Shipping from China to Germany: Sea Freight, Air Freight, Rail Freight, and Road Freight
Eva Solutions manages the complete shipping process from China to Germany — by sea freight, air freight, rail freight, road freight, or express — including consolidation in China, export handling, and customs clearance in Germany.
- Transport modes: Sea freight, air freight, rail freight, road freight, express
- Transit times: 3–35 days depending on transport type
- Ports: Hamburg, Bremen — from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, and more
- Full service: Factory pickup to delivery in Germany
Transport Modes Overview
Eva Solutions handles everything from pickup at the manufacturer in China to delivery in Germany.
-
25–35 days
Large volumes, heavy cargo — the most economical option.
-
5–10 days
Urgent or lightweight shipments. Fast, but higher cost per kilogram.
-
12–20 days
Mid-size shipments. Balance between time and cost.
-
15–22 days
Door to door without terminal handling, flexible routes. Speed between rail and air.
-
3–5 days
Samples, small quantities, spare parts. Highest cost per kilogram.
Sea Freight from China to Germany
Around 90 percent of intercontinental cargo moves by sea. For larger shipments, sea freight is the most economical option.
- FCL (Full Container Load) 20-foot (approx. 33 cbm), 40-foot (approx. 67 cbm) or 40-foot High Cube (approx. 76 cbm). Cost-effective from around 15 cbm of cargo volume.
- LCL (Less than Container Load) Shared container with other shipments, ideal for volumes under 15 cbm. Charged per cubic metre.
- Consolidation We collect partial deliveries from several suppliers in our warehouse in China and ship them together in one container. Saves freight costs and simplifies customs clearance.
- Ports and Transit Times Departure ports: Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Guangzhou. Destination ports: Hamburg, Bremen/Bremerhaven. 25 to 35 days transit time, plus 2 to 5 business days for port handling and customs.
Air Freight from China to Germany
5 to 10 days from the departure airport. Significantly faster than sea freight, but higher cost per kilogram.
- Billing By actual or volumetric weight — whichever is higher.
- Departure Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen Baoan (SZX), Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN).
- Arrival Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Leipzig (LEJ).
- Urgent Reorders Stock is running low, the next sea freight shipment will arrive too late.
- Light, High-Value Goods Electronics, textiles, or accessories — the cargo value justifies the higher freight costs.
- Seasonal Peaks Goods must be available for the start of a season or a promotional period.
- Product Launches First batches for market launches — speed takes priority over cost savings.
Rail Freight from China to Germany
Rail freight via the New Silk Road — shorter than sea freight, cheaper than air freight.
- Routes and Terminals Trains travel via Kazakhstan, Russia, or Mongolia. Arrival in Duisburg — Europe’s largest inland terminal for China traffic.
- Transit Times 12 to 20 days transit time. Bridges the gap between sea freight (25–35 days) and air freight (5–10 days).
- Suitability From 5 cbm up to a full container — for goods that cannot wait 30+ days by sea, and for regular deliveries with a predictable lead time.
Road Freight from China to Germany
Direct road transport via the overland route — door to door, without handling at a port or rail terminal. Speed between rail and air freight, at a cost level comparable to rail.
- Routes Via the land corridors through Central Asia and Russia — comparable to the rail route of the New Silk Road, but flexible all the way to the destination address without being tied to fixed terminal locations.
- Transit times 15 to 22 days from pickup at the manufacturer to delivery in Germany. Slightly longer than rail, but without additional handling and pre-/on-carriage from a terminal.
- Suitable for Door-to-door delivery without port or terminal handling, locations away from well-connected rail terminals, and FCL volumes and part loads (FTL/LTL).
Express Shipping from China
3 to 5 business days via DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS — including tracking and simplified customs clearance.
Highest cost per kilogram. For regular or larger shipments, air freight is the more affordable alternative.
- Product Samples
- Spare Parts in Production Stoppage
- Documents and Small Items under 30 kg
- Urgent Replenishments
Process: How Shipping with Eva Solutions Works
-
Inquiry and Consultation
Cargo type, quantity, weight, volume, delivery date. Recommended transport mode and quote.
-
Pickup and Consolidation in China
Pickup from the manufacturer or receipt at our warehouse. Partial deliveries are consolidated into one shipment.
-
Quality Control and Export Handling
Inspection of quantity and quality with photo and video documentation on request. Export handling with our own export licence.
-
Transport to Germany
By container, air freight, rail, road or express. Shipment tracking at any time.
-
Customs Clearance in Germany
Customs declaration, documents, calculation and payment of import duties (customs and import VAT).
-
Delivery
Delivery to your location, such as your own warehouse.
Shipping Costs China–Germany: What Affects the Price
Every shipment is calculated individually, there are no flat rates — all cost items are disclosed transparently.
- Transport Mode
- Sea freight is cheapest per cbm/kg, express the most expensive; rail, road and air freight fall in between.
- Shipment Size and Weight
- Sea freight: volume (cbm). Air freight: weight or volumetric weight (kg). FCL is a flat rate per container; LCL is per cubic meter.
- Origin and Destination
- Freight costs vary depending on port, airport, and inland transport distance.
- Cargo Category
- Dangerous goods, oversized items, temperature-sensitive goods or special customs treatment incur surcharges.
- Incoterms
- FOB and CIF — the most common Incoterms in China trade — determine who bears which costs.
- Additional Costs
- THC, BAF, customs duties (0–12%), import VAT (19%), cargo insurance (0.3–0.5%), inland transport.
Customs and Documents
Incorrect or incomplete documents lead to delays, additional charges, or seizure.
- Commercial Invoice Product description, quantity, value, delivery conditions (Incoterms).
- Packing List List of all packages with dimensions and weights.
- Bill of Lading (B/L) / Air Waybill (AWB) Freight document, the transport contract for sea or air freight.
- Certificate of Origin Document confirming the country of origin of the goods.
- Conformity Certificates CE marking, REACH registration, or product-specific certificates depending on the product category.
- EORI Number Required for import into the EU, registered with German customs — a prerequisite for every customs declaration.
Eva Solutions advises on the right choice of Incoterms (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP) and coordinates with the supplier in China in their native language — no language barrier.
- Usually within 24 hours on working days
- A first, non-binding assessment of your project
Eva Solutions for China Freight Forwarding
-
Own Office in China
Native-speaking staff, own export licence, and in-house lawyers — direct handling, no intermediaries.
-
All Transport Modes from One Source
Sea freight, air freight, rail freight, road freight, and express — optimal route, direct bookings with shipping lines, airlines, and forwarders.
-
Consolidation in China
Own warehouse for bundling partial deliveries from multiple manufacturers — saves freight costs and simplifies import.
-
Office and team in Germany
Our office in Waldrach, Germany (Naga Technologies GmbH) — also our contact and service address. Available during business hours, personal consultation, fast response times.
-
Full Service
From the factory in China to delivery in Germany — one point of contact, no handoffs.
-
Integration with Additional Services
Sourcing, production, and quality control — all under one roof.
Four locations in China
Offices and warehouses in the north and south of China – where we collect and check goods and prepare them for export.
-
Harbin
Head office and warehouse
Logistics park in Harbin where our warehouse is located
-
Guangzhou
Office and warehouse
Guangzhou: the building that houses our warehouse
-
Shenzhen
Office and warehouse
Shenzhen: the building that houses our office and warehouse
-
Sanya
Office, IT and technology
Yazhou Bay Science & Technology City in Sanya, home to our office
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shipping from China to Germany cost?
Depends on transport mode, shipment size, weight, and cargo type. Indicative prices: sea freight FCL from approx. €1,200 (20-foot container), LCL from approx. €100–150/cbm, air freight €5–9/kg, rail freight and road freight between sea and air freight. Add THC, customs duties, import VAT, and inland transport. Detailed calculation available on request.
What does sea freight from China to Germany cost?
Indicative prices: 20-foot container approx. €1,200–2,500, 40-foot container approx. €2,000–4,000, LCL approx. €100–200/cbm. Plus port fees, customs, and inland transport. Booking early (2–3 weeks before sailing) secures better rates.
What does air freight from China to Germany cost per kilogram?
€5–9/kg depending on season, route, and volume. Charged based on actual or volumetric weight — whichever is higher. Bulky, lightweight goods can be significantly above the standard rate.
What does rail freight from China to Germany cost?
40-foot container by rail approx. €3,000–5,000 depending on route and load. Priced between sea freight and air freight.
How long does sea freight from China to Germany take?
25–35 days transit time. Total time including port handling, customs, and delivery: 30–42 days.
How long does air freight from China to Germany take?
Flight time 10–12 hours. Total time including handling, customs, and delivery: 5–10 days.
How long does rail freight from China to Germany take?
12–20 days transit time. Total time including handling and customs: 15–25 days.
When sea freight, when air freight?
Sea freight for large or heavy shipments with a 4–6 week lead time. Air freight for urgent shipments, low weight, or high cargo value — when the cost of capital tied up in long transit times would exceed the freight costs.
What is the difference between FCL and LCL?
FCL: exclusive full container — cost-effective from around 15 cbm. LCL: shared container with other shippers — more flexible for smaller volumes, but more expensive per cbm and slightly slower.
What documents do I need?
Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, EORI number. Depending on the product: Certificate of Origin, CE certificates, or product-specific certificates. Eva Solutions assists with document preparation.
What taxes and customs duties apply?
Customs duties 0–12% depending on cargo category (TARIC tariff) and import VAT at 19% on the customs value including freight and duties.
Does Eva Solutions offer shipment tracking?
Yes. A tracking number for every shipment, real-time status tracking — by ship, plane, rail, truck, or express.
Can Eva Solutions combine shipping with fulfillment?
Yes. Transport from China, storage in a fulfillment warehouse in Germany, order processing (pick & pack, shipping to end customers, returns management) — import and fulfillment from one source.
What does road freight from China to Germany cost?
At a cost level comparable to rail, depending on route, load (FTL/LTL), and destination address. Door-to-door transport saves the separate pre- and on-carriage from a terminal. Concrete calculation on request.
How long does road freight from China to Germany take?
15–22 days from pickup at the manufacturer to delivery in Germany — door to door, without separate terminal handling.
Request a No-Obligation Quote
Your agency with its own company in China and an office in Germany — everything from one source.
Need every detail in one place? Download the questionnaire, fill it in and send it to contact@versendex.de.
Planning a project in China?
Send us your enquiry with the product, quantity and destination. We'll work out which steps you need and come back to you with a proposal.