Trade between China and Qatar is becoming increasingly close, and more and more companies need to ship goods from China to Qatar, but the cost is a crucial issue in international transportation. In order to help companies or individuals better understand the structure and composition of transportation costs, this article will introduce the transportation costs from China to Qatar in detail.
Trade Relations Between Qatar and China
Qatar is located on the west coast of the Persian Gulf and borders Saudi Arabia. It mainly imports consumer goods, building materials, electronic products and mechanical equipment. As a major global manufacturing and exporting country, China provides a large number of high-quality goods to Qatar, and the demand for logistics and transportation between the two countries is growing.
Shipping from China to Qatar
The main modes of transportation from China to Qatar include sea, air and, and different modes are suitable for different types of cargo needs.
Sea freight
Sea freight is the most commonly used mode from China to Qatar, especially for bulk goods. The main ports for sea transportation are usually Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen. Arriving at Hamad Port in Qatar. Sea transportation can be divided into full container transportation (FCL) and less than container transportation (LCL), suitable for customers with different cargo volumes and budgets. It usually takes 20 to 30 days.
Air freight
Air freight is the fastest way to transport goods from China to Qatar and is usually used for high-value or time-sensitive goods. Air transport mainly arrives at Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar. The cost is higher than sea transport, but the transportation time is greatly shortened. It only takes 3-7 days.
Calculation of Cargo Weight and Volume
Freight from China to Qatar 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 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 50kg and the volumetric weight is 40kg, it is calculated based on the actual weight of 50kg.
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.
Composition of the Cost of Shipping from China to Qatar
The logistics costs between the two countries are composed of multiple parts, and the common components include:
Freight
The costs of sea freight and air freight are the main part of the overall cost.
Port charges
Including loading and unloading fees, warehousing fees, terminal fees at Chinese ports, and unloading fees, warehousing fees at Qatar ports.
Customs clearance fees
During the export and import process, customs declaration fees, tariffs, value-added tax and special commodity license fees may need to be paid.
Insurance costs
In the process of cargo transportation, you can choose to insure to prevent damage or loss of goods. Insurance costss are usually charged as a certain percentage of the value of the goods.
Cost of LCL Shipping from China to Qatar
The cost is allocated according to the volume or weight of the goods, which is suitable for small quantities of goods. Since multiple customers share a container, the transportation cost is lower, which is suitable for situations where the amount of goods is not large.
Usually it is less than the capacity of a container. Generally speaking, if your goods are not enough to fill the entire container, you can choose LCL. The following is the cost range of LCL:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL Cost/cbm |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Hamad | $75–$115 |
| Shenzhen | Hamad | $75–$120 |
| Ningbo | Hamad | $80–$120 |
| Shanghai | Doha | $70–$105 |
| Shenzhen | Doha | $80–$120 |
| Ningbo | Doha | $70–$115 |
| Shanghai | Ruwais | $75–$105 |
| Shenzhen | Ruwais | $80–$120 |
| Ningbo | Ruwais | $80–$110 |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Qatar
The cost is calculated based on the transportation cost of the entire container, which is suitable for bulk goods. The cost of full container transportation is relatively high, and the transportation time is relatively stable and controllable, and there is no need to wait for other goods. During the transportation process, it will basically not be mixed with other customers’ goods, and it is safer.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Hamad | $1550-$200 | $2200-$3550 |
| Shenzhen | Hamad | $1500-$2100 | $2100-$3500 |
| Ningbo | Hamad | $1550-$2500 | $2250-$3550 |
| Shanghai | Doha | $1500-$2500 | $2450-$3600 |
| Shenzhen | Doha | $1650-$2450 | $2350-$3600 |
| Ningbo | Doha | $1600-$2500 | $2200-$3500 |
| Shanghai | Ruwais | $1700-$2500 | $2550-$3600 |
| Shenzhen | Ruwais | $1800-$2450 | $2450-$3550 |
| Ningbo | Ruwais | $1750-$2450 | $2400-$3600 |
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 Qatar
Air freight costs are generally calculated by kilogram. Depending on the airline and time requirements, the cost per kilogram is approximately between $4-$8 US dollars. It is suitable for small and medium-sized batches of goods with high time requirements.
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Cost per Kilogram |
| Beijing Capital | Hamad | $4.1 – $8.0 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Hamad | $5.1 – $7.8 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Hamad | $4.5 – $7.6 |
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
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Iran
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Kuwait?
Factors Affecting the Cost of Shipping from China to Qatar
- Cargo weight and volume: Cargo weight and volume are one of the main factors affecting freight. The heavier the weight and the larger the volume, the higher the freight.
- Fuel prices: Fluctuations in fuel prices will affect freight.
- Customs clearance complexity: Special goods such as chemicals and pharmaceuticals require special customs clearance, which costs more.
- Season and market demand: During the peak season, freight rates may rise due to increased demand; during the off-season, freight rates may fall.
Tips for Reducing Shipping Costs
To reduce shipping costs from China to Qatar, consider the following tips:
Bulk shipping
The scale effect of sea transportation is significant, and batch transportation can significantly reduce unit transportation costs. If conditions permit, try to gather the goods together and transport them at one time.
Properly plan transportation routes
There are many shipping routes, and different routes have different prices. When choosing a route, consider the urgency of the cargo, cost budget and other factors to select the route with the highest cost performance.
Book in advance
Booking shipping services in advance ensures you’ll get service when you need it, and potentially enjoy better prices.
Optimize packaging
Reasonable packaging can reduce the volume and weight of goods, thereby reducing shipping costs. At the same time, good packaging can also protect goods from damage and reduce compensation costs.
Take advantage of policy offers
Pay attention to the trade policies of China and Qatar and take advantage of policy preferences to reduce transportation costs. For example, understand the tariff agreement, free trade agreement, etc. between the two countries, and rationally plan import and export strategies.
Logistics transportation from China to Qatar involves multiple cost components and complex influencing factors. Properly planning the transportation plan through this article will help control costs. Finding an excellent freight forwarding company can not only help reduce costs, but also ensure that the goods arrive at the destination smoothly.