Shipping from China to Europe: sea, rail, road and EU customs

Europe is a mature destination for sourcing from China with several established routes, but also stricter requirements: EU customs, CE marking and importer registration. Let us break down how to ship goods from China to Europe.

Routes and methods

Method	Time*	When to choose
Sea (container)	30–45 days	Large batches, project outfitting
Rail (China — Europe)	18–25 days	Price/speed balance on large batches
Road	15–25 days	Mid-size batches, address flexibility
Air	5–9 days	Urgent and compact items

*Indicative time from cargo readiness to the door; depends on the route, season and customs.

The main volume goes by sea to major ports (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp) with onward distribution across the EU. The China — Europe rail corridor is a convenient compromise on time and price for large batches.

What the cost is made of

1. Main-leg transport from China to the EU.
2. Local costs in China — pickup, consolidation, export clearance.
3. Customs charges in the EU — duty and VAT (see below).
4. Door delivery in the destination country.
5. Insurance — mandatory for high-value batches.

EU customs: what matters

When importing into the EU, account for:

• Duty — the rate depends on the product category (TARIC code). The EU’s single customs tariff.
• VAT — charged on import at the destination country’s rate (differs across EU countries).
• EORI number — a registration number for traders in the EU, required for import customs clearance.
• CE marking — for many categories (electrical equipment, a range of goods) it is mandatory for import and sale in the EU. Conformity is confirmed by documents from the manufacturer.
• Documents — a correct TARIC code and a complete set (invoice, packing list, bill of lading/CMR).

In the EU, not only logistics is critical but compliance: without correct CE marking and the right documents, goods may fail customs or be barred from sale.

What affects timelines

• Seasonality — before Chinese New Year, timelines and prices grow.
• Documents and compliance — the absence of CE/required certificates delays or blocks import.
• Route — sea is cheaper, rail is faster on large batches.
• Consolidation — gathering cargo from several factories adds time at the start.

How it works turnkey

When sourcing through a partner, logistics and customs are part of the service: route choice (sea/rail/road), consolidation, correct documents and TARIC codes, checking marking requirements and door delivery in the EU. You see the final door-to-door price upfront.

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Bringing goods from China to Europe? We will calculate the route, timeline and final cost including EU customs, VAT and marking requirements. For free.