Shipping from China to Germany: Cost & Times 2026

Germany: Your Gateway into the EU

Clear your goods once in Germany and they are in free circulation across the whole EU single market. That makes Germany a natural entry point for importers selling in several European countries, and the home of Amazon’s largest European marketplace.

As your shipping agent from China to Germany, JIEYI collects from your suppliers in China, ships by sea, rail or air, clears EU customs in Germany and delivers to your warehouse, your customers or Amazon.de. For goods going further, we deliver onward to other EU countries without a second customs clearance.

Plan My Shipment to Germany

Container being loaded onto a freight train at a rail terminal

Three Routes from China to Germany

Germany is one of the few countries where rail is a real alternative to sea and air.

Sea to Hamburg or Bremerhaven

About 35–45 days port to port

The lowest cost per unit for full containers and heavy goods, with frequent sailings from South China.

Lowest cost
FCL and LCL

Popular for Germany

China–Europe rail to Duisburg

About 18–25 days terminal to terminal

Duisburg is Europe’s largest inland port and a main terminal for trains from China. Rail is usually 2–3 weeks faster than sea and far cheaper than air.

FCL and LCL departures
Good for restocking

Air to Frankfurt or Leipzig

About 2–4 days airport to airport

For launches, samples and urgent replenishment. Priced on chargeable weight, so it suits light, high-value goods.

Fastest option
Best for light goods

Compare Cost and Speed to Germany

Door-to-door times to a German address, with a rough guide to cost per kilo.

Option	Best for	Door-to-door time	Cost per kg	Details
Sea freight FCL	Full containers and heavy goods	40–55 days	$$$$	Sea freight
Sea freight LCL	Pallets for German and EU stockists	45–60 days	$$$$	Shared containers
Rail freight	Restocking Amazon.de or EU warehouses on time	25–35 days	$$$$	Rail freight
Luftfracht	Urgent and high-value goods, from about 100 kg	5–10 days	$$$$	Luftfracht
Express courier	Samples and small parcels	3–7 days	$$$$	Express

Sea, Rail or Air? Find Your Starting Point

Pick the weight and the deadline. For Germany we include rail whenever it fits.

Shipping Time from China to Germany

Typical times from South China. Door to door includes pickup, EU customs and delivery.

Mode	Main German gateway	Main leg	Door to door
Sea freight	Hamburg, Bremerhaven	35–45 days port to port	40–55 days
Rail freight	Duisburg, Hamburg	18–25 days terminal to terminal	25–35 days
Luftfracht	Frankfurt, Leipzig, Munich	2–4 days airport to airport	5–10 days
Express	Courier network	—	3–7 days

Shipping Cost from China to Germany (November 2026)

Typical rates in November 2026 for the main freight from South China. Rates change weekly; send your details and we reply with today’s price within 2 hours.

Method	Typical cost	Door-to-door time
Sea FCL, 20ft to Hamburg	about $2,100–2,600	40–55 days
Sea FCL, 40ft to Hamburg	about $3,600–4,100	40–55 days
Sea LCL	quoted per shipment	45–60 days
Rail freight, 40ft to Duisburg	about $4,600–6,600	25–35 days
Air freight (100 kg+)	about $4.5–6.5 per kg	5–10 days

Sea rates are for the ocean freight from South China. EU customs, German import VAT, duties and delivery are extra unless you ship DDP. See the container shipping cost guide or ask for today’s price.

EU Customs and German Import VAT

How goods from China are cleared into the EU in Germany.

EORI number

Businesses importing into the EU need an EORI number. In Germany it is issued free of charge by German customs (Zoll).

Import VAT

German import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) is 19% for most goods and 7% for some, charged on the value plus freight and duty. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it.

Customs duty

Duty depends on the EU commodity code (TARIC). Some products, such as certain steel, aluminium and e-bike items, also carry anti-dumping duties.

ICS2 advance data

The EU requires safety data for every shipment before departure: accurate goods descriptions, HS codes and full consignee details. We file this with the carrier.

Low-value e-commerce

Since 1 July 2026, the EU charges a flat €3 customs duty on low-value e-commerce parcels that used to enter duty free.

Shipping without a German VAT number?

Choose DDP and we include duty, import VAT and delivery in one price.

Ask for a DDP quote

German and EU Product Compliance Checklist

Selling in Germany usually means more than customs. Check these before production, because missing registrations can stop your sales on Amazon.de.

Product type	Rule	What it means
Consumer products	CE marking and GPSR	CE marking where an EU directive applies. Under the General Product Safety Regulation, products sold to consumers need an EU-based responsible person named on the product or packaging.
Packaged goods sold to consumers	Packaging Act (VerpackG)	Register in the LUCID packaging register and join a packaging compliance scheme before selling.
Electrical and electronic equipment	ElektroG (WEEE)	Register with stiftung ear and mark products with the crossed-out bin symbol.
Batteries, including built-in batteries	Battery law	Register before placing batteries on the German market.
Clothing and textiles	EU Textile Regulation	Fibre composition labelled in German for products sold in Germany.

A general guide, not legal advice. Requirements depend on the exact product.

Cartons being stretch-wrapped on a pallet in a warehouse

Amazon.de and Pan-European FBA

Many sellers ship to Amazon.de first and use Pan-European FBA to place stock across the EU. Amazon may then store your goods in several countries, and you need a VAT registration wherever your stock is held. We clear your goods in Germany and deliver to Amazon.de fulfilment centres with booked appointments.

EU customs cleared in Germany
Labels and box contents checked in China
Rail for regular restocks, air for launches
Delivery appointment booked

Get an FBA Shipping Quote How FBA shipping works

From China to Germany, Step by Step

A typical rail shipment to a German warehouse.

1
Details and EORI
Send the product, volume and delivery address, and your EORI number if you have one.
2
Pickup and consolidation
We collect from your suppliers and prepare the container or LCL cargo.
3
Rail departure
Export customs in China and ICS2 data filed before the train leaves.
4
Arrival in Duisburg
EU customs clearance in Germany, with duty and import VAT handled.
5
Truck delivery
To your warehouse or customer in Germany, or onward to another EU country.
6
Amazon and retail
Appointments booked for Amazon.de and retail warehouses.

Cost Example: 8 CBM from China to Germany

8 CBM of general goods in 60 cartons, 1,200 kg in total. By air the chargeable weight is about 1,334 kg (8 CBM × 1,000,000 ÷ 6000), because volume weighs more than the goods.

Option	Main freight (November 2026)	Door to door
Rail LCL	about $1,360–1,760	25–35 days
Luftfracht	about $6,003–8,671	5–10 days
Sea FCL, 20ft to Hamburg	about $2,100–2,600	40–55 days

Main freight only. Pickup, customs, duties and delivery are added in your quote. Under about 13 CBM, LCL is usually the cheaper option; between about 13 and 28 CBM we compare LCL with a 20ft container, which is faster and has lower destination charges.

China to Germany Shipping: FAQ

How long does shipping from China to Germany take?

Door to door, sea freight usually takes about 40–55 days, rail freight 25–35 days, air freight 5–10 days and express 3–7 days. We confirm the schedule for your booking.

How much does shipping from China to Germany cost?

In November 2026, the ocean freight for a 40ft container from South China to Hamburg is about $3,600–4,100, and for a 20ft container about $2,100–2,600. Air freight is about $4.5–6.5 per kg for 100 kg or more. Rail costs about $4,600–6,600 for a 40ft container to Duisburg, and LCL is quoted per shipment. Rates change weekly, so we quote today’s price within 2 hours.

What is the cheapest way to ship from China to Germany?

It depends on the volume. For a few pallets, sea LCL is usually the cheapest. Above about 13–15 cubic metres, compare LCL with a full container, which is faster and handled less. Rail costs more than sea but far less than air, and saves two to three weeks. Air and express make sense only for urgent, light or high-value goods.

Is rail freight from China to Germany worth it?

Often, yes. Rail to Duisburg or Hamburg is usually 2–3 weeks faster than sea and costs far less than air, which makes it a good choice for restocking and time-sensitive orders that are too large for express.

If I clear customs in Germany, can I sell in other EU countries?

Yes. Once goods are cleared into free circulation in Germany, they can move to other EU countries without another customs clearance. VAT rules for selling in each country still apply.

How much import VAT do I pay in Germany?

The standard rate is 19% (7% for some goods), charged on the value of the goods plus freight and duty. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it.

Do I need to register under the German Packaging Act?

If you sell packaged goods to consumers in Germany, you generally need to register in the LUCID register and join a packaging scheme before selling, including when you sell through Amazon.de.

What is GPSR and does it affect my products?

The EU General Product Safety Regulation applies to consumer products sold in the EU. Among other things, products need an EU-based responsible person whose details appear on the product or packaging.

Versand von China nach Deutschland