Route · Europe
FCL & LCL shipping from China to Europe
Full and less-than-container load freight into every major European gateway — from the North Sea and Channel ports to the Mediterranean. We secure the right carrier and sailing for your timeline, with clear documentation end to end.
End-to-end service on the China–Europe lane
From origin factories across China to discharge in European ports, one team coordinates booking, docs and pickup supervision.
FCL / LCL booking & space
Whole-container shipping for 20′, 40′ and HQ types, plus LCL consolidation for smaller shipments — space locked on the right carrier for your schedule.
Air freight & express
Urgent cargo? We arrange air freight and courier shipments from China to major European airports, door-to-door.
Customs & documentation
Export clearance in China and full documentation support — bills of lading, commercial invoices and packing lists prepared correctly for EU entry.
Origin pickup & loading supervision
Factory pickups across China, container loading checks and inspection coordination so the container leaves the origin port right the first time.
Check the EU side yourself: import duty and VAT for any commodity code are published in the EU Access2Markets database — look your code up there before you commit to a landed-cost number.
Major European gateways we serve
Transit times and schedules vary by sailing and season — we confirm the exact routing and ETA with every quote.
North Sea
Rotterdam
Europe's largest container port, with dense hinterland rail and barge coverage across the EU.
North Sea
Hamburg
Germany's premier deep-water gateway, serving Central Europe and Scandinavia.
North Sea
Antwerp
Key Benelux port with excellent inland connections to Belgium, Netherlands and France.
North Sea
Bremerhaven
Major German automotive and container port with rail links to Munich and southern Germany.
Channel
Le Havre
France's leading container port, serving Paris and the wider French market.
North Sea
Felixstowe
UK's busiest container port, serving Southeast England with onward rail to the Midlands.
How long ocean freight from China to Europe takes
Port-to-port reference times from the main China loading ports, on services that transit the Suez Canal.
| Destination | Typical port-to-port | Routing |
|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp | 30–38 days | Direct via Suez |
| Felixstowe, Le Havre | 30–38 days | Direct and transshipped |
Reference times as of September 2026. Asia–Europe routing has moved several times in recent years; these figures reflect the current Suez transit pattern and we re-confirm the routing on every quote.
Check a live rotation yourself: ONE point-to-point schedules · Maersk schedules · how transit times work
2026 container rates from China to Europe (market reference)
Indicative spot ranges for a full container, compiled from public freight indices and published 2026 market data. These are not FreightMainstay quotes — spot rates move weekly, so the number that counts is the one confirmed on your booking. Itemized all-in quote within 24 hours.
| Lane | 20ft, approx. | 40ft, approx. |
|---|---|---|
| China → North Europe — Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Felixstowe | $1,800–3,000 | $3,000–5,500 |
2026 saw sharp swings on several lanes, which is why these are wide ranges rather than single numbers. Live composite indices: Drewry World Container Index · SCFI, Shanghai Shipping Exchange. The routing matters as much as the rate: via Suez or around the Cape of Good Hope can differ by a week to ten days of ocean time.
A direct line to your cargo in China
No anonymous call centers and no layer of middlemen — you work with the people who actually book your container.
Direct-client focus
We built the business around importers and brand owners, so your cargo stays the priority.
On the ground in China
We know the ports, carriers and suppliers — the detail that keeps a shipment from slipping.
Transparent pricing
Every quote is itemized. No surprise surcharges added after the fact.
Proactive updates
We track every milestone and flag issues early, before they become your problem.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about shipping from China to this destination. Anything else — ask us directly, we reply within a few hours on business days.
How long does ocean freight from China to Europe take?
Direct sailings from China's main ports to Rotterdam, Hamburg or Antwerp typically take 30–38 days port-to-port. Felixstowe and Le Havre are served on similar schedules. We confirm the exact rotation and inland connection with every quote.
Should I ship FCL or LCL from China to Europe?
As a rough rule: above 13–15 cubic meters, FCL is usually cheaper per cubic meter and safer; below that, LCL consolidation into Rotterdam or Hamburg keeps costs down. We run both — if you are near the crossover point we quote both options so you can compare.
How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Europe?
Total cost = ocean freight + China origin charges + EU destination charges, where import VAT and duty are assessed at entry. Rates move with the market, so we quote itemized all-in numbers per shipment, usually within 24 hours.
What documents are needed to clear EU customs?
Your consignee will need a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, plus an EORI number for the import entry. We prepare the export declaration and full document set in China so your European broker can clear the container without delays.
Do you deliver door-to-door inside Europe?
Yes. From the gateway port we arrange trucking or rail to warehouses and distribution centers across the EU and UK, with DDP available if you want duties and VAT handled end to end.
Shipping to Europe?
Tell us what you are moving and where it needs to go. We will come back with a clear rate and a straight answer.