As the trade relationship between China and Colombia becomes increasingly close, more and more companies are beginning to pay attention to how to transport goods from China to Colombia efficiently and legally. This article will provide a detailed overview of logistics from China to Colombia.
How to Ship from China to Colombia
China is one of Colombia’s most important trading partners. Colombia’s main imports include machinery and equipment, electronic products, furniture, clothing and chemicals, most of which are made in China.
Due to the geographical distance, trade between China and Colombia mainly relies on sea and air transportation. As one of the gateways to South America, Colombia has multiple ports and airports to support import and export trade from China.
The shipper should also understand the receipt of goods at the destination port or airport, especially in South Korea, where the inspection standards and procedures for imported goods may be slightly different at different ports. Working with an experienced logistics agent can effectively avoid these potential problems.
According to the budget, schedule and nature of the goods. Find the most suitable mode of transportation to deliver the goods to Colombia smoothly and smoothly.
Sea Freight from China to Colombia
Sea freight from China to Colombia is the most economical mode of transport for bulk cargo, capable of handling various types of cargo, with the following service types
- Full Container Load (FCL): This service uses an entire container, which is ideal for bulk cargo transportation, reducing the risk of damage and theft. Full container load can save costs on bulk cargo transportation and shorten transportation time by reducing the number of stopovers and handling.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): It refers to a service where multiple shippers share a container. This option is suitable for businesses with a small number of goods and do not need to fill a full container. This saves transportation costs. However, due to the need for consolidation and deconsolidation, transportation time may be longer.
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): It is used to transport vehicles and large machinery that can be loaded and unloaded on the ship. RoRo ships are quick to load and unload, shortening loading and unloading time and minimizing the risk of damage.
- Breakbulk: It is a way of transporting goods in batches instead of using containers. This service is suitable for oversized or heavy goods that cannot be transported in containers.
Air Freight from China to Colombia
Air freight is the fastest and most reliable way to transport goods from China to Colombia. There are usually several types of transportation services:
- Air Freight: Ensures on-time delivery while being cost-effective, providing a balanced solution without the additional costs of express services. This service is ideal for goods that require faster transit time than sea freight but are not particularly urgent.
- Express Shipping: is the fastest air freight service, designed for urgent shipments that need to reach their destination as quickly as possible. This premium service provides fast processing, priority boarding and the shortest transit time, which is ideal for time-sensitive goods such as medical supplies, high-value electronic products and perishable goods.
Major Airports and Ports in Colombia
Colombia has several major airports and ports that facilitate international trade, allowing goods shipped from China to reach their destination quickly and efficiently.
Major Ports
- Port of Cartagena: Located on the Caribbean coast, it is Colombia’s busiest port and a major hub for container transportation.
- Buenaventura Port: Located on the Pacific coast, it handles a large portion of Colombia’s international trade, especially with Asian countries.
- Barranquilla Port: Located on the Magdalena River, it is an important gateway for cargo entering and leaving Colombia.
Major Airports
- El Dorado International Airport (BOG): Located in Bogota, it is the busiest and most important cargo airport in Colombia.
- José María Cordova International Airport (MDE): Located in Medellín, it handles a large amount of international air cargo.
- Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG): Located in Cartagena, it is the main gateway for air cargo on the Caribbean coast.
Shipping Cost from China to Colombia
The cost of transport from China to Colombia generally includes the following parts:
- Cost at the place of departure: including pick-up fee, customs clearance fee, export document fee
- Main transportation fee: sea freight or air freight (calculated by cargo weight/volume)
- Cost at the port of destination: unloading fee, port miscellaneous fee, storage fee
- Customs clearance fee: agency customs clearance, tax payment service fee
- Delivery fee: the cost of delivering from the port/airport to the consignee’s address (such as DDP service)
| Shipping Mode | Shipping Cost | Best For | Description |
| LCL (Less than Container Load) | $200 – $300 per cubic meter | Smaller shipments | Share a container space, ideal for smaller loads |
| FCL (Full Container Load) | $2,900 for a 20-foot container, $4,160 for a 40-foot container | Large shipments | Exclusive container use for big shipments |
| Express Shipping | $8 – $15 per kilogram | Urgent, high-value goods | The fastest delivery option for time-sensitive items |
| Air Freight | $5 – $10 per kilogram | Medium-sized, time-sensitive shipments | Balances speed and cost for quick deliveries |
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Colombia
Sea freight is the mainstream mode of transportation, and the charges are mainly based on size (20ft and 40ft containers). The costs of shipping from China to different ports in Colombia vary:
| Departure Port in China | Arrival Port in Colombia | 20ft Container (FCL) | 40ft Container (FCL) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Cartagena | $2,100 – $3,100 | $3,500 – $4,700 |
| Shanghai | Buenaventura | $2,200 – $3,400 | $3,600 – $4,800 |
| Shanghai | Barranquilla | $2,000 – $3,200 | $3,400 – $4,500 |
| Ningbo | Cartagena | $2,200 – $3,100 | $3,500 – $4,700 |
| Ningbo | Buenaventura | $2,000 – $3,200 | $3,700 – $4,900 |
| Ningbo | Barranquilla | $2,100 – $3,200 | $3,800 – $5,000 |
| Shenzhen | Cartagena | $2,100 – $3,000 | $3,600 – $4,800 |
| Shenzhen | Buenaventura | $2,000 – $3,200 | $3,400 – $4,500 |
| Shenzhen | Barranquilla | $2,000 – $3,400 | $3,700 – $4,900 |
Here are the costs for shipping to other countries:
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How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Mexico
Shipping Time from China to Colombia
Shipping from China to Colombia, the shipping time will vary depending on the selected logistics method, the departure port, the destination city and the customs clearance efficiency. The following is the general time range for different modes of transportation:
| Port of Origin (China) | Port of Destination (Colombia) | Air Freight Time | Sea Freight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Bogota | 3-7 days | 32–45 days |
| Shenzhen | Cartagena | 4-7 days | 30–40 days |
| Ningbo | Buenaventura | 3-8 days | 31–44 days |
The following are the shipping times from China to surrounding countries:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Mexico
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Brazil
DDP Shipping from China to Colombia
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service means that the seller bears all transportation, customs clearance, tariffs and final delivery costs, and delivers the goods directly to the buyer’s designated location. For buyers, DDP is the most worry-free service model, especially for customers who are not familiar with international trade or Colombia’s customs clearance policies.
Detailed steps for DDP shipping:
Order placement and pickup arrangement
The shipping process begins with booking the service and arranging the pickup. The logistics provider will coordinate with the Chinese supplier to pick up the goods from the warehouse or factory.
Cargo preparation and packaging
Proper packaging and labeling are essential to meet international shipping standards. The logistics provider should ensure that the goods are securely packaged, especially fragile or high-value goods, and ensure that they comply with Chinese and Colombian regulations.
Document preparation
Prepare major shipping documents, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading (sea freight) or air waybills (air freight). Logistics providers usually handle all necessary documents to speed up customs clearance for both parties.
China export customs clearance
The goods undergo export customs clearance in China, and customs officials review the documents and conduct cargo inspections if necessary. Once customs clearance is complete, the goods can be shipped out of the country.
Suitable transportation method
The goods will be shipped from China to Colombia using the transportation method of your choice. The transportation time varies, usually 7-10 days for air transportation and about 40-50 days for sea transportation.
Arrival in Colombia and import customs clearance procedures
After the goods arrive in Colombia, they need to go through import customs clearance procedures at the port or airport. The logistics provider needs to submit the required documents to the Colombian customs officials, who will inspect the goods and calculate all applicable duties and taxes.
Local processing and final delivery
After customs clearance, the goods will be transferred to the local carrier for final transportation. The logistics provider will arrange delivery to the consignee’s address to complete the door-to-door transportation process.
Tracking and customer support
Throughout the process, the logistics provider provides tracking and customer support to ensure that the consignee is always aware of the status of the goods and resolve any issues that arise.
How to Choose Reliable Freight Forwarder
A reliable freight forwarder is crucial for smooth transportation. You can refer to the following points when choosing:
- Professional experience: Experience in operating in the Central and South American markets, familiar with Colombian customs clearance rules
- Full-service capabilities: Can provide door-to-door, double-clearance tax-inclusive, warehousing and delivery services
- Customs declaration compliance capabilities: Familiar with HS codes and Colombian tax rate policies to avoid customs clearance bottlenecks
- Timeliness and price transparency: Provide detailed quotations and transportation time plans
- Customer reputation and feedback: Check whether there are successful cases and customer reviews
Although the transportation from China to Colombia is a long distance, choosing the right transportation method, compliant customs clearance solutions and reliable freight forwarding partners are the key to ensuring smooth logistics. It is recommended to plan in advance and cooperate with professional logistics companies to reduce transportation risks.