With the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative, the economic cooperation between the two countries is becoming increasingly close. Shipping time is an important reference factor for individuals and enterprises to import goods. This article will introduce the shipping time from China to Thailand in detail.
Trade Background in Thailand
Thailand is one of China’s important trading partners in Southeast Asia and an important transit point for distribution in Southeast Asia. A large number of companies and individuals choose to import electronic products, household goods, machinery and equipment, textiles, etc. from China.
The advantages of importing from China to Thailand include:
- Perfect supply chain: China has a strong manufacturing base and a perfect supply chain.
- Competitive prices: Chinese goods have great advantages in cost and quality.
- Diverse transportation routes: Multiple options for sea and air transportation, flexible efficiency.
- China-Thailand cross-border e-commerce is developing rapidly: Lazada, Shopee and other platforms promote the flow of small packages.
How to Ship from China to Thailand
Shipment of goods from China to Thailand usually includes the following main steps. According to different modes of transportation (sea, air), understanding the details will help you understand the timeliness of the transportation plan:
Prepare goods and packing
Classify, measure, label goods, use appropriate packaging materials to ensure transportation safety. If there is wooden packaging, it needs to be fumigated or affixed with IPPC mark (especially sea transportation)
Contact freight forwarder
Contact shipping company, airline or truck company through freight forwarder to book space or parking space.
Customs declaration
Entrust a qualified customs broker to make export declaration and submit relevant documents to customs.
.Track and monitor goods
Once the goods are shipped, we will provide tracking information to monitor their transportation progress in real time. The advanced tracking system will update the location of your goods and the estimated arrival time.
Import customs clearance
Thai customers or local agents submit import declaration materials, pay tariffs and value-added tax, calculate tariffs based on HS codes, and Thailand’s VAT is usually 7%. Customs clearance documents include:
- Invoice
- Packing List
- Contract (if necessary)
- Export customs declaration documents (if export tax refund is required, customs declaration letter of attorney, etc.)
Final distribution
After customs clearance is completed, delivery is arranged, and door-to-door service (DDP/DDU) can be selected
Factors Affecting of Shipping Time from China to Thailand
To accurately estimate the transportation time, you must understand the following core factors:
Distance between departure and destination
Different distances will result in different transportation time. The domestic transportation time must be added to the shipment of factories far from the port.
Customs clearance efficiency
Whether the customs clearance documents are complete, especially for small goods, the customs inspection rate is higher.
Differences between peak season and off-season
For example, there may be delays during the Spring Festival and Songkran Festival.
Transportation mode arrangement
Is it direct transportation (direct air transport, full container shipping) or transit consolidation (sea consolidation).
Weather and natural factors
The rainy season in Thailand and weather delays in shipping may cause uncontrollable time differences.
Shipping Time from China to Thailand
Although the shipping mode from China to Thailand is affected by the above factors, the time limit is determined by the mode of transportation (air freight and sea freight). The following are the time limits for different modes
Sea Freight Time from China to Thailand
Sea transportation has the lowest cost and is suitable for bulk goods. It has a large carrying capacity, stable transportation, and a long transportation cycle. Affected by weather and port congestion, it needs to be transferred by land transportation from the port to inland cities.
It usually takes 7-14 days from major Chinese ports (such as Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Qingdao) to Thai ports (such as Bangkok Port and Laem Chabang Port).
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping days |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Bangkok | 7-14 days |
| Shenzhen | Bangkok | 7-13 days |
| Ningbo | Bangkok | 8-14 days |
| Shanghai | Laem Chabang | 7-14 days |
| Shenzhen | Laem Chabang | 7-13 days |
| Ningbo | Laem Chabang | 9-14 days |
| Shanghai | Songkhla | 7-15 days |
| Shenzhen | Songkhla | 8-14 days |
| Ningbo | Songkhla | 7-14 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Thailand
Air freight is the fastest way to ship books, suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements, but the freight is high, the volume and weight of the goods are limited, the customs clearance process is fast, and it is suitable for high value-added goods.
From major airports in China (such as Guangzhou Baiyun, Kunming Changshui, Shanghai Pudong) to airports in Thailand (such as Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, Chiang Mai International Airport), it takes about 1-3 days (flight time + customs clearance + delivery)
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Thailand) | Shipping days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Suvarnabhumi | 1-3 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Suvarnabhumi | 1-2 days |
| Beijing Capital | Suvarnabhumi | 1-3 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Don Mueang | 2-3 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Don Mueang | 1-2 days |
| Beijing Capital | Don Mueang | 2-3 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Chiang Mai | 1-2 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Chiang Mai | 2-3 days |
| Beijing Capital | Chiang Mai | 1-3 days |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Japan
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the Philippines
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Indonesia
How to Save Shipping Time from China to Thailand
To save time from China to Thailand, you can optimize the transportation process from the following aspects:
Reasonable packaging and labeling (avoid inspection delays)
Use standardized packaging and bilingual labels in Chinese and English to avoid carrying prohibited/sensitive goods (such as batteries, liquids, etc.
Off-peak transportation
Avoid Chinese and Thai bilateral holidays such as the Spring Festival, Songkran Festival (April), May Day, and National Day, and avoid shipping during port peaks or strikes.
Choose an efficient logistics service provider
Choose an experienced cross-border logistics company that is familiar with the China-Thailand route, and give priority to operators that can provide door-to-door, integrated services.
Choose mature routes and ports
Choose ports or airports with fewer ships and faster customs clearance.
Optimize customs clearance process
Prepare complete customs declaration materials in advance and use experienced customs clearance agents.
The time efficiency of shipping from China to Thailand depends not only on the distance, but also on the choice of plan, operation process and the professionalism of the partner. Through this article, according to the nature of the goods, time requirements and budget, a reasonable logistics plan can be arranged to ensure the smooth arrival of the goods.