Freight Shipping between China and Germany | DocShipper

If you need to ship goods to Germany from China, you may be worried about navigating the complex process involved. Germany is a major port country in Europe for both imports and exports, so finding a reliable cargo shipping company in Germany is crucial. The intricacies involved in shipping can be daunting, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as large corporations. To help you manage this process, we have put together a comprehensive guide that covers every aspect of shipping from China to Germany. After reading our guide, if you still have any questions or require assistance with shipping goods to Germany, feel free to reach out to us.

The main shipping seaports in Germany

The Port of Hamburg

Located between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, Hamburg is accordingly the third largest container port in Europe and in the 17th place on the list of the world's largest container ports. If you are importing goods from Asia, this is almost always where your cargo will arrive. With a port area of 73.99 square kilometres, of which 43.31 square kilometres are on land, making the port of Hamburg an ideal location for warehousing and transhipment facilities due to its location on the Elbe branch.

Website: Port of Hamburg

The Port of Bremerhaven

Located at the shores of the North Sea, the ‘River Tide Gate’ Port of Bremerhaven is a large port with good sheltering facilities for vessels of up to 152 meters long. The number of containers received annually by this port is 5 million TEU. The container terminal is situated on the bank of the river Weser opening to the North Sea. For further contact info, the detailed guide on the port of Bremerhaven will give you more details.

Website: Port of Bremerhaven

The Port of Bremen

The Port of Bremen is the capital of the state of Bremen, an enclave in Lower Saxony in northwest Germany. On the banks of the Weser River about 70 kilometers inland from the North Sea, it is one of German’s most important ports and industrial centers. The state of Bremen’s official name is Freie Hansestadt Bremen, acknowledging its historic membership in the Hanseatic League.

Website: Port of Bremen

The Port of Rostock

The Port of Rostock offers outstanding nautical conditions. The protected location of the port at the mouth of the Warnow River on the Baltic Sea and the sea channel with a length of 3.6 nautical miles long and depth of 14.5 m allow a very easy approach. There are no obstacles, locks, bridges, etc. and there are normally no restrictions for entering and exiting the port at night. The port can accommodate ships with a length of up to 300 meters, a width of up to 45 meters and a draught of up to 13 meters.

Today the cruise port of Rostock in Warnemünde is the most popular German port for the giants of the seas. Hundreds of thousands of tourists, mostly from overseas, set out from here to visit the German capital Berlin and the beauties of the coastal region of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Website: Port of Rostock

The Port of Kiel

The PORT OF KIEL is one of the most versatile ports in the Baltic region. Its geographic location, permanent depth for seagoing vessels and the direct link to the national rail and road network make the port very attractive for cargo and passenger traffic alike. State-of-the-art terminal facilities and a high service quality enable an individual approach. Furthermore, Kiel profits from its location at the entrance to the world's most frequented artificial waterway, the Kiel Canal.

Kiel is origin and destination for cruise ships, ferry lines and cargo vessels. Hundreds of dream journeys trough the Baltic Sea and the Kiel Canal into the whole world start here every year. Terminals located right in the city centre and near the main station make arrivals and stopover extremely comfortable for passengers.

Website: Port of Kiel

The Port of Rendsburg

RENDSBURG PORT GmbH is represented by Brunsbüttel Ports GmbH as sole shareholder, i.a. owner and operator of the ports at Brunsbüttel. The maritime services on offer are for example chartering, general port services, customs services, stevedoring and warehousing, organization of pre- and post-carriage and various extra services such as boatmen and waste disposal.

The quay with a length of almost 1 Kilometre provides efficient cranes and transshipment systems which facilitate rapid loading and unloading of bulk products of all kinds. Here, vessels with a capacity of up to 20,000 tonnes can be handled. Transshipment of RoRo cargo is also possible. The design of the port basin as well as the easy access and departure options for trucks allow for rapid loading and unloading.

How much time does it take to ship freight from China to Germany?

The average sea freight shipping time from China to Germany is between 37 and 47 days. And this will vary depending on several factors such as customs formalities, and the distance between the different ports. As well as other factors.

	Hamburg	Bremerhaven	Bremen	Rostock	Kiel	Rendsburg
Shangaï	37	46	43	45	43	44
Shenzhen	40	41	43	44	42	42
Guangzhou	40	42	41	43	44	44
Qingdao	45	43	45	42	42	43
Tianjin	48	46	47	45	46	43
Ningbo	41	44	42	45	44	42
Xiamen	42	43	42	42	44	41

How to choose which kind of containers to ship between China and Germany?

3 types of standard size containers, which are usually for dry goods that are used for both commercial and personal freight:

20ft shipping container ( L:20ft (6.06m)*W:8ft (2.44m)*H:8ft 6in (2.6m))
40ft shipping container (L:40ft (12.2m)*W:8ft (2.44m)*H:8ft 6in (2.6m))
40ft shipping container HQ (High Cube, 76.3 cbm / 2,694 cbft for capacity)

Let's now take a look at how the different 2 transport options with these containers would be:

Consolidation or LCL (Less than Container Load)

When you import goods that its quantity is not up to the whole container, LCL shipping option is serving for this condition at a lower cost. That means the cost would be only for the space you need, making it profitable for your small shipments. The only thing is that your goods will be loaded with other shipments in the same container going to the same port of destination.

We recommend you to use this method if :

Smaller volumes for your goods.
Intention to consolidate several shipments.
There no much amount but much weight of your goods.

FCL (Full Container Load)

Full Container Load is a shipment type where a cargo occupies the full size of a container. FCL shipments are suited those who have large amounts of goods to send.

The most popular sizes would be:

20 foot: 20’ long x 8’ wide x 8 ½’ high external (c. 6.1m x 2.4m x 2.6m)
40 foot: 40’ long x 8’ wide x 8 ½’ high external (c. 12.2m x 2.4m x 2.6m)

All in all, a full FCL is safer and cheaper in larger volumes, even if only half-filled. In fact, starting from 15 cubic meters, a full container can also have the advantage of being cheaper than a LCL.

Special sea freight between China and Germany

To ship particular goods, you would consider other crucial factors: which determine the type of containers, the size of your shipment, etc..

Reefer container

Reefer containers are, simply put, large fridges carried by containerships to move temperature-sensitive goods such as ice-cream, meat or vegetables. Reefer containers maintain the cargo at the required temperature (usually between -30°C and +30°C) for the duration of the transit either in chilled, frozen or controlled temperature.

Ro-Ro

Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are cargo ships designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, trailers, and railroad cars, that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels or using a platform vehicle, such as a self-propelled modular transporter.

Bulk

An order to buy a large quantity of a good at once. This may occur at either the retail or the wholesale levels. For example, a coffee shop may make a bulk order for coffee because it needs to sell to its customers. Bulk cargoes can be interpreted as buckets, normally not packed, packed or packed. For goods of this type will be directly stored through the cargo holds of trucks, trains or ships.

OOG

OOG (Out of Gauge) cargo are loads which dimensions exceeding those of the container. The shipping companies charge an OOG surcharge for lost slots. After all, wherever goods protrude, no other containers can be loaded.

How to calculate the ocean freight cost between China and Germany?

Freight shipping rates usually will depend on a quotation from a freight forwarder or carrier to make it more accurate based on the current situation. The weight/volume ratio is the most regular method.

The weight/volume ratio would be roughly"1 ton = 1 CBM".

For the LCL method, the basic rate would be based on the weight/volume ratio rule and 1,000 kg = 1 CBM.

For FCL shipping method, a flat rate would be calculated per container, which would be based on what kind of used container and the relevant shipping agency.

How to determine the most cost-effective shipping option for freight from China to Germany?

If your goods are weighing 100 kilograms or less, it will cost more in air freight then in ocean freight.
As for the distance, above 100 kilograms, the price gap between ocean and air freight would be huge, air transportation would be not that competitive if you don't require the fast speed.
For large shipments, flat-rate, per-container fees of FCL shipping will be the most suitable way to import from China to Germany.
smaller consignments are for LCL shipping depending on volume and weight calculations.

Under the pressure to handle all the factors of considering shipment, fill online form out to have professional help from our specialist. For further info of ocean freight: Sea freight

Airfreight from China to Germany

Classic airfreight vs Express airfreight

Even though usually ocean freight takes the main role of international trade shipping, of course there would be some goods you would pay more attention to, air freight would be a more suitable choice. It would only take several days to transport your goods from China to Germany.

2 different options would be offered: classic airfreight & express airfreight

From customized price and service's perspectives, the 2 different options could be:

Classic airfreight, regarding commercial flights like British Airways, Air China, Qatar Airways, Emirates...
Express airfreight, which refers to the professional delivery companies like DHL, FedEx, TNT, UPS...

Having their delivery services, door-to-door solution will serve people in the world for several days. As an "all-inclusive" service that eliminates the need for personal handling of low-cost freight. Besides, it's even much cheaper if your goods are less than 1 CBM compared to LCL ocean freight.

The edges of airfreight

1. High speed
The fastest way to get your goods delivered.

2. Reduced Damage Risk

Shipping through air means that there is quicker delivery less handling of items during transit. Air freight shipping is by far very safe and has a low degree of risk of damage.

3. Wide capacity for all kinds of destinations
There are scheduled airlines to nearly all over the world, and this will bring you the convenience to send/receive goods.

4. Lower rates of insurance.
Short transit time brings a lower insurance coverage rate.

5. Lower risk
Strict controls at the entrances to airport areas will reduce the risk of loss.

6. Less rely on stocking
Faster delivery of packages means that small businesses will rely less on storing local supplies. Outflows and business flows force companies to deliver in anticipation.When cargo can fly quickly, inventory control becomes more natural. This is a huge advantage in adapting to trends, seasons etc. customers.

Kind reminder: Other than the way of transportation, a lot of necessary phases have to be considered regarding the import/export process. DocShipper awaits to offer our professional and dedicated help to you!

How does air freight charge between China and Germany?

Based on the weight/volume ratio as the ocean freight, it will be defined as the chargeable weight, multiplied by the price per kilo.

Air shipping your cargo from China to Germany is costly. However, depending on the type of goods you are importing, it can be preferable to having them shipped by sea. It is a lot faster and benefits from tighter security controls.

Perhaps you have shipments of cargo that will occupy just two or three pallets, and shipping is time-critical, or your goods are delicate. In that case, air freight is always worth considering. At the very least, it can be a good idea to compare an air-freight quote against one for ocean shipping.

Rail freight from China to Germany

Rail freight between China and Germany

Besides the long-duration ocean shipping and expensive Airfreight, rail freight is a really economical choice for importers and exporters.

The popular route connecting Chongqing with Europe is over 11,000 km long and started operating on August 31, 2012. The route begins in Chongqing, then passes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland and goes to the German city of Duisburg.

Transit time by train from China to Germany

Expect an average transit time from 14 to 18 days, The main terminals in Germany are mainly the cities of Duisburg and Hamburg. Duisburg is often referred to as the central point in Europe for the Chinese Silk Road. At present, about 25 trains a week arrive from China to Duisburg. It seems a lot, but compared to the entire transport between Asia and Europe, it is not much. At the terminal in Duisburg, where the railway tracks run straight to the bank of the Rhine, the goods are loaded directly onto ships, stored for further shipment in one of several warehouses or sent by train or truck to Greece, Spain or the United Kingdom.

The "New Silk Road" to Germany

In China, the rail network there is the largest all over the world.

There are two main routes for freight trains between China to Europe, with a number of sub-routes:

The southern route through Kazakhstan and southern Russia is most suited for freight to and from central China, e.g. the regions surrounding Chengdu, Chongqing and Zhengzhou.
The northern route through Siberia is ideal for container transport for the northern regions around Beijing, Dalian, Suzhou and Shenyang. In Europe, the most important terminals are Duisburg and Hamburg in Germany, and Warsaw in Poland.

The railway transit times would be much faster, even twice of ocean freight.

Where’re the edges of rail freight between China and Germany?

Rail freight's main benefits are speed and cost. Rail freight transport is faster than sea freight, and more cost-effective than air freight. It appears customers are definitely open to competitive and reliable alternatives for transporting their goods.

For example, a 40-foot container from Shanghai, China, to Hamburg, Germany. In 2006, that journey took 36 days by rail. It now takes just 16 days. The cost has declined as well, but not as dramatically as transit time. Also noteworthy – rail freight is a more environmentally-friendly form of transportation than air and ocean freight.

Door to door service between China and Germany

As an all-inclusive service, door to door service through transport or shipping arrangement to ensure the direct flow of goods from the exporter to the importer (or from the point-of-origin to the point-of-sale) with a minimum of interruption and delay. Also called house to house service.

Our door-to-door service coordinates the whole crucial phases from the supply chain. It will conclude 8 factors as the followings:

Pick up from Chinese supplier
Stock in warehouse in China
Port / Airport / Train station transporartion service in China
Export declaration paperwork service in China
Sea, air, or rail freight between China to Germany
Customs clearance at destination port in Germany
Handling to warehouse or delivery center in Germany
Express delivery to required destination

Through the smooth coordination between China and Germany from our professional agents, a quality service from A to Z will offer to you without any doubt! Troublesome paperwork, complicated import restrictions and uncertain transportation would not bother you too much, and most importantly, door to door service will definitely be less time and cost-consuming!

As DocShipper's specialized service, door to door wouldn't let you down! No matter it's logistic needs or paperwork service: packing, storage/warehousing, loading/unloading, customs clearance, international freight, trucking... All the mentioned services will be considered for one offer!

Import Procedures

Exporters are required to fill out a DEB (declaration of exchange of goods) or an Intrastate Declaration for all goods from within the European Community that enter Germany at the end of the month.

As part of the "SAFE" standards advocated by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the European Union has set up a new system of import controls- the "Import Control System" (ICS)- which aim to secure the flow of goods at the time of their entry into the customs territory of the EU. This control system, part of the Community Programme eCustoms, has been in effect since 1 January 2011. Since then, operators are required to fill out an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) to the customs of the country of entry, prior to the introduction of goods into the customs territory of the European Union.

Make sure you've done the paperwork in advance in case of any sudden changes.

Import value for trade statistics

In fact, the taxes that you will pay are calculated based on the CIF value of your imports. Importing industrial goods will be subjected to an import sales tax of 19%. This is on top of a general tax of 4.2% that the customs charges these goods. Also when you import food products, newspapers, and pieces of art, you will pay a 7% tax. The government protects its local industries by charging 17.3% tax on fabric and clothing items that you import.

This means is usually used to calculate the international trade taxes.

What are the customs duties and taxes?

To know all the customs duties and taxes relating to your own product, first of all you need to check the HS code of your exported goods for better calculation

Among industry classification systems, Harmonized System (HS) Codes are commonly used throughout the export process for goods. The Harmonized System is a standardized numerical method of classifying traded products. It is used by customs authorities around the world to identify products when assessing duties and taxes and for gathering statistics.

Let's take a look at what's the meaning of the digits in HS code

How to find the HS Code of your product?

The easiest way to find out the HS code is to ask it from your supplier, who're definitely familiar with what they're importing and the relative regulations.

Of course there would be ways to check out by yourself by just a click on the official website.

Step by step, we'll tell you the quick process:

Please go to German customs website to get more details of HS code combination.

While you're searching for your product's HR code, you can use the European tiraff website to search since Germany belongs to the EU.

"pineapple" as your keyword to put in and then click "search".

Now pay extra attention to the highlighted blue charts to know the classification, where you can read pineapple and related products.

Here is the HS Code for pineapple!

08 04 30

Required documents

Let's have a review of what we need to prepare for importing goods to Germany, no matter for the shipping or the customs clearance. Make sure you're able to provide them all to avoid unnecessary delays.

Bill of Lading

A bill of lading (BL or BoL) is a record of the traded goods which have been received on board. It serves as a shipment receipt when the carrier delivers the goods at a predetermined destination. For today, the bill of lading will be dealt with in electronic versions(Tele) for better paperwork management.

For the same purpose, AWB (airwaybill) is for air cargo.

Packing List

A packing list is a shipping document that is widely used in international trade. As its name suggests, it contains information about the contents of the exported goods. It is glued on the exterior of the shipment.

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice is a legal document between the supplier and the customer that clearly describes' the sold goods, and the amount due to the customer. The commercial invoice is one of the main documents used by customs in determining customs duties.

Certificate of Origin

A Certificate of Origin Declaration of Origin (often abbreviated to C/O or CO or DOO) is a document widely used in international trade transactions which attests that the product listed therein has met certain criteria to be considered as originating in a particular country. A certificate of origin / declaration of origin is generally prepared and completed by the exporter or the manufacturer, and may be subject to official certification by an authorized third party.

Certificate of conformity (EC)

The Declaration of Conformity is an official declaration by the manufacturer or their authorized representative that the product concerned is in compliance with all relevant requirements of the European product safety directives. It is proof that a product is designed and constructed in compliance with the appropriate conformity assessment requirements.

Your EORI number (Economic Operator Registration Identification)

Businesses and people wishing to trade must use the EORI number as an identification number in all customs procedures when exchanging information with Customs administrations. Having one common type of identification number across the EU is more efficient, both for economic operators and customs authorities. It is also more efficient for statistical purposes and security purposes.

Visit the dedicated page on the official government website: EORI in Germany

Restricted and banned goods

prohibited goods mean any goods the import or export of which is subject to any prohibition under this Act or any other law for the time being in force but does not include any such goods in respect of which the conditions subject to which the goods are permitted to be imported or exported have been complied with, and banned goods cannot be introduced into Germany and European territory at all. It's not possible to enter into the European and German borders, here're some examples we listed as the following for you as a reference:

Banned items

Any product that contains biocide dimethylfumarate (DMF)
Certain carcinogenic substances
Certain Chemicals subject to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
Certain Pesticides subject to the Rotterdam Convention
Certain Products subject to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
Counterfeit coins and banknotes
Counterfeit or pirated goods
Fighting dogs
Flick and Gravity Knives
Goods bearing false origin statements
Goods infringing a copyright
Goods infringing a trademark
Green and Black Tea of P.R. China origin
Live animals

Transport Insurance

If the value of your consignment is higher than the maximum amount your carrier or freight forwarder is liable for, it is wise to ask about transport insurance. Transport insurance gives you the certainty that, if something should go wrong in transit, you will receive full compensation of the value based on the sales invoice. If there is no invoice, the market value will be used to determine the amount. Naturally, the transport costs will also be reimbursed.

Visit our dedicated page: Insurance services

3PL services

We have a warehouse in Northern Italy that allows us to distribute your products at unbeatable prices! (Special E-Commerce) Shelves and references allow us to take care of the entry and exit of your goods (input and output) We establish the level of your stock, which you can consult on the spreadsheet. Indeed, it represents the state of your inventory and can be consulted live. After many years of dealing with Asiatic suppliers, forced to realize that they often do not package your products properly. They wrap altogether. This will affect your product's safety as well as your image. Let us handle this problem for you. Every order will be properly, carefully, repackaged. This step is included in the price of input/output management for maximum efficiency.

Go there to know more: 3PL services

FAQ |Freight Shipping between China and Germany | DocShipper

What is the cheapest method of transport from China to Germany ?

The answer will firstly depend on the volume and weight of your cargo. At DocShipper we recommend the following slots: take express air freight if you have less than 0.5 m³, between 0.5 m³ and 1.5/2 m³ we recommend air freight. Finally, sea freight in groupage (LCL) for a volume between 2 m³ and 13/14 m³, beyond that you will have to opt for the reservation of one (or more) full container(s) (FCL) by sea.

How does Docshipper help you?

Docshipper is a unique international trade company specialized in shipping and sourcing services. The most outstanding feature it has is the whole systematic imports & exports services from A to Z for especially individuals and SMCs (small & medium companies). Such as suppliers network based in Asia (mainly in China) according to your requirements: budget, product specification, delay, compliance, and standards... It’s understandable that when you’re at the first phase of your business, every part of logistics, suppliers, quality control, distribution, and customs could be overwhelming for you. That’s exactly what Docshipper is devoted to You just need to purchase, we’ll handle the rest!

How much is customs from China to Germany?

The cost of customs from China to Germany depends on several factors, including the type and value of goods, as well as import duties and taxes such as VAT and customs duty. The VAT rate in Germany is currently 19%, and customs duty rates vary depending on the type of goods. Some products may also be subject to additional fees.

How much does it cost to ship a container to Germany?

The cost of shipping a container to Germany can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the container, the type of goods being shipped, the shipping method, the origin and destination, and the current market conditions. To get an accurate estimate, you will need to contact a freight forwarder or a shipping company and provide them with the necessary details. They will be able to provide you with a quote based on your specific requirements.

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!

Freight Shipping between China and Germany | DocShipper

How to choose the transport means between China and Germany?

Sea freight from China to Germany

Overview - Ocean shipping from China to Germany