Laos and China maintain close economic and trade ties. With the advancement of China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, the transportation of goods between the two countries has become more frequent. Choosing the appropriate transportation method is crucial. This article will introduce Laos in detail. I hope you will understand the basic situation of shipping from China to Laos.

Introduction to Laos

Laos is located in the northern part of the Indochina Peninsula, bordering China to the north, Vietnam to the east, and Cambodia and Thailand to the south. As a landlocked country, Laos has no seaports, but it has many international land routes, especially the opening of the China-Laos Railway, which has greatly promoted the transportation of goods and personnel exchanges between China and Laos.

Ways to Shipping from China to Laos

The choice of transport mode usually depends on the type of goods, time requirements and budget. The main ways to transport from China to Laos include railway,road, sea and air.

Road freight from China to Laos

Road freight is the traditional way of transporting goods between China and Laos. With the continuous improvement of the infrastructure of the two countries and the increasingly developed road network, road transport is mainly carried out through the Mohan port on the border between Yunnan Province and Laos, and then through the Kunming-Vientiane general cargo line, Guangzhou-Vientiane, Yiwu-Vientiane and other lines. Chinese trucks can directly transport goods to various cities in Laos across the border.

Railway freight from China to Laos

Through the international railway trunk line from Kunming, Yunnan to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the railway line is an electrified railway, which shortens the time of cargo transportation and transports various types of goods, including machinery and equipment, agricultural products and mineral resources. Railway transportation is more stable and reliable than road transportation, less affected by weather, and reduces the risk of transportation interruption.

Air freight from China to Laos

Air freight from China to Laos is very suitable for transporting goods with higher value and higher urgency but small volume. With air freight from China, you will get door-to-door delivery in a shorter time than other modes of transportation.

Air freight costs more than sea or rail freight. Air freight is safer, faster, and more convenient than other modes of transportation. Air freight also offers more flexibility in scheduling deliveries and managing the flow of goods. However, air freight has many advantages over these modes of transportation.

Sea freight from China to Laos

Shipping from China to Laos is a viable way to meet the growing needs of this export market. The distance between the two countries is short, and shipping time and cost are relatively low. This can help suppliers reduce costs and make their goods more competitive in the market.

Laos is a landlocked country, but sea freight is also a viable option through ports in neighboring countries such as those in Vietnam or Thailand. After Chinese goods arrive at Haiphong Port in Vietnam or Bangkok Port in Thailand by sea, they are transferred to Laos.

Container shipping is your go-to for a structured and secure means of transport. Your goods are packed into containers that come in different sizes, most notably:

• 20-foot containers: Ideal for smaller shipments.
• 40-foot containers: Suitable for larger or multiple-item shipments.

Shipping time from China to Laos

Typically, the standard transit time for shipping goods from China to Laos ranges from 3 to 22 days. This period can be affected by factors such as customs clearance, transportation mode, and the specific origin and destination within both countries. 

Mode of Shipping	Transit Time
Road Freight	Approximately 8-12 days, depending on border crossing times
Rail Freight	Roughly 12-18 days, as it can be quicker than road but relies on train schedules.
Sea Freight (Via Vietnam or Thailand)	Usually takes about 15-22 days, considering the sea voyage to Vietnam or Thailand followed by land transport to Laos.
Air Freight	The quickest method, generally taking about 3-5 days

Shipping costs from China to Laos

Cost of rail freight: The cost of transport by China-Laos Railway is relatively low, about $500 to $800 per ton of cargo, depending on the type of cargo and specific transportation needs.

Cost of road freight: Road transport costs are higher, usually $800 to $1,200 per ton, and fluctuate mainly due to factors such as road maintenance and fuel costs.

Cost of sea freight: The cost of sea and land transport is relatively cheap, especially for large quantities of goods, about $1,000 – $2,200 for a 20-foot container and about $2,500-3,500 for a 40-foot container

Cost of air freight: Air transport costs the most, $3-4 per kg, depending on the airline and the urgency of the cargo.

You can learn more:

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How Much does it Cost to Ship a 20ft & 40ft Container from China

Customs clearance from China to Laos

Prepare documents

• Commercial invoice: contains detailed information of the goods, value, and information of the shipper and consignee.
• Packing list: lists the quantity, weight and packaging method of the goods.
• Bill of lading/airway bill: the bill of lading or airway bill of the transport company.
• Import license: before all goods are imported into Laos, the importer must apply for an import license from the Lao Ministry of Commerce.
• Certificate of origin: All goods must provide a certificate of origin to prove the country of origin of the goods.
• Other documents: such as the consignee’s business license, tax registration copy, tax exemption approval.

Customs declaration

• Submit information: Submit all relevant documents and complete customs declaration forms to the customs.
• Data verification: After verifying that the customs declaration information is correct with the review form, send the customs declaration data to the customs review center.
• Review and taxation: After the customs review center has initially reviewed and found no errors, it will send a data receipt; if taxation is required, print the tax bill and hand it over to the enterprise for payment.

Customs inspection: Customs will inspect the goods, including document review, goods inspection and sample inspection. High-risk goods or goods imported for the first time may be subject to stricter inspection.

Paying customs duties and other fees: According to Laos’ import tariff policy, the owner of the goods needs to pay the corresponding import tax, value-added tax and other possible fees. The tax rate varies depending on the type of goods and the origin of the goods.

Picking up the goods: The consignee picks up the goods with the customs release document. After completing all procedures, the goods are officially cleared.

If you want to know more：What Documents are Needed to Import from China

Considerations for Shipping from China to Laos

Infrastructure Limitations

Laos’ road and rail networks are not as developed as those in neighboring China, which can slow down shipping times. Points to note include:

• Road Quality: Many roads are unpaved or in disrepair, especially in rural areas, leading to potential delays.
• Railway Connections: The Laos-China Railway provides a direct connection, but rail infrastructure within Laos beyond this line remains underdeveloped.

Cross-Border Coordination

Shipping between China and Laos requires careful coordination due to different customs regulations and documentation requirements. Important aspects to consider:

• Customs Clearance: Delays may occur during customs clearance due to paperwork differences or regulatory changes.
• Language Barriers: Mandarin and Lao are the main languages, and translators may be needed to ensure accurate communication between shipping agents.

There are many options for transporting goods from China to Laos. Through this article, companies and individuals can choose the appropriate transportation plan according to their own needs, prepare customs clearance documents in advance, and understand the costs and time of each link to help the goods arrive at the destination smoothly.