Shipping from China to Ireland Cost and Time


Bilateral trade between Ireland and China has grown significantly in the past 10 years, and there is huge potential for development in cooperation between the two sides in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry, food, digital economy, green and low-carbon development, and artificial intelligence.

In 2022, the trade volume of goods between the two sides will be US$26.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 23.6%. Among them, China’s exports to Ireland were US$12.9 billion, and China’s imports from Ireland were US$13.7 billion. Among the products imported from China to Ireland, machinery and equipment accounted for nearly half. Other important categories include electronic equipment, clothing, furniture, building materials, etc.

Shipping goods from China to Ireland is a challenging task. You need to know customs regulations, shipping companies, and how much it will cost! Most people feel overwhelmed by the entire process. This guide is Basenton Logistics’ introduction to information on shipping from China to Ireland, including the method, price, time, and customs clearance of shipping from China to Ireland.

So, please read the entire article and if you do not find the answer you are looking for, you can always contact us and we are always ready to help you.

Shipping from China to Ireland

Shipping from China to Ireland

Sea freight and air freight are the main ways of transporting goods between China and Ireland. Which way is best, you can read the message below and choose the most suitable shipping method.

Sea Freight From China To Ireland

If you are looking for a cost-effective way to ship goods from China to Ireland, then you should probably choose sea shipping. Maritime transportation refers to the mode of transportation of goods by sea, mostly using container ships, sometimes bulk carriers or ro-ro ships, oil tankers, etc. Ocean shipping is slower, with containers from China taking 30 to 45 days to arrive in Ireland. However, in addition to its affordability, sea freight has obvious advantages over other modes of transportation, especially for bulk cargo or large equipment over long distances.

When shipping from China to Ireland, should you choose FCL or LCL?

LCL: Less than container load

  • Definition: Less than Container Loading (LCL) is a method of combining cargo from multiple shippers into a single container for shipping.
  • When to use: LCL shipping is ideal if your cargo space is less than 13/14/15 cubic meters (CBM). Its flexibility and cost-effectiveness make it suitable for small-volume shipments.
  • Example: Suppose you have to ship 10 CBM of electronics from China to Ireland. Shipping LCL instead of FCL will save you money because you only pay for the space you need inside the container.
  • Cost Implications: While LCL often offers cheaper pre-quotes, please be aware of additional charges. These charges may include the cost of combining your shipment with other shipments on departure and separating it again (unpacking) on arrival in Ireland. While LCL is generally more cost-effective for smaller shipments, slightly larger shipments can sometimes be cheaper to ship as a complete container, even if not completely filled. So before confirming, get a LCL shipping quote and compare it to the FCL cost. You may be surprised by the savings!

FCL: full container load

  • Definition: Full Container Shipping or Full Container Shipping is a mode in which you rent the entire space of a container to exclusively transport your goods. FCL shipping guarantees that your items will remain in a sealed container from origin in China to destination in Ireland.
  • When to use: When your shipment exceeds a certain volume (usually around 13/14/15 CBM), it’s wise to choose FCL shipping. The reason is that for such quantities, the cost per cubic meter is usually lower when booking in full containers rather than LCLs.
  • Example: Suppose you want to ship 20 pallets of electronic components. Booking a 20-foot or even 40-foot FCL container will allow exclusive use of that container space. Not only does this provide a cheaper full box shipping quote per roll, it also prevents any unnecessary handling during shipping, thereby increasing the security of your goods.
  • Cost Impact: Remember, with FCL shipping, the cost remains the same whether your container is half full or full. This is why beyond a certain quantity, FCL shipping becomes economical, although the initial cost is higher than LCL shipping. This increase in cost-effectiveness is important when transporting large quantities of goods.

Learn more:Difference Between FCL And LCL

Sea Freight From China To IrelandSea Freight From China To Ireland

Ireland’s Main Sea Ports

Dublin Port:
Location and throughput: The Port of Dublin is located on the east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey and handles more than two-thirds of Ireland’s total container traffic, with an annual throughput of 1.5 million TEU.
Key trading partners and strategic importance: The port consolidates its strategic importance as the main gateway to Northern Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Iceland), the UK and France. It also has the unique achievement of being Ireland’s largest bulk cargo port.
Business Background: If you are looking to transport goods in bulk or plan to enter the European market, the Port of Dublin is favored for its high container capacity and strategic location.

Port of Cork:
Location and throughput: Situated on the south west coast, the Port of Cork is an important pivot, handling over 200,000 TEU per year.
Major Trading Partners and Strategic Importance: The port is of strategic importance for connecting France and Spain as the European continent is its prominent trading partner. It is also the only port in Ireland capable of servicing containers, liquid bulk, dry bulk, ro-ro, breakbulk and cruise ships.
Business Background: If your business requires diversification of transport categories or seeks wider connections across Europe, particularly France and Spain, the Port of Cork will meet your requirements.

Shannon Foynes Port:
Location and throughput: The Port of Shannon Foynes is located on the west coast of Ireland and handles primarily bulk cargo, with an annual throughput of up to 11 million tonnes.
Key trading partners and strategic importance: The port primarily connects the United Kingdom, the USA and continental Europe. It manages the nation’s energy resources and handles bulk transportation of oil, coal and other raw materials.
Business background: If you deal in energy or raw materials commodities and are looking to break into the UK, US or European markets, the Port of Shannon Foynes may be an integral part of your supply chain strategy.

Port Waterford:
Location and throughput: The Port of Waterford, located in the south-east of Ireland, specializes in bulk shipping and handles approximately 500,000 tonnes per year.
Main trading partners and strategic importance: It has strategic partnerships with European networks, dealing mainly with Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. The port has unique expertise in transporting agricultural products, pharmaceuticals and construction materials.
Business background: Businesses specializing in the agri-food, pharmaceutical industries or building materials focusing on European markets may find Port Waterford best suited to their logistics plans.

Rosslare Port:
Location and throughput: The Port of Rosslare is located in the south-east of Ireland and is famous for its ro-ro and ferry services, handling over 3.2 million passengers per year.
Key trading partners and strategic importance: The port connects Ireland to the UK, France and Spain and is a key hub for ferry and passenger services, making it the second busiest port in terms of frequency of ship visits.
Business Background: If your aim is to transport not just cargo but also passengers to and from the UK, France and Spain, the Port of Rosslare may be vital to your logistics needs, offering regular ferry and ro-ro services.

Belfast Port:
Location and throughput: The Port of Belfast is located in the northeast of Ireland and handles over 24 million tonnes per year.
Key trading partners and strategic importance: The port has strong links with the United Kingdom, particularly Scotland and England. It also offers routes to Europe and North America. Its versatility in handling a range of cargoes solidifies the port’s importance to businesses.
Business background: Businesses looking for broad coverage, high freight capacity and good connections to UK, European and North American markets may find the Port of Belfast to be a key ally in their logistics strategy.

Air Freight From China To Ireland

If you need to ship something urgently, air freight from China to Ireland is an excellent option.

Typically, packages from China to Ireland take approximately 3 to 8 days. It’s worth noting that flights from China to Ireland are only in the air for a few hours (~10+ hours). As you know, delivery takes about 3 to 8 days in total, and your goods only spend half a day on the plane, and the rest of the shipping time is spent on customs clearance, loading and unloading, waiting for aircraft traffic, etc.

Air freight is the safest method of shipping as the delivery time of the goods is approximately one week or so, so there is little chance of accidental damage, loss or natural degradation. Additionally, aircraft are smaller and neater than sea-going ships, which means less traffic and better crew to handle your cargo.

Air Freight From China To IrelandAir Freight From China To Ireland

Ireland’s Main International Airport

Dublin Airport
Cargo volumes: Handles over 140,000 tonnes of cargo annually, making it Ireland’s busiest cargo airport.
Main trading partners: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China.
Strategic Importance: As Ireland’s main airport, it provides direct routes to major destinations around the world and is vital for cargo and materials in global demand.
Notable Features: Its state-of-the-art cargo terminal is equipped with facilities such as temperature-controlled zones, making it ideal for all types of freight.
For your business: If your trade involves perishable goods or requires fast transit times, Dublin Airport’s extensive network and state-of-the-art facilities can serve as a reliable hub for your shipping needs.

Shannon Airport
Cargo volume: manages approximately 14,000 tons of cargo annually.
Main trading partners: Europe, North America and Asia.
Strategic Importance: Being on the west coast helps diversify Ireland’s trade routes and minimize over-reliance on Dublin.
Distinguished Features: Serving as a pre-clearance site for U.S. Customs means goods shipped to the U.S. can reach their final destination faster, bypassing time-consuming customs processes.
For your business: If fast delivery to the United States is critical, using Shannon Airport may streamline your operations, save time and avoid potential customs delays.

Cork Airport
Freight volume: approximately 2,500 tons of cargo per year.
Main trading partners: Mainly European countries, especially the United Kingdom, Greece, France and Spain.
Strategic importance: As Ireland’s third largest airport, it provides cargo services across Europe.
Distinguished Features: Provides comprehensive cargo handling services, including secure warehousing, express delivery services and temperature-controlled facilities.
For your business: If your business involves frequent, small-volume shipments within Europe, Cork Airport has a strong network and services and may be an effective option.

Belfast International Airport
Freight volume: approximately 50,000 tons per year.
Main trading partners: Britain, Europe and the United States
Strategic importance: As Northern Ireland’s main airport, it expands Ireland’s overall cargo capabilities and links with the United Kingdom
Distinctive features: It has multiple large-scale express delivery hubs and is optimized for express delivery services.
Right for your business: If your business requires express freight services to the UK and beyond, Belfast International can facilitate your logistics business.

Ireland west Airport
Freight volume: approximately 500 tons of cargo are handled annually.
Main trading partners: Mainly European countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy and France.
Strategic Importance: Its location in the north-west of Ireland diversifies the country’s transport landscape, providing options other than sea freight.
Distinguished features: Its compact size allows for more personalized and efficient freight services.
For your business: For smaller or less frequent shipments, Ireland West Airport can provide a personalized, efficient experience that minimizes delays common at busy airports.

How Much Does It Cost To Ship From China To Ireland In 2025

The final cost of shipping from China to Ireland depends on several factors. Before preparing a quote, your freight forwarder may ask for the following details:

  • Nature of your shipment
  • Your preferred shipping method (FCL, LCL, air freight)
  • The weight and dimensions of your shipment
  • Origin and destination
  • Service type (e.g. port-to-port, door-to-door)
Shipping Method From China to Ireland (Cost)
Sea Shipping (20ft Container) Approx. USD 3,000 for a 20ft container
Sea Shipping (40ft Container) Approx. USD 3,850 for a 40ft container
Sea Shipping (LCL) Approx. USD 100 per cubic meters
Air Freight Approx. USD 550 for 100 kg
Door-to-Door Shipping Approx. USD 8.5 to 15 per kgs or approx. USD150 per m3
DDP Air Freight Approx. USD 8.5 to 15 per kgs
DDP Sea Freight Approx. USD 150 to 300 per cbm
DDP Rail Freight Approx. USD 170 to 250 per cbm
How Much Does It Cost To Ship From China To IrelandHow Much Does It Cost To Ship From China To Ireland

Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Ireland

  • How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Ireland?
    The average price for shipping a 20-foot container from China to Ireland is US$2,250 to US$3,850. Shipping schedules for 20-foot containers from China to Ireland vary by route.
  • How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Ireland?
    The average price for shipping a 40-foot container from China to Ireland is US$3,250 to US$5,050. Shipping schedules for 40-foot containers from China to Ireland vary by route.

Container Shipping Rates From China To Ireland

These are the average prices to ship a container from China to Ireland with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Ireland for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments to Ireland.

Container shipping service to Ireland Type of container Ocean freight rates to Ireland:
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai to Ireland 20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average prices from: $2550 20FT
average prices from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao to Ireland 20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average prices from: $2850 20FT
average prices from: $4550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen to Ireland 20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average prices from: $2650 20FT
average prices from: $4050 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin to Ireland 20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average prices from: $2250 20FT
average prices from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo to Ireland 20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average prices from: $3050 20FT
average prices from: $4550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong to Ireland 20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average prices from: $2550 20FT
average prices from: $4050 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou to Ireland 20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average prices from: $2750 20FT
average prices from: $3950 40FT

Air Freight cost From China To Ireland

Air freight from China to Ireland generally costs between US$4 and US$12 per kilogram, depending on various factors. These include distance from departure and arrival airports, dimensions, weight and nature of the cargo.

Air freight is the most expensive, and prices change every week and are highly volatile. It is recommended to contact Basenton Logistics for consultation 1 to 2 weeks before shipment. Air freight is usually charged by billable weight. There are two types of weight in air freight business, billable weight and gross weight. For heavy goods, the billable weight is equal to the actual weight, that is, the gross weight of the goods; the billable weight of the goods is calculated as 1 cubic meter = 167 kilograms.

If you are interested in the cost from China to other European countries, you can click on the link:

How long does it take to ship from China to Ireland?

From China to Ireland, sea shipping takes 30 to 45 days and air shipping takes 3 to 7 days.
Actual shipping time depends on a variety of factors, such as shipping mode, departure/destination terminals, selected services and routes, weather, seasonal changes in shipping markets, etc.

How long does it take to ship from China to IrelandHow long does it take to ship from China to Ireland

Sea Freight time from China to Ireland

On average, sea shipping time between China and Ireland is approximately 30 to 45 days. These transit times take into account a variety of factors, such as the specific ports of shipment and arrival, the weight and nature of the cargo being shipped.

The table below shows the average shipping times between major ports in the two countries:

Port in China Port in Ireland Average Transit Time (days)
Guangzhou Dublin 40
Shanghai Cork 42
Yantian Shannon 35
Ningbo Waterford 38

Air Freight time from China to Ireland

The average shipping time for air freight between China and Ireland is usually around 3 to 8 days. However, it’s important to understand that this timeline can fluctuate based on several factors. The specific airport used, the weight of the shipment, and the type of cargo shipped will all cause differences in transit times.

Door to door Shipping from China to Ireland:

Door to door delivery from China to Ireland is a convenient and cost-effective logistics option that allows goods to be picked up at the origin and delivered directly to the destination. This solution eliminates the need for various intermediaries, resulting in a smoother shipping experience. The logistics provider takes care of all parts of the transportation, such as customs clearance, documentation, and last-mile delivery, ensuring that the goods arrive safely and on time.

Door-to-door delivery means that we will pick up the goods from wherever you need them and deliver them to your chosen location, directly to your doorstep or warehouse. Whether you are shipping by ship, air, or courier, this can provide you with all-round assistance and make your life easier.

Door-to-door Shipping from China to IrelandDoor-to-door Shipping from China to Ireland

Door-to-door shipping process from China to Ireland:

  1. Pickup: The freight forwarder arranges to collect the goods from the supplier’s location in China.
  2. Packing and labeling: Ensure correct packaging that meets international shipping standards.
  3. Customs clearance at origin: The freight forwarder handles all the documents required for the goods to be cleared through Chinese customs.
  4. Transportation: The goods are transported to Ireland by sea or air.
  5. Customs clearance at destination: The freight forwarder is responsible for the customs clearance process after the goods arrive in Ireland.
  6. Final Delivery: The goods are delivered to the location specified by the consignee, whether it is a warehouse, office or home.

DDP shipping from China to Ireland

DDP is the abbreviation of Delivery Duty Paid, door-to-door transportation. As the name suggests, in Delivery Duty Paid (DDP), the seller or a third party ships the goods and the third party is responsible for everything until the goods are delivered to the address specified by the buyer. By all we mean;

  • Packaging items
  • Apply for insurance
  • Shipping goods from seller’s location to air/sea port
  • Book a plane or ship and load your items
  • Unloading at the port of the seller’s country (Ireland)
  • Prepare documents and pay customs fees
  • Ship items to buyer’s doorstep

It is worth noting that all customs fees in Ireland are paid by the freight forwarder, but not out of the pocket of the agent or seller; the buyer pays the agent in advance.

DDP is not a separate shipping method; instead, it shifts shipping responsibility to a third-party agent who does all the legwork while you sit at home, relax, and have your package delivered to your doorstep.

Yes, you have to pay some extra fees to the DDP agent, but you’re transferring months of headaches, customs issues, complicated paperwork, and booking crises onto them. Additionally, if you are a newbie, you may be exposed to scams in many ways, such as higher booking rates, customs bribes, paperwork issues, etc. Therefore, hiring a DDP freight forwarder is worthwhile.

If you are looking for professional DDP shipping services from China to Ireland, then we can help you get the lowest shipping costs and the best delivery speeds. We offer DDP shipping in a variety of ways.

DDP shipping from China to IrelandDDP shipping from China to Ireland

Ireland customs clearance documents and times

Documents and information required for customs clearance
The documents required for general customs clearance of goods are bill of lading, invoice, and packing list. Other information required includes EORI number, trade terms, shipping amount, and more. For more information please contact us.

Irish customs clearance time
I believe many people have this question, how long does it usually take for customs clearance of parcels? Parcel customs clearance usually takes about 3-5 days. After the package reaches the customs, it needs to review the customs declaration list of the items, as well as the identity verification for customs clearance of personal items. After final confirmation, the goods can be released for shipment. Typically, customs agents don’t stay too long on a single package because there are so many packages to process. Therefore, under normal circumstances, the actual customs clearance time in the customs process is relatively short.

Basenton logistics to Ireland case link: Ocean Freight From China To Ireland





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