Shipping from China to the Netherlands

Sea freight to Rotterdam, rail to Dutch and German terminals and air to Amsterdam, with Dutch customs clearance and onward delivery across Europe.

Rotterdam: Europe’s largest port
Import VAT deferred with an Article 23 licence
Clear in the Netherlands, deliver across the EU

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Why So Much Chinese Cargo Enters Europe via Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe, with direct sailings from South China every week and dense road, rail and barge links into Germany, Belgium, France and beyond. Many importers clear their goods here even when the final buyers are in other EU countries.

The Dutch VAT system helps. With an Article 23 licence, import VAT is not paid at the border but declared in the VAT return. Non-EU companies can use a fiscal representative to do the same. As your shipping agent from China to the Netherlands, JIEYI ships to Rotterdam, arranges clearance and delivers within the Netherlands or onward to other countries.

Plan My Shipment to the Netherlands

Containers being handled at a busy container terminal

Shipping Time from China to the Netherlands: Sea, Rail or Air

Door-to-door times to a Dutch 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 to one warehouse	40–50 days	$$$$	Sea freight
Sea freight LCL	Pallets for Dutch and Benelux buyers	45–55 days	$$$$	Shared containers
Rail freight	Regular restocking, via Duisburg or Tilburg	25–35 days	$$$$	Rail freight
Luftfracht	Urgent goods into Amsterdam Schiphol	5–9 days	$$$$	Luftfracht
Express courier	Samples and small parcels	3–6 days	$$$$	Express

Sea times depend on whether vessels sail through the Suez Canal or around Africa. We check the current routing when we quote.

Shipping Cost from China to the Netherlands (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 Rotterdam	about $2,100–2,600	40–50 days
Sea FCL, 40ft to Rotterdam	about $3,600–4,100	40–50 days
Sea LCL	quoted per shipment	45–55 days
Rail freight	quoted per shipment	25–35 days
Air freight (100 kg+)	about $4.5–7 per kg	5–9 days

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

Sea, Rail or Air? Find Your Starting Point

Pick the weight and the deadline and see where to start for the Netherlands.

Dutch Customs and the Article 23 Licence

The VAT setup decides how much cash you tie up at the border.

Import VAT (BTW)

The standard rate is 21%, with 9% for some goods. Without a licence it is paid when the goods are cleared.

Article 23 licence

Lets a VAT-registered business declare import VAT in its VAT return instead of paying it at the border, so it costs no cash.

Fiscal representative

Non-EU companies can appoint a Dutch fiscal representative, who can hold the Article 23 licence and handle Dutch VAT filings for them.

Onward to other EU countries

Goods cleared in the Netherlands can go to buyers elsewhere in the EU, with VAT handled in the destination country.

Not sure which setup you need?

Tell us who the buyers are and where. We suggest a clearance setup and quote door to door.

Ask about clearance

Rotterdam as Your Distribution Hub

A common flow for importers selling across Europe.

1
Consolidate in China
Goods from several suppliers loaded into one container.
2
Sail to Rotterdam
Direct sailings from South China, with ICS2 data filed before departure.
3
Clear in the Netherlands
Customs clearance, with import VAT under Article 23 where possible.
4
Store or cross-dock
Goods unloaded into a warehouse or split straight into pallets.
5
Deliver across Europe
By truck to customers in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and beyond.
6
Track and confirm
Delivery confirmation for every address.

Cartons being stretch-wrapped on a pallet in a warehouse

Amazon.nl and Benelux Sellers

Amazon.nl serves the Netherlands and Belgium, and orders are often fulfilled from Amazon’s German fulfilment centres. We clear your goods in the Netherlands or Germany, whichever fits your stock plan, and deliver to the fulfilment centres Amazon assigns.

Clearance country matched to your VAT setup
Labels checked in China
Rail or sea for restocks
Delivery appointments booked

Get an FBA Shipping Quote How FBA shipping works

China to Netherlands Shipping: FAQ

How long does shipping from China to the Netherlands take?

Door to door, sea freight to Rotterdam usually takes about 40–50 days, rail 25–35 days, air freight 5–9 days and express 3–6 days.

How much does shipping from China to the Netherlands cost?

In November 2026, the ocean freight from South China to Rotterdam is about $3,600–4,100 for a 40ft container and about $2,100–2,600 for a 20ft container. Air freight is about $4.5–7 per kg for 100 kg or more. Rates change weekly, so we quote today’s price within 2 hours.

What is an Article 23 licence?

A Dutch licence that lets a VAT-registered importer declare import VAT in its VAT return instead of paying it at the border.

Can a company outside the EU import into the Netherlands?

Yes. Non-EU companies usually appoint a Dutch fiscal representative, who handles VAT and can use the Article 23 licence for them.

Can I clear goods in Rotterdam and sell them in Germany or France?

Yes. Once cleared in the Netherlands, goods can move to other EU countries without another customs clearance. VAT rules for each sale still apply.

Is Rotterdam cheaper than Hamburg?

It depends on the final address and the sailing schedule. Rotterdam usually has the most sailings from China, and we compare both when the destination is in between.

Related Services for the Netherlands

Shipping to the Netherlands?

Send the product, volume and delivery addresses. We reply with sea, rail and air prices and the clearance setup that fits.

Get a Netherlands Quote WhatsApp +86 152 1895 5440