With the deepening of economic and trade relations between China and South Asian countries, Sri Lanka, as an important strategic country in the Indian Ocean, has gradually become one of the important markets for China’s exports. This article will elaborate on the cost of shipping from China to Sri Lanka.
Shipping Cost from China to Sri Lanka
Located at the southern end of the South Asian subcontinent, bordering the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has a strategic location on the “Maritime Silk Road”. With the development of e-commerce and light industry, the demand for external goods has increased year by year, especially relying on imports of machinery, electronic products, building materials, textiles and daily necessities from China. There are two main modes of transportation:
Sea Freight (full container load/less than container load)
- This is the cheapest option for large quantities and heavy goods such as industrial products, textiles and consumer goods.
- The shipping time is 10 to 20 days, depending on the departure port in China.
- FCL (full container load) offers the lowest unit cost, while LCL (less than container load) is suitable for smaller goods.
- Air freight is the fastest mode of transport and is ideal for urgent, high-value or perishable goods such as electronics, pharmaceuticals and fashion products.
- The shipping time is 3 to 7 days, but the cost per kilogram is significantly higher.
- Air transport has standardized procedures, strict security checks, high security, and extremely low rates of cargo damage and loss.
The following are the shipping costs from China to Sri Lanka:
| Shipping Mode | Cost (July 2025) | Transit Time | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight (LCL) | $80 – $120/CBM | 15–20 days | Non-urgent, large shipments |
| Sea Freight (FCL 20ft) | $1,810 | 10–15 days | Cost-effective for standard and large shipments |
| Sea Freight (FCL 40ft) | $2,600 | 10–15 days | Ideal for bulk cargo and full-container loads |
| Air Freight | $5.00 per kg | 4–5 days | Best for urgent, high-value, or time-sensitive goods |
Learn more about fees below:
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Factors Affecting Shipping Cost from China to Sri Lanka
Shipping costs from China to Sri Lanka are affected by economic, logistical, and regulatory factors. Understanding these factors can help companies optimize freight rates, improve supply chain efficiency, and avoid unexpected expenses.
Fuel prices
International oil price fluctuations directly affect sea and air freight costs.
Cargo types
Special cargo types require special handling, and overweight and oversized cargo may be subject to additional charges.
Seasonal differences
Freight rates will increase during the export peak season (such as September-December).
Port/airport location
Distance affects trailer and inland transportation costs.
Shipping terms (FOB/CIF/DDP)
DDP (including customs clearance and destination delivery) costs more comprehensive but higher.
Difficulty of customs declaration and customs clearance
Certain sensitive categories such as electronic products and pharmaceuticals may require additional review and certification.
Import Taxes and Duties in Sri Lanka
Import duties and taxes have a huge impact on the final shipping cost. Sri Lanka’s import taxes and duties are as follows
| Product | Customs Duty | VAT | Additional Taxes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 15% | 12% | 2% NBT |
| Textiles | 10% | 8% | 2% PAL |
| Machinery | 5% | 15% | 2% NBT |
| Agricultural Products | 0% | 5% | No additional taxes |
Cost Composition of Shipping from China to Sri Lanka
Whether it is air or sea transportation from China to Sri Lanka, transparent and clear costs can help you understand the costs of the entire process and plan your budget. The following is the cost composition:
Cost of departure (within China)
- Pick-up fee: It is necessary to tow the truck from the factory or warehouse to the port
- Export customs declaration fee: the cost of export customs declaration and document processing
- Terminal Handling Charge (THC): Including terminal handling fees, storage fees, etc.
- Documentation Fee: Including bill of lading, manifest, AMS and other document processing fees
Main transportation cost (sea/air freight)
- Ocean Freight: Priced by volume (CBM) or full container (FCL)
- Air Freight: Priced by actual weight or volume weight (whichever is larger)
Destination port fee (Sri Lanka)
- Customs Clearance Fee: Arranged by the agent or consignee, the fee varies according to the HS code and the value of the goods
- Destination port miscellaneous charges (D/O, THC): including cargo release fees, terminal handling fees, storage fees, etc.
- Taxes and tariffs (Import Duties & VAT): Sri Lanka’s tax rate is determined according to the specific goods, generally 15% VAT, and import taxes may be as high as 30%.
Additional fees (may be incurred)
- Cargo Insurance: Generally 0.3%~0.5% of the value of the goods
- Demurrage/Detention: Incurred when the goods are not picked up in time, especially when Sri Lanka’s customs clearance is slow, the risk is greater.
- Delivery to door (Delivery Fee): Delivery from the Port of Colombo to inland cities or warehouses, truck delivery can be selected.
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Sri Lanka
Container transport is the mainstream mode of sea transport, and charges are mainly based on size (20ft and 40ft containers). Colombo Port is one of the busiest container ports in South Asia and a key hub port for cooperation under China’s “Belt and Road” initiative. The cost of transporting from different ports in China is different:
| Departure Port (China) | Arrival Port (Sri Lanka) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Colombo | $850 – $1,150 | $1,400 – $1,750 |
| Shenzhen | Colombo | $900 – $1,200 | $1,500 – $1,800 |
| Ningbo | Colombo | $950 – $1,250 | $1,550 – $1,850 |
| Guangzhou | Colombo | $800 – $1,100 | $1,300 – $1,700 |
| Qingdao | Colombo | $900 – $1,100 | $1,400 – $1,700 |
Strategies to Reduce Shipping Costs from China to Sri Lanka
Use the following strategies to help reduce logistics costs for shipping from China to Sri Lanka:
Book cargo in advance
Reserve space before the peak season to ensure lower prices.
Optimize packaging and cargo loading
Maximize container space and avoid unnecessary LCL charges.
Work with a trusted freight forwarder
Logistics experts can negotiate better prices and simplify customs clearance.
LCL shipments
Reduce FCL costs and are suitable for small quantities of goods.
Avoid peak season shipments
Avoid the peak period from September to December and use the off-season to lock in freight rates.
Choose direct routes
Save on transshipment and transit port fees.
Use DDU/DDP service at the destination port
The whole process reduces losses in the middle links and reduces customs clearance delay costs.
The transportation market from China to Sri Lanka is developing rapidly. Through this article, you can understand the transportation methods and cost structure and choose the right service provider and transportation strategy, which can not only save costs but also ensure that the goods arrive at the Sri Lankan market on time and safely.