The Netherlands is Hong Kong’s fourth largest importer after China, India, and the UK. Hong Kong primarily exports goods such as integrated circuits, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment, gold, and silver. What are the methods of shipping from Hong Kong to the Netherlands?
Hong Kong – the Netherlands trade
Goods imported from Hong Kong to the Netherlands are mainly:
- Broadcasting Equipment
- Computers
- Office Machine Parts
- Integrated Circuits
- Video Recording Equipment
- Electrical Transformers
Undoubtedly, products imported by the Netherlands are mainly articles from the electronics industry. So, what is the best way to import from Hong Kong?
Shipping from Hong Kong to the Netherlands
Sea freight from Hong Kong to the Netherlands
Importers from the Netherlands have two main options for importing goods from Hong Kong. First of them is sea freight which is the most popular way of importing all over the world. It is said that sea transport accounts for 90% of all global transport.
How much does it take to ship from Hong Kong to the Netherlands by sea?
The transit time from Hong Kong to the Netherlands is 46 to 60 days. It depends on:
- type of transported products
- route and distance
- loading port
- special requirements for the storage of goods.
Top seaport in Hong Kong
The Port of Hong Kong boasts its ninth position among the most significant seaports in Asia, so it is a major player in the international arena.
Top seaports in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is home to the most prominent European seaport, the Port of Rotterdam. But apart from that, the Port of Amsterdam, Port of Moerdijk, Zeeland Seaports, and Groningen Seaports play a significant role.
Air freight from Hong Kong to the Netherlands
The second most popular way of importing from Hong Kong to Europe is air freight.
How long does it take to ship from Hong Kong to the Netherlands by air?
Transit time to the Netherlands from Hong Kong by air freight usually takes 6 to 10 days.
Top airport in Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport has been the most extensive international cargo airport since 1996. In 2021 Hong Kong International Airport handled 5 million tons of cargo, which accounted for 42% of the total value of exported goods in this region.
Some airlines transport goods by air to the Netherlands, such as Cathay Pacific Cargo and KLM Cargo, which connect Hong Kong Airport with Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
Top airport in Amsterdam
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is the third largest freight cargo airport in Europe. The airport provides a connection to over 320 planned destinations in 98 countries.
Rail freight from Hong Kong to the Netherlands
Nowadays, rail freight is becoming more popular due to its shipping time and costs. Rail transport is cheaper than air freight. It is also much faster than sea freight.
How much does rail freight from Hong Kong to the Netherlands take?
Transport time from Hong Kong to Rotterdam will take 10 to 15 days. Many companies now offer service door-to-door, which will take 20 to 24 days.
Hong Kong-Europe freight train
Due to the new silk road initiative, the Netherlands trains directly with China. There is a connection between Chengdu and Rotterdam. Chengdu is one of the most important railway stations merged with other cities like Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou.
There is also an alternative – intermodal transportation. Cargo from China to the port of Hamburg can be transshipped and transported by sea freight to the Netherlands.
The rail freight is for those shippers who would rather bear higher costs but still save some time.
Documents needed for importing from Hong Kong to the Netherlands
To avoid unnecessary import-related obstacles, it is worth preparing documents that will ensure a smooth process.
Mandatory documents:
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading for Sea Freight or Air Waybill for Air Freight
- Packing List
- Single Administrative Document
There are also several documents that you will need depending on the nature of imported goods, such as:
- Test reports
- Certificate of Origin
- CITES permit
- Other certificates and documents
How much does shipping from Hong Kong to the Netherlands cost?
After reading this article, it is easy to notice that the transport cost may vary depending on the transport method and type of cargo. Estimating costs on your own can be quite a challenge. However, you can easily compare offers from reliable forwarders on ShipHub. Get many quotes for free and choose the best one for your shipment.
