Shipping from China to Argentina
With the deepening of globalization, the trade relationship between China and Argentina is becoming increasingly close. As an important trading partner of Argentina, China has frequent commodity flows between the two countries, which has brought significant growth momentum to the economies of both sides. In 2023, the bilateral import and export volume of goods between China and Argentina was 17.4 billion US dollars, and many companies chose to import various commodities from China to Argentina.
This article details the price, time, mode of transportation and relevant precautions for shipping from China to Argentina.
Trade relations between Argentina and China
The trade relations between Argentina and China can be traced back to 1972, when the two countries established diplomatic relations and started trade exchanges. With the advancement of China’s reform and opening up and Argentina’s economic transformation, the scale of bilateral trade has expanded rapidly and the structure has been continuously optimized. At present, China has become Argentina’s second largest trading partner, second only to Brazil, while Argentina is China’s fourth largest trading partner in South America.
According to statistics from China Customs, the bilateral trade volume between China and Argentina has continued to grow in recent years. China mainly exports industrial products such as machinery and equipment, textiles, chemicals and steel products to Argentina, while importing agricultural products such as soybeans, animal feed, edible oil, beef and wine from Argentina. This complementary trade structure not only promotes the economic development of both sides, but also brings benefits to consumers in both countries.
Main import and export products
- Argentina exports to China: soybeans, meat, wine, mineral products, etc.
- China exports to Argentina: electronic products, machinery and equipment, textiles, household appliances, etc.
How to Ship from China to Argentina
Sea freight and air freight are the most common modes of transportation from China to Argentina.
Sea Freight from China to Argentina
Sea freight from China to Argentina is an ideal solution for cost saving, not only because of its low price, but also because of its ability to transport bulk and break bulk cargo. In addition, by sea freight, we are able to transport almost all types of cargo, even dangerous goods that airlines refuse to transport. Sea freight is economically and environmentally superior to other forms of cargo transportation services, especially for break bulk cargo or large equipment over long distances.
- FCL (Full Container Load): Shipping a container full of goods from China to Argentina for one customer. Usually, we offer FCL shipping services to Argentina, using 20-foot containers and 40-foot containers (20GP, 40GP and 40HQ). FCL is more cost-effective.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Sharing a container with other customers who have goods going to the same destination at the same time. Of course, the final cost per unit is higher than FCL due to the additional work (consolidation, splitting, warehousing, paperwork, etc.), and the shipping time is longer. LCL is a good choice for small businesses starting out. If your goods cannot fill a whole container, we are always available to provide consolidation (LCL shipping) services from China to Argentina.
FCL and LCL shipments are common, and if you are shipping heavy machinery and equipment cargo from China to Argentina, we recommend using flatbed or open top container solutions.
Refrigerated containers: for temperature sensitive products
Bulk cargo: for large and bulk cargo
RoRo: for vehicles and wheeled cargo
Depending on your specific requirements, we offer port-to-port, door-to-port and door-to-door shipping solutions from China to Argentina. With our door-to-door service, we will transport your cargo through the most convenient ports in Argentina, such as Buenos Aires, Zarate, Bahia Blanca, Mar del Plata, Puerto Madryn, taking into account the final destination.
Major seaports in Argentina
Buenos Aires
The Port of Buenos Aires is the main seaport and transshipment center in Argentina. In 2019, the container throughput of Buenos Aires was 1.49 million TEUs.
Other seaports include:
Puerto Madryn, Puerto Mar del Plata, Puerto Zarate, Puerto Bahia Blanca, etc.
Air Freight from China to Argentina
When you need to get goods from China to Argentina quickly, you should probably opt for an air freight solution. Air freight is the most modern and dynamic way, allowing us to deliver goods in the least possible time.
The cost of air freight is much higher than sea freight. When shipping high-value products from China to Argentina, people prefer air freight because it not only ensures high speeds, but also a higher level of security.
Major Airlines from China to Argentina
The main air cargo routes from China to Argentina usually involve flights from major Chinese airports (such as those in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou) to Buenos Aires, which is Argentina’s main international gateway, and flights may be direct.
Major Chinese airlines include Air China, China Southern Airlines, Hainan Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, as well as Argentine airlines Aerolineas Argentinas and LATAM Airlines Argentina, all of which have flights to and from China and Argentina. These airlines carry both passengers and cargo, connecting large cities such as Beijing and Shanghai with Buenos Aires and other cities in Argentina. These airlines are vital to trade, providing fast and reliable flight options for a variety of goods, and are therefore essential to commercial exchanges between the two countries.
Express from China to Argentina:
For urgent shipments that aren’t too large, express is a fast and secure way to ship goods. It’s faster than ocean shipping and can be tracked in real time, but it costs more and has size and weight restrictions. If you’re sending an important item quickly, this may be your best option. For more information, visit Express Services.
Door to Door (DDP) shipping from China to Argentina:
This is the most worry-free option. The shipping company takes care of everything from pickup to delivery, including customs formalities. This service gives you peace of mind and convenience, but it may cost a little more. Consider this service for shipments that need to be handled carefully from start to finish, and get more information from Door to Door Service.
Learn more: DDP Shipping from China
How much does it cost to ship from China to Argentina in 2024
The cost of shipping from China to Argentina ultimately depends on several factors. Before preparing a quote, your freight forwarder may ask for the following details:
- Nature of cargo
- Your preferred mode of shipping (FCL, LCL, air freight)
- The weight and dimensions of your shipment
- Origin and destination
- Type of service (e.g. port to port, door to door)
For shipments weighing up to 100 kg, the cost difference between air freight and LCL ocean freight is not significant. Above 100 kg, the cost difference starts to widen. Although much slower, ocean freight quickly becomes more economical than air freight when the weight and size of the shipment are larger.
Cost of shipping 20ft and 40ft containers from China to Argentina
The average price of shipping a container from China to Argentina is between $2,050 and $5,050. The cost of shipping a full container from China to Argentina depends on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft) and the route of the shift, please contact the Bassenton Logistics team for detailed rates for shipping containers from China to major container ports in Argentina.
- How much does it cost to ship a 20ft container from China to Argentina? The average price of shipping a 20ft container from China to Argentina is between $2,050 and $3,550. The timeline for shipping a 20ft container from China to Argentina varies depending on the route.
- How much does it cost to ship a 40ft container from China to Argentina? The average price of shipping a 40ft container from China to Argentina is between $3,050 and $5,050. The timeline for shipping a 40ft container from China to Argentina varies depending on the route.
You may be interested in the freight rates from China to other countries in America, you can read:
Shipping Container Costs From China To Argentina
| Origin City | Destination Port (Major Argentina’s seaport) | Sea Freight Cost (USD/TEU) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Buenos Aires | 2500-3800 |
| Shanghai | La Plata | 2300-3900 |
| Shanghai | Rosario | 2200-3850 |
| Ningbo | Buenos Aires | 2100-4050 |
| Ningbo | La Plata | 2600-3850 |
| Ningbo | Rosario | 2800-3800 |
| Shenzhen | Buenos Aires | 2000-3850 |
| Shenzhen | La Plata | 2400-3950 |
| Shenzhen | Rosario | 2250-3900 |
Air freight from China to Argentina cost per kg
| Origin | Destination | Air Cargo Cost (USD/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Buenos Aires | 6.00 – 10.50 |
| Shanghai | Buenos Aires | 6.50 – 9.50 |
| Guangzhou | Buenos Aires | 7.00 – 12.50 |
| Shenzhen | Buenos Aires | 7.50 – 13.00 |
| Hong Kong | Buenos Aires | 7.50 – 13.50 |
| Chengdu | Buenos Aires | 7.50 – 13.00 |
| Chongqing | Buenos Aires | 8.00 – 14.50 |
| Hangzhou | Buenos Aires | 8.00 – 14.50 |
| Tianjin | Buenos Aires | 8.50 – 13.00 |
How long does it take to ship from China to Argentina?
It takes 30-45 days for sea freight from China to Argentina and 3 to 7 days for air freight, which may vary depending on the selected service and route, weather, seasonal changes in the market, etc.
Sea freight time from China to Argentina
The transit time of shipping a container from China to Buenos Aires, Argentina ranges from 30-45 days, port to port.
Container shipping time by sea from China to Argentina
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Transit time |
| Qingdao | Buenos Aires | 45 days |
| Shanghai | Buenos Aires | 40 days |
| Shenzhen | Buenos Aires | 35 days |
Air freight time from China to Argentina
| Origin City | Destination City | Air Freight Transit Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing | Buenos Aires | 3 – 5 |
| Shanghai | Buenos Aires | 4 – 6 |
| Guangzhou | Buenos Aires | 4 – 7 |
| Shenzhen | Buenos Aires | 3 – 5 |
| Beijing | Cordoba | 3 – 6 |
| Shanghai | Cordoba | 4 – 8 |
| Guangzhou | Cordoba | 5 – 8 |
| Shenzhen | Cordoba | 3 – 6 |
| Beijing | Rosario | 4 – 7 |
| Shanghai | Rosario | 3 – 5 |
| Guangzhou | Rosario | 4 – 7 |
| Shenzhen | Rosario | 5 – 8 |
DDP shipping from China to Argentina
What is DDP shipping?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping is an international trade term that means the seller bears all shipping costs, duties and taxes until the goods are delivered to the buyer’s designated location.
Advantages of DDP shipping
Transparent costs for buyers: buyers do not need to worry about additional costs, all costs are borne by the seller.
Simplified process: buyers only need to receive the goods, and the seller handles all shipping and customs clearance procedures.
DDP shipping costs
Depending on the type and quantity of goods: the cost includes shipping costs, duties, taxes, etc., which are usually higher.
Bulk goods: the cost is about the sum of sea freight + duties + taxes.
Door to door shipping from China to Argentina
Door-to-door transportation service means that the goods start from the consignor’s door and end at the consignee’s door, and the transportation company provides one-stop service throughout the whole process. This service model is particularly popular in cross-border transportation because it provides great convenience for consignors and consignees.
In the door-to-door transportation service from China to Argentina, the transportation company will be responsible for all aspects such as cargo collection, packaging, transportation, customs clearance and delivery. Customers only need to provide detailed information of the goods (such as quantity, weight, size, destination, etc.) and pay the corresponding fees. The transportation company will use its professional experience and resources to ensure that the goods arrive at the destination safely and on time.
Door-to-door shipping costs
- Depending on the type and quantity of goods: the costs include pickup, transportation, customs clearance and door-to-door delivery.
- Small batches of goods: the costs are more reasonable and suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.
How to clear customs for importing goods from China to Argentina
Customs invoice documents are stamped with customs stamps and export customs clearance stamps in red ink, and Basenton Logistics will assist you in customs clearance
Customs clearance can be one of the most complicated aspects of shipping and air freight from China to Argentina. Keeping your head and managing it can be a difficult task, and mistakes can be costly.
A reputable freight forwarder or customs broker will help you with customs clearance. However, there are certain document requirements that you need to meet before your agent will consider submitting a customs declaration.
You need to ensure that the following documents are accurately filled out and properly submitted to the Chinese customs authorities for export customs clearance. The Brazilian customs authorities will also require them for import customs clearance procedures:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
- Letter of Credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract signed by both parties)
- Sea Bill or Air Waybill (Basenton Logistics will provide you with)
- In addition to the bill of lading, the shipper (exporter) and importer of the goods must obtain and provide the above documents.
In most cases, the supplier must obtain the certificate of origin, packing list and invoice. Meanwhile, the buyer is responsible for opening a letter of credit (in favor of the supplier).
Shipping from China to Argentina requires information on many aspects, including the trade relationship between the two countries, shipping prices, time, and shipping methods. Choosing the right shipping method, such as sea, air, and express, combined with actual needs, can effectively reduce costs and risks. DDP and door-to-door shipping methods provide buyers with more convenience and security, and are options worth considering.