Shipping From China to Germany

Time: Dec 13,2023 Author: SFC Source: www.sendfromchina.com

Shipping from China to Germany has become a cornerstone of global trade, linking two of the world’s largest economies. In this dynamic landscape, businesses and individuals alike are constantly seeking efficient, cost-effective ways to navigate this crucial trade route.

Our comprehensive guide delves into the essentials of shipping from China to Germany, covering everything from choosing the right shipping method to understanding customs regulations and ecommerce environment.

Whether you're a seasoned importer or a newcomer to international e-commerce trade, this article offers valuable insights to streamline your shipping process and ensure your goods arrive smoothly and efficiently. Join us as we explore the intricacies of this vital shipping corridor.

1. Basic Introduction to Germany

The Federal Republic of Germany, called "Germany", was finally reunited on 3 October 1990. Berlin, the capital of Germany, is in time zone 1 East, 7 hours behind Beijing time.

As the second most populous country in Europe, the country has a population of 84 million, accounting for 1/3 of the resident population of Guangdong Province; There are 134,000 overseas Chinese living in Germany, mainly in big cities such as Berlin, Hamburg and Frankfurt.

Germany is located in the center of Europe, the geographical position is critical, and the border with nine countries. It covers an area of 357,000 square kilometers, about 1.9 times the area of Guangdong Province.

1.1 The Biggest Airport in Germany

Frankfurt Airport is the largest airport in Germany, the third largest in Europe and the ninth largest in the world.

The cargo throughput in 2022 will be 200.9 million tons, a 13.3% decrease from 2021, and half of the cargo throughput of Hong Kong Airport in China.

In 2022, the annual cargo throughput of Hong Kong Airport will be 4.2 million tons, ranking first in the world.

Cargo throughput between airports in China declined by 6.9% in 2022 but remains higher than in 2019.

1.2 The Main Sea Port in Germany

Known as 'Tor zur Welt' or 'Gateway to the World', Hamburg holds the title of Germany’s largest seaport and ranks as the third busiest container port in Europe. It is strategically situated on the River Elbe, just 110 kilometers from the North Sea in northern Germany.

The Bremische Häfen, translating to the 'Ports of Bremen', encompasses several ports along the Weser River in Bremen/Bremerhaven. This vital maritime center is recognized as Europe’s fourth-busiest container port and the second-largest seaport in Germany.

2. E-commerce Environment in Germany

The German e-commerce Association has published e-commerce sales over the years, and it can be seen that the size of the German e-commerce market has been growing steadily every year, reaching 97.4 billion euros in 2022, and predicted that it will increase by 14.9% in 2023, according to Statista. 


From 2020 to 2022, in terms of the proportion of countries in the distribution of the number of parcels sent by China, Germany ranked third after the United States and Japan and combined with the above German e-commerce environment, the overall number is still on the rise.

3. Main Shipping Methods of Shipping from China to Germany

3.1 Ocean Shipping

Ocean shipping is a predominant method for e-commerce shipments from China to Germany primarily due to its cost-effectiveness and high capacity.

Compared to air freight, sea transport is significantly more affordable, especially for large volumes of goods, making it ideal for e-commerce businesses that often deal with bulk shipments.

The vast capacity of cargo ships allows for the transportation of large quantities of diverse products, crucial for the varied nature of e-commerce inventories.

Ocean freight is also environmentally more sustainable than air transport, a growing concern among consumers and businesses alike.

The geographical locations of China and Germany, both having major ports well-equipped for handling large cargo volumes, further support the efficiency and feasibility of ocean shipping in this trade route.

Despite slower transit times, the economic and logistical advantages of ocean shipping make it a preferred choice for the e-commerce sector in the China-Germany corridor.

3.2 Air Shipping

Air shipping is also a key method for e-commerce shipments from China to Germany mainly due to its speed and reliability, which are crucial for time-sensitive deliveries.

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, where customers expect quick turnarounds, air freight offers significantly shorter transit times compared to ocean shipping.

This speed enables businesses to maintain lower inventory levels and respond rapidly to market changes and consumer demands.

Additionally, air shipping provides a higher level of security and reduced risk of damage or theft, important for valuable or fragile items often sold through e-commerce platforms.

The ability to quickly restock and meet customer expectations for prompt delivery makes air freight a favored choice in the competitive e-commerce landscape, despite its higher cost compared to ocean shipping.

This balance of speed, reliability, and security makes air shipping an integral part of the logistics strategy for e-commerce businesses operating between China and Germany.

4. Tariff and Tax Policy for Shipping from China to Germany

The European Union implemented a major e-commerce tax reform policy on July 1, 2021, which has important implications for cross-border e-commerce. The main changes include:

5. Customs Policy for Shipping from China to Germany

5.1 Custom Declaration Policy for Shipping from China to Germany

5.2 Custom Clearance Policy for Shipping from China to Germany

6. Major Local Postal Service Providers in Germany

7. What Are Forbidden for Shipping from China to Germany

Declaration/Inspection Instructions

• EU countries pay special attention to the protection of local flora and fauna, so the automatic spot check for flora and fauna-related keywords is high below is a list of relevant categories

• Strictly investigate the B2B to B2C illegal mode declaration, electronic cigarettes, imitation brands and other issues

• Involving Patents and Copyrights

Aviation Main Contraband Categories

1. Firearms and police equipment
2. Ammunition and explosives
3. the control of knives and knives other than sharp or blunt weapons
4. Flammable and explosive items
5. Toxic products
6. Various inorganic and organic oxidants and peroxides
7. Corrosive items
8. Radioactive material
9. Items that can easily transmit the virus
10. without degaussing protective packaging of magnets, magnetic steel and other products containing strong magnetic
11. Other dangerous goods that endanger flight safety.

8. Get Start with SFC Services

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