As the global supply chain becomes increasingly close, Georgia is gradually becoming an important hub for Chinese companies to explore the European and Central Asian markets. With its unique geographical location, open trade policies and developing logistics infrastructure, Georgia is attracting more and more attention from Chinese exporters and freight forwarders. This article will introduce the shipping from China to Georgia in detail.
Introduction to Georgia
Georgia has a superior geographical location, connected to the Caspian Sea in the east, the Black Sea in the west, Russia in the north, Turkey and Armenia in the south. It is the gateway to Europe, Asia and Africa and an important node country in the “Belt and Road” initiative.
The consumer market in Georgia is gradually expanding, and China’s machinery and equipment, daily necessities, electronic products, building materials, etc. have a stable market demand in the local area.
Sea Freight from China to Georgia
Ocean shipping is a very cost-effective way because it has lower freight rates than air shipping and can handle a wide range of products, from machinery and electronic products to textiles and consumer goods. There are two main modes of transport:
- Full Container Load (FCL): For businesses with enough cargo to fill an entire container. This service is more secure and has shorter transit times, making it ideal for bulk cargo transportation.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): For cargo that does not fill an entire container, LCL allows you to share container space with other cargo, minimizing costs while ensuring safe transportation.
Major ports
- Port of Batumi: Located on the Black Sea, this port is an important port for handling both bulk cargo and containers and is an important hub for trade with China.
- Port of Poti: Poti is another important port on the Black Sea coast, known for its modern infrastructure and ability to accommodate a wide range of cargo.
- Port of Anaklia: This developing port aims to strengthen connectivity in the region and become a strategic point for cargo to enter Georgia.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Georgia
Ocean freight is mainly charged according to the service model. FCL is mainly charged according to the size of the container (20ft and 40ft containers), and LCL is charged by weight or volume. It is mainly composed of the following fees:
- Port miscellaneous fees: involving loading and unloading, terminal use, storage, etc.
- Document fees: including bill of lading fees, operation fees, document processing fees, etc.
- Trailer fees: land transportation costs from the factory to the port
- Transit fees: if it is not a direct flight, you need to pay the loading and unloading and transportation costs of the transit port
- Destination port customs clearance fees: Georgia local agent customs clearance, warehousing and other fees
The following are common fee ranges
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Batumi | $75-$165 | $2050-$3450 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Batumi | $80-$145 | $1900-$3300 | $3500-$5000 |
| Ningbo | Batumi | $70-$155 | $2050-$3650 | $3450-$5050 |
| Shanghai | Poti | $85-$145 | $2000-$3500 | $3650-$4850 |
| Shenzhen | Poti | $85-$145 | $1900-$3400 | $3500-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Poti | $80-$145 | $2150-$3350 | $3750-$4950 |
| Shanghai | Anaklia | $70-$135 | $1950-$2450 | $3350-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Anaklia | $70-$155 | $1900-$3400 | $3650-$4850 |
| Ningbo | Anaklia | $80-$145 | $2000-$3400 | $3500-$4800 |
Sea Freight Time from China to Georgia
It usually takes 25-35 days for goods to arrive at Georgian ports from major Chinese ports (such as Ningbo, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao) via transit ports (such as Istanbul) via the Black Sea. It is also affected by the following factors:
- Weather and seasonal factors: Occasional storms in the Black Sea in winter may cause shipping delays, and Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival/Mid-Autumn Festival will affect the departure time
- Flight frequency and space: Space is tight during peak seasons (such as July-October), and booking is required 2-3 weeks in advance
- Policy and customs inspection: Changes in import policies in the destination country may increase customs clearance time.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Batumi | 25-34 days |
| Shenzhen | Batumi | 27-45 days |
| Ningbo | Batumi | 26-34 days |
| Shanghai | Poti | 25-34 days |
| Shenzhen | Poti | 26-35 days |
| Ningbo | Poti | 25-33 days |
| Shanghai | Anaklia | 25-35 days |
| Shenzhen | Anaklia | 26-34 days |
| Ningbo | Anaklia | 25-33 days |
Learn more about fees in the following articles:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Turkey
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Romania?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Bulgaria?
Air Freight from China to Georgia
Air Freight is the fastest mode of transport and is highly secure, as the goods are closely monitored throughout the entire transportation process. It is highly flexible and can be flexibly arranged according to flights, making it suitable for high-value products with high timeliness requirements, such as electronic products, pharmaceuticals and perishable goods.
Main Airports
- Tbilisi International Airport (TBS): Tbilisi International Airport is the busiest airport in Georgia and plays a key role in the country’s air logistics.
Air Freight Cost from China to Georgia
Air freight is calculated based on the volume and weight of the cargo. The chargeable weight is the larger of the actual weight and the volume weight. The calculation formula for volume weight is usually: Volume weight = length × width × height (cm³) ÷ 6000. It is mainly composed of the following fees
- Fuel surcharge: charged according to the fluctuation of fuel market price, usually included in the quotation
- Destination ground fee: ground handling fee incurred after arriving at the Georgian airport
- Delivery fee: if you need to pick up the goods at the door or deliver them at the destination, you need to pay separately
- Handling fee: service fee incurred by the freight forwarder for handling documents, manifests, etc.
- Destination customs clearance fee: local customs clearance fee in Georgia
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Georgia) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Tbilisi | $6.0 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Tbilisi | $5.2 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Tbilisi | $6.5 – $8.8 |
Air Freight Time from China to Georgia
It usually takes 3-7 days for goods to depart from China’s major airports and arrive at Georgia’s major airports via transit cities or countries, and is also affected by the following factors:
- Transit airport processing efficiency: Whether the transit point is efficient is the key to determining the entire transportation time
- Weather and route scheduling: Seasonal weather (such as heavy snow in winter on the Black Sea coast and sandstorms in the Middle East) can affect flight takeoffs and landings
- Customs declaration and documents: Customs declaration at the export place is usually completed within 1 working day, but if the information is incomplete or the inspection is delayed
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Georgia) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Tbilisi | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Tbilisi | 3-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Tbilisi | 4-6 days |
Learn about shipping times from China to surrounding areas:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Bulgaria
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Romania?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Turkey
Customs Clearance Shipping from China to Georgia
Customs clearance is a critical link in the transportation of goods from China to Georgia, which is related to whether the goods can enter the market smoothly.
Customs clearance documents
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Contract (if any)
- Customs declaration letter
- Consignee and consignor information
- Export goods declaration form
Tariffs in Georgia
- Georgia is a country in the “Belt and Road” initiative and has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) with China
- Zero tariffs are imposed on most goods from China
- Some products such as cosmetics and electronic products are still subject to value-added tax (VAT 18%)
- Tariff reduction or exemption can be enjoyed by providing a certificate of origin (CO)
Steps to Ship from China to Georgia
The entire process of transporting goods from China to Georgia involves multiple steps. Understanding the following steps can help plan the transportation plan.
Confirm the order
Confirm the product type, quantity, and packaging method Confirm the transportation method, route, and cost
Cargo pickup
Arrange a trailer to pick up the container from the factory and deliver it to the port of departure or railway station
International transportation
During international transportation, provide real-time tracking of goods and monitor the entire process from pickup to final delivery. Update your shipment status regularly, including changes in the estimated arrival time or potential delays.
Georgia customs clearance
After the goods arrive in Norway, they must go through import customs clearance procedures, including payment of any applicable duties and taxes
Pickup and delivery
If the owner or agent goes to the terminal/airport to pick up the goods, the freight forwarder will arrange delivery to the delivery address after customs clearance.
Services and Advantages Provided by Ubestshipping
Ubestshipping is a freight forwarding company based in China, focusing on international logistics and has extensive experience in import and export business. We manage air and sea freight and many services for many customers every month with our Georgian partners.
- Door-to-door service (including taxes, customs clearance, delivery)
- One-stop door-to-door transportation service
- Multiple transportation modes (sea + truck / air + warehousing)
- Professional document review and customs clearance guidance
- Value-added services such as warehousing, palletizing, labeling, and drop shipping
- One-to-one account manager service, real-time tracking of cargo dynamics
If you are considering expanding into the Georgian market or have orders that need to be shipped, you may wish to contact us to obtain a free quotation and logistics solution evaluation to help you easily open up the China-Georgia trade channel and seize new opportunities in Europe and Asia!