The trade relationship between China and Norway is stable and continues to grow. With the increase in transportation demand, the cost is an important factor in the transportation plan of enterprises transporting goods. This article will introduce the cost of shipping from China to Norway in detail.
Introduction to Norway
Norway has a long coastline with many fjords along the coast. It is an important marine economic country in the world and an important economic partner of China in Northern Europe. It mainly imports electronic products, machinery and equipment, textiles and consumer goods from China. Main ports:
- Port of Oslo: handles containerized cargo and serves as a central hub for distribution throughout eastern Norway.
- Port of Bergen: focuses on bulk cargo and seafood exports, serving the western part of Norway.
- Port of Drammen: very suitable for industrial products and automobiles, connecting southern Norway.
Factors Affecting the Shipping Cost from China to Norway
- Mode of transportation: Different modes of transportation have different costs, with air transportation having the highest cost and sea transportation having the lowest cost.
- Cargo weight and volume: Transportation costs are usually charged by weight or volume, whichever is greater.
- Transportation distance and route: The farther the distance, the higher the cost; direct flights are usually cheaper than transit.
- Seasonal factors: The transportation cost is higher during peak seasons (such as Double 11, before Christmas), and lower during off-seasons
- Type of goods: Special goods such as dangerous goods and fragile goods may incur additional costs.
- Fuel surcharges and exchange rate fluctuations: Fuel prices and exchange rate changes can affect transportation costs.
- Customs clearance costs: Includes tariffs, VAT and agency fees.
- Insurance costs: Insuring goods can reduce risks, but will increase costs.
Shipping Cost from China to Norway
The main modes of transporting goods from China to Norway include air freight and sea freight, and the cost difference between different modes of transport is large.
Sea freight Cost from China to Norway
Sea transport is the most common mode of freight from China to Norway. It is suitable for large quantities of goods. The cost of sea transport is relatively low, but the transportation time is longer. There are two main types of transportation services: FCL and LCL.
LCL (Less than Container Load) is suitable for goods with smaller volumes and sharing a container with other customers. It has lower costs, but the transportation time is slightly longer. The charges are mainly based on the volume and weight of the goods:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Oslo | $90-$180 |
| Shenzhen | Oslo | $80-$185 |
| Qingdao | Oslo | $80-$175 |
| Ningbo | Oslo | $90-$190 |
| Shanghai | Bergen | $80-$175 |
| Shenzhen | Bergen | $90-$200 |
| Qingdao | Bergen | $80-$200 |
| Ningbo | Bergen | $90-$185 |
| Shanghai | Drammen | $80-$195 |
| Shenzhen | Drammen | $85-$175 |
| Qingdao | Drammen | $80-$185 |
| Ningbo | Drammen | $90-$185 |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Norway
Full container transport is suitable for large quantities of goods, renting a whole container (20GP, 40GP, 40HQ). The fee is charged according to the size of the container. The following are the fees for 20ft and 40ft containers:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Oslo | $2050-$3350 | $3500-$5000 |
| Shenzhen | Oslo | $2000-$3500 | $3450-$4950 |
| Ningbo | Oslo | $2000-$3400 | $3650-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Oslo | $2050-$3350 | $3500-$5000 |
| Shanghai | Bergen | $1950-$3450 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Bergen | $2000-$3300 | $3500-$5000 |
| Ningbo | Bergen | $2050-$3650 | $3450-$5050 |
| Qingdao | Bergen | $2050-$3650 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shanghai | Drammen | $2100-$3500 | $3650-$4850 |
| Shenzhen | Drammen | $2000-$3400 | $3500-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Drammen | $2050-$3350 | $3750-$4950 |
| Qingdao | Drammen | $2000-$3400 | $3500-$4800 |
Air freight Cost from China to Norway
Air freight is fast, usually it takes 3-7 days to arrive, and it is safer and the goods are not easily damaged, but the cost is higher. It is suitable for high-value goods or products with high timeliness requirements. It is usually charged based on the larger of actual weight and volumetric weight (length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000).
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Norway) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Oslo | $5.0 – $10.2 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Oslo | $5.3 – $9.7 |
| Beijing Capital | Oslo | $5.5 – $9.5 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Bergen | $5.7 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Bergen | $6.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Bergen | $5.3 – $10.0 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Stavanger | $5.2 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Stavanger | $6.2 – $10.2 |
| Beijing Capital | Stavanger | $5.0 – $10.0 |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the Netherlands?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Germany?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Denmark?
Tariffs for Shipping from China to Norway
Import taxes and tariffs play a major role in determining the overall shipping costs when shipping goods from China to Norway. The main taxes to be aware of include:
- Value Added Tax (VAT): 25%
- Tariffs: Vary depending on the product category under the Harmonized System (HS) code. For example:
- Electronics: Approximately 10%
- Textiles: Up to 12% tariffs
These costs are calculated based on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight), which includes the total value of the goods as well as shipping and insurance costs. By understanding these components, businesses can better plan their budgets and develop pricing strategies that remain competitive.
How to Reduce the Shipping Cost from China to Norway?
Choose the right mode of transportation
Choose sea, air or express according to the type of goods and timeliness requirements.
Off-peak delivery
Avoid peak seasons to reduce peak surcharges, avoid July-September (peak season for sea transportation) and November-December (peak season for air transportation)
Optimize packaging
Reasonable packaging reduces volume weight and reduces volume fees.
Consolidate goods
Collect or consolidate multiple orders to reduce transportation costs.
Plan ahead
Arrange transportation in advance to avoid additional costs due to emergencies.
Choose a reasonable port of departure and destination
Compare the costs of different ports and choose the route with the lowest cost.
Choose DDP service
Provide DDP (duty prepaid) service through professional freight forwarders to avoid additional customs clearance fees.
How to Choose Suitable Freight Forwarder
Choosing a suitable freight forwarder can reasonably plan the transportation plan and reduce transportation costs. The following are the factors that affect the selection of freight forwarders:
- Rich experience: Choose a freight forwarder that is familiar with the China-Norway route, has rich experience and formal qualifications.
- Multiple transportation options: Can provide sea transportation, air transportation, door-to-door services, including customs clearance and delivery options.
- Transparent prices: Clear quotations to avoid hidden costs.
- Good reputation: Check customer reviews to avoid unreliable companies.
- Customer reviews: Refer to other customers’ reviews and choose a freight forwarder with a good reputation.
- Communication efficiency: Choose a freight forwarder with smooth communication and timely response to ensure smooth transportation.
The cost of shipping goods from China to Norway depends on many factors. Choosing the right freight forwarder and transportation plan can effectively reduce logistics costs and ensure that the goods arrive in Norway smoothly and at a low rate.