Road Freight from China to Germany: Door-to-Door Trucking for Full and Part Loads
Eva Solutions runs your road freight from China to Germany — as a full truckload (FTL) or a part load (LTL), from pickup at the factory through export clearance in China to customs and delivery at your dock.
- FTL (full truckload) and LTL (part load) by road between China and Europe
- Transit time: around 14–22 days door to door on the direct overland route
- No transloading at a port or rail terminal — straight from the factory to the consignee
- Dangerous goods (ADR), temperature-controlled cargo, oversized and project loads
- Export clearance in China, transit procedure, and import handling from one provider
When Does Road Freight from China Make Sense?
Trucking fills the gap between rail and air freight: weeks faster than sea, on par with rail, far cheaper than flying. You choose the departure day — no shipping-line schedule or rail terminal to wait for.
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Bottlenecks on other modes
When the Suez or Panama Canal closes, sailings get canceled, or trains are fully booked, the truck keeps moving.
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A deadline without an air freight budget
Stock that has to be on the shelf in two to three weeks but doesn't justify the price of flying it.
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Cargo that ships and trains won't take
Lithium-ion batteries and other dangerous goods, temperature-controlled products, bulky machine parts.
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Destinations away from the hubs
A truck delivers anywhere a road goes — no first- or last-mile leg from a terminal.
FTL and LTL: Full or Part Load
Your cargo volume decides whether a dedicated trailer pays off.
FTL — a trailer of your own
FTL (full truckload)
- Suitable for
- from approx. 30 cbm to a full load
- Billing
- flat rate per vehicle
- Key point
- direct run, no transloading, shortest transit time
The whole trailer is yours, and nobody handles the cargo on the way. A standard trailer holds around 90 cbm, a mega trailer up to 100 cbm.
LTL — part loads and groupage
LTL (less-than-truckload)
- Suitable for
- approx. 3–30 cbm
- Billing
- by volume and weight
- Key point
- your cargo shares the trailer with other consignments
Where several factories are involved, we first consolidate their deliveries at our warehouse in China.
Road Compared to Sea, Rail, and Air
| Mode | Transit time | Cost level | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea freight | 28–40 days | low | large, heavy volumes |
| Rail freight | 15–25 days | medium | balance of time and cost |
| Road freight | 14–22 days | medium | door to door, flexible departure, dangerous goods |
| Air freight | 5–10 days | high | urgent and lightweight consignments |
Routes and Corridors for Road Freight between China and Europe
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Northern Corridor
Via Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus into Western Europe. The most direct overland link, so the shortest transit time.
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Middle Corridor (Trans-Caspian route)
Via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia into Turkey and on to Europe. It bypasses Russian and Belarusian territory but takes longer.
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Southern Corridor
Through Central Asia and then either Iran or Turkey into southeastern Europe.
The Chinese border crossings at Alashankou and Khorgos in Xinjiang are the critical bottlenecks. Cargo moves into the long-haul leg toward Europe here, and the state of your export paperwork decides how long you wait.
We confirm the corridor with you before booking; destination, type of goods, and your routing requirements decide which one.
Transit Times: How Long Does Road Freight from China to Germany Take?
On the direct overland route, allow 14 to 22 days door to door, depending on the pickup location in China, the destination in Germany, and traffic at the border crossings.
On time-critical direct runs, two drivers alternate at the wheel; the vehicle stops only for breaks and border clearance. Via the Middle Corridor with the ferry crossing of the Caspian Sea, allow roughly 28 to 32 days.
What else affects transit time:
- Waiting times at the border crossings, particularly ahead of Chinese public holidays
- Whether the export and transit documents are complete
- Transloading at the border, where the shipment changes vehicles
- The destination region in Germany and the delivery window at the consignee
Vehicle Types and Special Cargo
Not every consignment fits a standard trailer. We match the vehicle to the load.
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Curtainsider
The standard for palletized general cargo; can be loaded from the side, the rear, or the top.
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Mega trailer
Up to around 100 cbm for bulky, lightweight goods.
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Refrigerated and temperature-controlled trucks
For goods such as chemical raw materials or medical devices.
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Low loaders
For heavy machinery, plant components, and oversized cargo.
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Dangerous goods under ADR
Lithium-ion batteries in ADR Class 9 (electronics, e-bikes, automotive parts) go by truck where rail and air handle them only with restrictions or not at all. We check the classification up front and have the shipment packed, labeled, and documented per ADR.
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Break bulk and project cargo
Bulky machinery, plant components, and items that can't be palletized travel as break bulk or project cargo. For oversized loads we arrange permits and routing in advance.
Costs: What Drives the Price?
Road freight from China costs roughly what rail costs — above sea freight, well below air. We quote the price from the details of your shipment. No flat rates: freight, special equipment, customs handling, and delivery are shown separately.
- Load type
- FTL is billed as a flat rate per vehicle, LTL by the volume and weight it occupies. From around 30 cbm, a full truckload works out cheaper per cubic meter.
- Route and corridor
- Distance, border crossings, and ferry legs feed straight into the price. The Middle Corridor costs more than the direct overland link because of the Caspian crossing.
- Type of goods
- Dangerous goods, temperature-controlled cargo, and oversized loads call for special equipment, permits, and in some cases escort vehicles.
- Pickup and destination
- Pickup in a coastal manufacturing region costs less than inland. In Germany, cost depends on the distance to the consignee and how accessible the delivery point is.
- Season and capacity
- Demand and rates climb ahead of Chinese New Year and Golden Week. Booking early secures both capacity and price.
- Import duties
- TARIC duty rates by product category typically run from 0–17%: 0–4% for many industrial and electronic goods, up to 12% for textiles, up to 17% for synthetic footwear. Some product groups from China also attract anti-dumping duties. On top of that, 19% import VAT applies, calculated on the customs value plus duties plus the transport costs to the first place of destination in Germany.
Customs and Documentation
On an overland route, the paperwork determines the transit time — every missing document costs days at a border.
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Export clearance in China
Our office in China handles export clearance under our own export license and settles directly with your supplier what paperwork is needed. That happens while the goods are still being picked up, so there are no outstanding documents to hold up clearance at the border.
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Transit through third countries
For the legs outside the EU, shipments move under a transit procedure. At the EU external border we open the T1 procedure, and the goods travel to their destination under duty suspension.
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Import handling in Germany
We prepare the import declaration while the truck is still on the road: customs entry, calculation and payment of duty and import VAT. The trailer clears on arrival instead of waiting on paperwork.
Documents typically required: commercial invoice, packing list, CMR consignment note, proof of origin, ADR documentation for dangerous goods, and product-specific documentation such as CE declarations of conformity.
- Usually within 24 hours on working days
- A first, non-binding assessment of your project
Process: How Your Road Freight Works with Eva Solutions
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Inquiry and routing
You tell us the type of goods, volume, weight, pickup location, and target date. We recommend FTL or LTL, propose a corridor, and prepare the quote.
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Pickup and consolidation
We pick up the goods at the manufacturer. Part deliveries from several factories are consolidated at our warehouse in China — one load, one customs declaration.
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Loading and export clearance
We secure the load to suit the goods and label dangerous goods per ADR. Export formalities in China run in parallel.
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Overland transport
The truck heads for Europe, with two drivers alternating on direct runs. You track its position by GPS, and we report progress at fixed intervals.
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Border clearance and import
We open the transit procedure at the EU external border, file the prepared customs declaration, and pay duty and import VAT.
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Delivery
Delivery to your address, for example your own warehouse.
Who Is Road Freight from China For?
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Manufacturers and industrial buyers
Production parts needed on time; when the line is down, 35 days of sea freight is too long to wait.
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Importers of dangerous goods
Batteries, battery packs and other ADR cargo that rail and air carry only with restrictions.
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Machinery and plant builders
Bulky parts, break bulk and oversized loads.
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Traders with mid-size volumes
Air freight is too expensive, sea freight too slow.
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Companies buying from several suppliers
Part deliveries consolidated into one load before departure.
Why Eva Solutions for Road Freight from China?
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Our own office in China
As a freight forwarder with our own base in China, we deal with factories and authorities directly — native-speaking staff, our own export license, and in-house lawyers, with no chain of intermediaries.
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Consolidation before departure
Our own warehouse in China bundles part deliveries: one load instead of several small consignments, one customs declaration.
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Transport and customs from one provider
Export clearance in China, the transit procedure, import handling in Germany, and final delivery — one point of contact across the whole route.
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A German company with people on the ground
An office and contacts in Waldrach, Germany (Naga Technologies GmbH) — also our contact and service address. Reachable during German business hours.
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Every mode compared
We cost out road, rail, sea and air and recommend what fits your deadline and budget — even if that rules out the truck.
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.
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Harbin
Head office and warehouse
Logistics park in Harbin where our warehouse is located
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Guangzhou
Office and warehouse
Guangzhou: the building that houses our warehouse
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Shenzhen
Office and warehouse
Shenzhen: the building that houses our office and warehouse
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Sanya
Office, IT and technology
Yazhou Bay Science & Technology City in Sanya, home to our office
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does road freight from China to Germany take?
On the direct overland route, 14 to 22 days door to door. How long depends on the corridor: the Trans-Caspian route via Azerbaijan and Turkey takes longer because of the ferry crossing, so allow roughly 28 to 32 days there.
What does road freight from China to Germany cost?
Pricing sits at about the level of rail freight — above sea, well below air. What moves the price: the load type (FTL or LTL), the route, the type of goods, and the pickup and delivery points. We cost each shipment individually and itemize the lines.
What does full truckload (FTL) mean?
FTL means booking an entire truck for one consignee. The trailer is yours alone and the vehicle runs to the destination without intermediate handling.
What is the difference between FTL and LTL?
With FTL you book the entire trailer and pay a flat rate per vehicle — economical from around 30 cbm. With LTL your goods share the space with other consignments and you pay by volume and weight. LTL is cheaper for smaller quantities but takes a little longer because of collection and distribution.
Can dangerous goods travel by road from China?
Yes. For ADR cargo the truck is often the only practical option — particularly for Class 9 lithium-ion batteries, which airlines accept only with restrictions. We check the classification in advance and arrange ADR-compliant packing, labeling, and documentation.
Does the route pass through Russia or Belarus?
That depends on the corridor. Some routings cross Russian and Belarusian territory. The Middle Corridor — via Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Turkey — avoids both. If you need a specific routing, we confirm it in binding form before you book.
Can oversized or temperature-controlled goods be carried?
Yes. Temperature-controlled cargo travels in refrigerated or insulated trailers; heavy or bulky loads go on low loaders. For oversized cargo we arrange permits and routing before assigning a vehicle.
What shipment size makes road freight worthwhile?
From around 3 cbm as a part load. From roughly 30 cbm a full truckload becomes cheaper per cubic meter than LTL. Below 3 cbm, air freight or express is usually the better choice.
Who handles export clearance in China?
We do. Our office in China clears the export under our own license and settles the required paperwork directly with your supplier, prepared during pickup so there's no waiting at the border.
Is shipment tracking available?
Yes. Vehicles are tracked by GPS, and you get the current position and ETA. We flag border crossings and status changes proactively.
When is road better than rail freight?
When you need door-to-door transport without terminal handling, want to set the departure day yourself, or are moving cargo the train won't take — dangerous goods, temperature-controlled products, oversized loads. For predictable standard consignments without those requirements, rail is usually the cheaper option.
A Quote for Your Road Freight from China
Tell us the type of goods, volume, weight, pickup location, and target date — we recommend FTL or LTL, propose a corridor, and itemize every charge.
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.