In recent years, with the in-depth cooperation of China-Europe Express, Black Sea port construction and the “Belt and Road” initiative, Bulgaria’s strategic position in the China-Europe trade chain has become more prominent. More and more companies and individuals are importing goods from China. This article will elaborate on the basic situation of transport from China to Bulgaria.
Introduction to Bulgaria
As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria is one of the important gateways for China to enter the European market. Its geographical location is in southeastern Europe, adjacent to Greece, Romania and Turkey, and it is an important transportation hub connecting Asia and Europe.
The following types of goods are the main products imported by Bulgaria:
- Furniture: Both Chinese and European style furniture have a market, especially assembled furniture.
- Electronic products: such as mobile phone accessories, monitoring equipment, smart home equipment, etc.
- Lighting products: LED lamps, commercial lighting, solar lights.
- Textiles and clothing: especially functional or fashionable products.
- Mechanical equipment: agricultural machinery, construction machinery, industrial automation equipment.
- Auto parts: including tires, batteries, brake pads, etc.
How to Ship from China to Bulgaria
The international logistics transportation methods for transporting from China to Bulgaria mainly include sea transportation, air transportation, and rail transportation. Different transportation methods have their own characteristics:
Sea Freight
Sea transportation is the most cost-effective transportation method with low price. It is suitable for bulk goods or full container transportation. You can choose FCL or LCL according to the amount of goods
- Full container transportation (FCL): Most suitable for bulk goods or bulk goods. You can have a 20-foot or 40-foot container exclusively, reducing the risk of damage or delay of goods.
- Less than container transportation (LCL): Suitable for small-value goods, you need to share container space with other companies. This mode of transportation is more flexible, but the transportation time may be slightly longer due to the need for consolidation.
Air Freight
Air transportation is the fastest mode of transportation with stable timeliness. It is suitable for tight supply cycle, strong security, high packaging requirements, and goods that are not easy to damage. It is suitable for urgent, high value-added, light and small goods.
Rail Freight
.Rail transport is a mode of transport based on the China-Europe railway, between sea transport and air transport. It is green, environmentally friendly, stable, and less affected by weather. It is suitable for medium-sized goods such as clothing, home appliances, and mechanical parts.
Door-to-Door (DDP) Service
This is the most worry-free way to get from China to Bulgaria. From pick-up to delivery, including customs procedures, the shipping company will take care of everything. This service is worry-free and convenient, but the cost may be slightly higher.
Shipping Cost from China to Bulgaria
The cost of transport from China to Bulgaria is mainly calculated based on the mode of transport and the volume/weight of the goods, and is also affected by the following factors:
- Distance between the port of departure and the port/airport of destination
- Type of goods (ordinary, dangerous goods, cold chain, etc.)
- Whether it includes door-to-door delivery, customs clearance and other services
- Fuel surcharges, port charges
- Seasonal (such as before Christmas or Chinese New Year) freight demand surges
The following is the cost range of different transport methods
| Shipping Method | Shipping From China to Bulgaria(Cost) |
|---|---|
| Sea Freight (20ft Container) | $1550-$3050 |
| Sea Freight (40ft Container) | $3,000 – $4,800 |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | $90 – $130/CBM |
| Air Freight | $5.0 – $9.0/kg |
| Rail Freight (LCL) | $160 – $200/CBM |
| Rail Freight (40ft container) | $6,000 – $7,500 |
| Door to Door Shipping | Air Freight $12 to $16 per kg Sea Freight $150 – $220 per m3 |
Refer to the following shipping costs from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Romania?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Greece?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Turkey
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Bulgaria
Here is the cost range for shipping a full container of different sizes from major ports in China to major ports in Bulgaria:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Varna | $1550-$3050 | $3500-$5000 |
| Shenzhen | Varna | $1500-$3000 | $3450-$4950 |
| Ningbo | Varna | $1550-$2900 | $3650-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Varna | $1450-$3050 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shanghai | Burgas | $1600-$3100 | $3650-$4850 |
| Shenzhen | Burgas | $1550-$3050 | $3500-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Burgas | $1450-$3050 | $3750-$4950 |
| Qingdao | Burgas | $1550-$2950 | $3350-$4800 |
Shipping Time from China to Bulgaria
The mode of transport is the primary factor that determines the shipping time. The three common modes include sea, air and rail transport. The shipping time of each mode is different and is also affected by the following factors:
Seasonal factors: Delays are frequent during the peak season before Christmas/Spring Festival
- Customs clearance speed: Incomplete documents and increased inspections will slow down the process
- Weather: Storms, port strikes, wars, etc.
- Transit: LCL is often affected by waiting for goods or transshipment efficiency
- Inland delivery distance to destination: Cities far from the port take longer to deliver
| Shipping Method | Shipping From China to Bulgaria(Time) |
|---|---|
| Sea Freight (FCL) | 25 – 30 days |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | 30 – 40 days |
| Air Freight | 4 – 7 days |
| Rail Freight | 18 – 25 days |
| Door to Door Shipping | Air Freight 6 – 9 days Sea Freight 27 – 35 days |
Learn more about shipping times from China to other regions in the following articles:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Romania?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Greece?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Turkey
Customs Clearance for Shipping from China to Bulgaria
When shipping from China to Bulgaria, understanding the customs duties and customs clearance process is a key step in ensuring the smooth arrival of your goods. As a member of the European Union, Bulgaria has strict tariff and customs clearance requirements, and cargo owners need to comply with relevant regulations to avoid delays or additional costs.
All imports from non-EU countries (including China) must go through the EU Import Declaration System (EU Customs), and customs clearance is subject to tariffs + value-added tax (VAT). The Bulgarian VAT rate is 20%.
- Commercial invoice: must list the name, quantity, unit price, total price, and origin in detail
- Packing list: including size, weight, and packaging method
- Bill of lading: sea bill of lading or air waybill, as a proof of pick-up
- Certificate of origin: used to determine tariff treatment, not mandatory but recommended
- Product compliance certificate: certain goods (such as electrical appliances, toys) must have
- Importer EORI number: All EU importers must register with customs and obtain an EORI number
How to Find Freight Forwarder from China to Bulgaria
Choosing a professional, efficient and transparent freight forwarder is the key to ensuring smooth transportation and controlling costs. The evaluation criteria are as follows:
Professional qualifications
Whether there is an international freight forwarding certificate and membership in organizations such as WCA or FIATA.
Rich European business experience
Look for a company with rich experience in container transportation, air freight and door-to-door services, especially between China and EU countries such as Bulgaria. Familiarity with customs regulations, port operations and Black Sea routes is essential.
Comprehensive service coverage
Whether door-to-door, double customs clearance, warehousing, tax payment and other services are provided.
Transparent pricing and freight
Request a detailed quote, including freight, local delivery fees, document fees and other surcharges, to understand the total landed cost.
Tracking and customer support
Choose a freight forwarder that provides real-time tracking, bilingual customer service and updates at every step. In international transportation, responsive support services are essential and may even affect your supply chain.
If you want to transport goods from China to Bulgaria, welcome to choose Ubestshipping, which provides flexible transportation solutions and local support to make cross-border transportation safer, more efficient and worry-free. Contact us for a free quote.