Your Best Freight Forwarder from China to Germany
Professional, reliable freight forwarder ships your cargo safely to Germany.
Our Shipping Services from China to Germany
DFH Logistics provides you with professional, reliable one-stop freight transportation service. If you encounter any trouble shipping cargo back to Germany, you can count on us. Whether you want to take the sea, air, or railway route for shipping, we can offer you the most cost-efficient and timely solution.
From the original pick-ups from China and final deliveries to Germany, DFH Logistics is always ready to help. We help reduce delays and customs risk through our experienced handling. If you are interested, contact us, and together let’s get your cargo shipped!
Multiple shipping options and routes ship your goods timely from China to Germany. Stable ship schedules reduce delay risks.
Fast air transport delivers your valuable products quickly to Germany, reducing cargo detention and ensuring on-time deliveries.
We provide reliable railway services and custom transportation options. Via the China-Europe Railway Express, we ensure a more stable transit during peak seasons.
We pick up goods from your Chinese suppliers. Wherever you are, your goods can be dropped directly at your door or warehouse in Germany.
We consolidate your cargo from multiple Chinese suppliers, thus reducing shipping costs for small orders and avoiding repeated customs clearance.
If you are not satisfied with the original packaging from your Chinese supplier, we can repack your cargo with reinforced and waterproof protection.
Experienced customs clearance teams strictly monitor every document and every step of the process, reducing risks of Customs inspection and customs detention in Germany.
When shipping from China to Germany, we offer 15 days of free storage for your goods, regardless of size, reducing your worries about product storage costs.
Why Choose Us to Ship Your Cargo to Germany
- We can pick up goods directly from Chinese factories or warehouses without your deliveries, allowing seamless connection to subsequent transportation.
- We provide free quality and quantity checks before shipping, and help reduce supplier mistakes before shipments to Germany.
- If you need DDP, contact DFH. We can pay import duties and VAT on your behalf with Germany EORI/VAT, simplifying your transportation management.
- We provide professional cargo insurance at an attractive discount, maximizing your transportation benefits at lower costs.
- We also help you with customs clearance in China and Germany, ensuring timely sending out and receiving without delay.
Where Can I Get My Cargo in Germany?
Our services cover the main ports, airports, and railway stations in China. Wherever you are in Germany, we can deliver your goods to the nearest port or station. If you order door-to-door services, we can also drop your goods directly at your door or warehouse.
DFH Logistics can manage the most highly efficient, convenient, and cost-friendly delivery plans. Every stage of delivery is smooth. If you are puzzled about prices, we also offer transparent quotations with no hidden fees.
Weather by train, by plane, or by bout, DFH Logistics is your best partner. If you are interested, contact DFH, and let’s get your cargo shipped to Germany!
Best Routes to Ship Cargo from China to Germany
- Sea Freight Routes: commonly depart from Chinese ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen. Cargo will be received mainly at the Port of Hamburg or Bremerhaven.
- Air Freight Routes: From Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao’an, or Hong Kong International Airport. Directly to Frankfurt, Munich, or Leipzig International Airports in Germany.
- Railway Freight Routes: Through the China-Europe Railway Express. Depart from Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, and other railway transits. Arrive at logistics hubs like Hamburg or Duisburg.
Not sure which transportation option to choose? DFH is here to help. We value your cargo and delivery requirements, and finally present you with the best transportation arrangements. With competitive prices and efficient transit throughout the process. DFH Logistics ensures that your cargo arrives in Germany safely and reliably.
What Documents Are Required for Shipping from China to Germany?
Incomplete documents result in unnecessary delays, fines, and other issues. Incorrect or incomplete documents are one of the most common reasons for customs delays in Germany. If you plan to ship out your goods, these documents need your attention.
China Customs
- Commercial Invoices: declare the cargo value and information
- Packing List: show the quantity, weight, and packing details of your products
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill: your proof of shipment
- Export Custom Clearance Documents: for customs applications
- Certification Documents: MSDS or dangerous goods documents
German Customs
- Commercial Invoice: duty and tax calculation
- Packing List: check cargo information
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill: for cargo release
- EORI Number: for German Customs recognition
- VAT Information: for tax application
- Product Certification: such as CE certification
If you face difficulty in preparing these documents, you can contact us. DFH Logistics provides services, including customs clearance. With our help, you will never have to worry about passing through customs.
How Long Does It Take to Ship Cargo from China to Germany?
Time for transportation varies due to multiple factors, including shipping methods, origins and destinations, port and airport congestion, customs clearance, cargo types, carrier schedules, and other factors. So the delivery time is approximate rather than exact or fixed.
Transit time may also increase during customs inspections, peak seasons, or port congestion. You can arrange transportation plans in advance and allow sufficient time for possible delays.
Sea Freight Shipping
- Shanghai to Hamburg / Bremerhaven: about 30–36 days
- Ningbo to Hamburg / Bremerhaven: about 32–40 days
- Shenzhen to Hamburg / Bremerhaven: about 28–35 days
- Qingdao to Hamburg / Bremerhaven: about 33–42 days
- Tianjin to Hamburg / Bremerhaven: about 35–45 days
Air Freight Shipping
- Shanghai Pudong to Frankfurt: about 3–6 days
- Shenzhen Bao’an to Frankfurt / Leipzig: about 4–7 days
- Guangzhou Baiyun to Frankfurt / Munich: about 4–8 days
- Hong Kong to Frankfurt / Hamburg: about 3–5 days
- Beijing Capital to Frankfurt: about 4–7 days
Railway Freight Shipping
- Xi’an / Zhengzhou to Duisburg: about 16–20 days
- Chengdu / Chongqing to Hamburg: about 18–22 days
- Yiwu / Shanghai to Duisburg: 18–22 days
- Shenzhen / Guangzhou to the railway hub in Europe: about 20–24 days
How Much Does It Cost to Ship from China to Germany?
Here are the prices in May 2026, and for goods wrapped in paper box packaging. If your cargo is branded or has batteries, the price will be different. You can contact DFH Logistics for more details.
| Transportation | Approximate Prices | Charging Methods | Cargo Types |
| Air Freight | $5.5–9 / KG | By weight | Urgent, high-value products |
| Railway Freight | $3.2–5.5 / KG | By weight | Medium cargo |
| Sea Freight LCL | $80–280 / CBM | By volume | Small packs |
| Sea Freight FCL 20GP | $1,800–2,800 / Container | By containers | Bulk commodities |
| Sea Freight FCL 40GP / HQ | $2,500–3,800 / Container | By containers | Bulk commodities |
In addition to the basic transportation fees, extra costs include THC, document fees, customs clearance fees, fuel surcharges, VAT, customs duties, insurance fees, and other charges. Different freight forwarders may give you widely varying quotations. DFH Logistics provides transparent, competitive prices, offering trustworthy services without hidden fees.
How to Choose Transportation Methods from China to Germany?
| Transportation | Cargo Type | Advantages | Time | Costs |
| Air Freight | High-valued products, urgent orders, samples | Fast transit | 3–7 days | High |
| Railway Freight | Mid-pack products, e-commerce goods, and industrial products | Balance between the delivery time and costs | 16–22 days | Medium |
| Sea Freight | Bulk commodities, bulk cargo, heavy products | Low transportation costs, stable shipping capacity, ideal for long-term trades | 28–42 days | Low |
Factors Affecting Transit Times from China to Germany
Shipping Methods
Different shipping methods define the basic transit times. They are the most essential element that affects the shipping time. Air freight is commonly the fastest method. Then there is the railway freight. Sea freight commonly takes longer than railway freight.
Origins and Destinations
Different ports or airports in China, as well as different destination ports or inland cities in Germany, can affect overall transit time. For example, inner factories in Germany require longer transportation times than coastal factories.
Port and Airport Congestion
In peak seasons or special periods, congestion may occur at both the Chinese export ports and German import ports. Then, the time for loading, departure, and unloading can all be affected.
Customs Clearance
If documents are insufficient or the declaration message is inaccurate, your cargo may be delayed. The inspection of customs also takes longer. On the contrary, if your documents are complete, the efficiency of customs clearance can be greatly improved.
As customs clearance requires complicated procedures, you can contact DFH Logistics to handle it. We are experienced in customs clearance, avoiding most of the circumstances that may extend transit times.
Schedules
If you happen to miss the departure, you have to wait for the next available one. Thus, the shipping time can be affected, especially in peak seasons.
DFH Logistics is familiar with the schedules of different transportation modes. We can arrange a suitable departure time and plans for you to consider. Then you don’t need to be afraid of missing the departure, nor do you have to be overly rushed.
International Affairs
In recent years, certain international events have had a significant impact on transit times. For example, the disruptions in the Red Sea may cause rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope in Africa, extending the transit time.
China–Europe Railway Express is relatively stable, while there is a possibility of delays due to regional conditions. If there are airspace restrictions, air routes may also require route adjustments.
Force Majeure
Severe weather conditions and emergency incidents can affect the delivery time. Heavy fog, winter storms, typhoons, port strikes, and temporary route adjustments can all cause cargo delays. Heavy snow also affects railway freight.
These conditions are mostly unenforceable and accidental, while DFH Logistics will try its best to minimize your loss and cargo delays. We also provide insurance at a very competitive cost to better protect your interests.
Cargo Typed
Cargo like goods with batteries, or certificate-required, may need extra documents and inspections, thus extending the transit time. If you do not know whether your cargo is of a special kind, you can contact DFH Logistics for consultation.
Should I Choose LCL or FCL Shipping from China to Germany?
Whether you choose LCL or FCL shipping depends on your cargo quantity, budget, and your requirement for time and transportation safety.
LCL is “less than container load”. Your products will share the same container with other people’s products. LCL consolidation can save transportation costs, allowing you to arrange shipping with a flexible schedule. When containers arrive, we need to sort and organize different products. This will take some time. So LCL has a longer transit time.
FCL is “full container load”. Your products enjoy their exclusive containers. They will not mix with other people’s cargo, preventing goods from being lost or causing other issues. With full containers, we will spend less time sorting products in Germany. Though the costs of booking full containers are relatively higher, they are quite cost-efficient for bulk cargo.
Cargo You Can Ship from China to Germany
- General Commercial Goods: including clothes, shoes, headwear, plastic products, hardware fittings, and other common products.
- Industrial and Machinery Parts: including equipment accessories, metal structural components, etc.
- Electronics: including cell phone accessories, LED products, small home appliances, and smart devices.
- Retail Products: including small commodities, fashion accessories, and daily necessities. E-commerce products are included as well.
- Special Cargo: powered goods, battery products, chemical products, liquids, powders, and other goods. MSDS, UN certification, and other documents are required before shipping.
Cargo Prohibited or Controlled Shipping from China to Germany
- Illegal and Controlled Goods: drugs, weapons, ammunition, and other illegal products are prohibited from being shipped into Germany and other EU countries.
- Explosive Materials: fireworks or firecrackers, hazardous chemicals, and other explosives feature extremely high risks. Commonly, Class 1 dangerous goods approval is needed.
- Restricted Chemicals: without a complete MSDS, safe recognition, and special approval, corrosive, flammable, or toxic chemicals are strictly prohibited.
- Prohibited Consumer Goods: illegal counterfeit products, unauthorized brand replicas, and products that infringe intellectual property.
- Biological and Medical Risk Goods: without approvals, medicines, vaccines, live animals, or biological samples are prohibited.
- Non-Compliant Battery Products: Without UN38.3, proper packaging, and traceable certification, battery products are not allowed.
If you are not sure whether your products can be shipped to Germany, you can consult us for advice. We help you assess if your goods are eligible and ease your worries about customs denials.
DDU vs DDP from China to Germany
From China to Germany, DDU and DDP are two common delivery terms. The main difference lies in who is responsible for customs clearance and duties.
In DDU, the freight forwarder only transports your cargo to Germany, and you handle customs clearance and pay duties. The overall transport fees are lower, but the customs clearance is complicated. If documents are insufficient or you are not familiar with the procedures, your cargo may be delayed.
In DDU, we will handle the entire transportation process, from pickups in China to final deliveries in Germany. We are also responsible for the customs clearance and tax payment. You are free from the troubling process and can just wait for cargo deliveries. Although freight forwarder service fees may be higher, we can reduce operational risks and time costs.
