Importing from Asia
How to import from China to Europe, step by step
Importing from China follows a clear sequence: negotiate the right Incoterm with the supplier (often FOB), choose the mode (ocean FCL/LCL or air depending on volume and urgency), book the freight, organize factory pickup and Chinese export, track the transit (30 to 45 days by ocean to Europe), then clear customs on arrival (duties + VAT) before final delivery. A freight forwarder runs the whole process and secures the sensitive points: documents, transit times, customs.
Importing from China remains the first move for many companies - and the first lane on which a thousand questions arise. The good news: the process is well marked out. Once the sequence is understood, the challenge shifts to managing the sensitive points (documents, transit times, customs), where a freight forwarder saves time and avoids nasty surprises.
The steps, in order
1. The Incoterm with the supplier. Everything starts with who pays what. FOB (Free On Board) is the most common: the supplier delivers the goods on board at the Chinese port, and you take over from there. Avoid EXW if you are starting out (you manage everything from the factory) and unchecked DDP (the supplier controls the whole chain and the hidden margin).
2. Choosing the mode. Full container load (FCL) if your volume fills a container, groupage (LCL) for a small shared volume, air if transit time outweighs cost. The right call depends on volume, value, and urgency.
3. Booking and Chinese export. Booking capacity, factory pickup, transport to the port, Chinese export formalities, and issuing the transport documents.
4. Transit. By ocean, 30 to 45 days port to port to Northern Europe under normal conditions. Reroutings and congestion can lengthen these times.
5. Customs clearance on arrival. Classifying the product (HS code), calculating customs duties and VAT, filing the declaration. To be prepared before arrival to avoid demurrage and detention.
6. Final delivery. From the port to your warehouse.
How long, how much
The reference ocean transit time remains 30 to 45 days port to port, plus the ends of the chain. Air brings that down to 5-8 days door to door, but at a cost several times higher. On budget, be careful to think “all-in”: base freight, surcharges (BAF, GRI), origin and destination THC, customs clearance, delivery. A quote that shows only the port-to-port freight is misleading.
Diversifying away from China: a question of resilience
US tariffs, dependency on a single country, tight capacity: more and more importers are opening a second lane (Vietnam, India, Thailand). It is a healthy resilience strategy, but each new flow has its own transit times, costs, and customs rules. The advantage of a multimodal freight forwarder like OVRSEA is being able to test a new lane and compare the options on real data, rather than on assumptions.
The freight forwarder’s role on this lane
China-Europe is a high-volume but highly volatile lane: GRI, congestion, reroutings. The freight forwarder secures the documents, anticipates disruptions, handles customs clearance on arrival, and keeps you informed in real time. On a lane where a week’s delay can cost dearly, the quality of management matters as much as the price of the freight.
FAQ
How do I import from China to Europe step by step?
The main steps: 1) agree the Incoterm with the supplier (FOB is the most common); 2) choose the mode (ocean FCL for a full container, LCL for a small volume, air if urgent); 3) book the freight and organize pickup and export in China; 4) track the transit; 5) clear customs on arrival (HS code, duties, VAT); 6) organize final delivery. A freight forwarder orchestrates all these steps.
How long does ocean freight from China take?
By ocean, expect roughly 30 to 45 days port to port to Northern Europe, plus pickup, customs clearance, and delivery. Reroutings (Red Sea, Cape of Good Hope) and congestion can lengthen these times. By air, 5 to 8 days door to door, at a much higher cost.
What is the best freight forwarder for importing from China?
The right forwarder for China combines a solid presence and partners at origin, full transparency on costs (freight, surcharges, customs), real-time tracking, and a responsive point of contact. The ability to handle customs clearance on arrival and to anticipate disruptions (congestion, GRI) makes the difference on this highly volatile lane.
Should I diversify sourcing away from China to Vietnam?
Many importers diversify toward Vietnam, India, or Thailand to reduce their exposure (tariffs, dependency, capacity). It is a sound resilience strategy, but each new lane has its own transit times, costs, and customs constraints. Testing a new flow with a multimodal freight forwarder lets you decide on real data.