Shipping From China to Germany — Air, Sea and Rail
Three freight modes from Chinese suppliers to German addresses. Air for speed, rail for balance, sea for volume — DDP can be quoted where feasible, with duty and EUSt treatment stated in the written quotation.
Freight Options
How to Ship From China to Germany
Air, rail and sea — the right mode depends on your timeline, cargo weight and budget. DDP can be quoted for each where feasible; the written quotation confirms the exact delivery scope.
Air Freight — 5–12 Days
Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Shenzhen Bao'an (SZX) and Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) connect directly to Frankfurt Rhein-Main (FRA) and Munich (MUC). Best for time-sensitive, high-value or low-weight cargo. DDP door-to-door available.
Rail Freight — 18–25 Days
China–Europe rail via the New Silk Road corridor reaches Hamburg (HAM) and Duisburg — Germany's two main rail terminals — in 18–25 days. Weekly departures from Chengdu, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Chongqing and coastal cities. Competitive rates and lower CO₂ than air.
Sea Freight — 25–35 Days
FCL (full container: 20ft / 40ft / 40HC) and LCL (shared container) from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Hamburg — Europe's largest container port. Most cost-effective for regular volume cargo and full containers.
Amazon FBA Germany
Direct delivery to Amazon DE fulfilment centres (FRA1 Bad Hersfeld, LEJ1 Winsen/Luhe). FNSKU labeling, carton compliance and FBA prep included. DDP can be quoted where feasible — the written quotation states how German EUSt (import VAT) and import duty are treated; do not assume they have been prepaid unless it says so.
Express — 3–5 Days
Urgent shipments via express air courier or charter. Samples, prototypes, replacement stock and time-critical consignments delivered door-to-door across Germany in 3–5 days from Shenzhen or Shanghai.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
Import customs clearance, EU import duty and German Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (EUSt) — covered where DDP is feasible, with the treatment of each stated in the written quotation. Whether you need an EORI depends on the importer arrangement. One landed-cost quotation before your cargo leaves China; do not assume every charge is included unless it is stated in the written quotation.
The Process
How China to Germany Shipping Works
Eight stages from your Chinese supplier to final delivery in Germany — what Latynex arranges depends on the scope in the written quotation.
China-to-Germany freight involves two customs clearances — export in China and import in Germany — plus at least one international freight leg. Each stage has documentation requirements that differ by mode. Latynex manages all of this as a single service so that your cargo moves without gaps or handoff failures between parties.
Request a quote with your cargo details
Send us your supplier's collection address in China, cargo description, weight and dimensions, destination address in Germany, and preferred freight mode. We prepare the DDP quote — showing how EU import duty and German EUSt are treated — and confirm the scope in writing.
Supplier collection from China
Our China-based team collects from your supplier's factory or warehouse — from common sourcing hubs, and other supplier locations can be assessed; the exact supplier address is confirmed in the quotation. We photograph and count goods at collection. Multi-supplier consolidation is available if you're ordering from several factories.
China export warehouse and consolidation
Cargo arrives at our China export warehouse. For FBA shipments, FNSKU labeling and carton prep are completed here. For standard shipments, we verify quantities and packaging before export. Your shipment is held until the export plan is confirmed.
Export customs clearance in China
We prepare and file all Chinese export documentation: commercial invoice, packing list, export customs declaration and customs release. Your cargo is cleared for export at the Chinese port (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen) or airport (PVG, SZX, CAN).
International freight: air, rail or sea
Your cargo travels via your agreed mode. Air: 5–12 days to Frankfurt or Munich. Rail: 18–25 days to Duisburg or Hamburg. Sea FCL/LCL: 25–35 days to Hamburg. Tracking updates and milestones depend on the carrier and service; the shipment arrangement states what tracking information will be available.
Arrival at German port or airport
Cargo arrives at Hamburg (sea), Duisburg or Hamburg (rail), or Frankfurt / Munich (air). The party handling customs representation, as stated in your quotation, is notified on arrival and begins the import customs filing once the documents are complete.
German import customs clearance
The import declaration is filed with the Zoll (German customs authority) by the importer or by the customs representative named in the written quotation. Under DDP, how EU import duty and German Einfuhrumsatzsteuer (EUSt) are paid, and by whom, is stated in the quotation. For DAP shipments, we notify you of the duty amount for self-payment.
Final delivery to your German address
Cleared cargo is collected by local haulage and delivered to your specified address: warehouse, office, Amazon FC, or 3PL fulfilment centre. For Amazon FBA, we book the FC delivery appointment and manage the handoff to the Amazon dock.
Transit & Cost
China → Germany: Transit Times and DDP Cost Guide
Indicative DDP planning rates for the China–Germany corridor — freight, EU import duty, German EUSt and last-mile delivery, where DDP is feasible. Exact quotes depend on cargo details and current market rates.
All figures are indicative ranges including freight, EU import duty, German EUSt (19%), customs handling and delivery. Import duty rate depends on product HS code — confirmed before booking. Fuel surcharges, port congestion and seasonal rate changes apply. Contact Latynex for a specific quote.
How to choose between air, rail and sea: For most importers, the choice comes down to urgency and volume. Air freight makes commercial sense for high-value cargo (electronics, premium goods) where stock-out cost exceeds freight premium, or for samples and urgent restock. Rail freight is the default for regular importers who need predictable 18–25 day transit at competitive rates. Sea freight is optimal for full containers, seasonal stock and price-sensitive categories where lead time flexibility exists.
Quote Factors
What Changes the Final Shipping Cost to Germany?
The ranges above are indicative planning ranges. These are the inputs that move a China → Germany quote.
The final cost to Germany depends mainly on the mode, the weight or volume that is charged, the commodity and its HS code, and the importer, duty and VAT set-up. Pickup, final-delivery scope, special handling and carrier conditions on the shipping date then move it further. The ranges on this page are indicative planning ranges, not a quotation.
- Origin city in China
- German destination postcode
- Mode: air, rail or sea
- Weight and chargeable weight
- Volume in CBM
- Container size (20ft, 40ft, 40HC)
- Commodity and HS code
- Cargo value
- Incoterm
- Importer set-up
- Duty and VAT treatment
- Pickup and final delivery scope
- Special handling
- Season and carrier conditions
Compare a first estimate with the Shipping Cost Estimator; for the FCL and LCL decision see the Sea Freight guide.
Quote Scope
What Is Included in a China → Germany Quote?
Not every quote covers the same scope. The written quotation defines the exact scope.
- Supplier pickup in China
- Consolidation of several suppliers
- Export handling and export customs
- Main freight (air, rail or sea)
- Destination handling
- Customs handling in Germany
- Duty and VAT where quoted
- Final delivery to the German address
- Import duty
- Import VAT (EUSt)
- Cargo insurance
- Storage
- Inspection
- Demurrage or detention
- Special permits or licences
- Oversized or special handling
- Amazon FBA delivery appointments
The written quotation defines the exact scope. This is also how to read an all-inclusive or DDP quote and avoid hidden charges: check each line against the list above, and see DDP Shipping for what a DDP quote should state.
Illustrative Planning Example
Example: How to Read the Table for a 4 CBM Shipment
An illustrative planning example, not a completed shipment, a case study or a quotation.
Which rows apply
At about 4 CBM the cargo falls under the table's 5 CBM guidance, so Sea LCL (€2.5–5 / kg, 30–38 days) is the first option to compare. If the goods are urgent or high value for their weight, compare Air Freight (€10–22 / kg, 5–12 days). Rail (€3–7 / kg, 18–25 days) is worth comparing where the origin is inland in China. Full containers are for larger volumes, so Sea FCL is not the natural fit at this size.
What to compare, and what changes the quote
The table figures are per kg on a DDP basis; air is charged on chargeable weight, which can exceed actual weight for bulky cargo. Compare days against urgency, ask whether DDP or DAP is quoted and who is the importer, and check what is excluded. HS code, cargo value, postcode and delivery scope change the final quote; this example does not calculate one.
Related guides: Sea Freight, Air Freight, Rail Freight and Warehouse & Consolidation for several suppliers.
DDP vs DAP
DDP vs DAP Shipping to Germany — What's the Difference?
For importers new to Germany or without an established customs broker, DDP may be the better fit where it is feasible. Here is how the two Incoterms compare for China–Germany shipments.
German EUSt (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer, currently 19%) is reclaimable for both DDP and DAP imports if you are a German VAT-registered business. Under DDP, the written quotation states whether EUSt is paid upfront on your behalf, and a VAT-registered business reclaims it where it is entitled to; under DAP, you pay EUSt directly to the Zoll and reclaim it the same way. The cash flow timing can differ, but the net tax position is generally the same for VAT-registered businesses.
Ports & Airports
China Origin Points to German Destinations
The main port and airport pairings for China–Germany freight — by freight mode.
- Shanghai Pudong (PVG) → Frankfurt (FRA)
- Shenzhen (SZX) → Frankfurt (FRA)
- Guangzhou (CAN) → Frankfurt (FRA) / Munich (MUC)
- Any airport → German delivery address, door-to-door where quoted
- Chengdu / Xi'an / Zhengzhou → Duisburg (DUI)
- Chongqing → Hamburg (HAM)
- Shanghai / Suzhou → Hamburg or Duisburg
- Door-to-terminal + final haulage available
- Shanghai (SIPG) → Hamburg (HAM)
- Ningbo → Hamburg / Bremerhaven
- Shenzhen (Yantian) → Hamburg
- Guangzhou (Nansha) → Hamburg (feeder)
German Customs
Importing Into Germany — What You Need to Know
A practical guide to German import requirements for businesses shipping from China — duties, EUSt, EORI and CE marking explained.
EU Import Duty (TARIC)
Germany is part of the EU Customs Union. Import duty rates are set by the EU's Common External Tariff (TARIC). Most electronics: 0–3.5%. Clothing and textiles: up to 12%. Household goods: 3–6.5%. We calculate your exact duty rate from your HS code before confirming any DDP quote.
German EUSt (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer)
Import VAT (EUSt) is charged at 19% (7% for certain food, books and medical items) on the customs value plus import duty. Under DDP, the quotation states how EUSt is treated and who accounts for it; do not assume it has been prepaid unless the written quotation says so. German VAT-registered businesses can reclaim EUSt on their regular VAT return (Umsatzsteuererklärung).
EORI Number
An EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) number is required to file import customs declarations in Germany. Whether you need your own EORI under DDP depends on the importer and customs set-up, which the written quotation should identify; DDP does not mean an EORI is never required. If you prefer DAP, you will need to register an EORI with the German Zoll (customs authority).
CE Marking — Product Compliance
CE marking is a product compliance requirement for many categories sold in Germany — electronics, toys, machinery, PPE and others. CE marking is not a customs matter but is enforced at the German market level. Ensure your supplier can provide CE conformity documentation before shipping. Latynex can advise on documentation requirements.
Customs information is for guidance only. Import duty rates, EUSt and CE marking requirements change regularly. Latynex calculates exact duty and tax amounts for every DDP shipment from your confirmed HS code — we do not estimate. This page is for general orientation only and does not constitute legal or customs advice.
Importer & EORI
EORI, Importer of Record and VAT for Germany
Short answers to the three questions importers ask before a first shipment to Germany.
Do I need an EORI to import from China to Germany?
An EORI is commonly required to lodge an EU customs declaration. Whether it is yours, a representative's or another party's depends on the importer set-up, and the written quotation should identify who imports the goods. DDP does not mean an EORI is never required.
Who acts as importer of record?
The party named on the German import declaration and responsible to customs for it. It may be the buyer, a customs representative acting for the buyer or another party named in a DDP quotation, and it must be agreed before booking.
How are German import VAT and duties handled?
Duty follows the EU tariff (TARIC) for the goods' HS code, and import VAT (EUSt) is charged on the customs value plus duty, as set out in the German customs section above. How each is treated in your quote is stated in the written quotation.
For the structure compare DDP Shipping. Another EU market works differently: see China → France for French autoliquidation. General information, not legal, tax or customs advice.
Special Cargo
Special and Restricted Cargo to Germany
Acceptance depends on classification, documents, carrier and import requirements and must be confirmed before quotation or booking.
Cargo that cannot be handled may be declined. Send the cargo details first and request a feasibility check and quote.
Before You Accept
What to Check Before Accepting a Freight Quote to Germany
A short checklist for comparing a China → Germany quote, whoever issues it.
Already holding a quote? Run the free Quote Pre-Check or the human-reviewed Supplier Quote Check (€99).
Amazon FBA Germany
Shipping From China to Amazon FBA Germany
Latynex handles the complete FBA supply chain from China to German Amazon fulfilment centres — prep, customs, DDP delivery.
Amazon DE Fulfilment Centres
We deliver to FRA1 (Bad Hersfeld, Hessen), LEJ1 (Winsen/Luhe, Niedersachsen) and other Amazon-assigned German FCs. FC assignment comes from your Seller Central shipment plan — we deliver to whatever FC Amazon specifies.
FNSKU Labeling & FBA Prep
FNSKU labels are applied per unit in our China warehouse before export. Cartons are built to Amazon's weight limit (≤23 kg per carton) and dimension requirements. Box content information is filed in Seller Central.
DDP FBA — EUSt Treatment in the Quote
Under DDP, the written quotation states how German EUSt (19%) and EU import duty are treated for the FBA shipment; do not assume they have been prepaid unless it says so. German VAT-registered sellers can reclaim EUSt on their regular VAT return.
Transit Time to Amazon DE
Air freight: 7–16 days China departure to Amazon FC receipt (includes FBA prep, customs and delivery). Sea freight: 32–45 days total. Add FBA pick window timing to your restock calculation.
FBA Germany — Indicative Timelines
Ready to quote your China → Germany shipment?
Tell us your cargo details — mode, weight and destination. Quote timing depends on how complete your shipment information is: standard cargo can often be assessed faster, and customs-sensitive or special cargo may need extra checks.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions — Shipping From China to Germany
Common questions from importers and businesses setting up China–Germany freight for the first time.
Related
Related Services & Pages
DDP Shipping
How Delivered Duty Paid works — duties, EUSt and customs, and what the quote must state.
Amazon FBA Logistics
FNSKU prep, carton checks and direct Germany FC delivery from China.
Air Freight Service
Express and standard air cargo from China. Full transit time and cost guide.
Sea Freight Service
FCL and LCL from China to Hamburg. Container types, port pairs and rates.
Rail Freight Service
China–Europe rail freight. New Silk Road corridor to Duisburg and Hamburg.
Warehouse Consolidation
Multi-supplier pickup and consolidation in China before Germany export.
China → Europe Hub
Compare all Europe destinations — mode, cost and FBA delivery across the corridor.
Free Quote Pre-Check
Already have a supplier quote? Check it covers the key items — free, instant.
Logistics Assessment
Before you ship — review your route, Incoterms and German import duties. From €99.
Transit Time Calculator
Estimate delivery windows for air, rail and sea freight to Germany.
Shipping Cost Estimator
Directional cost estimate by mode and cargo volume before you request a quote.
Get a Quote
Cargo details to quote — weight, mode and destination. Timing depends on how complete the details are.
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