Transport to China

SEA, AIR & RAIL FREIGHT BETWEEN THE BENELUX AND CHINA

Transport to and from China

China is the manufacturing heart of the world — and for companies in the Netherlands and the wider Benelux, a well-organised China supply chain is a direct competitive advantage. Benelux Trade Link is your specialist for transport to and from China: sea freight, air freight, rail freight and complete customs handling, managed by one dedicated team.

From electronics and machinery to textiles and e-commerce stock: we move it between any Chinese factory and any Benelux address, with honest advice on the fastest, greenest or most economical routing for every shipment.

Planning a shipment to or from China? Request a free quote or contact us — we respond within one business day.

Three ways to ship between the Benelux and China

Every China shipment is a trade-off between speed, cost and sustainability. As an independent forwarder we quote all three modes side by side:

Mode	Transit time	Best for
Sea freight	30–40 days	Full containers, large volumes, lowest cost per m³
Rail freight (New Silk Road)	18–25 days	Middle ground: faster than sea, cheaper than air
Air freight	1–3 days	Urgent, high-value or perishable cargo

Sea freight runs from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao and other major ports to the Port of Rotterdam, with multiple sailings per week in FCL and LCL. Rail freight connects Chinese terminals such as Chengdu, Chongqing, Xi'an and Zhengzhou with Rotterdam and Tilburg via the China–Europe Railway Express. Air freight flies daily from Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong to Amsterdam Schiphol.

Importing from China: we handle the complexity

Import from China involves more than transport alone: EU import duties and VAT, CE marking and product compliance, HS classification and — on the Chinese side — export supervision by China Customs (GACC). Our customs clearance team manages the entire paper trail on both ends, and advises on incoterms (FOB, EXW, CIF) so you always know exactly where your responsibility begins and what the total landed cost will be.

Exporting to China

European food products, machinery, high-tech components and branded goods find a growing market in China. We arrange export documentation, certificates and the physical transport — by sea, rail or air — including delivery to your customer or distributor in China through our local partner network.

Complete logistics, one contact

Beyond transport, we support your China trade with warehousing and fulfilment near Rotterdam, road transport across the Benelux and Europe, and cargo insurance. One dedicated contact coordinates everything — read about our approach or browse our logistics news.

Start shipping smarter between China and the Benelux. Request a quote today.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to ship from China to the Netherlands?

Sea freight is the most economical option for most cargo — especially FCL for full containers, or LCL if you ship smaller volumes. Rail is a good middle option when sea is too slow.

How fast can urgent cargo get here from China?

By air freight, cargo from Shanghai or Shenzhen reaches Amsterdam Schiphol in 1–3 days, plus customs clearance and final delivery. Request an air freight quote.

Do you arrange pickup at factories in China?

Yes. Through our Chinese partner network we collect at any factory, handle export formalities and get your cargo to the right port, rail terminal or airport.