China and Belgium have long maintained good trade relations. As an important logistics hub in Europe, Belgium has a growing trade relationship with China. Belgium is not only a member of the European Union, but also has a convenient transportation network, making it an important gateway for Chinese goods to enter the European market. This article will describe the situation of shipping from China to Belgium in detail.
Introduction to Belgium
Belgium is located in the northwest of the European continent, across the sea from the United Kingdom. It borders the Netherlands to the north, France to the south, and Germany to the east. With the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative and the opening of the China-Europe Express, China-Belgium trade has maintained steady growth in recent years. China mainly exports electronic products, textiles, toys, and furniture to Belgium, and has several important ports and airports
- Port of Antwerp: It is the most important port among them. It is one of the largest and busiest ports in Europe, connected to more than 800 destinations worldwide.
- Port of Zeebrugge: It is famous for its strategic location and advanced logistics infrastructure.
- Brussels Airport (BRU): Brussels Airport is located in the capital and is the main hub for international air cargo in Belgium. It offers extensive cargo handling facilities and flies to major destinations around the world.
- Liege Airport (LGG): Liege Airport is well known for its cargo specialization and is one of the largest air cargo hubs in Europe. It is particularly popular for express and e-commerce freight due to its efficient operations.
How to Ship from China to Belgium
Sea Freight
Ocean freight is one of the most reliable and cost-effective methods of shipping large quantities of goods, with lower unit costs, the ability to transport large and heavy goods, and flexibility in terms of shipment size and frequency. There are two main service types: FCL and LCL.
- FCL (Full Container Load): Suitable for large quantities of goods, occupying the entire container, with higher security and reduced risk of damage and contamination
- LCL (Less than Container Load): Suitable for small quantities of goods, sharing container space, providing flexibility and affordability.
Air Freight
Air freight is the fastest and most reliable mode of transportation. Frequent flight schedules and less handling mean lower risk of delays, damage or loss, and your goods are protected throughout the transportation process.
Rail Freight
Railway transportation from China to Belgium is one of the important routes of the China-Europe Express. The cost and time efficiency are between sea and air transportation. Compared with air transportation, which is easily affected by weather and may encounter port congestion, railway transportation has stable routes and wide coverage.
Shipping Cost from China to Belgium
The cost of transportation from China to Belgium usually consists of the following parts:
- Basic freight: depends on the freight method (sea, air, rail)
- Fuel surcharge: fluctuates according to market oil prices
- Tariffs and VAT: Belgium’s import tariffs are usually 0-12%, and VAT is 21%.
- Port or airport fees: including loading and unloading fees, warehousing fees, etc.
- Other additional fees: such as customs clearance fees, insurance premiums, and destination delivery fees
Generally affected by the following factors
- Cargo volume and weight: billing is usually calculated by volume or weight, and air transportation uses volume weight calculation method
- Transportation distance and route: direct flights are cheaper than transshipment, and the costs of different ports and airports in Europe are different
- Freight company and service selection: different carriers have different prices and service quality
The following is the cost of transportation from China to Belgium
| Shipping Mode | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Sea freight LCL (per cubic meter) | $80 – $150 |
| Sea freight FCL (20ft container) | $2,800 to $4,500 |
| Sea freight FCL (40ft container) | $3,550 to $5,550 |
| Rail transport FCL (40ft container) | $6,000 to $8,000 |
| Air Freight | $5 to $12 per kilogram |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Belgium
The main sizes of full container transportation are 20ft and 40ft containers. The following table introduces the approximate range:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Antwerp | $2150-$3550 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Antwerp | $2000-$3400 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Antwerp | $2050-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Antwerp | $1900-$3300 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Zeebrugge | $2950-$3350 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Zeebrugge | $2000-$3400 | $3000-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Zeebrugge | $2150-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Zeebrugge | $2050-$3550 | $2950-$4850 |
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 France?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to the UK?
Shipping Time from China to Belgium
The time it takes to ship goods from China to Belgium depends on the mode of transport, the specific locations of departure and destination, customs clearance speed and other logistical factors. The following are the estimated times for different modes of transport:
Sea Freight Time from China to Belgium
It usually takes 25-30 days for goods to depart from major ports along the Chinese coast, pass through the Suez Canal, and arrive at Belgian ports, but it is also affected by the following factors:
- Routes and transit ports: Direct routes (rare) are 10-15 days faster than transit routes.
- Shipment schedule: Shipping companies may have different weekly flight schedules, with fewer sailings in the off-season and tight cabins in the peak season, which may lead to delays.
- Cargo type and LCL situation: Full container shipping (FCL) is about 5-10 days faster than LCL shipping (LCL) because LCL requires additional time for collection and unpacking.
- Destination port congestion: The Port of Antwerp in Belgium is the second largest port in Europe. Port congestion may occur during the peak season (October to January of the following year), and customs clearance time will increase by 3-7 days.
- Weather and force majeure factors: Typhoons, storms, severe sea conditions, and emergencies such as strikes or epidemics may lead to port closures or customs clearance delays.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Antwerp | 26-34 days |
| Shenzhen | Antwerp | 28-35 days |
| Qingdao | Antwerp | 26-33 days |
| Ningbo | Antwerp | 25-35 days |
| Shanghai | Zeebrugge | 27-33 days |
| Shenzhen | Zeebrugge | 26-34 days |
| Qingdao | Zeebrugge | 28-35 days |
| Ningbo | Zeebrugge | 25-35 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Belgium
Air transport is the fastest mode of transportation, usually taking 5-8 days, but the price is higher and the time is affected by the following flight arrangements, cargo type and security checks, customs clearance and delivery, weather and emergencies.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Belgium) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Brussels | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Brussels | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Brussels | 5-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Liege | 5-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Liege | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Liege | 5-6 days |
Rail Freight Time from China to Belgium
Rail transport is a compromise between sea and air transport, usually takes 18-22 days, and is affected by the following routes and transfer points, train schedules and space, distribution within Europe, weather and force majeure factors.
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Belgium) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Brussels | 12-16 days |
| Chongqing | Brussels | 13-16 days |
| Wuhan | Brussels | 12-15 days |
| Chengdu | Liege | 13-15 days |
| Chongqing | Liege | 14-16 days |
| Wuhan | Liege | 12-16 days |
Refer to the time efficiency of transportation from China to other regions:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the Netherlands?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the UK?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Germany?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
Door-to-Door Shipping from China to Belgium
Door-to-Door service from China to Belgium means that the goods go directly from the departure point in China to the final destination in Belgium. To save customers’ time and energy. From the collection and transportation of goods to the customs clearance and delivery at the destination, we provide customers with a worry-free logistics experience. Door-to-Door service is perfect for customers who do not have the time and resources to manage the details of transportation.
With door-to-door service, you do not need to worry about transportation, customs clearance or additional costs. Ubest Shipping provides full support from the time the goods arrive in Belgium from China to the designated address. We ensure that the goods are delivered safely and on time, and provide full transportation tracking services to keep you informed of the status of the goods at any time.
When choosing a door-to-door shipping service from China to Belgium, you can choose between DDU and DDP terms:
- DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): Under DDU terms, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the buyer’s location, but the buyer is responsible for paying import duties, taxes and any other customs-related fees when the goods arrive.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Under DDP terms, the seller bears all costs and risks of shipping the goods, including import duties, taxes and customs clearance. This option provides buyers with a hassle-free experience.
Shipping Steps from China to Belgium
Initial consultation and appointment
Contact a logistics provider to discuss shipping details, including cargo type, weight, volume, destination and preferred schedule. The provider will suggest the best option based on your requirements.
Quotation and Service Agreement
Get a comprehensive quote covering all services from pickup in China to final delivery in Belgium. Once terms and price are agreed, confirm the booking with the logistics provider.
Pickup and Consolidation
The logistics team arranges pickup from origin in China. For smaller shipments, it can be consolidated with other shipments to optimize space and reduce costs.
China Export Customs Clearance
The provider is responsible for processing all export customs documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, and any necessary licenses, ensuring smooth export of the goods.
Main Modes of Transportation (Sea, Air, or Rail)
Depending on the mode of transportation you choose, the goods will be transported to Belgium by sea, air, or rail. During the transportation process, you will receive tracking updates to monitor the progress of the goods.
Arrival in Belgium and import customs clearance
Upon arrival, the supplier is responsible for managing import customs clearance in Belgium, submitting the necessary documentation and paying applicable duties and taxes to ensure compliance
Delivery transport arrangements
Once customs clearance is complete, the logistics provider will arrange final delivery in Belgium or other European locations. This includes organizing road transport to the final destination.
Freight Forwarder from China to Belgium
At Ubest Shipping, we understand that international shipping can be a complex and time-consuming process. That’s why we strive to make it as simple and straightforward as possible.
We provide a single point of contact for all your ocean freight forwarding needs in China, including customs clearance, documentation, and cargo tracking.
Our team of experienced professionals will help you navigate the complexities of international shipping with ease.
Whether you’re shipping a few pallets or a full container, Super International Shipping will ensure your shipment reaches its destination safely and on time.
At Ubest Shipping, we are committed to providing the highest level of customer service. Our team of professionals is available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you may have. We understand that international shipping can be a stressful process, so our customer service representatives are always here to provide you with guidance and support.
Ubest Shipping is your go-to ocean freight forwarder from China to Singapore. We are committed to providing the highest quality of service, and our team of experienced professionals will ensure that your international shipping needs are met with care and precision.
Shipping from China to Belgium is a complex and delicate process that requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. Through this article, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the characteristics, cost structure and customs clearance process of different modes of transportation, and with the assistance of professional freight forwarding companies, effectively plan transportation plans to ensure that the goods arrive at their destination safely and efficiently.