How to Ship Freight from China to Netherlands？

2025-05-03

Shipping freight from China to the Netherlands involves several steps and options depending on your budget, time constraints, and the type of goods you're shipping. Below is a professional guide on how to ship freight from China to the Netherlands:

1. Determine the Type of Cargo and Quantity
- Less than Container Load (LCL): If you have a smaller shipment that doesn’t fill a container, LCL allows you to share a container with other shipments.
- Full Container Load (FCL): If you have enough cargo to fill a 20-foot, 40-foot, or 40-foot high cube container, FCL is usually faster and sometimes more cost-effective.

2. Choose the Mode of Transport
Depending on your needs, you can choose between the following modes of transport:

a. Sea Freight (Most Common for Bulk Goods)
- Port-to-Port Shipping:
- Origin Port: Common ports in China include Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, and Qingdao.
- Destination Port: Common ports in the Netherlands include Rotterdam and Amsterdam, with Rotterdam being the largest port in Europe.
- Shipping Lines: Some of the major shipping lines that operate between China and the Netherlands include Maersk, COSCO, CMA CGM, and MSC.
- Transit Time: Approximately 25-40 days depending on the port of origin and destination, as well as the shipping line.

b. Air Freight (Faster but More Expensive)
- Airport-to-Airport Shipping:
- Origin Airports: Major airports in China include Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN).
- Destination Airports: Major airports in the Netherlands include Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS).
- Cargo Airlines: You can work with freight forwarders who partner with cargo airlines like Cathay Pacific Cargo, Lufthansa Cargo, and Emirates SkyCargo.
- Transit Time: Approximately 3-7 days.

c. Rail Freight (Growing in Popularity)
- China-Europe Railway Express:
- This option is becoming increasingly popular for shipping between China and Europe. The train routes pass through countries like Russia, Belarus, Poland, and Germany before reaching the Netherlands.
- Transit Time: Approximately 18-22 days.
- Major Rail Terminals: In China, cities like Chengdu, Chongqing, and Wuhan are key railway hubs. In Europe, the rail often terminates in Germany or Poland before onward transport to the Netherlands.

3. Select a Freight Forwarder
A freight forwarder will manage the logistics of your shipment, including booking space, handling customs clearance, and arranging for local transport. Some well-known international freight forwarders include DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne + Nagel, and DB Schenker.

Key Responsibilities of a Freight Forwarder:
- Booking Cargo Space: They will book space with shipping lines, airlines, or rail operators.
- Documentation: They will handle the necessary documentation such as the Bill of Lading (B/L), Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Certificate of Origin.
- Customs Clearance: They will manage customs clearance in both China and the Netherlands.
- Door-to-Door Service: Many forwarders offer door-to-door service, which includes pickup from the supplier in China and delivery to your destination in the Netherlands.

4. Prepare Necessary Documentation
Ensure that you have all the necessary documentation for international shipping:
- Commercial Invoice: Details the value of the goods.
- Packing List: Provides details on the contents and packaging of the shipment.
- Bill of Lading (B/L): A contract between the shipper and the carrier.
- Certificate of Origin: May be required to prove where the goods were manufactured.
- Customs Documents: Both export customs in China and import customs in the Netherlands will require specific forms.
- HS Code (Harmonized System Code): Classification