FRAShipping from China to Germany
Before you pay any shipper to Germany, know three things: how long each way takes, where your goods land, and who pays the duty. Here they are. We ship from Shenzhen by express, special line, post, air and sea.
- Fastest
- Express, 2 to 5 working days
- Main airport
- Frankfurt (FRA)
- Main seaport
- Hamburg
- Customs
- German Customs (Zoll)
Five ways to ship
Ways to ship from China to Germany
Express
- Best for
- Samples and urgent parcels
- Route
- Door to door, 0.5 to 500 kg
Special line
- Best for
- Parcels that can wait a week, and sensitive goods
- Route
- We run a line to Europe. Ask us if it serves your postcode in Germany
Postal packet
- Best for
- Parcels under 2 kg
- Route
- The receiver pays any duty
Air freight
- Best for
- Bulk cargo from 21 kg
- Route
- Airport to door, through Frankfurt (FRA)
Sea freight
- Best for
- Large or heavy cargo, from 1 cubic metre
- Route
- Through Hamburg or Bremerhaven
Times are our published ranges, checked October 2026. Customs can add days.
How to choose
Which way fits your goods?
- You need it fast. Choose express: 2 to 5 working days, door to door.
- It is a light parcel and cost matters most. Choose a postal packet. It is the cheapest, and it takes longer.
- You ship 21 kg or more. Choose air freight: 5 to 10 days from airport to door.
- It is large, heavy and not urgent. Choose sea freight. It costs the least per kilogram.
- You are not sure. Send us the goods, the weight and your postcode in Germany. We quote what fits.
Arrival
Where your goods arrive
- Air cargo
- Frankfurt (FRA), Leipzig/Halle (LEJ), Munich (MUC) and Cologne Bonn (CGN)
- Sea cargo
- Hamburg and Bremerhaven
- Final delivery
- DHL Mail
Customs
Customs in Germany
German Customs (Zoll) clears imports into Germany. Imports pay customs duty and import VAT (Einfuhrumsatzsteuer). The rates depend on the product.
- A business that imports into the European Union needs an EORI number. Goods clear customs once at the EU border, then move inside the EU with no more customs checks.
Last mile
Delivery partners in Germany
On special line and postal routes to Germany, these carriers make the final delivery.
DHL Mail
DHL Mail is the postal service that used the Deutsche Post name.
Read before you ship to Germany
A €10 parcel now carries €9 in EU charges
The EU adds a €2 fee on 1 November. See the sums, and your options.
Read itBefore you pay
4 questions to ask any shipper to Germany
- What is the full price to my door? Get it in writing, with every fee.
- Who clears customs at German Customs (Zoll)? Ask for the name, and the fee.
- Who pays the duty and tax? With DDP the shipper does. Without it, you do, on arrival.
- When does the clock start? Ask if "5 days" counts from payment or from the day the goods leave China.
We answer all four in writing when you ask for a quote. A quote is free, and we reply within 24 hours.
Express
Express couriers to Germany
Warehouse
Bulk orders and combined orders
Bulk orders
One large order from one factory, shipped by air or sea.
Consolidation
Goods from several suppliers, sent as one shipment.
Storage
Hold stock in Shenzhen and ship it in batches.
Selling online in Germany?
Our sister company preps stock and ships it to Amazon warehouses in Germany. Amazon FBA prep at China Fulfillment
Questions
What is the cheapest way to ship from China to Germany?
For a parcel under 2 kg, a postal packet costs the least. For large or heavy cargo, sea freight costs the least per kilogram.
What is the fastest way to ship from China to Germany?
Express. Most parcels arrive in 2 to 5 working days. For bulk cargo over 21 kg, air freight takes 5 to 10 days.
How long does sea freight from China to Germany take?
Sailing time from Shenzhen is 25 to 30 days to Europe's main ports. Customs and inland delivery add days at each end.
Who pays the import duty in Germany?
With DDP, we pay it and you pay one price to the door. Without DDP, the importer pays German Customs (Zoll) when the goods arrive.
Can you combine goods from several suppliers before shipping to Germany?
Yes. Your suppliers deliver to our Shenzhen warehouse. We count and check each delivery, then send everything to Germany as one shipment.
Can you ship a bulk order to Germany?
Yes. Your factory delivers to our warehouse. We check the cartons, build pallets if you need them, and ship by air freight from 21 kg or by sea freight from 1 cubic metre.
How do I get a price for shipping from China to Germany?
Send the weight, the box sizes and the delivery postcode on the quote form. We reply with a price for each method that fits.
Is my cargo to Germany insured?
Cover is not included automatically. We offer cargo cover for an extra fee. Ask before you ship, and tell us the value of the goods.
Quote
Get a price to Germany
Tell us what you ship and where it goes. We reply with a price.