If you are shipping items from China to the Netherlands, you may be wondering how much you can expect to spend, what documents you need and how to choose the best price. This article has the answers.

There are many routes from China to the Netherlands, but the cheapest route is sea shipping. There are also, for example, the most expensive route which is also one of the fastest routes, air freight, and given that the two are in between, rail transport. The most popular shipping option is sea shipping, which takes longer than air shipping but is also cheaper.

Air freight from China to Netherlands

Air freight is undoubtedly the fastest and safest way to transport goods. You can choose between regular shipping and express shipping, the latter is more expensive. Door-to-door shipping usually takes 5 to 8 working days.

Airlines operating this route include KLM, Air China, China Airlines and Lufthansa.

China has a variety of airports, with the largest ones located in Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai. In the Netherlands, the best options are Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Groningen and Breda International.

Sea freight from China to Netherlands

Ocean freight is the cheapest of the three options, but also takes the longest. Despite this, many importers still choose sea shipping. There are many ports and companies operating this route.

China has many seaports, many of which are the largest in the world. Some of the most important are located in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo and Qingdao.

The Netherlands, on the other hand, has the largest port in Europe: the Port of Rotterdam. In any case, large quantities of products bound for the Old World were likely to pass through this port. With major seaports on both sides, shipping is very convenient.

Sea shipping from China to the Netherlands usually takes 30 to 50 days; here are some route examples with estimated travel times:

• Shanghai to Rotterdam – 37 days
• Shenzhen to Rotterdam – 32 days
• Guangzhou to Rotterdam – 36 days
• Qingdao to Amsterdam – 45 days

Railway freight from China to Netherlands

Shipping goods by train has only recently become an option and has provided more options when choosing how to transport products. It’s a good compromise between air and sea freight – it’s faster than sea freight and therefore more expensive – but not as expensive as air freight.

Trains primarily transport products in containers, a method said to be one of the safest shipping options. The entire journey takes approximately 15 days.

In China, transcontinental journeys are offered in cities such as Qingdao, Tianjin, Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Yiwu. In the Netherlands, stops are in cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Tilburg. Another option is to send the goods to the Germany cities of Hamburg or Duisburg and then transport them further from there.

Shipping costs from China to the Netherlands (Updated February 2025)

Shipping Method	Shipping From China to the Netherlands (Cost)
Sea Freight (20ft Container)	Approx. USD 3,250 for a 20ft container
Sea Freight (40ft Container)	Approx. USD 4,250 for a 40ft container
Sea Freight (LCL)	Approx. USD 120 per cubic meters (m3)
Air Freight	Approx. USD 600 for 100kg
Rail transport (40ft container)	Approx. USD 8,500 for a 40ft container
DDP Air Freight	Approx. USD 10 to 16 per kgs
DDP Sea Freight	Approx. USD 150 to 350 per cbm (m3)
Express Shipping	Approx. USD 12.5 per Kgs

Your quote for air, sea or rail transport from China to the Netherlands will take into account:

The nature of the goods you are sending
You choose air or sea shipping
The weight, volume and dimensions of your shipment
Your preferred delivery method – door to door, port to port, port to door or door to port

Not sure about air, sea or rail shipping? You can request quotes from all 3 at any time. If your shipment weighs less than 100kg, shipping by air is almost as economical as using an ocean carrier, and much faster. It will almost certainly cost less to ship goods weighing more than 100 kilograms by sea from China to the Netherlands.

Cost of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container from China to Netherlands

How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Netherlands? The average price to ship a container from China to Netherlands is US$3,050 to US$5,850.
Shipping costs to ship an entire container from China to Netherlands depend on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft) and the timetable route, please contact Basenton Logistics for detailed rates for shipping your container from China to Netherlands major container ports.

Cost Of Shipping 20ft Container From China To Netherlands

The average price to ship a 20ft container from China to Netherlands is from $3050 to $4250. The shipping timeline to ship a 20 foot container from China to Netherlands ranges depending on the route.

Cost Of Shipping 40ft Container From China To Netherlands

The average price to ship a 40ft container from China to Netherlands is from $3850 to $5850. The shipping timeline to ship a 40 foot container from China to Netherlands ranges depending on the route.

In FCL shipping, the average cost of a 40-foot container from China to Netherlands is USD 4250, in LCL shipping, the average cost of shipping 200 kg/1 cubic meter via LCL shipping is around USD 500-700,

You’re interested:

CONTAINER SHIPPING RATES FROM CHINA TO NETHERLANDS

These are the average prices to ship a container from China Netherlands with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Netherlands for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments 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: $2850 20FT average price from: $4250 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: $2650 20FT average price from: $4550 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: $3150 20FT average price from: $4550 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: $3050 20FT average price from: $4850 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: $3050 20FT average price from: $4850 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: $3250 20FT average price from: $4850 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: $3050 20FT average price from: $4150 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: $3150 20FT average price from: $4650 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: $3550 20FT average price from: $5050 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: $3650 20FT average price from: $5250 40FT

Air freight cost from China to Netherlands

Air freight from China to the Netherlands costs $5 to $12 per kilogram. This fee includes various fees and surcharges such as air freight, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal fees and other surcharges. These fees are determined by the airline based on its operating expenses.

Railway freight prices from China to the Netherlands

Rail transportation from China to the Netherlands will be cheaper than air transportation and a little more expensive than sea transportation.

Although costs vary by season, shipping a full container load by rail from China to Europe typically costs about $4,000 to $6,000.

On the other hand, the average rail freight price for LCL cargo (including duties and taxes) is $3/kg. Rail freight logistics can be simplified with the help of freight forwarders, who can deliver goods door-to-door, but at a higher cost.

To find out about shipping costs from China to the rest of Europe, you can click:

DDP shipping price from China to Netherlands

The price table per kilogram for DDP transportation from China to the Netherlands is as follows:

DDP Sea Freight Shipment cost to Netherlands (General cargo)
From 45kgs to 100kgs	USD 3.05/kg
From 101kgs to 500kgs	USD 2.80/kg
Above 501kgs to 1000kgs+	USD 2.50/kg
DDP Air Freight Shipment cost to Netherlands (General cargo)
From 45kgs to 100kgs	USD 10.55/kg
From 101kgs to 500kgs	USD 9.50/kg
Above 501kgs to 1000kgs+	USD 8.80/kg
DDP Rail Freight Shipment cost to Netherlands (General cargo)
From 45kgs to 100kgs	USD 4.50/kg
From 101kgs to 500kgs	USD 3.90/kg
Above 501kgs to 1000kgs+	USD 3.25/kg

DDP Shipping from China

Factors affecting shipping costs from China to Netherlands

Determining the precise shipping cost from China to the Netherlands involves several factors that influence the final expenses. The cost will vary based on the chosen mode of transportation (airfreight, sea freight, or rail freight), the size and weight of the cargo, the specific departure and arrival locations, and other considerations. Here is a breakdown of the factors influencing shipping costs:

• Mode of Transportation:
  Airfreight: Generally the fastest but also more expensive.
  Sea Freight: More cost-effective but has a longer transit time.
  Rail Freight: Offers a balance between speed and cost.
• Cargo Size and Weight:
  Larger and heavier shipments typically incur higher costs.
  Charges may be based on volume (for airfreight) or weight (for sea and rail freight).
• Departure and Arrival Locations:
  The specific airports, seaports, or rail terminals in China and the Netherlands impact costs.
  The distance between the origin and destination also plays a role.
• Shipping Company or Freight Forwarder:
  Different shipping companies and freight forwarders may offer varying rates.
  Established logistics providers may provide more reliable services but could be relatively more expensive.
• Urgency and Delivery Timeframe:
  Urgent shipments and shorter delivery timeframes often come with higher costs, especially for airfreight.
• Additional Services:
  Door-to-door delivery, insurance, customs clearance, and other services may incur extra charges.

How long does it take to ship from China to the Netherlands?

Express delivery takes 4-5 days, air freight takes 5-7 days, rail freight takes about 30 days, and sea freight takes 40-45 days.

Sea freight time from China to Netherlands:

POL (Port of China)	POD (Port of Netherlands)	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:

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

Door To Door Shipping From China To Netherlands

Definition
Door-to-door, as the name implies, refers to the full logistics service from the shipper’s door or designated location (China) to the consignee’s door or designated location (Netherlands). Regardless of the mode of transportation (air, sea, rail), door-to-door service ensures that the goods can reach the final destination directly, achieving seamless connection throughout the process.

Door to Door Shipping from China

Features
Full service: including one-stop services such as door-to-door pickup, transportation, customs clearance, and door-to-door delivery.
Flexible and diverse: You can choose a variety of transportation methods such as air, sea, and land transportation according to customer needs.
Convenient and efficient: Reduce intermediate links, improve logistics efficiency, and reduce customer operation difficulty.

What Are The Ways Of Door-To-Door Shipping From China To Netherlands

• Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU): Under the DDU terms, the seller is responsible for shipping the goods to Netherlands, but the buyer is responsible for paying duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees when the goods arrive. This option can save some costs for the seller, but requires the buyer to deal with local customs and additional fees.
• Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): DDP is a hassle-free option where the seller is solely responsible for delivering the goods to the buyer’s doorstep, including all duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. This method ensures a seamless and stress-free experience for the buyer, as all costs and responsibilities are borne by the seller.
• LCL (Less than Container Load) Door-to-Door: For smaller shipments that do not need to fill a full container, LCL door-to-door service is an affordable option. In this method, multiple smaller shipments are consolidated into a single container, reducing costs while ensuring efficient delivery to the final destination.
• FCL (Full Container Load) Door-to-Door: For larger shipments that can fill an entire container, FCL door-to-door service offers the advantages of security and efficiency. The container is sealed at the origin and not opened until it reaches the destination, minimizing handling and damage risks.
• Air Freight Door-to-Door: For urgent and high-value shipments, Air Freight Door-to-Door service guarantees the fastest delivery. This method ensures that the goods are picked up from the shipper, airlifted to the destination country, cleared by customs, and delivered directly to the recipient’s address.

Factors To Consider For Door-To-Door Shipping From China To Netherlands

When choosing a door-to-door shipping service from China to Netherlands, several factors should be carefully considered to ensure a smooth, efficient shipping experience:

Cost: While door-to-door services offer convenience, they can be more expensive due to the comprehensive nature of the service. It is important to compare the cost impact of DDU and DDP options and evaluate the overall cost of LCL, FCL, and air freight door-to-door services.

Transit Time: The selected mode of transportation (whether it is ocean or air) will significantly affect the transit time. Air freight is preferred for time-sensitive shipments, while ocean freight is suitable for non-urgent shipments.

Customs Regulations: It is essential to understand the customs regulations and requirements of both China and Netherlands. Ensuring that all necessary documents are accurately prepared in advance can help avoid delays during the customs clearance process.

Type of Cargo: The nature of the cargo being shipped (whether it is perishable goods, dangerous goods, or oversized cargo) will affect the choice of shipping method and packaging requirements. Certain types of cargo may require special handling and compliance with regulations.

Insurance: It is essential to protect your cargo from potential loss or damage. Comprehensive insurance services provide peace of mind and financial security, especially for high-value or fragile items.

Why Choose Door-To-Door From China To Netherlands

There are many benefits to choosing door-to-door from China to Netherlands, making it an attractive option for businesses and individuals:

• Convenience: With a single point of contact to manage the entire logistics chain, door-to-door services eliminate the need to coordinate multiple intermediaries, streamlining the shipping process.
• Save time: By handling every aspect of a shipment, from pickup to delivery, door-to-door services reduce the time and effort required to manage logistics, allowing businesses to focus on core activities.
• Cost transparency: The DDP option offers a clear and upfront cost structure that covers all duties, taxes, and customs fees. This transparency helps businesses budget more effectively and avoid unexpected expenses.
• Reduced risk: Minimizing the number of loading and unloading points reduces the risk of damage or loss. Sealed containers and professional loading and unloading ensure that goods are transported safely and efficiently.
• Enhanced customer experience: Offering door-to-door delivery services can enhance the overall customer experience by providing a seamless, hassle-free service, increasing satisfaction and loyalty.

Customs clearance from China and the Netherlands

All items leaving China and arriving in the Netherlands must go through import and export procedures. This means you need to consider your need for customs clearance.

Although the process is complicated, it’s easy once you know what you’re doing. Without proper investigation, you could be the victim of unexpected delays and border delays.

Many freight forwarders like us offer services that simplify customs procedures and transport your goods safely and worry-free. As long as you provide us with the required details, we will be at your service. This saves you a lot of time, allowing you to focus on core business functions.

The documents you need to provide us with are:

• commercial invoice
• Packing List
• Certificate of Origin
• Letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• Air waybill for air freight or bill of lading for sea freight (provided by the carrier or freight forwarder)

Also keep in mind that depending on your shipment, there may be additional requirements in terms of paperwork. This may be because your product is on a special list of goods that require an additional license or permit to import.

In order to obtain an accurate and tailored shipping cost estimate, it is recommended to contact Basenton, a Chinese freight forwarder. They can assess the specific details of the shipment and provide a quote based on individual requirements. Keep in mind that prices may fluctuate based on market conditions, fuel prices, and other external factors.