As China’s manufacturing industry continues to increase its influence in the world, North Macedonian companies are also growing in demand for Chinese goods. Logistics costs are of concern to every company. Understanding transportation costs helps plan the budget for the entire transportation plan. This article will introduce the logistics costs between the two countries in detail.
Shipping Cost from China to North Macedonia
North Macedonia is located in the heart of the Balkan Peninsula and borders Greece, Bulgaria, Albania and other countries. More and more companies choose to ship goods from China to North Macedonia. The freight from China to North Macedonia depends on the mode of transportation, the size of the shipment and the urgency of delivery. The general range of transportation costs is as follows:
| Shipping Mode | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LCL (Less Container Load) | $180 per m³ | Suitable for smaller shipments to Skopje or other cities. Shared container space. |
| FCL (20-foot container) | $3,700 | Cost-effective for medium-sized shipments. |
| FCL (40-foot container) | $6,200 | Ideal for larger volumes requiring dedicated space. |
| Air Freight | $10.5 per kg | Fastest option for high-value or time-sensitive goods. |
Learn more: How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Albania
Factors Affecting Shipping Costs from China to North Macedonia
Transportation costs are not fixed. The following factors will directly affect the final quotation:
Transportation costs are not fixed. The following factors will directly affect the final quotation:
Cargo volume weight
International logistics is usually charged by volume weight (CBM) or actual weight (KG).
Port of departure and destination
Freight rates vary slightly at different ports, and the transit distance and method will significantly affect the cost.
Cargo attributes
Special goods require special handling and pay additional handling fees.
Difficulty of customs clearance
Whether special declarations, CE certification, etc. are required.
Peak season factors
Prices will rise around Christmas, Black Friday, and the Spring Festival.
Import Taxes and Duties in North Macedonia
Import taxes and duties in North Macedonia depend on the declared value and classification of the goods. These taxes and duties include customs duties and VAT, both of which affect the total landed cost of the goods. Knowing this will help estimate the total cost of shipping:
| Product | Customs Duty Rate | VAT Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0% | 18% |
| Clothing | 10% | 18% |
| Footwear | 15% | 18% |
| Toys | 3% | 18% |
| Machinery | 1.5% | 18% |
Shipping from China to North Macedonia
International transport from China to North Macedonia mainly includes sea and air transport. Different transport modes have obvious differences in price, timeliness, applicable cargo types, customs clearance procedures, etc. The following are the characteristics of the transport modes:
Sea Freight
Sea transport has significant price advantages and is the lowest cost international transport mode. It can transport various types of goods, and it is easy to arrange various large and heavy goods. It is flexible in loading and can use FCL and LCL, but LCL goods need to be mixed with other people’s goods, and the customs clearance complexity is slightly higher.
Ship through major Chinese ports (such as Shanghai, Ningbo, and Shenzhen) to the Port of Thessaloniki in Greece or the Port of Bulgaria, and then transfer to North Macedonia by land transport. The cost is generally composed of the following parts:
- Trailer fees at the port of departure
- Customs clearance fees, document fees
- Sea freight (CIF)
- Port of destination miscellaneous fees
- European inland trailer fees
| Shipping Mode | Cost | Transit Time | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL Shipping | $120-180/CBM | 35 to 50 days | Smaller shipments. |
| FCL (20ft container) | $3,000-$4,000 | 30 to 45 days | Medium-sized bulk shipments. |
| FCL (40ft container) | $4,500-$6,500 | 30 to 45 days | Large shipments requiring dedicated space. |
Air Freight
Air transport is fast, safe, has less contact with the ground, has a low cargo damage rate, and has a simple customs clearance process. It is suitable for high-value products, has strong flexibility, global coverage, and can be deployed according to flights, but there are restrictions on the transport of goods, and the weight of the goods is limited.
From major airports in China, you can fly to nearby Greek or Serbian airports (such as Belgrade), and then transport them to North Macedonia by truck. The cost is generally composed of the following parts:
- Air freight (billing method: actual weight vs. volume weight)
- Aviation security inspection fee
- Customs clearance and document fees
- Customs clearance fees after arriving at the airport
- Local delivery fees
| Service | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | $6.0-$9.0 per kg | 5–8 days | Time-sensitive or high-value goods |
Documents Required for Importing to North Macedonia
When exporting goods from China to North Macedonia, as the consignee (buyer), you need to prepare the corresponding import documents according to the customs policy of North Macedonia, as follows:
- Commercial Invoice: exporter and importer information, product description, quantity, unit price, total price, currency, delivery terms
- Packing List: List the packaging method, size, gross weight/net weight, number of pieces, etc. of the goods.
- Bill of Lading (B/L): Ocean bill of lading or air waybill
- Certificate of Origin (CO or Form A): Used to confirm the country of origin of the goods, which helps to apply for tariff reduction (if there is a trade agreement).
- Import Declaration (for customs clearance in North Macedonia): including HS code, value of goods, tariff rate, import VAT and other information.
Reduce of Shipping Cost from China to North Macedonia
The cost of transporting from China to North Macedonia is affected by many factors. The following strategies can reduce the impact of adverse factors and reduce the logistics costs between the two countries:
Select the mode of transport reasonably
For bulk goods, try to ship by LCL or FCL by sea to avoid high-priced air transport.
LCL or combined shipment
For small batches of goods, choose LCL or combine shipments with multiple orders to reduce the cost of a single ticket.
Avoid the peak of logistics
During the peak season (such as before the Spring Festival, Black Friday, and before Christmas), the space is tight and the cost is rising. Avoid the peak season of logistics and prepare goods in advance.
Optimize packaging
Use customized cartons to avoid overpackaging/reduce volume weight.
Select ports and transit reasonably
Choose routes with close transit ports and short land transportation distances (such as the Port of Thessaloniki).
Long-term cooperation with freight forwarders
Compare the quotations of multiple freight forwarders, and cooperate with one freight forwarder for a long time, with lower tier quotations and priority guarantee of space.
The cost of shipping from China to North Macedonia is affected by many factors. By choosing a freight forwarder and optimizing the transportation plan, you can effectively reduce the cost. It is recommended to plan the logistics plan in advance to ensure the smooth arrival of the goods.