Shipping times and costs from India to China
1 Bedroom flat
Shipping costs by air £4,295 - £4,745
Shipping costs by sea £2,255 - £2,491
3 Bedroom house
Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £3,469 - £3,833
5 Bedroom house
Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £5,204 - £5,749
Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.
Shipping Container Costs to China
If you’re a people person, you’ll love China. Nicknamed “The Red Dragon”, the East Asian nation is the most populous country on Earth, home to over 1.4 billion people. It’s also the third biggest country in the world, with landscapes ranging from the Gobi Desert and the Himalayan Mountains to the subtropical forests of the South. China’s major cities – such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou – are situated along its enormous east coast, while inland you’ll find incredible natural beauty. Expect a magical combination of ancient history, sensational cuisine, and cuddly pandas.Sea freight or air freight?
If you’re moving to China, you’ll probably have some belongings you’d like to ship over there. The two main options are air freight or sea freight.Air freight offers a quick service; cargo planes can reach China from almost anywhere in the world in just 2-3 days. This is handy if you need to make a last-minute move, but air freight is also very expensive, so it isn’t ideal if you’re moving on a budget.
Sea freight is much more affordable, typically costing around five times less than air freight. Container ships are slow and can take several weeks to reach their destination, but plan your move well in advance and this won’t be a problem.
If you choose sea freight, you will use either a 20ft container or a 40ft container. However, you don’t need to fill the whole container; if the total volume of your cargo is around 15 cubic metres or less, you will share the use of a container with other people in a process known as Less Than Container Load (LCL).
Most of our shipping suppliers provide a full door-to-door service, which means they’ll take your belongings all the way from your old house to your new one.
Major shipping ports
China has a vast coastline and a lot of container ports. The ten largest container terminals in the world features no less than seven Chinese ports, with the Port of Shanghai at number one (Statista, 2017). If you’re moving to Beijing, your container will be shipped to the Port of Tianjin, while the Port of Shenzhen is the main entry point in the south of China. Once your container has reached Chinese soil, it will pass through customs, and travel by truck and/or train to your new home.Clearing customs in China
Papers please! The customs process can seem a bit daunting, but our experienced shipping companies will guide you through it. You are required to create an inventory (i.e. a detailed list) of everything that you’re bringing into China, which is helpful to know before you start packing. All shipments are X-ray scanned, and about 20-30% of them are physically inspected, so make sure your inventory is accurate and truthful.Unless you’re a diplomat, most of your personal belongings and household goods will be subject to import duties. The rates generally range between 10-30% of the value of each item (assessed by a customs official), and shipments typically take around 10-15 working days to clear. See below for an idea of the things that are prohibited or restricted by Chinese customs.
Shipping Container Options
20Ft Shipping Container
Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)
Price: £3,469 - £3,833
Get a quote for a 20ft container Get Shipping Container Quotes40Ft Shipping Container
Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)
Price: £6,591 - £7,282
Get a quote for a 40ft container Get Shipping Container QuotesCar shipped by sea freight
Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)
Base Price: £1,074 - £1,186
Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500
Price: £5,569 - £9,083
Get a quote for a car Get Shipping Container Quotes
