With the increasing frequency of China-Europe trade, the market share of Chinese-made goods in Europe continues to expand. As a member of the European Union, Croatia has seen a growing demand for Chinese goods in recent years. This article will provide a detailed introduction to shipping from China to Croatia.
Introduction to Croatia
Croatia is located in south-central Europe, bordering Hungary to the north and Italy across the sea. It has a coastline along the Adriatic Sea and is an important hub connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. Its ports (such as the Port of Rijeka) are convenient access to the Central and Eastern European markets.
As a member of the European Union, Croatia enjoys a unified EU tariff policy, commodity circulation and regulatory system, which is highly attractive to Chinese exporters. At the same time, its continued economic growth provides Chinese companies with broad market opportunities.
- Relying on imported consumer and industrial products, such as machinery and equipment, electronic products, building materials, furniture, clothing and chemical products.
- High acceptance of “Made in China” with good quality and low prices.
- E-commerce is developing rapidly, and the demand for cross-border e-commerce is growing.
How to Ship from China to Croatia
Sea Freight
Sea transportation is the most popular mode of transportation. Compared with other modes of transport, ocean freight generally has lower unit costs, a wide range of container options, the ability to transport oversized or heavy items, and environmental benefits. Ocean freight takes longer than air freight, but its cost savings and capacity advantages make it the first choice for many businesses.
- Full Container Load (FCL): Suitable for businesses with bulk goods that fill an entire container. Reduce the risk of cargo damage, shorten transportation time, and control the loading and unloading process.
- Less Than Container Load (LCL): Suitable for small shipments that do not need to fill a full container. Multiple shipments from different customers are consolidated into one container. Save on ocean freight costs.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest mode of transport and is suitable for goods where speed is critical, such as perishables, high-value products, or urgent goods. It can usually reduce delivery time from weeks to days. Air freight can provide higher security due to strict security measures taken at airports and air transport processing.
Air freight flights are frequent, with lower risk of delays and higher reliability. Although air freight usually costs more than other modes of transport, its speed, reliability and security make it the first choice for time-sensitive cargo transportation.
Shipping Cost from China to Croatia
The cost of shipping from China to Croatia is mainly determined by the mode of transportation, and is also affected by the following factors:
- Type of goods and weight and volume
- Mode of transportation (sea transportation is the cheapest, air transportation is the most expensive)
- Destination distance between the port of departure and the port of destination
- Customs clearance and inland transportation costs at the destination
- Is there a peak season surcharge (such as Spring Festival, before Christmas)
Sea Freight Cost from China to Croatia
Sea transportation is more cost-effective. Costs are generally calculated by container (such as 20-foot or 40-foot container), or by volume (CBM, cubic meters) and weight of the goods.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Rijeka | $85-$160 | $2050-$3050 | $3000-$4900 |
| Shenzhen | Rijeka | $70-$145 | $1900-$2900 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Rijeka | $90-$140 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Rijeka | $85-$150 | $2000-$3000 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Pula | $90-$165 | $1900-$2900 | $3050-$4850 |
| Shenzhen | Pula | $70-$135 | $2000-$3000 | $3100-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Pula | $70-$145 | $1800-$2800 | $3050-$4700 |
| Ningbo | Pula | $80-$145 | $1950-$2850 | $3000-$4900 |
| Shanghai | Split | $70-$145 | $1950-$2850 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Split | $80-$155 | $1800-$2800 | $3100-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Split | $90-$165 | $2050-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Split | $85-$145 | $2000-$2950 | $2950-$4850 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Croatia
Air transport is more expensive and is usually calculated based on volumetric weight or the actual weight of the cargo. The calculation formula is usually: Volumetric weight = length × width × height / 6000. The cost is calculated based on the larger portion of the volumetric weight or the actual weight.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Croatia) | Cost Per KG (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong | Zagreb | $5.80 – $10.50 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Zagreb | $6.00 – $11.60 |
| Beijing Capital | Zagreb | $5.90 – $10.40 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Split | $5.70 – $9.70 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Split | $5.80 – $9.20 |
| Beijing Capital | Split | $6.00 – $11.50 |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Greece?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Italy?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Hungary?
Shipping Time from China to Croatia
Depending on the mode of transportation, the time it takes to ship from China to Croatia will vary, and is also affected by the following factors:
- Whether the route/flight is direct
- Port/airport congestion
- Seasonal factors, the time limit is extended during the peak season
- The efficiency of customs procedures in China and Croatia will also affect the time limit
- Weather factors, vulnerable to natural disasters and bad weather
| Shipping Method | Shipping From China to Croatia(Time) |
|---|---|
| Sea Freight (FCL) | 25 – 30 days |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 30 – 40 days |
| Air Freight | 4 – 7 days |
| Door to Door Shipping | Air Freight 6 – 9 days Sea Freight 27 – 35 days |
Learn more about shipping times from China to other regions in the following articles:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Hungary?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Italy?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Greece?
Detailed Steps for Shipping from China to Croatia
Shipment of goods from China to Croatia involves multiple steps. By understanding the following steps, you can plan the transportation plan:
Preparation of goods
Before formal shipment, ensure that the goods meet the transportation and import requirements, and choose the appropriate packaging method according to the mode of transportation.
Transportation requirements for special goods
- Dangerous goods: MSDS and UN numbers must be provided in advance.
- Cold chain goods: Professional cold chain logistics solutions are required.
- Battery products: Must comply with EU CE certification and safe transportation standards.
Booking and transportation arrangements
Choose a freight forwarder and book the goods. Provide the best route and space according to the goods.
International transportation
Ship goods from China to Croatia through appropriate transportation methods
Import customs clearance in Croatia
After the goods arrive in Croatia, they need to go through import customs clearance procedures. Freight forwarders usually assist buyers in completing customs clearance. Submit customs clearance documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or airway bill
- EORI number (EU importer registration number)
- Import license (if applicable)
Customs duties and value-added tax (VAT)
Goods imported into Greece are subject to customs duties and VAT (VAT 25%), the specific tax rate depends on the HS code.
Delivery of goods
The consignee signs for the goods and checks whether the goods are intact. If there is any damage or shortage, a claim should be made to the freight forwarder or carrier in a timely manner.
Why Choose Ubestshipping
Freight forwarders are indispensable partners in global trade, who simplify the process of transporting goods from one destination to another on behalf of importers and exporters. Their expertise ensures that your goods reach their destination efficiently and with minimal hassles for you.
Freight forwarders offer a comprehensive range of services to simplify your shipping needs, including:
- Document preparation: handling all necessary import and export documents.
- Transportation coordination: delivering goods from the factory to the port of export and managing transportation from the port to the door.
- Cargo booking: securing the required cargo space for your shipment.
- Consolidation: combining multiple shipments into one for more efficient transportation.
- Warehousing: storing goods before shipment.
- Rate negotiation: finding the best freight rates.
- Insurance handling: managing insurance and filing claims when necessary.
- Expert advice: providing strategic guidance to optimize your shipping process.
Shipping involves complex logistics and procedures. Freight forwarders take care of almost everything, but they don’t transport the goods themselves. Their role is to manage the transportation of your goods, minimizing delays and disruptions.