Shipping from China to the Netherlands

Sea Freight Service

Most cost-effective method, ideal for bulk shipments and large volumes.
Transit time: usually 30–45 days (depending on route and port conditions).
Options:
FCL (Full Container Load): exclusive use of a container.
LCL (Less than Container Load): share space, pay only for the volume you need.
Major Chinese Ports: Ningbo, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Dalian.
Major Dutch Ports:
Rotterdam: largest port in Europe and global trade hub.
Amsterdam: important port for global trade and finance.
Zeeland: smaller port, used for fishing, tourism, and cruise ships.

Air Freight Service

Fastest option, suitable for urgent, time-sensitive, high-value, or perishable goods.
Service types: Standard air freight (3–7 working days) or Express (faster but more expensive).
Door-to-door delivery: usually within 10 days.
Best for shipments under 500 KG – beyond that, costs rise significantly.
Key Airports in the Netherlands: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Schiphol, Eindhoven, and Düsseldorf.
Main airlines on this route: KLM, Air China, China Airlines, Lufthansa.

Rail Freight Service

Balanced solution – faster than sea, cheaper than air.
Transit time: typically 15–20 days from China to the Netherlands.
Routes: Departures from Yiwu, Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, and Shanghai, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, and Europe.
Arrival hubs in the Netherlands: mainly Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
Container options: currently focused on 40-foot containers; LCL services also available.
Suitable for: consumer goods, raw materials, and industrial products (excluding hazardous cargo).