Switzerland is one of China’s important trading partners in Europe. Its market has a strong demand for high-quality goods, making trade with China very active. The timeliness of shipping from China to Switzerland is particularly important for merchants who want to import from China to seize the market. This article will introduce this in detail.
Switzerland’s Main Shipping Centers
Switzerland is located in central Europe, bordering France to the west, Italy to the south, and Germany to the north. It has a developed logistics infrastructure, and its main transportation centers include Zurich, Geneva and Basel. Among them, Basel is the largest freight hub in Switzerland, bordering Germany and France, and connected to the Rhine waterway.
Shipping Time from China to Switzerland
The main modes of transportation from China to Switzerland are sea freight , air freight and rail freight. The shipping time of different modes of transportation is the key to meeting deadlines and optimizing logistics strategies. The following is an overview of typical shipping times
Sea Freight Time from China to Switzerland
Sea transportation is the most common mode of transportation. It can transport large quantities of goods and is cost-effective. Switzerland is a landlocked country, so it cannot be reached directly by sea. It is usually shipped to European ports by sea and then transported to Switzerland by rail or road. Sea transportation time is generally between 20 and 30 days
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Zurich | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Zurich | 30-39 days |
| Qingdao | Zurich | 31-40 days |
| Ningbo | Zurich | 30-38 days |
| Shanghai | Geneva | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Geneva | 31-38 days |
| Qingdao | Geneva | 31-40 days |
| Ningbo | Geneva | 30-39 days |
| Shanghai | Bern | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Bern | 30-38 days |
| Qingdao | Bern | 30-40 days |
| Ningbo | Bern | 31-40 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Switzerland
Air transport is the fastest mode of transport and is suitable for high-value, time-sensitive goods. Flights from major Chinese airports (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen) to Zurich Airport (ZRH), Geneva Airport (GVA) or Basel-Mulhouse Airport (BSL) in Switzerland take into account customs clearance, delivery and other links, and the overall time is 3-7 days.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Switzerland) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Zurich | 3-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Zurich | 4-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Zurich | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Geneva | 3-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Geneva | 4-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Geneva | 3-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Basel-Mulhouse | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Basel-Mulhouse | 4-6 days |
| Beijing Capital | Basel-Mulhouse | 3-7 days |
Rail Freight Time from China to Switzerland
The China-Europe Express is a cost-effective mode of transport, with an efficiency between sea and air transport, moderate freight rates, and little impact from weather. It departs from major Chinese cities (such as Chongqing and Chengdu), passes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and other countries to reach Basel, Switzerland, with a transport time of about 15-20 days.
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Switzerland) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Basel | 15-20 days |
| Chongqing | Basel | 16-19 days |
| Xi’an | Basel | 15-19 days |
| Chengdu | Zurich | 14-19 days |
| Chongqing | Zurich | 15-18 days |
| Xi’an | Zurich | 15-20 days |
Learn more about shipping times from China to nearby areas:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Italy?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Germany?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
Factors Affecting Shipping Time from China to Switzerland
The following factors may affect the shipping time of your goods from China to Switzerland.
- Transportation Mode Selection: Ocean transportation is the slowest, air transportation is the fastest, and rail transportation is in between.
- Customs clearance and customs clearance efficiency: Switzerland has strict import supervision, and preparing documents in advance can improve customs clearance efficiency.
- Logistics chain efficiency: Smooth coordination between various modes of transportation is essential to minimize overall transportation time.
- Weather conditions: Extreme weather events may affect flight, shipping and rail transit time.
- Logistics peak period: Holidays (such as Chinese New Year, Christmas) may cause logistics delays.
- Port congestion: Busy periods at major ports often cause delays because ships may have to wait longer to unload.
- Policy changes: Adjustments to import and export policies, changes in tariffs, etc. may affect logistics speed.
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Switzerland
In international trade, cost determines the choice of transportation mode, and the transportation mode is the decisive factor in transportation time. The following are the costs of 20ft and 40ft containers:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Zurich | $2050-$3550 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Zurich | $2100-$3600 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Zurich | $2050-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Zurich | $1900-$3300 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Geneva | $2950-$3650 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Geneva | $2000-$3500 | $3000-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Geneva | $2150-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Geneva | $2000-$3550 | $2950-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Bern | $2000-$3500 | $3150-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Bern | $1900-$3300 | $3000-$4900 |
| Qingdao | Bern | $2000-$3500 | $3100-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Bern | $2150-$3450 | $3050-$4950 |
How to Shorten the Shipping Time from China to Switzerland
Use the following strategies to effectively improve transportation efficiency and shorten transportation time:
Choose the right mode of transportation
Choose the best solution based on the characteristics of the goods.
Plan and book in advance
Book space in advance: avoid delays due to insufficient space. Avoid peak transportation and improve punctuality.
Optimize customs clearance process
Ensure that all export and import documents are complete and accurate, and understand the customs clearance requirements and processes of the destination in advance to shorten customs clearance time.
Use multimodal transport
Combining sea, rail and air transport to optimize the overall logistics chain.
Work with reliable Freight Forwarding
Experienced freight forwarders can provide the best route planning.
Use logistics tracking system
Monitor the status of cargo transportation in real time and adjust arrangements in time.
By comprehensively considering cost, timeliness and cargo characteristics, this article can help companies choose the most appropriate transportation solution based on their needs and improve cross-border trade efficiency.