In recent years, Argentina’s e-commerce market has grown rapidly, and consumers have a strong demand for cost-effective Chinese goods, which has driven the growth of logistics demand between China and Argentina. With the growth of logistics demand, the transportation cost from China to Argentina is the focus of attention. This article will introduce the transportation costs between the two countries in detail.
Argentina’s Dependence on International Logistics
Argentina is the second largest economy in South America and has a high consumer market potential. Its economy is dominated by agriculture, manufacturing and services, and has a large demand for imported goods, especially electronic products, machinery and equipment, auto parts, textiles and household goods. Due to limited local production capacity, Argentina is heavily dependent on imports
Shipping from China to Argentina
Argentina is located at the southernmost tip of South America, about 20,000 kilometers away from China. The transportation distance is long and it mainly relies on sea and air transportation. Due to its remote geographical location, international logistics costs are high, especially air freight costs.
Argentina’s major ports include Buenos Aires, Rosario and Bahía Blanca, among which Buenos Aires is the most important international trade hub. Due to the relatively few routes in South America, the shipping cycle is long, and it usually takes 30-50 days to arrive at the port.
Sea Freight
The cost of ocean transportation is much lower than air transportation, especially suitable for full container transportation (FCL) or less than container transportation (LCL). It can transport special goods such as dangerous goods and large equipment. The flights are relatively stable and suitable for long-term trade cooperation. The time is longer, and you need to pay attention to the customs clearance requirements and local charging standards of the destination port.
Air Freight
Air transportation time is extremely fast, suitable for emergency orders or temporary replenishment, the customs declaration process is relatively simple, and the operation efficiency is high, but the cost is high. It is not suitable for large quantities and low-value goods. When the flight is unstable, it is easily affected by weather and air traffic control.
Composition of Shipping from China to Argentina
The cost of transporting from China to Argentina is mainly composed of the following costs
Freight Charges and Additional Fees
The breakdown of shipping costs includes several components:
| Cost Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Freight Charges | Base cost for transportation based on weight and volume. |
| Port Fees | Charges for using port facilities in both China and Argentina. |
| Handling Fees | Costs associated with loading and unloading cargo. |
| Documentation Fees | Charges for necessary shipping documents like bills of lading. |
| Insurance Costs | Optional fees to cover cargo against loss or damage during transit. |
When importing goods to Argentina, tariffs and taxes are major costs that must be considered:
- Import tariffs: This is a tax imposed by the Argentine government on imported goods. Tariff rates vary depending on the product category, ranging from 0% to more than 30%.
- Value Added Tax (VAT): Argentina charges a 21% VAT on most imported goods. VAT is calculated on the total cost of the goods plus any import duties.
- Customs Clearance Fees: Hiring a freight forwarder often involves customs clearance fees to ensure that all legal requirements are met for a smooth import.
- Other Possible Fees: This may include anti-dumping duties, regulatory fees, or other surcharges that apply to specific goods.
Shipping Cost from China to Argentina
The cost of shipping from China will vary depending on the type of service. Freight rates from China to Argentina may fluctuate at any time due to seasonal demand, fuel surcharges, industry changes, etc. Key factors affecting transportation costs
- Cargo volume and weight: Large or heavy goods have higher logistics costs;
- Transportation time requirements: Urgent or expedited shipments have high costs;
- Route selection: Direct shipping has higher freight rates, while transit routes are cheaper but take longer.
- Season and market supply and demand: Freight rates rise during peak seasons when capacity is tight;
- Whether to choose DDP service: The all-inclusive price including tariffs and delivery is usually higher but more worry-free.
The following is a common range of costs
| Shipping Mode | Description | Cost Estimate (September 2024) |
| LCL (Less than Container Load) | Perfect for smaller shipments, priced by volume | $200-$300 per cubic meter |
| FCL (Full Container Load) – 20-foot | Best for large shipments, budget-friendly | $3,350 – $4,000 per container |
| FCL (Full Container Load) – 40-foot | Ideal for substantial shipments, cost-effective | $4,650 – $6,650 per container |
| Express Shipping | Fastest for small packages | $100-$150 for a 5 kg package |
| Air Freight | Quick and efficient, costed by weight/volume | $9.65 per kilogram |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Container from China to Argentina
Container shipping from China to Argentina is the mainstream mode of transportation. In addition to the different costs according to size (20ft and 40ft containers), there are also large differences between different ports of departure to different ports in Argentina:
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Brazil) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Buenos Aires | $3300 – $400 | $4200 – $5800 |
| Shenzhen | Buenos Aires | $3300 – $4000 | $4200 – $6000 |
| Ningbo | Buenos Aires | $3400 – $3900 | $4100 – $5700 |
| Shanghai | Rosario | $3200 – $4000 | $4500 – $6200 |
| Shenzhen | Rosario | $3100 – $4000 | $4100 – $6300 |
| Ningbo | Rosario | $3350 – $3900 | $4100 – $5800 |
| Shanghai | Bahia Blanca | $3400 – $3950 | $4200 – $6000 |
| Shenzhen | Bahia Blanca | $3500 – $3900 | $4400 – $6200 |
| Ningbo | Bahia Blanca | $3300 – $4000 | $4200 – $5800 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Argentina
Air cargo usually uses transit routes and is transported in conjunction with the international air logistics network. The cost is generally charged based on the larger of the volumetric weight and the gross weight. The gross weight is the actual weight. Volumetric weight (KG) = length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000, generally $8-$12 per kilogram.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Argentina) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Ezeiza | $5.5 – $9.6 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Ezeiza | $6.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Ezeiza | $6.5 – $9.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | El Palomar | $5.5 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | El Palomar | $6.0 – $9.2 |
| Beijing Capital | El Palomar | $5.5 – $9.8 |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Mexico
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Brazil?
Why Choose Ubestshipping
We specialize in providing seamless, reliable, and cost-effective shipping solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you are shipping bulk cargo via ocean freight, managing urgent shipments via air freight, or needing comprehensive door-to-door services, we ensure a smooth and worry-free experience from start to finish. In addition, our team provides ongoing support to address any challenges along the way.
- Argentina logistics expertise: We are well versed in Argentine customs regulations and procedures, and we not only handle all complexities efficiently, but also ensure seamless operations. In addition, our expertise ensures that your shipments arrive smoothly without unnecessary delays or complications.
- Comprehensive services: From packaging and documentation to customs clearance and final delivery, we cover every aspect of your cargo transportation.
- Competitive pricing: We offer affordable prices without compromising on service quality to help you save on shipping costs.
- Dedicated support: Our team can guide you through each step to provide personalized solutions for your business.
The cost of shipping from China to Argentina is affected by many factors. By optimizing the logistics plan and choosing the right freight forwarding company, this article can effectively reduce transportation costs and improve supply chain efficiency.