The trade relationship between China and the Netherlands has a long history and has shown a booming trend in recent years. As one of the economic centers of Europe, the Netherlands has attracted a large number of Chinese goods with its strong logistics network and open trade policy. In recent years, with the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative, China and the Netherlands have continuously deepened their trade cooperation and the bilateral trade volume has increased year by year.It’s important to know the timeliness of shipping from China to the Netherlands

Introduction to the Netherlands

Located in western Europe, the Netherlands is one of the most economically developed countries in Europe, adjacent to Germany and Belgium and facing the North Sea. As a highly developed country, the Netherlands has one of the busiest ports in the world, the Port of Rotterdam. The Netherlands’ logistics and transportation infrastructure ranks high in the world, making the Netherlands one of the trade centers in Europe and even the world. The main products entering the European market from China are electronic products, machinery and equipment, and agricultural products

Shipping methods from China to the Netherlands

Shipping from China to the Netherlands by sea

Sea freight is suitable for transporting bulk goods, not only because of its low price, but also because it can transport bulk and scattered goods. In addition, with ocean freight, we are able to transport almost all types of goods, but the shipping time is longer, usually taking about 30-40 days to ship, suitable for goods that are not time-sensitive, you can choose between LCL and FCL depending on the size of your goods and your budget

• LCL freight: means your goods will share space with other companies’ goods. It is ideal for small items that do not need to fill an entire container. Due to the packing and unpacking process, your delivery time may be slightly longer.
• FCL freight: means renting an entire container to transport your goods. If your goods are large enough to occupy a container, or even most of a container, then FCL freight may be the most economical option.It is also faster than LCL shipping because there is no need to combine or split your items with other items. Your container will also remain sealed throughout the entire shipping process, and unless customs officials choose to inspect it, it will remain sealed until it reaches your address or selected destination.

Air freight from China to the Netherlands

Air freight is the fastest mode of transportation and is suitable for transporting high-value, urgently needed goods. Air freight from China to the Netherlands usually takes 3-7 days, depending on flight arrangements, airport efficiency and customs clearance procedures. Large express companies such as DHL and FEDEX provide door-to-door services, while small logistics companies may take longer, but the cost is relatively low.

Rail freight from China to the Netherlands

The China-Europe Railway Express has gradually become an important channel connecting China and Europe in recent years. Rail freight from China to the Netherlands has become a very important mode of transportation, because rail freight costs are cheaper than air freight, and train transportation time is faster than sea freight, all of which make rail freight play an important role in the modern supply chain.

Shipping time from China to the Netherlands

The shipping time from China to the Netherlands depends on the selected mode of transportation, the departure and destination, and whether there is transshipment

Sea freight time from China to Netherlands

The shipping time from major ports in China to major ports in the Netherlands is about 30-40 days. The specific time is affected by many factors, including the distance between the departure port and the destination port, the shipping company’s route arrangement, the shipping capacity in the off-season and peak season, and weather conditions.

POL (Port of Loading)	POD (Port of Discharge)	Transit time
Qingdao	Rotterdam	31-38 days
Qingdao	Amsterdam	32-37 days
Guangzhou	Rotterdam	33-40 days
Guangzhou	Amsterdam	31-39 days
Shanghai	Rotterdam	31-38 days
Shanghai	Amsterdam	33-39 days
Shenzhen	Rotterdam	30-38 days
Shenzhen	Amsterdam	30-39 days

Air freight time from China to Netherlands

Air freight usually takes 3 to 7 days, including flight time, ground handling time and customs clearance time. Flight schedules and airport congestion may have a certain impact on the total shipping time.

From(Airport of Departure)	To(Airport of Destination)	Transit time
Beijing Capital	Amsterdam Schiphol	3-6 days
Shanghai Pudong	Amsterdam Schiphol	3-7 days
Guangzhou Baiyun	Amsterdam Schiphol	4-7 days

Rail freight time from China to Italy

China-Europe Express has become an increasingly popular mode of transport from China to Europe, especially to the Netherlands. Rail transport combines the economy of ocean transport and the timeliness of air transport, and is usually suitable for goods that have certain time requirements but are not too urgent.

From	To	Transit time
Chongqing	Tilburg	19-24 days
Chengdu	Tilburg	18-25 days
Wuhan	Tilburg	18-23 days

Factors that affect shipping time from China to the Netherlands

Several factors can affect the shipping time of goods from China to the Netherlands:

• Weather: Weather conditions can cause delays, especially for sea and air shipments.
• Seasonal factors: Port congestion and customs delays are more likely to occur during peak shipping seasons or due to regulatory changes.
• Tariffs and customs clearance procedures: The length of customs clearance time can also have an impact on the overall shipping time. When customs clearance is smooth, the goods can quickly enter the Dutch market; but if there are problems, the goods may be detained, which will extend the shipping time.

Container shipping rates from China to Netherlands

These are the average prices for shipping one container from China to Netherlands, loading and shipping 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) to all types of cargo from major Chinese ports to Netherlands at the cheapest prices for international freight from China to Netherlands.

Container shipping service from China to Netherlands	Type of container	Ocean freight rates from China to Netherlands:
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Netherlands.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1150 20FT average price from: $3150 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Netherlands.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Netherlands.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Netherlands.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Netherlands.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Netherlands	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Netherlands	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1150 20FT average price from: $3150 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Netherlands	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Netherlands	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Netherlands	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2150 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT

If you want to know more: Shipping Cost from China to Netherlands

How to ship goods from China to the Netherlands

Prepare documents

• Documents: Basic documents include a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading. These documents should accurately describe the goods, their value, and the parties involved in the transaction. For example, the commercial invoice must detail the contents and value of the goods, and customs authorities will use this information to assess duties and taxes.
• Packaging: Proper packaging is essential to protect your goods during transportation. Utilize durable materials and consider the specific needs of the product, whether it requires waterproofing, cushioning, or temperature control.
• Labeling: Labels must comply with Chinese and Dutch regulations, including clear product descriptions and safety warnings (if necessary). Correct labeling not only facilitates efficient customs clearance, but also ensures that your goods are properly handled throughout the transportation process.

Handle customs clearance formalities and keep a close eye on the progress of your goods.

• Customs clearance: Understanding the customs process is essential. Utilize the correct Harmonized System (HS) code for goods to ensure that all duties and taxes are accurately assessed and paid. Misclassification may result in penalties or delays. For example, electronic products and textiles are taxed at different rates and must be classified accordingly to avoid overpaying taxes or facing fines.
• Track your shipments: Take advantage of tracking tools provided by your freight forwarder, shipping company, or courier service. Real-time tracking allows shippers to monitor shipments from departure to arrival, anticipate delays, and plan accordingly. For example, if a shipment is delayed at a transshipment center, having this information in real time allows businesses to adjust inventory levels or proactively communicate with customers.

The time for shipping from China to the Netherlands is affected by many factors, including the mode of transportation, the distance between the departure port and the destination port, weather conditions, and customs clearance efficiency. I hope that through this article, you can choose the appropriate mode of transportation according to your own needs and actual situation, and make time plans and arrangements in advance to ensure that the goods can arrive in the Netherlands on time.

To find out the time from China to other countries, you can read:

How Long Does it take to Ship from China to Italy

How Long does it Take to Ship from China to Greece

How Long does it Take to Ship from China to Morocco

How Long does it take to Ship from China to France

How Long does a Container Ship take from China to Germany