Shipping from China to Iraq is a topic that raises a lot of interest and questions, as China is one of Iraq’s largest trading partners, and there are many variables and factors that must be taken into account when shipping between the two countries. Trade relations between China and Iraq have grown exponentially in recent years, reflecting the growing need to understand the best ways and methods to ensure smooth and trouble-free shipping.

In the following lines, we will take a detailed trip to explore the different ways of shipping, whether it is by sea or air. We will cover the expected duration of each method, the associated cost, and provide valuable tips to ensure the process runs smoothly. In addition, we will discuss the factors influencing the choice of shipping method and how to deal with the challenges that merchants may face during the shipping process. We hope that this article will be a comprehensive guide that will help clarify the picture and provide the necessary instructions to make the shipping process more effective and efficient.

Shipping Cost from China to Iraq

China, the trading giant that has become a global manufacturing hub, and Iraq, located in the heart of the Middle East, how can we link them more effectively? Do we choose the air highway but it can be expensive? Or are we moving towards sea freight, which is cost-efficient despite its long duration?

1.Sea freight from China to Iraq

Sea freight, with all its complexities and details, offers us unique opportunities to deliver goods efficiently and economically. But, what are the steps to follow? And how do we ensure that our shipment arrives safely at the port of arrival?

When to ship by sea?

When is sea freight the ideal option? And is it always the perfect solution for all goods?

Sea freight, with all its advantages in cost and capacity, becomes the ideal choice in several cases:

1. Large shipments: When you have large volumes of cargo, sea freight can be more economical than air freight.
2. Heavy cargo: Goods that are heavyweight or bulky, such as industrial equipment, are often shipped by sea.
3. Cost: If cost is the main factor, sea freight is usually less expensive than air freight, especially for long distances.

Ultimately, it depends on the nature of the goods and your requirements. Through my experience, I realized that good planning and proper assessment of your needs is the key to choosing the right shipping method.

Iraq’s seaports

Iraq, with its strategic geographical location, has several seaports that are its windows to the outside world. Here are the most prominent of these ports:

1. um Qasr Port: It is considered one of the largest and most active commercial ports in Iraq. It is located south of Basra and is characterized by its ability to receive large ships.
2. Al-Faw Port: A strategic port located on the Arabian Gulf, it is one of the most modern and advanced ports in Iraq.
3. Khor Al-Zubair Port: It is also located in the province of Basra and is considered one of the ports that serve heavy industries and petrochemicals.
4. Basra Port: It is one of the oldest ports in Iraq and is located in the heart of the city of Basra.

These ports, along with others, play a vital role in promoting Iraq’s foreign trade and providing goods and products to the local market.

shipping time from China to Iraq

It depends on several factors, including the type of vessel, the Chinese port from which it originates, and weather and sea conditions.

However, based on my experiences and the information I gathered:

• Average time: Sea freight from China to Iraq usually takes between 3 to 5 weeks.
• Chinese ports: Time may vary depending on the port from which the shipment originates. For example, shipping from Shanghai port may be different from shipping from Guangzhou port.
• Weather conditions: Storms and adverse marine conditions may delay the shipment.
• Stopovers and inspections: Sometimes, a vessel may face delays due to stopovers at other ports or due to inspection procedures.

Generally they are as follows:

	um Qasr Port	Basra Port	Baghdad Port
Shanghai	10 days	10 days	12 days
Shenzhen	12 days	11 days	12 days
Guangzhou	12 days	11 days	14 days
Beijing	10 days	10 days	13 days
Ningbo	11 days	14 days	12 days

In the end, it’s always best to talk to the shipping company to get an accurate estimate of the time spent.

Cost of shipping 20ft & 40ft containers from China to Iraq

To get an accurate freight estimate, it is best to communicate directly with the Chinese freight forwarding company, but in general, the ocean freight cost estimates for 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Iraq are as follows:

Container shipping service from China to Iraq	Type of container	Ocean freight rates from China to Iraq:
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1550 20FT average price from: $2250 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1850 20FT average price from: $2550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1850 20FT average price from: $2550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1950 20FT average price from: $2750 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1750 20FT average price from: $2650 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1650 20FT average price from: $2650 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1750 20FT average price from: $2750 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1850 20FT average price from: $2850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2050 20FT average price from: $3050 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Iraq	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $1650 20FT average price from: $2650 40FT

If you are interested in the cost of flying from China to other countries in the Middle East, you can click to read the following post:

2.Air freight from China to Iraq

Air freight provides us with speed and efficiency. In a few days, goods from Beijing or Shanghai can arrive in Baghdad or Basra.

When to ship by air?

Air freight, with all its advantages in speed and efficiency, becomes the appropriate choice in several cases:

1. Urgent shipments: When you need to deliver goods as quickly as possible, air freight is the perfect choice.
2. Valuable goods: Goods that carry high value or require special care, such as medical equipment or microelectronics.
3. Weight and volume: Goods that are characterized by their light weight and compact size, which makes the cost of air freight acceptable.

However, the cost must always be considered. Air freight is usually more expensive than sea freight, but speed and efficiency may justify this cost in some cases.

Air ports of Iraq

Here are the most prominent of these ports:

1. Baghdad International Airport: It is located in the capital, Baghdad, and is considered one of the largest and most active airports in Iraq.
2. Basra International Airport: It is located in Basra Governorate and serves the southern region of Iraq.
3. Erbil International Airport: It is located in the Kurdistan region and is considered one of the latest and most advanced airports in Iraq.
4. Mosul International Airport: It is located in the city of Mosul and serves the northern region of Iraq.

How long does it take to air freight from China to Iraq?

The duration of air cargo depends on multiple factors such as distance, transit time at each airport, as well as many expected and unexpected things. Usually, air freight from China to Iraq takes between 10 to 13 days, and transit times at each airport are shown in the following table:

	Sulaymaniyah	Baghdad	Basra	Erbil
Shanghai	One day	3 days	4 days	3 days
Shenzhen	3 days	3 days	4 days	2 days
Guangzhou	2 days	2 days	3 days	3 days
Beijing	3 days	2 days	3 days	2 days
Ningbo	4 days	4 days	3 days	3 days

Air freight rates from China to Iraq

Although the cost of air freight is high, it carries with it many advantages that make many prefer this method. The cost of air freight from China to Iraq ranges as follows:

	45 kg+	100 kg+	300 kg+	500 kg+	1000 kg+
Shanghai	6 $	5 $	4 $	3 $	2.5 $
Shenzhen	5 $	4.5 $	3 $	2.8 $	2 $
Guangzhou	5 $	4.2 $	4.1 $	3.8 $	3 $
Beijing	4 $	3.6 $	3 $	2.8 $	2.5 $
Ningbo	4 $	3.6 $	3 $	2.1 $	2 $

Shipping rates from China to Iraq

The shipping cost varies from China to Iraq based on the method chosen. In sea freight, prices are estimated based on the size and weight of the goods, and the shipping time may range between 10 and 14 days for a 40-foot container cost between $2,000 and $3,550, depending on the factors mentioned earlier.

As for air freight, it is characterized by its speed, as goods can arrive within one to 4 days, but it comes at a greater cost ranging from $ 3 per kilo to $ 6. Factors affecting shipping cost include weight, size, value, and time required to arrive. In the end, importers must weigh the benefits and costs to choose the best medium for their needs.