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China to Europe
Shipping from China to Europe by rail, sea, air or express
One customs union, many VAT systems, and the only lane where rail is a real option. We quote China–Europe rail freight against sea and air, with duty and import VAT shown for the country where your goods clear.
Choosing a mode
Rail, sea, air or express: the trade-offs to Europe
Europe is the one lane where rail is a real option.
Sea (FCL/LCL)
- Typical transit (estimate)
- 4–7 weeks port to port to Rotterdam or Hamburg, plus 1–2 weeks door to door
- Relative cost
- Lowest
- Best for
- Regular inventory, heavy or bulky goods
- Arrives at
- Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp and other seaports
Rail
- Typical transit (estimate)
- Typically 18–25 days station to station to Duisburg
- Relative cost
- Mid-range
- Best for
- Restocks that can't wait for sea
- Arrives at
- Inland terminals such as Duisburg
Air
- Typical transit (estimate)
- 1–3 days Urgent to 10+ days Economy, after departure
- Relative cost
- High
- Best for
- Urgent or high-value stock
- Arrives at
- Major cargo airports
Express
- Typical transit (estimate)
- 1–3 days Priority to 7+ days Economy, after pickup
- Relative cost
- Highest per kg
- Best for
- Samples and small parcels
- Arrives at
- The door, via courier networks
Our China to Europe services
18–25 days
China–Europe rail freight
Station to station to Duisburg (varies)
Containers by train from China into Europe, typically entering the EU through Poland and continuing to hubs such as Duisburg in Germany, then by truck to Germany, France, the Netherlands and beyond. FCL and LCL both accepted.
Learn more: China–Europe rail freight4–7 weeks
Sea freight, FCL or LCL
Port to port
Into Rotterdam, Hamburg or Antwerp, Europe's largest container ports, then by truck or barge to your warehouse or Amazon. Add roughly 1–2 weeks for pickup, export, customs clearance and final delivery, more for LCL or inland addresses.
Learn more: Sea freight, FCL or LCL- Urgent
- 1–3 days
- Standard
- 5–10 days
- Economy
- 10+ days
Air freight
After departure
Into European cargo hubs such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam Schiphol, Liège and Leipzig, cleared in the country of arrival or moved under transit to your VAT country.
Learn more: Air freight- Priority
- 1–3 days
- Standard
- 3–5 days
- Economy
- 7+ days
Express courier
After pickup
Door-to-door via DHL, UPS and FedEx networks. For B2C parcels up to €150, import VAT can be collected at checkout through IOSS, but since July 1, 2026 the flat €3 customs duty per item category also applies.
Learn more: Express courier
Transit times are estimates. Sea times are port to port unless stated. Air is counted from departure and express from pickup. Actual times vary by route, season, carrier space and customs.
EU customs and VAT
What to sort out before shipping to the EU, as of September 2026
EU EORI number. Anyone importing into the EU needs an EORI number, issued by one member state and valid across the EU. A UK (GB) EORI doesn't cover EU imports.
Import VAT is charged by country. Duty rates are the same across the EU, but import VAT is charged at the rate of the member state where goods are released, and rates differ from country to country. Where you clear customs affects the VAT you pay and where you reclaim it.
Amazon storage means VAT registration. If Amazon stores your stock in a country, you generally need a VAT registration there. Sellers using Pan-European FBA, with stock spread across Germany, France, Italy, Spain and other countries, typically need registrations in each. Talk to a VAT adviser before you choose a program, because it changes where we should deliver.
Low-value consignments. From July 1, 2026, the EU charges a flat €3 customs duty per item category (by tariff heading) on low-value consignments up to €150, as a temporary measure until July 1, 2028. Import VAT still applies, and B2C sellers can collect it through the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS).
Product safety. Under the EU General Product Safety Regulation (in force since December 13, 2024), consumer products sold in the EU need an EU-based responsible economic operator identified on the product or packaging, and many, such as electronics and toys, also need CE marking. Amazon can block listings without this information. Check it with your supplier before production ends. We can check labels and markings before goods ship.
Pricing
What affects your cost to Europe
We quote each shipment rather than publish a rate card, because rates change often. These are the main price drivers.
Chargeable weight or CBM
Air and express bill the higher of actual or volumetric weight. Sea and rail LCL bill by cubic meter.
Mode and routing
Sea is cheapest per unit, China–Europe rail sits between sea and air, and routings via the Cape of Good Hope can add sea time.
Season
Peak-season surcharges, typically before the Q4 holidays and Chinese New Year.
Duty and import VAT
EU duty on your tariff codes, import VAT at the rate of the country where goods are released, and the €3 per-item-category duty on low-value consignments. Included on DDP quotes.
European delivery
Trucking from the port or rail hub, delivery to several countries, and Amazon fulfillment center appointments.
Prep and extras
FBA labeling, repacking, inspection and optional insurance.
Common destinations
- 01
Germany
Amazon.de is Europe's biggest marketplace, and Duisburg is a main China–Europe rail hub. Rail, or sea via Hamburg, are the usual routes.
- 02
Netherlands
Rotterdam is the natural entry point for sea freight, with fast trucking into Belgium, Germany and France.
- 03
France
Served by sea through northern European ports or Le Havre, and by rail with a final truck leg.
- 04
Italy, Spain and Poland
Italy and Spain can be served through their own seaports. Poland sits on the main rail corridor into the EU. We quote the route that fits your delivery address.
FAQ
China to Europe shipping questions
Question not answered here?
Message our shipping team directly, in English or Chinese.
Ask on WhatsAppIs rail freight from China to Europe still running?
China–Europe trains continue to operate, though routings, capacity and goods restrictions shift with politics and demand. We'll tell you what's available for your cargo when you ask.
Can you ship DDP to Amazon Germany or France?
Yes, for most products. We quote DDP to Amazon EU fulfillment centers with duty and import VAT included, and the name on the import entry is agreed in writing before you book. You'll still need the VAT registrations Amazon requires where your stock is stored.
Which country should I clear customs in?
Usually the country where the goods will be stored or sold, because that's where VAT is due. If you store in several countries, a VAT adviser can tell you the most efficient setup.
Can I send one shipment to several EU countries?
Yes. Once goods are cleared into the EU, they move between member states without another customs clearance. Using customs procedure 42, import VAT can be accounted for in the destination country rather than the country of entry. Ask your VAT adviser whether it fits your setup.
Do Switzerland and Norway count as Europe?
They're outside the EU customs union, so they clear separately under their own rules. Tell us the country and we'll quote it as its own destination.
Customer reviews
What buyers said after shipping with us
5.0 out of 5 from 32 Alibaba.com order reviews
Related pages
- Rail freight
China–Europe rail freight, FCL and LCL, to hubs such as Duisburg, with truck delivery to France, the Netherlands and the UK. Usually weeks faster than sea.
- Sea freight
FCL and LCL sea freight from Shenzhen, Ningbo and Shanghai to the USA, UK, Canada and Europe. Port to port, door to door or DDP to Amazon FBA. Get a quote.
- Amazon FBA shipping
Amazon FBA freight forwarder in China: pickup from all your suppliers, prep and labels, customs and DDP delivery to FBA in the US, UK, Canada and EU.
- Quality inspection
Carton counts, weights, dimensions and spot checks in China before your cargo ships. Catch supplier mistakes while they can still be fixed. Book a check.
- United Kingdom
Ship from China to the UK by sea, air, rail or express. DDP with import VAT and customs duty shown, delivered to your door or Amazon UK. Request a quote.
- Sea vs Air vs Rail vs Express from China
Compare sea, air, rail and express from China: port-to-port estimates by lane, how chargeable weight works, FCL vs LCL, and when to split a shipment.
Compare rail, sea and air to your EU country
Send your packing list, supplier city and delivery country or Amazon shipment plan. We'll price rail against sea and air, with duty and import VAT shown for the country where your goods clear.
Free quotes. We typically reply within one business day by email, WhatsApp or live chat.