With the advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, the logistics demand for shipping from China to Spain is increasing. Costs are crucial for those who transport goods. This article will elaborate on the specific costs of shipping from China to Spain.
You may also be interested in: How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Spain?
Trade Background in Spain
Trade relations between China and Spain are becoming increasingly close. As one of the important economies in Europe, Spain is one of China’s main trading partners in Europe. China imports a large number of goods, including electronic products, machinery and equipment, textiles, and furniture.
Major Ports and Airports in Spain
Major Trade Airports
- Madrid Barajas Airport: This is the largest international airport in Spain and the main gateway for air trade with China, providing regular flights connecting major cities in China.
- Barcelona El Prat Airport: Barcelona Airport is the second largest international airport in Spain and one of the important cargo hubs in the Mediterranean region, suitable for handling imported and exported commercial goods.
- Valencia Airport: Although Valencia is mainly an airport for domestic and European routes, it also handles some cargo with China, especially those that need to transfer through Barcelona or Madrid.
Major trading ports
- Port of Algeciras: Port of Algeciras is one of the most important ports in Spain. It is located next to the Strait of Gibraltar and is mainly used for container transportation. It is an important international cargo transshipment station.
- Port of Barcelona: As one of the most important Mediterranean ports in Spain, Port of Barcelona is an important shipping hub connecting China and other Asian countries. The port provides a variety of services such as cargo loading and unloading, container transportation, and re-export trade.
- Port of Valencia: Port of Valencia is a major cargo port in the Mediterranean region of Spain, handling a large amount of trade with China and providing efficient container transportation services.
Shipping Cost from China to Spain
China mainly transports to Spain by Air Freight and Sea Freight. The cost of shipping from China to Spain consists of multiple parts, usually including the following:
- Basic freight: This is the basic cost of transportation, usually calculated based on the volume and weight of the goods.
- Surcharges: Such as fuel surcharges, port fees, insurance premiums, etc. These costs will vary according to market changes.
- Terminal fees: Terminal fees include loading and unloading, storage and other port operation-related fees.
- Tariffs and VAT: Import tariffs in Spain are usually determined by the type and value of the goods. At the same time, value-added tax (VAT) is also required.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Spain
Sea transportation is one of the most commonly used modes of transportation from China to Spain. It is inexpensive and suitable for the transportation of bulk goods. There are two main modes of transportation
- Full container load (FCL): Applicable to situations where a large amount of goods is required, usually 20ft or 40ft container. The cost will be relatively fixed and greatly affected by the route and season.
- Less than container load (LCL): Applicable when there is less cargo and it is necessary to share a container with other goods. The cost is usually calculated by cargo volume (CBM) or weight.
Below is a detailed cost table
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Algeciras | $75-$125 | $1850-$2850 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Algeciras | $70-$135 | $1800-$1800 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Algeciras | $70-$120 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Algeciras | $65-$120 | $1800-$2900 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Barcelona | $65-$120 | $1850-$2750 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Barcelona | $70-$115 | $1800-$2800 | $3000-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Barcelona | $60-$125 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Barcelona | $75-$125 | $1800-$2950 | $2950-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Valencia | $80-$120 | $1850-$2750 | $3150-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Valencia | $65-$120 | $1950-$2850 | $3000-$4900 |
| Qingdao | Valencia | $70-$115 | $1900-$2800 | $3100-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Valencia | $65-$125 | $1950-$2800 | $3050-$4950 |
The following article may help you: Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Spain
Air Freight Cost from China to Spain
Air freight is the fastest way to transport goods. It is suitable for transporting urgent goods or high-value goods. The air freight cost is calculated based on the weight and volume weight of the goods.
The volume weight is calculated as follows: Volume weight = length × width × height / 6000. Generally, if the volume of the goods is large and the weight is light, it is charged according to the volume weight.
The following is the approximate cost per kilogram for your reference:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Spain) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Madrid Barajas | $5.0 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Madrid Barajas | $5.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Madrid Barajas | $4.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Barcelona El Prat | $5.5 – $9.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Barcelona El Prat | $6.0 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Barcelona El Prat | $5.5 – $8.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Valencia | $4.0 – $8.5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Valencia | $6.0 – $10.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Valencia | $5.0 – $9.0 |
Refer to this article: How to Calculate the Volume and Weight of Goods
DDP Shipping Cost from China to Spain
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is one of the international trade terms, which means the seller delivers the goods at the buyer’s designated location and bears all costs and risks, including transportation fees, insurance premiums, import duties and taxes, etc. Under DDP conditions, the seller is responsible for all logistics and costs from the place of origin (such as China) to the final destination.
| Service Type | From | To | LCL cost | 20-foot container (FCL) | 40-foot container (FCL) |
| Sea Freight DDP | China | Spain | $145 – $190/CBM | $4,200 – $5,700 | $4,800 – $6,200 |
| Air Freight DDP | China | Spain | $8 – $15/kg |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Germany?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to France?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Morocco
Factors Affecting Shipping Costs from China to Spain
Shipping costs are affected by multiple factors, here are some key factors:
- Shipping distance: The distance from China to Spain directly affects the shipping cost. The distances between different ports and airports are different, and the costs are also different.
- Cargo type: Fragile items, dangerous goods, temperature-controlled goods, etc., require additional handling or special transportation. Leading to higher costs.
- Transportation method: The cost of sea and air transportation varies greatly, and choosing the right transportation method can significantly affect the transportation cost.
- Seasonal factors: During peak seasons (such as before and after holidays), transportation demand increases, leading to higher freight rates.
- Insurance: In order to ensure the safety of goods during transportation, many goods will choose to purchase transportation insurance, which will increase transportation costs.
Customs Clearance of Shipping from China to Spain
Customs clearance from China to Spain does involve several aspects. During the import process, the importer needs to provide a series of documents to complete the customs clearance procedures, including:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Transportation documents (such as bill of lading, airway bill, etc.)
- Certificate of Origin
- Import license (if necessary)
Tariffs
The tariff rates for goods imported from China in Spain vary depending on the type of goods. The European Union uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (TARIC) to classify imported goods, and each category of goods corresponds to a different tariff rate. Calculated based on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value of the goods, that is, the cost of the goods plus transportation and insurance costs.
Value Added Tax (VAT)
The standard rate of Value Added Tax (VAT) in Spain is 21%, but certain goods (such as certain foods, medicines, books, etc.) may be subject to lower VAT rates (such as 10% or 4%).
Learn more: Customs Clearance and Fees
How to Reduce Shipping Costs from China to Spain
Strategies to reduce shipping costs include:
- Optimize packaging: Through reasonable packaging, you can reduce the volume of goods, thereby reducing transportation costs.
- Flexible delivery time: Avoid peak periods or peak seasons to avoid high freight costs. Choosing the right delivery time can greatly save transportation costs.
- Bulk shipping: If there are multiple orders, you can reduce the shipping costs of each order by consolidating the goods.
- Optimize customs clearance and taxes: Make sure the goods are correctly classified according to Spanish and EU regulations to avoid additional costs due to tariff errors. Make sure all documents are complete when importing to reduce delays or additional costs caused by customs clearance errors.
- Choose the right shipping company: Compare different freight forwarders or shipping companies. The quotes between different companies may vary greatly. Choose those that have a good reputation and offer preferential prices.
Factors for Choosing Ubestshipping
Choosing the right freight forwarder is essential to ensuring effective and efficient international shipping. Consider the following important factors:
- Experience with the China-Spain trade route: Understanding the specific logistics and customs practices of this route can have a significant impact on the success of the shipping process.
- Network and partnerships: Having a strong network of agents and partners in China and Spain ensures that the freight forwarder can provide a comprehensive service selection and cope with unforeseen challenges.
- Service offerings: Evaluate whether the freight forwarder offers services that meet your specific needs, such as consolidated shipping, warehousing, or cargo insurance.
- Customer service reputation: Reliable customer service is essential, especially when unexpected issues arise. Reviews and testimonials can provide insight into the freight forwarder’s responsiveness and problem-solving capabilities.
The cost of shipping from China to Spain involves multiple factors. Through this article, you can effectively reduce transportation costs by reasonably choosing transportation methods and freight forwarding companies, and adopting cost-saving strategies.