Freight between China and Switzerland | Rates – Transit times – Duties & Taxes

Do you know how to import goods from China to Switzerland? Are you concerned about the status of Switzerland, which is in Europe but not part of the EU? Although you can search for thousands of documents online and work all night to find them, we have created this manual that will save you time and make your life easier. We can guide you through different modes of transport, the demands, and the rules you need to know before importing items from China to Switzerland. Know also that all our team “DocShipper China” is at present available and can offer you our skills and experience to support you in your plans. Do not hesitate to contact us!

Sea freight from China to Switzerland

Shipping from China to Switzerland

China is the second-biggest economy in the world and one of its most important trading partners of Switzerland. In 2019, Swiss manufactured exports to China amounted to 29.5 billion Swiss francs, whereas Swiss imports from China totalled 14.4 billion Swiss francs.

The main exports from Switzerland to China are machinery and equipment, watches, and pharmaceuticals, while the main imports from China to Switzerland are machinery, textiles, watch components, and chemicals.

Switzerland is a country landlocked because it has no access to the sea in the middle of Europe. However, there are two primary methods of delivering goods from China to Switzerland, by sea and air freight.

From the ports of Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Genoa, or Marseille/Fos, via ships, and then onwards through the EU by rail or truck, to locations in Switzerland.
Through direct shipments from China to the port of Switzerland along the Rhine River. These containers are placed on a number of barges that travel up the river to the entry point of Switzerland and especially to the city of Basel.

The Port of Switzerland

Located on the Rhine, the Port of Basel, also called the "Port of Switzerland", is a major logistics center for the whole country. It is composed of three ports in the two Cantons of Basel: The ports of Birsfelden, Basel-Kleinhüningen and Muttenz. The harbour in Basel-Kleinhüningen is the biggest of these.

Over 10% of all Swiss imports entering the Rhine from around the world via ports such as Amsterdam, Antwerp, and Rotterdam are treated in Birsfelden, Muttenz and Basel. As the port complex also includes a warehouse for the storage of petrochemicals, the Rhine ports have become a recognised hub of national significance for the Swiss economy.

China and Switzerland Distance and Transit Time

It is extremely difficult to predict the exact transit times from the ports in China to Switzerland. The distance between China and Switzerland is 7 591 km bird's flight.

Switzerland is not surrounded by any sea or ocean, which means that transport time varies greatly according to the destination port in Europe, the Swiss city being served, and the type of transport used in between. Generally, 30–40 days are required. The average transit times (in days) for the largest ports in China and Europe are listed below:

Ningbo	Zhuhai	Hong Kong	Xiamen	Tianjin	Shenzhen
Fuzhou	Zhongshan	Shanghai	Foshan	Qingdao	Guangzhou

The difference between LCL and Full Container Load (FCL)

Ocean freight is a dependable means of transporting high volumes, with various options available to accommodate different-sized cargoes.

Two of these are Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL).

FCL designates shipments in which all the goods in the container belong to one party, whereas LCL refers to the goods of several shippers packed and shipped together in the same container.

A firm's needs and stock requirements drive the procurement and dispatch decision, along with factors like cost and type of goods. For instance, LCL supports a smaller, more flexible inventory of items, while FCL is best suited for high-volume materials and high-volume products.

Special transport

Reefer container

Reefer containers, popularly known as reefers, offer temperature-controlled transport, allowing your product, including meat, fruit, vegetables and dairy products, as well as pharmaceuticals and chemicals, to be transported across the world's oceans at a controlled temperature so that they arrive in excellent condition.

Roro/OOG

A Ro-Ro is a vessel used to transport, apart from other things, vehicles, which are loaded by one or several ramps. Also known as Ro-Ro, from the English roll-on/roll-off, RORO is the cheapest and easiest way to ship vehicles.

The vehicles are taken directly to the RORO ship and secured on the vehicle decks. They are stowed securely inside the ship, watertight and windproof.

Bulk (Vrac)

Bulk goods consist of products transported directly into the ship's hold or into installations provided for this purpose. In this case, a distinction is being made between bulk commodities and bulk commodities. Solid bulk products : (such as non-ferrous minerals, ferrous and coal) Bulk fluids: (oil and petroleum products). Bulk goods are transported by bulk carriers, ships specialized for each type of cargo: coal carriers, ore carriers, etc.

OOG

OOG (Out of Gauge) shipments are a special type of cargo. Because of, for example, their unusual size or weight, certain goods cannot be loaded in conventional containers. These kinds of cargoes are normally filled onto a flatbed or trailer for carriage.

Air freight from China to Switzerland

Airfreight from China to Switzerland

If your cargo has to be shipped fast, air freight is a better method compared to rail freight or sea freight. This way of doing things is also safer in terms of damage risk to the merchandise.

Switzerland now has 7 international airports. They are all located in all parts of the country, so selecting the best airport for your goods can save you a lot of time on ground movements.

Main airports in Switzerland

The 3 most frequented airports for freight aircraft directly to China are Basek, Zurich, and Geneva.

Zurich Airport - ZRH

Zurich Airport is frequently called Kloten Airport, not surprisingly it is also the busiest airport in Switzerland in terms of traffic for passengers and merchandise. The airport is located in the north of the city, about 13 km away, and is ideally placed for quick access to the city centre and the industrial area. It is the main hub for various Swiss airlines (Swiss global air lines, Swiss International Air Lines and Belair).

Airport Genève - GNV

Geneva airport is the second-busiest airport in the country, about 5Km from the city center. It is perfect for supplying your goods to the cities in the west of Switzerland.

Airport Bâle – BSL

EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg is not only the airport of Basel but of several cities including Mulhouse and Freiburg. It is located in France, 3.5 km from the Swiss border, allowing it to transport goods to France, Switzerland and Germany. Its specialty is to welcome important air cargoes.

Why do we choose air transport?

Rapidity

The speed of air freight is unmatched by sea, road, or rail freight. It is very popular for the delivery of fresh produce, animals, and plants.

Security

Airports are very secure places, with strict regulations and controls, which benefit air shippers who know that their goods are being monitored, limiting risks and accidents. The unloading of the goods is done quickly, which further reduces the delivery time.

Places served

Air freight allows delivery to almost any location in the world, goods can be flown to the nearest airport and then delivered by road freight to its destination more quickly than with any other solution.

Monitoring

Airfreight companies offer a service that allows the tracking of your goods in real-time and their status during the entire transport.

Cost of packaging

Air freight lends itself to lightweight packaging and low material requirements. Packaging costs are therefore quite low.

Conventional or express air freight

Conventional air freight is suitable if your goods are around 1 to 2 m3, which is what standard airlines such as Air China, Emirates, Lufthansa, or Swiss Air usually do.

Airfreight Express is designed to send small volumes quickly. The companies offering these services also provide door-to-door solutions. The price will be higher, but you will benefit from an efficient method and a very fast delivery.

Companies offering this type of service include DHL, UPS, FedEx, and TNT.

How much does it cost to transport cargo by air from China to Switzerland?

The main advantage of air freight is its speed, often used for small and light cargoes in a very short time.

However, it is the most expensive method, which is why this type of freight is less interesting for large volumes in some cases.

With this freight, you can know approximately how much it will cost you, we will see how to calculate air freight costs.

IATA basic fare

Air freight rates are based on a sliding scale of weight. The minimum price for air freight is €600.

Price per kilo: €6
Between 1000 and 2500 kg : 5€/kg
Between 2500 and 3500 kg: 4€/kg
More than 3500 kg : 3€/kg

Attention: The weight taken into account is the volumetric weight and not the gross weight of your goods

Rail freight from China to Switzerland

Rail transport from China to Switzerland

Rail transport offers the advantage of speeding up maritime transportation and is cheaper than air transport.

A new alternative is proposed to reach China and Europe since 2011, this "new Silk Road" proposes a solution by rail freight for groupage cargo (LCL) or full containers (FCL)

To date, there is no direct route between China and Switzerland. At the moment, trains from China to Switzerland pass through German stations (Nuremberg, Hamburg and Duisburg). A direct solution between the two countries would be beneficial, as China is Switzerland's second-biggest trading partner, after the EU.

How long does it take to travel by train from China?

There are various possibilities for those wishing to transport their products by rail to Switzerland by rail. First, from China to Germany via the Trans-Eurasia, as, as illustrated below:

Once the goods have arrived in Germany, there are two ways of transiting them to Switzerland:

By another railway operated by the Swiss Federal Railways (SFB): Duisburg, Germany → Basel, Switzerland (1 day)
By road: Germany → Switzerland (time and distance depending on the delivery location).

In addition to a link via Germany to Poland and Kazakhstan, rail transport also provides access via Wolfurt and further to Budapest to Eastern Switzerland. Despite the geographical advantages of this route for the Swiss market, delivery times are still less competitive than via Germany.

What are the main advantages of the railway between China and Switzerland?

Reliability is one of the many interests of rail freight. It is a very good transport option compared to air freight or a combination of sea and air freight. Long delivery times to Europe are a major challenge for companies producing in China.

Compared to sea freight, rail freight is a reliable and fast means of transport with the shortest lead times. Sea freight from China to Switzerland normally takes six to seven weeks. Rail freight can halve the transport time, thus considerably reducing the lead time. This solution is particularly advantageous for companies operating in the fast-moving consumer goods sectors that are particularly concerned about delivery times.

The primary environmental benefit of rail freight is the reduction of exhaust emissions. When we compare the CO2 levels of the different types of transport, it is clear that rail freight transport is the winner.

Door-to-door delivery between China and Switzerland

The service, Door-to-door delivery, is the most common and convenient way to send your goods. The consumer is relieved of all the formalities involved in shipping. We take care of the whole process, from the beginning, from the recruitment and collection of all your goods, through the port/airport/rail terminal, and on to customs clearance and delivery at the destination. Door-to-door is above all a very practical and fast formula.

By combining our experience with the know-how of our staff in China and Switzerland, we can guarantee you quality service from A to Z. You will not have to do anything, and you may be relieved of some of your troubles.

This method saves you time and money!

Why are door-to-door services helpful?

A door-to-door service, just like its name indicates, involves collecting the goods from wherever you want them to be delivered to the address of your choice, right to your home or business. So the service is complete, whether by sea, air, express, or rail, and makes things much easier for you.

Safe delivery

When you entrust your cargo to us, you can be sure that it will arrive at its destination without any problems. All our partners guarantee a high quality service.

Professional staff

At Docshipper, one thing we are very pleased with is the friendliness of our team and their attention to detail. When you order your goods through us, you get an individual experience.

Tracking of shipments

Our staff will allow you to track the progress of your shipment at any time.

Are you looking for a reliable and safe door-to-door solution for transport between China and Switzerland? Then contact us! We will be happy to discuss with you the most appropriate solution for you.

Our team is here to assist you with the details of all your logistics requirements.

You may also wish to take a look at our special page: Door to door service

Customs clearance of goods imported from China to Switzerland

In this section, you will find the conditions and standards that must be met before you can import goods from China into Switzerland. You will find an overview and a directory to help you understand the general conditions for importing goods from China to Switzerland, as well as links to the main regulations in force in the country.

Switzerland, as we know, is in the middle of the EU, but not part of it. Therefore, if you decide to transit your goods by sea or rail from China, they must necessarily pass through EU countries. The regulation of transit in Europe is well regulated.

Currently, the Common Transit Regulation is applied in all EU countries for road, rail and air transport. The standard regime, known as NCTS (New Computerised Transit System), is carried out in an electronic format.

The tracking form is a genuine customs certificate. It is issued when the transit procedure is initiated and must be printed by you and accompany the shipment. The document also indicates whether the goods are in free circulation in the EU (T2 goods or Union goods) or in other assets (T1 goods).

Swiss customs value

To import goods into Switzerland, you must also take into account customs fees, VAT, transit clearance, etc.

The Post Office, a public company of the Swiss Confederation, can offer you an estimate of the costs involved in importing goods from outside Switzerland.

Switzerland uses the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) valuation method to determine customs duties, as do the EU countries.

CIF value = Insurance + Cost of goods + Cost of export clearance + Cost of transport to port of departure + Cost of transport to point of entry in Switzerland

Switzerland has a unique way of determining customs duties, as it depends on both weight and product (whereas most countries establish amounts based on value and product).

Customs duties in Switzerland. How to calculate them?

In order to find out what rate of duty is applied to your products, this information is available online free of charge. You can choose the date, country of origin, place of delivery and all related data to obtain the tax amount. We will guide you through the search process below.

Like most countries, Switzerland applies the harmonised tariff system (HS) for exported and imported goods. Each commodity is assigned a HS code that represents a specific product. This code is used to determine the customs status of the product in each country where it is imported.

How to find the HS Code?

The best way to find out the HS code of your goods is to ask your supplier, who is best placed to tell you. In fact, if your supplier is used to marketing his products for export, he will certainly know the HS code.

It is also possible to search the tariff library of each country using the "harmonised system" by simply entering a key term, such as "pineapple" in the example above.

Indeed, we have prepared an example with all the steps of the process to find the HS code of your product and then calculate the customs duties.

press "access the online service", you will get to the next page:

Then click on "Nomenclature" to display this page, as shown in this demonstration:

You will need to enter your "keywords" and then press "Search by keywords".

Calculating the customs duties with the HS Code

When you have the HS code for your item, it will be advantageous to determine the exact rate of duty for importing your goods from China to Switzerland.

Go to the Swiss customs website.

On the first page, by clicking on "enter", you will arrive on a page that looks like this

You must specify the country of origin of your item, as well as the HS code of the item. In the following example, we have chosen pineapple.

Once you have filled in all the details, you can click on "search" next to your HS code.

Make sure it matches your item and press the little icon on the left of HS code.

The following page gives you more information:

Does Docshipper charge customs duties?

Docshipper will not charge any commission on customs fees. Administrative documents, such as customs declarations, are sent to you after customs clearance. This will enable you to check that we do not charge any commission.

In addition, Docshipper collects the costs of customs clearance. Our experts will take care of the administrative file so that you can declare it to the customs authorities. The government will collect the taxes and duties.

Procedure and customs contact

Bill of Lading

The purpose of the bill of lading is to guarantee the designated goods have been supplied by the exporter, in other words, it represents a certificate of transport.

The goods listed on this official document are covered by the terms of the freight company's contracts with the shipper.

This document contains the prices of the products and the coordinates of the places of transport of the goods.

The bill of lading, as an official document, has legal value. All the data required to proceed with the shipment of the goods is contained in this document.

For air transport, this document is called "Air Waybill".

Packing List

A form completed by the shipper that details the shipment including weight (gross and net), dimensions, contents, numbering of each package in the shipment and any identifying information features such as serial numbers. It also allows for the identification of damage or shortages, as the customer only pays taxes for what they have actually received.

Original Invoice

In China as well as in Switzerland, you have to attach the original invoice to get your goods through customs. Make sure there is no distinction between the original document and the checklist!

Certificate of Origin

Justifying the place of origin of your shipments, the certificate of origin is an essential element in world trade. It allows you to declare the country of origin of the goods.

It indicates the country of manufacture of the products, which should not be confused with the origin of the goods. This part is very important to allow importers and exporters to benefit from advantageous rates of customs duties, which are very advantageous for certain goods.

Import licences and permits

For certain items such as agricultural products, plants and others, a permit is required to bring them into Switzerland. Below is a summary of what you need:

Agricultural Products

General import permit (GIPs) of the Federal Office for Agriculture (OFAG)
Customs tariff number of the product

Plant products

Or an import authorization issued by the Food and Veterinary Office (OSAV) for protected species.
A phytosanitary passport issued by the FOAG is mandatory for plants.
Moreover, some protected plant species are prohibited or only approved by the CITES convention.

Other special regulations in Switzerland

The "Swiss portal of technical rules" offers a presentation of the different products requiring specific conditions, including the following:

Industrial products

Thus, imported ships are required to comply with the regulations of the Ordinance on the circulation of ships in Switzerland.

Cosmetics, jewelry, wood and children’s items

Thus, hair dyes containing components hazardous to health are subject to the Ordinance on Household Goods and Foodstuffs.

Are there any agreements between China and Switzerland?

Yes! The "Switzerland-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA)"

Initially, this arrangement was concluded between Switzerland and China in 2013, it entered into force shortly after. It consists of an agreement that sets the terms of the cooperative relationship between these two countries, with the aim of reducing trade restrictions such as import limitations and customs fees.

It is essential that every Swiss importer is aware of the benefits of this agreement.

We have outlined the key points of this arrangement for you:

Switzerland has lowered the tariffs for most products. As a Swiss importer, you can confirm whether the products you are interested in are on the list or, more importantly, what is not on the list. The Details of the decrease in the list of products are presented in the Annex I of the Agreement.

In order to obtain a reduced tariff, companies wishing to import from China to Switzerland are required to present a certificate of origin. For more details, you can consult Annexes II and III of the agreement.

Top 7 freight forwarders in Switzerland

DocShipper
Gandhi International Shipping
HudHud Worldwide Logistics
Fastar Logistics
Pratama Expresindo Logistics
Perfect Indy Transport Co
Sahyog Logistics Solutions

Other logistics services

Warehousing and storage

DocShipper offers a storage service. Our warehouses are strategically located near major cities in China and we take delivery of your goods. The storage period is determined according to your request, before shipment to the destination.

We are also able to provide you with our services in terms of optimizing your entire container, whether it is for filling a complete container or for distributing your container with other suppliers.

To learn more about our warehousing services, please visit our website!

Transportation insurances

The rate: can be modified selon le type de transport, la composition de la cargaison, ... The insured value indicated by the subscriber (in principle national expenses + expenses related to the main transport), the uses authorize an increase of the guaranteed value of 20% at most. Therefore, you should be able to rely on this type of calculation to obtain a quote. This scale varies according to the nature/category of the goods.

More info on our dedicated page: Insurance services

Supplier Management in China

In order to offer you a complete service and to assure you the right product, we contact your distributor beforehand. We will know more exactly the characteristics of the material covered by the Swiss standard and will examine them closely (especially the condition + packaging). Under our supervision, none of your products will leave the premises without proper packaging. Trust us, the process will be smooth from start to finish (no matter the incoterm). Our team is fluent in Mandarin/English/French and can check the dimensional characteristics and HS code of your items.

More info on our dedicated page: Sourcing services

3PL Service

Order processing/Packaging and labeling: The supply chain is a difficult process, especially if you don't know it. The same goes for distribution, with our warehouse in Camporosso, Italy (close to Switzerland), we store your stock and handle all your orders on a daily basis. We are your trusted partner, and take care of all services (packing, inventory, labeling, execution).

The possibility of delivering to the last mile: Our partners with whom we have been working for a long time have enabled us to offer and ensure a shipment to any country at a very advantageous price and by guaranteeing you a quality service.

More information on our dedicated page: 3PL services

FAQ -Freight between China and Switzerland | Rates – Transit times – Duties & Taxes – Advice

How much does it cost to ship to Switzerland?

The cost of shipping from China to Switzerland depends on several factors, such as the size and weight of the package, the shipping method chosen and the distance between the origin and destination.

In general, there are many options for shipping a package from China to Switzerland: air freight, ocean freight, and express courier services such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS.

Air freight is generally the fastest option, but also the most expensive, while ocean freight is generally the most cost-effective, but can take several weeks for the package to reach its destination.

For a more accurate estimate of shipping costs, please contact DocShipper and provide us with detailed information about the package, including size and weight, desired shipping method, and origin and destination locations.

How can I get a freight shipping quote to Switzerland ?

To get a quote for freight shipping from China to Switzerland, you can follow these steps:

Determine the size and weight of your shipment: Measure the dimensions (length, width and height) of your package and weigh it accurately.
Pick a shipping method: Decide which shipping method you prefer, whether it's air freight, ocean freight, or express courier services.
Request a quote: Contact DocShipper, and give them details about your shipment including size and weight, origin and destination, and desired shipping method. You can request a quote online, by email, or by phone.

What is the cheapest way to ship to Switzerland ?

Here are some shipping methods you can consider for cost-effective shipping to Switzerland:

Ocean freight: This is a good option for larger, heavier shipments that are not urgent. Sea freight can take many weeks to arrive at your destination, but it is mostly the most cost-effective shipping option. You can choose between full container load (FCL) and less-than-container load (LCL), depending on the size of your shipment.
Postal Service: Many postal services offer international shipping options that can be affordable, especially for small packages. Delivery time may be longer, but this can be a good option for non-urgent shipments.
Consolidation service: DocShipper offers consolidation services, which means that they combine several small shipments into one larger shipment. This can be a cost-effective way to ship small items because you can share the shipping costs with other customers.
Freight Forwarder: Freight forwarders can offer competitive rates for shipments to Switzerland, especially if they have established partnerships with ocean carriers.

DocShipper will help you select the most cost-effective shipping option based on the size and weight of your shipment. It's important to note that while choosing the cheapest shipping option can save you money, it can also result in longer delivery times and less reliable tracking and delivery options. Be sure to balance the cost, delivery time, and quality that best meets your needs.

Why is shipping to Switzerland so expensive?

Shipping costs to Switzerland can be high due to several factors, including:

Distance: Switzerland is located in the heart of Europe, and for shipments from China, the distance can be quite significant. Shipping over long distances can increase the cost of transportation.
Customs and duties: When shipping to Switzerland, your package may be subject to customs clearance procedures and import duties, which may increase the cost of shipping.
Shipping method: The shipping method you choose can also affect the cost of shipping. Express courier services such as DHL, FedEx, and UPS tend to be more expensive, but offer faster delivery times and more reliable tracking, while ocean freight can be more cost-effective, but may take longer to reach its destination.
Fuel Prices: Fuel prices can also influence the cost of shipping, as carriers may adjust their rates to account for fluctuations in fuel prices.
Packaging and handling: The cost of packaging and handling may also increase, especially if your package requires special handling or packaging to ensure safe transport.

It's important to note that shipping rates can vary significantly depending on the destination and details of the shipment.

DocShipper Advise : We help you with the entire sourcing process so don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

Having trouble finding the appropriate product? Enjoy our sourcing services, we directly find the right suppliers for you!
You don't trust your supplier? Ask our experts to do quality control to guarantee the condition of your goods!
Do you need help with the logistics? Our international freight department supports you with door to door services!
You don't want to handle distribution? Our 3PL department will handle the storage, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery!

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Freight between China and Switzerland | Rates – Transit times – Duties & Taxes – Advices

The different methods of transportation between China and Switzerland