Shipping from China to Bulgaria

Sea Freight Service

Sea freight is a cost-effective option for large or heavy shipments. Cargo from China is shipped to Bulgaria's Black Sea ports or via major European seaports and then delivered inland.
Main Chinese ports of origin: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Xiamen.
Bulgarian seaports:
Port of Varna – Bulgaria's largest Black Sea port, handling containers, bulk cargo, and general goods.
Port of Burgas – deep-water port, important for oil, chemicals, and containerized goods.
Alternative European gateway ports:
Piraeus (Greece) – connected by road and rail to Bulgaria.
Constanta (Romania) – close to the Bulgarian border, with efficient trucking routes.
Transit time:
Direct China – Varna/Burgas (via transshipment in Mediterranean hubs): 30–38 days.
China – Constanta/Piraeus: 28–35 days, plus 1–3 days inland to Bulgaria.

Air Freight Service

Air freight is the fastest method for urgent or high-value shipments.
Main Chinese airports of origin: Shanghai Pudong (PVG), Beijing (PEK), Shenzhen (SZX), Guangzhou (CAN), Hong Kong (HKG).
Bulgarian airports of entry:
Sofia Airport (SOF) – the largest airport in Bulgaria, main cargo hub.
Varna Airport (VAR) – handles cargo linked to Black Sea trade.
Burgas Airport (BOJ) – seasonal and specialized cargo.
Nearby European cargo hubs used for Bulgarian shipments: Istanbul (IST, Turkey), Bucharest Henri Coandă (OTP, Romania), and Athens (ATH, Greece).
Transit time: 5–8 days (airport-to-airport) + 1–2 days for customs and inland delivery.

Rail Freight Service

Rail freight offers a middle-ground solution between sea and air freight in terms of cost and speed. Cargo is shipped via the China–Europe Railway Express to Central Europe, then extended by rail or truck to Bulgaria.
Main Chinese rail departure cities: Xi'an, Chongqing, Yiwu, Zhengzhou.
European hubs for transfer: Warsaw (Poland), Duisburg (Germany), Budapest (Hungary).
Bulgaria inland connection: Sofia and Plovdiv freight terminals.
Transit time: 20–25 days (China– Europe rail hub) + 2–4 days onward to Bulgaria.
Options: FCL (full container load) and LCL (less than container load).