Shipping from China to Switzerland | DDP & Door to Door
With the continuous development of global trade, trade between China and Switzerland has become increasingly frequent. China, as the world’s second largest economy, has been deepening its cooperation with Switzerland, an economic powerhouse, bringing unprecedented opportunities to companies on both sides.
Many companies and individuals need to ship goods from China to Switzerland. Understanding the various modes of transportation, costs, time, customs clearance and DDP transportation from China to Switzerland can help companies and individuals better conduct international trade activities. This article will introduce these aspects in detail and provide comprehensive guidance.

Trade relations between China and Switzerland
Trade relations between China and Switzerland have a long history and have developed rapidly in recent years. The two countries signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in 2014, which further promoted the development of bilateral trade. Switzerland is China’s sixth largest trading partner in Europe, and China is Switzerland’s largest trading partner in Asia. In 2023, the trade volume between China and Switzerland was US$59.5 billion
Main trade commodities
- Imports from China to Switzerland: electronic products, machinery and equipment, clothing and textiles, furniture, chemicals, etc.
- Exports from Switzerland to China: pharmaceutical products, machinery and equipment, chemicals, watches and precision instruments, etc.
What are the shipping methods from China to Switzerland?
Switzerland is a landlocked country located in central Europe. Its neighboring countries include Austria and Liechtenstein to the east, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Germany to the north. It has no access to the sea, but goods can be transported to surrounding ports and then transferred to the destination address in Switzerland. Therefore, there are three main ways to transport goods from China to Switzerland: sea, air and rail.
Sea freight from China to Switzerland
Sea freight is one of the main modes of transport from China to Switzerland. Its advantages are large volume, low cost, and suitable for large quantities and non-urgent goods. From major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Ningbo, etc., you can reach major Swiss ports such as Zurich, Basel, etc. through container transportation. Depending on the route and the ship schedule, the transportation time is usually around 30 to 55 days.
- Advantages: low freight, suitable for bulk goods.
- Disadvantages: long transportation time.
Main ports for Swiss imports from China
Due to its inland location, Switzerland does not have its own seaport, but can rely on several major transit ports in neighboring countries, which are connected by an efficient railway and road network:
- Basel: Although not a seaport, Basel is a major inland port connected to the Rhine River and an important logistics hub for goods entering Switzerland from North Sea ports such as Rotterdam or Antwerp.
- Zurich: Zurich Airport is an important air cargo hub, handling a large amount of cargo shipped by air from China and quickly connecting to Switzerland’s road and railway systems.
- Genoa, Italy: Genoa is often used as an entry point for goods destined for Switzerland, and it offers direct rail connections to Switzerland, facilitating smooth transportation of goods into Switzerland.
- Rotterdam, the Netherlands: Rotterdam is one of the largest ports in Europe and an important gateway for goods to be shipped from China to Europe, including Switzerland. Rotterdam has direct rail and road connections to Swiss cities, ensuring efficient transshipment of goods.
- Antwerp, Belgium: Antwerp is another major European port and an important hub for international trade, closely connected to Switzerland via an extensive rail and road network. It frequently handles a wide range of goods, from bulk cargo to consumer goods.
- Hamburg, Germany: As Germany’s largest port and one of Europe’s busiest ports, Hamburg is an important hub for transshipment of goods to Switzerland. Hamburg is well connected to Central Europe via the Elbe River and has direct rail connections to Switzerland, handling a wide range of goods, from electronics to pharmaceuticals.
- Bremerhaven, Germany: Bremerhaven specializes in container shipping and is another important port for Swiss goods, especially automotive parts and electronics. It offers excellent logistics services by rail and road, and is connected to Switzerland’s industrial centers.


Air freight from China to Switzerland
Air freight is fast but more expensive. It is suitable for transporting small, high-value, and time-sensitive goods. From major Chinese airports such as Beijing and Shanghai, you can directly reach major Swiss airports such as Zurich Airport. Air freight usually takes about 5-7 days.
- Advantages: fast speed, suitable for high-value and urgent goods.
- Disadvantages: high cost and limited transportation volume.
Airports in Switzerland
Overview of Zurich Airport:
Switzerland’s largest international airport.
Voted “Europe’s Leading Airport” by the World Travel Awards for 17 consecutive years.
Located just 13 km north of Zurich city center.
Handled nearly 335,000 tons of air cargo in 2019.
China Connecting Airports: Shanghai Pudong Airport, Beijing Capital Airport.
Dedicated China-Zurich Cargo Operator: Swiss World Cargo.
IATA Code: ZRH.
Overview of Basel-Mulhouse Airport:
Jointly operated by Switzerland and France.
Located 20 km southeast of Mulhouse, France, and only 3.5 km northwest of Basel, Switzerland.
The facilities include a terminal building and two runways.
IATA Code: BSL.
Overview of Geneva Airport:
Located on the French-Swiss border, just four kilometers northwest of Geneva city center.
Cargo operations can be carried out in both countries.
Handles approximately 85,000 tons of cargo per year.
It has one of the longest runways in Europe and can accommodate aircraft of all sizes.
IATA code: GVA.
Rail transport from China to Switzerland
The China-Europe Express provides rail transport services from China to Switzerland.
- Advantages: shorter transport time than sea transport and lower cost than air transport.
- Disadvantages: limited capacity and limited coverage of the railway network.
Rail freight is a practical transport solution from China to Switzerland that strikes a balance between cost and speed. It is particularly beneficial for:
- Medium-sized cargo: For goods that are too heavy or too large to transport by air and need to be transported faster than by sea.
- Reduced costs: Typically cheaper than air freight, a cost-effective option for many businesses.
- Faster transit time: Reduces transit time to approximately 16-22 days, delivering goods faster than sea freight, which can take 30-55 days.
Shipping market prices change rapidly. Ocean, air and rail freight prices fluctuate over time, influenced by supply and demand and carrier strategic adjustments. Year-over-year differences can be significant, and last week’s prices may not apply to this week.
The price from China to Switzerland can only be an estimate.if you want to know the latest and most correct price, you can contact Basenton Logistics to get a quote.


Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Switzerland
- How much does it cost to ship a 20ft container from China to Switzerland?
The average price for shipping a 20ft container from China to Switzerland is US$2,550 to US$3,550. Shipping schedules for 20-foot containers from China to Switzerland vary by route. - How much does it cost to ship a 40ft container from China to Switzerland?
The average price for shipping a 40ft container from China to Switzerland is US$3,250 to US$5,850. Shipping schedules for 40-foot containers from China to Switzerland vary by route.
You might want to know:
Shipping Container Costs From China To Switzerland
These are the average prices for shipping containers from China to Switzerland and the cheapest prices for loading and shipping containers to Switzerland from major Chinese ports, 20-foot and 40-foot containers (FCL) contain all types of cargo, such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, Or international shipping of personal belongings from China to Switzerland.
Container shipping service from China to Switzerland | Type of container | Ocean freight rates from China to Switzerland: |
---|---|---|
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $7050 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $4150 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $4150 20FT average price from: $6250 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $4150 20FT average price from: $6250 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3250 20FT average price from: $6550 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $6050 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3250 20FT average price from: $6550 40FT |
How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Switzerland | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL |
average price from: $3350 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
To find out how much it costs to travel from China to the rest of Europe, you can read the post link below or ask Basenton Logistics.


Air freight from China to Switzerland per kilogram cost
Air freight prices are relatively the most expensive, and the price changes every week, with large fluctuations, generally between 6 and 12 US dollars per kilogram. It is recommended to contact us for consultation 1-2 weeks before shipment.
Air freight is generally 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; for light goods, the billable weight of the goods is calculated based on 1 cubic meter equal to 167 kilograms. If it is less than one kilogram, the decimal is rounded up.
How long does it take to ship from China to Switzerland?
Sea freight usually takes 30 to 55 days, air freight usually takes 7 to 8 days, and rail freight usually takes 15 to 20 days.
Average sea freight time from China to Switzerland
Country of origin | Port of origin | Port of destination | Transit time (days) |
---|---|---|---|
China | Port of Shanghai | Port of Basel | 35 |
China | Port of Shenzhen | Port of Zurich | 42 |
China | Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan | Port of Geneva | 38 |
China | Port of Hong Kong | Port of Basel | 39 |
China | Port of Guangzhou | Port of Zurich | 40 |
China | Port of Qingdao | Port of Geneva | 45 |
China | Port of Tianjin | Port of Basel | 45 |
China | Port of Dalian | Port of Zurich | 37 |
China | Port of Xiamen | Port of Geneva | 40 |
China | Port of Yingkou | Port of Basel | 38 |


Customs clearance process in China and Switzerland
Export customs clearance (China)
Prepare documents: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, contract and customs declaration, etc.
Customs clearance procedure: submit the goods information to the Chinese customs, pay relevant taxes and fees, and obtain an export license.
Import customs clearance (Switzerland)
Prepare documents: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, health certificate (if applicable) and customs declaration, etc.
Customs clearance procedure: submit the goods information to the Swiss customs, pay import taxes and value-added tax, and obtain an import license.
DDP shipping from China to Switzerland (door to door)
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an international trade term, which means that the seller is responsible for transporting the goods to the destination specified by the buyer and bears all costs and risks, including transportation costs, insurance premiums, tariffs and other related costs.
Learn more: The Difference Between DDP And DAP In Trade Terms
Advantages of DDP Shipping
- Buyer convenience: The buyer only needs to receive the goods, and all transportation and customs clearance matters are the responsibility of the seller.
- Transparent costs: The buyer can know all costs when purchasing, which is convenient for cost control.
- Reduced risks: The seller bears all transportation and customs clearance risks, and the buyer has no worries.


DDP Shipping process from China to Switzerland
- Contract signing: The buyer and seller confirm the use of DDP terms and sign a contract.
- Transportation arrangement: The seller chooses a suitable mode of transportation and bears all transportation costs and risks.
- Export customs clearance: The seller handles export customs clearance procedures in China.
- International transportation: The goods are shipped to Switzerland by sea, air or rail.
- Import customs clearance: The seller handles import customs clearance procedures in Switzerland and pays all tariffs and VAT.
- Domestic delivery: The seller delivers the goods to the final destination specified by the buyer.
Learn more: DDP Shipping From China
Door to Door shipping from China to Switzerland?
Definition
Door-to-door shipping refers to the service that the logistics company picks up the goods from the place designated by the shipper (such as a factory or warehouse), and delivers the goods to the place designated by the consignee (Switzerland) after transportation, customs declaration and other links. The entire process is fully responsible by the logistics company, which simplifies the logistics chain and provides a one-stop solution.
This service model covers all links from picking up goods, packaging, transportation, customs clearance, and delivery, so as to achieve seamless connection of goods from the starting point to the end point.
The process of door-to-door shipping from China to Switzerland
Door-to-door pickup: The logistics company arranges vehicles to pick up the goods at the place designated by the shipper (China).
Transportation: The goods are delivered to a certain address in Switzerland by sea, air or land.
Customs declaration: Handle customs formalities, including customs declaration and payment of relevant taxes and fees.
Distribution: After the goods are cleared by customs, arrange vehicles to deliver the goods to the place designated by the consignee.
Shipping from China to Switzerland involves multiple links and processes. Choosing the right mode of transport, understanding the relevant costs and time, and being familiar with the specific operations of customs clearance and DDP transportation can help you conduct international trade activities smoothly.
The trade relationship between China and Switzerland is solid, providing broad cooperation opportunities for companies on both sides. Whether it is by sea, air, rail or multimodal transport, finding the most suitable solution will ensure that your goods arrive in Switzerland safely and efficiently.