In recent years, with the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative, bilateral trade volume has continued to grow, and the transportation needs of enterprises and individuals have also increased. Transportation costs are the key to transportation, which will be introduced in detail in this article.
Trade Relations Between China and Portugal
Portugal is one of the important gateways for China to enter the European market. China’s main exports to Portugal include electronic products, machinery and equipment, textiles, furniture and chemical products. Logistics demand has risen accordingly, especially in terms of sea and air transportation.
Shipping from China to Portugal
There are two main modes of transportation from China to Portugal: sea and air, and each mode has its own characteristics.
Sea Freight
Sea Freight is the most common mode of transportation from China to Portugal, especially for bulk goods or large goods. The transportation cost of sea transport is relatively low, which is suitable for price-sensitive goods. There are mainly two services, FCL and LCL, which can be selected according to the size of the goods.
Air Freight
Air Freight is the fastest way to transport goods, suitable for transporting urgent goods or high-value goods, but the cost is relatively high, there are restrictions on the size of goods, and it is not suitable for large goods.
Factors Affecting of Shipping Cost from China to Portugal
The cost of shipping from China to Portugal is mainly determined by the mode of transportation, but it is also affected by many factors:
Cargo characteristics
Including weight, volume, value and whether special handling is required (such as refrigeration, dangerous goods transportation).
Seasonal fluctuations
In the shipping industry and air transportation, seasonal fluctuations will directly affect the cost. During peak seasons (such as around Christmas and during the Spring Festival), transportation demand increases, and costs will also increase accordingly.
Fuel prices
Fuel surcharges are an important part of transportation costs, and oil price fluctuations will directly affect freight rates.
Destination port or airport charges
Different destination ports and airports may charge different surcharges, which will vary depending on factors such as loading and unloading, warehousing and security inspections of the goods.
Transport company selection
Different logistics companies will provide different services and charging standards.
Customs clearance efficiency
Customs clearance speed and related costs will affect the total transportation cost.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Portugal
Sea freight costs are usually composed of the following factors:
- Shipping company fees: including basic freight, fuel surcharge, port fees, etc. The shipping costs from China to Portugal usually vary according to the size of the container (20-foot container or 40-foot container).
- Destination port fees: including port loading and unloading fees, warehousing fees, destination port handling fees, etc.
- Surcharges: such as seasonal surcharges, fuel surcharges, insurance premiums, etc.
The following are the different cost ranges for shipping from China to Portugal:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Lisbon | $80-$135 | $1550-$3050 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Lisbon | $75-$150 | $1600-$3100 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Lisbon | $80-$140 | $1550-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Lisbon | $85-$135 | $1700-$3000 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Lesos | $75-$140 | $1450-$3150 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Lesos | $70-$135 | $1500-$2900 | $3000-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Lesos | $80-$145 | $1650-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Lesos | $75-$135 | $1500-$3050 | $2950-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Sines | $80-$150 | $1650-$2850 | $3150-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Sines | $85-$140 | $1550-$3050 | $3000-$4900 |
| Qingdao | Sines | $90-$150 | $1700-$3100 | $3100-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Sines | $75-$145 | $1450-$3000 | $3050-$4950 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Portugal
Air freight costs are usually much higher than sea freight costs. Air freight costs are determined by the following:
- Cargo weight and volume: Air freight costs are usually calculated based on the “chargeable weight” of the cargo, calculated as follows: Volumetric weight = length × width × height (cm) / 6000, calculated based on the larger of volumetric weight and actual weight.
- Airline and route: Different airlines and routes may charge different fees. Longer or more frequent routes have lower fees.
- Destination airport fees: Includes airport service fees, pickup fees, etc. The fee structure of different airports will vary.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Portugal) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Lisbon Humberto Delgado | $6.0 – $10.2 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Lisbon Humberto Delgado | $6.3 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Lisbon Humberto Delgado | $5.5 – $9.7 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Puerto Francisco Sa Carnero | $5.8 – $9.6 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Puerto Francisco Sa Carnero | $6.1 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Puerto Francisco Sa Carnero | $5.5 – $10.5 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Faro | $6.0 – $9.5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Faro | $6.0 – $10.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Faro | $5.8 – $9.7 |
Here are some shipping costs from China to other regions:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Spain?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Italy?
Door-to-Door Shipping from China to France
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Morocco
How to Reduce of Shipping Cost from China to Portugal
Use the following methods to reduce transportation costs:
Optimize logistics routes
Choose the best transportation routes and transit hubs to reduce transportation mileage and transit times.
Streamline packaging materials
Reduce the use of packaging materials, reduce packaging weight and volume while ensuring the safety of goods.
Centralized procurement and batch delivery
Increase the purchase volume or consolidate multiple orders to ship together to get more favorable logistics rates.
Book in advance
Plan and book cargo transportation in advance to avoid price increases caused by surges in demand and get more favorable freight rates.
Utilize a combination of multiple modes of transportation
You can save costs by combining land, sea and air transportation. For example, transport goods to a nearby port in Portugal by sea, and then quickly transport the goods to the final destination by air.
Duties and Customs Clearance for Shipping from China to Portugal
Import duties
Duties are calculated based on the CIF value (cost, insurance and freight) of the goods.
The rates vary depending on the type of product:
- Textiles: 12-15%
- Electronics: 0-14%
- Machinery: 2-5%
- Consumer goods: 5-20%
Value Added Tax (VAT)
Portugal applies a standard VAT rate of 23% on the CIF value plus import duties.
Main documents required for customs clearance
- Commercial invoice: specifies the value, quantity and description of the goods.
- Packing list: provides details about the packaging, dimensions and weight.
- Certificate of origin: required for goods that enjoy preferential tariff rates under trade agreements.
- Bill of lading or airway bill: serves as proof of shipment and ownership of the goods.
- Certificate of Conformity: ensures that the goods meet EU safety and quality standards, especially for electronics and machinery.
Learn more: Customs Clearance and Fees
Why Choose Ubestshipping
At Ubestshipping, we focus on providing seamless and cost-effective shipping solutions based on your business needs. With comprehensive door-to-door services, we ensure your shipment is handled properly, efficiently, and reliably.
- Customs Expertise: Our experienced team ensures smooth customs clearance, saving you time and effort.
- Affordable Prices: We offer competitive rates for all modes of shipping without compromising on quality.
- Comprehensive Solutions: We manage every step of the logistics process, from consolidation to final delivery.
- Real-Time Tracking: Stay informed on your shipment with our advanced tracking system.
- 24/7 Support: Our dedicated team is always here to answer your questions and provide assistance.
The transportation cost from China to Portugal is affected by many factors. Through this article, you can reasonably choose the mode of transportation, the appropriate strategy, and choose the right freight forwarding company to effectively reduce transportation costs and ensure that the goods arrive at the destination safely and in time.