Shipping from China to Europe

Q: Is rail really a middle ground between sea and air?

Yes — the China-Europe Railway Express runs roughly 18–28 days terminal-to-terminal at rates between sea and air. For 1–6 CBM of moderately urgent cargo, it often beats both.

Q: What about customs after Brexit?

UK shipments clear independently of the EU and need their own import VAT handling — our UK country page covers it. EU destinations clear as one market once goods enter anywhere in the EU.

Q: Do you ship DDP to Europe?

Yes — DDP to the EU, UK, and most of the continent including Norway and Switzerland. Duties and VAT are paid by our destination partners, properly declared, and inside your quote.

Europe is the one lane where you genuinely have four options: ocean (cheap, 28–40 days), the China-Europe Railway Express (the middle ground, 18–28 days), air (3–6 days), and express for samples. Picking wrong costs either money or customers — here are the reference numbers.

For importers who want zero customs work, DDP covers pickup, freight, clearance, duties and VAT — one all-in price to your door in the EU, UK, or the continent.

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Four ways, honestly compared

Mode	Transit	Reference cost	Best for
Ocean LCL/FCL	28–40 days	$50–90/CBM · 20ft from ~$2000	Volume, non-urgent
China–Europe rail	18–28 days	between sea and air — ask for the lane quote	1–6 CBM, moderately urgent
Air freight	3–6 days	$3.5–8/kg	<300 kg or deadlines
Express	2–5 days	$7–13/kg	Samples, documents

Reference ranges for fully loaded cargo, Germany hub — not a quote. Your final rate depends on CBM, product and pickup city.

The rail option most forwarders undersell

The China-Europe Railway Express (to Duisburg, Hamburg, Warsaw, Madrid) runs 18–28 days terminal-to-terminal — roughly half the time of ocean at a fraction of air cost. It's the answer for the awkward middle: too big for air, too urgent for sea. It's also less weather- and strike-prone than either. Booking windows tighten before Chinese New Year, so plan 3 weeks ahead in January.

DDP to Europe, done compliantly

EU import VAT (19% DE / 20% UK) and duty 0–12% are all inside your DDP quote — declared at real values, cleared by our destination partners, delivered to your door. No IOR setup needed. Regulated goods (batteries in bulk, cosmetics) get an honest "can't ship" from us, not a surprise seizure.

DDP sea reference: $4–$6/kg · DDP air $7.5–$9/kg.

FAQ

+Is rail really a middle ground between sea and air?

Yes — the China-Europe Railway Express runs roughly 18–28 days terminal-to-terminal at rates between sea and air. For 1–6 CBM of moderately urgent cargo, it often beats both.

+What about customs after Brexit?

UK shipments clear independently of the EU and need their own import VAT handling — our UK country page covers it. EU destinations clear as one market once goods enter anywhere in the EU.

+Do you ship DDP to Europe?

Yes — DDP to the EU, UK, and most of the continent including Norway and Switzerland. Duties and VAT are paid by our destination partners, properly declared, and inside your quote.