When it comes to importing from China, one of the things that decides the overall cost is freight. You need to consider many variables, such as what products you want to import and what aspects you care about the most – is it the time, effectiveness, or cost? What should also be taken into account is the location of ports and airports in your region. Of course, if you choose sea freight and your warehouse is located far from major harbors, you will also have to consider additional road freight. The same usually goes for airports and rail terminals, although these are relatively more accessible. In this article, you can learn about different shipping methods from China to Belgium and decide which one is most suitable for your shipment.
Shipping from China to Belgium – means of transportation
Air freight from China to Belgium
If you want to receive your cargo as quickly as possible, air freight is the way to go. It will usually take only a few hours before it arrives at the destination airport. The whole process takes 3-5 business days.
When choosing air freight, you have to get familiar with the terms Special Cargo and General Cargo:
- Special Cargo applies to “products” that require special handling, such as live animals, food products as well as highly valuable or flammable items.
- General Cargo is a term used for normal cargo. However, all goods must meet safety and specified requirements.
Bear in mind that shorter transit times and better security come with a higher price. The shipping cost is calculated based on the cargo’s dimensional weight and gross weight. Therefore, if your products are very heavy, you might want to consider a different type of transport.
Main cargo airports in China
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport
- Beijing Capital International Airport
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
Main cargo airports in Belgium
- Liege Airport
- Brussels Airport
Sea freight from China to Belgium
As it proves to be very cost-effective, sea freight is one of the most popular shipping methods. It is also the best option when it comes to importing a large number of goods. It is most suitable for goods that need to be transported in containers. However, it might get complicated for those who do not have vast knowledge about sea shipping.
First, you must choose between FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Low Container Load). FCL stands for using the container’s total capacity and is recommended for cargo that takes up a lot of space, while LCL means sharing a container with other importers/exporters. It is more suitable for transporting smaller goods in lower amounts.
Although sea freight is relatively cheap, it is less time-efficient. Therefore, it is not recommended in cases when you need to receive cargo quickly. In sea shipping, volume is more important than weight, so if you are looking to ship heavier goods, this is the way to go.
Main cargo seaports in China
- Port of Shanghai
- Port of Shenzhen
- Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan
- Port of Guangzhou
- Port of Qingdao
Main cargo seaports in Belgium
- Port of Antwerp
- Port of Bruges-Zeebrugge
- Port of Ghent
- Port of Ostend
Rail freight from China to Belgium
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to air shipping and a faster method of transport than sea shipping, you should consider rail freight. It has a very high security level (vigilance, protected warehouses). Moreover, heavy and bulky loads can be easily transported by train, so you don’t need to worry about the weight or volume of the cargo. Another important quality is the convenience and high accessibility of terminals that operate freight trains.
Train routes from China to Belgium:
Daqing-Zeebrugge
Tangshan-Antwerp
Zhengzhou-Liege
Xi’an-Kluizendok
Yiwu-Liege
Shipping cost from China to Belgium
The final cost of your shipment depends not only on various factors such as the type and size of cargo, the method of transport, and the distance but also on the chosen forwarder. To make sure you decide on the right option for you, compare at least a few offers from different freight operators. To make that choice, we strongly recommend using ShipHub. On the site, fill in a short form. Various forwarders will contact you with their quotes to choose from.
Shipping from China to Belgium – Summary
When shipping from China to Belgium, you can choose between air freight, sea freight, and rail freight. The cost of shipment differs based on the weight and volume of your cargo, as well as the chosen forwarder. You can get an insight into various solutions using ShipHub.
If time is of the essence, go with air freight, and if you are not pressed for time, choose sea transport. When looking for a less pricey or faster alternative, you might want to look into rail freight, which offers higher security than sea shipping.
And lastly, make sure to check out our article about importing from China!