insurance and freight.
- Tariff rate: Usually between 5% and 40%, the specific rate depends on the type of goods. For example, different tax rates may apply to commodities such as machinery and equipment, textiles, and food
VAT
Value-added tax rate: Iraq’s standard value-added tax rate is 14%, but some goods (such as food and medicine) may be subject to lower rates or enjoy exemptions.
Value-added tax = (declared value + tariff) × value-added tax rate
VAT is calculated based on the total amount of declared value and customs duties, that is, VAT is levied on the goods plus customs duties.
How to Balance Shipping Time and Cost
There is a close relationship between shipping time and cost. Generally speaking, fast shipping will result in higher costs, while longer shipping time is usually accompanied by lower costs.
Evaluate needs
Understand the urgency of the goods and determine whether fast shipping is really needed. For non-urgent goods, it may be more appropriate to choose economical sea transportation
Choose the right mode of transportation
When considering the balance between time and cost, you can evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of transportation.
Transport in batches
For bulk goods, you can consider shipping in batches, giving priority to the urgent part, and then using more economical transportation methods for the subsequent parts.
Find the right freight forwarder
Choosing a freight forwarder company reasonably and understanding their transportation network and cost structure can help find a more cost-effective transportation plan.
Conduct a budget assessment
Budget transportation costs in advance and consider possible additional costs (such as tariffs, insurance) to ensure that the transportation budget is within an affordable range.
Use mixed transportation modes
Combine multiple modes of transportation such as air and sea transportation, and flexibly adjust the transportation plan according to the needs of different goods
The transportation cost from China to Iraq fluctuates due to many factors. Through Benwe, you can reasonably choose the mode of transportation and balance the relationship between time and cost. Choose a professional freight forwarding company, plan the transportation plan reasonably, and transport goods more efficiently.