As trade relations between China and Thailand become increasingly close, more and more companies are beginning to pay attention to the logistics costs of shipping goods from China to Thailand. As one of the most common and stable modes of transportation in international logistics, container transportation will be introduced in detail in this article.
Shipping Container from China to Thailand
Container transportation between China and Thailand is one of the busiest shipping routes in Southeast Asia. As an important part of the “Belt and Road” initiative, the shipping route is mature, stable, and the sea distance is moderate. Mainly import furniture, home appliances, building materials, machinery and equipment, daily necessities and other commodities from China. Major ports:
- Bangkok Port: a major seaport and import and export hub, handling a variety of goods.
- Laem Chabang Port: Thailand’s largest and most important port, with a superior geographical location, suitable for large-scale freight, and providing advanced facilities and services.
- Songkhla Port: The port serves the southern region of Thailand and helps connect trade routes with Malaysia and other neighboring countries.
Factors Affecting Container Shipping Cost
- Departure and arrival ports are different: inland cities such as Chengdu and Xi’an require transit, and the cost is floating.
- Mode of transport: There is a big difference between the cost of express ship and ordinary ship.
- Routes and schedules: Freight rates rise significantly during peak seasons (such as Spring Festival and before Double Eleven).
- Nature and weight of goods: Overweight or dangerous goods require additional fees.
- Whether it is DDP service: If customs clearance and tax are included (DDP), the fee will be calculated separately.
- Changes in fuel prices: Directly affects the fuel surcharge.
- Whether customs declaration and customs clearance services are borne by the freight forwarder: If you choose a full door-to-door service, the cost will be higher.
Shipping 20ft Container Cost from China to Thailand
A 20-foot container is suitable for smaller goods. It is 20 feet long, 8 feet wide, 8.5 feet high, with a volume of about 33 cubic meters and a maximum load of about 22 tons. It is usually used to transport goods with smaller volume and weight. The following is the cost composition:
| Item | Cost Range (USD) | Description |
| Sea freight | $350 – $700 | Depends on the shipping company and route |
| Trailer fee | $100 – $250 | Inland transportation from factory to port |
| Export customs declaration fee | $50 – $100 | Export customs clearance service |
| Port miscellaneous fees | $150 – $250 | Loading and unloading, terminal, documents, bill of lading and other related fees |
| Total cost estimate | $850 – $1,300 | Comprehensive estimate, depending on the goods and timeliness |
Shipping 40ft Container Cost from China to Thailand
For companies with large cargo volumes or light cargo, 40ft containers are more economical and have lower unit transportation costs. The volume is about twice that of a 20ft container (about 68 cubic meters). The following is the composition of transportation costs:
| Item | Cost Range (USD) | Description |
| Sea freight | $600 – $900 | Varies with shipping companies and market fluctuations |
| Trailer fee | $150 – $300 | Due to the large size of the container, the fee is slightly higher |
| Export customs declaration fee | $50 – $100 | Handled by the customs broker |
| Port miscellaneous fees | $200 – $300 | Including terminal operation, documents, bill of lading, etc. |
| Total cost estimate | $1,100 – $1,600 | Varies according to the port of departure and service content |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Container from China to Thailand
Due to the different terminal fees, loading and unloading fees, and demurrage fees at different ports, the average freight rate per cubic meter of a 0-foot container is more cost-effective and suitable for large-volume shipments. A 20-foot container is suitable for small-volume, high-value goods. The following are the detailed costs of transporting 20ft and 40ft containers from different ports in China to major ports in Thailand:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Bangkok | $850-$1250 | $1100-$1600 |
| Shenzhen | Bangkok | $800-$1300 | $1150-$1550 |
| Qingdao | Bangkok | $950-$1250 | $1150-$1550 |
| Ningbo | Bangkok | $800-$1300 | $1150-$1650 |
| Shanghai | Laem Chabang | $850-$1150 | $1250-$1600 |
| Shenzhen | Laem Chabang | $800-$1200 | $1100-$1500 |
| Qingdao | Laem Chabang | $850-$1350 | $1250-$1550 |
| Ningbo | Laem Chabang | $900-$1350 | $1150-$1550 |
| Shanghai | Songkhla | $850-$1250 | $1150-$1650 |
| Shenzhen | Songkhla | $950-$1250 | $1200-$1600 |
| Qingdao | Songkhla | $800-$1300 | $1100-$1600 |
| Ningbo | Songkhla | $950-$1300 | $1250-$1550 |
Read below for container shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Container from China to Indonesia
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Philippines
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Japan
Prohibited Goods Shipped in Container from China to Thailand
Before shipping, please confirm whether the goods involved are prohibited or require a license. The following goods are prohibited or restricted from shipping:
- Military or weapon-related items: prohibited from import
- Drugs and related products: strictly prohibited, illegal
- Pornographic publications: strictly prohibited
- Counterfeit currency or securities: strictly prohibited
- Counterfeit brand goods: unauthorized imitation brand goods are not allowed to be imported
- Animal and plant products: require permission from the Thai Ministry of Agriculture or inspection and quarantine agencies
- Dangerous chemicals: require special permission and declaration from the Thai Ministry of Industry and Trade
- Second-hand electronic products: some categories are restricted or require prior application for import license
Customs Clearance Documents Required for Container Shipping
The following documents need to be submitted for customs clearance in Thailand, which is different from ordinary e-commerce small package customs clearance and is more professional and standardized:
Commercial Invoice
The name, quantity, unit price, total price and other information must be clearly listed
Packing List
Mark the details and dimensions and weight of each box
Bill of Lading
Ocean bill of lading (original/copy or Telex Release)
Certificate of Origin
Must provide if you enjoy the tariff preferences of China-Thailand FTA
Importer and exporter registration number (Thai importer)
Thai consignee needs to provide tax number (TIN) or company registration number
Import license or special license document
If the goods are restricted goods, relevant licenses must be provided
Agent authorization letter
If customs clearance is done by an agent, Power of Attorney must be issued
Container transportation from China to Thailand has the advantages of short transportation time, transparent costs, and mature customs clearance. This article can ensure smooth, legal and compliant transportation. Choosing an experienced freight forwarding company to operate is an important guarantee for controlling costs and avoiding risks.