In recent years, trade between China and Hungary has become increasingly close. With the EU membership and China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, trade between Chinese companies and Hungary has continued to grow. This article will describe the logistics of shipping from China to Hungary.
Introduction to Hungary
Hungary is an inland country located in Central Europe, bordering Romania to the east and Austria to the east. Hungary has become one of China’s largest investment destinations in Central and Eastern Europe, and Budapest is one of the logistics hubs in Central Europe. Shipping goods from China to Hungary can not only meet the needs of the local Hungarian market, but also radiate other EU countries through Hungary.
How to Ship from China to Hungary
Sea Freight
Sea transportation is the most economical and efficient way to transport large quantities of goods. It has low unit costs, can handle oversized or heavy items, and provides a variety of container options suitable for different types of goods.
Shipping goods to Hungary relies on several major ports in neighboring countries to meet its shipping needs. The main ports include:
- Port of Hamburg (Germany): One of the busiest ports in Europe, providing extensive connections to Hungary by rail and road.
- Port of Constanta (Romania): An important hub on the Black Sea, with access to Hungary through well-established transportation routes.
Air Freight
The speed of air freight greatly reduces transit time, and frequent flights and strict schedules minimize delays. Airport security measures reduce the risk of theft and damage, making it ideal for high-value and sensitive goods.
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD): Budapest is Hungary’s main international airport and the main entry point for air cargo. The airport has complete modern facilities and is well connected to major global routes.
- Debrecen International Airport (DEB): Provides additional capacity and connectivity for cargo transportation to and from Hungary.
Rail Freight
Rail transport is a fast-growing and efficient mode of transportation. Between the speed of air freight and the cost-effectiveness of ocean freight, with a lower carbon footprint, rail transport is a more sustainable option for environmentally conscious businesses, less prone to delays due to weather and congestion, and ensures more predictable shipping times.
- Budapest: A major hub for international rail transport. Many trains from China enter Hungary and continue to transport goods to other European countries through this city.
Shipping Cost from China to Hungary
The cost of shipping from China to Hungary is determined by the mode of transportation and is also affected by the following factors:
- Type of goods: Dangerous goods and perishable items require special handling, which will increase the cost
- Distance of transportation: There may be different routes and cost structures for shipping from different cities in China to different ports in Finland
- Seafood factors: Freight rates rise during peak seasons (such as “Double Eleven” and Christmas), and prices are lower during off-seasons.
- Destination and customs clearance requirements: Customs clearance fees and time limits vary for different ports and airports.
- Fuel surcharge: Fluctuations in international oil prices can affect sea and air freight costs.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Hungary
The cost of sea transportation is mainly based on the transportation service: FCL and LCL. LCL costs are calculated based on the volume (cubic meters) or weight (tons) of the goods, and FCL costs are calculated based on the size of the container (20ft and 40ft containers). The following are the cost ranges:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Hamburg | $85-$160 | $2050-$3050 | $3000-$4900 |
| Shenzhen | Hamburg | $70-$145 | $1900-$2900 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Hamburg | $90-$140 | $1950-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Hamburg | $85-$150 | $2000-$3000 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Constanta | $70-$145 | $1950-$2850 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Constanta | $80-$155 | $1800-$2800 | $3100-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Constanta | $90-$165 | $2050-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Constanta | $85-$145 | $2000-$2950 | $2950-$4850 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Hungary
Air transport is the fastest mode of transportation, but the cost is higher and is usually calculated based on the volumetric weight or actual weight of the goods (the larger of the volumetric weight or actual weight). The calculation formula is usually: Volumetric weight = length × width × height / 6000.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Hungary) | Cost Per KG (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Pudong | Budapest | $5.80 – $10.50 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Budapest | $6.00 – $11.60 |
| Beijing Capital | Budapest | $5.90 – $10.40 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Debrecen | $5.70 – $9.70 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Debrecen | $5.80 – $9.20 |
| Beijing Capital | Debrecen | $6.00 – $11.50 |
Rail Freight Cost from China to Hungary
The cost of rail transport is between that of sea transport and air transport. The billing model is the same as that of sea transport, and is charged by full container and less than container load.
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Hungary) | LCL Shipping Cost | FCL Shipping Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Budapest | $150 – $250 / CBM | $6000-$7500 /40FT |
| Chongqing | Budapest | $160 – $230 / CBM | $6100-$7800 /40FT |
| Xi’an | Budapest | $170 – $240 / CBM | $6000-$7600 /40FT |
| Yiwu | Budapest | $180 – $250 / CBM | $6000-$8000 /40FT |
If you are interested in the costs of shipping 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 Austria?
Shipping Time from China to Hungary
The time to transport goods from China to Hungary depends on the mode of transport (sea, air, rail freight), but is also affected by the following factors:
- Weather factors: Extreme weather may affect the timeliness of flights, railways, and sea transportation.
- Customs clearance time: Hungary is a member of the European Union, and customs procedures are relatively strict. Incomplete documents will lead to customs clearance delays.
- Peak logistics season: (Double Eleven, Christmas, Spring Festival, etc.), aviation and railway may be delayed.
- Customs clearance efficiency: Choosing an experienced freight forwarder can increase customs clearance speed.
- Policies and customs inspections: Changes in import policies in the destination country may increase customs clearance time.
Below are the shipping times for various services from China to Hungary by different shipping methods:
| Mode of Transport | Service Type | Typical Transit Time (Days) |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Freight | FCL (Full Container Load) | 30 – 40 Days |
| Sea Freight | LCL (Less than Container Load) | 35 – 45 Days |
| Air Freight | Standard | 5 – 7 Days |
| Air Freight | Eexpress delivery | 2 – 3 Days |
| Rail Freight | FCL (Full Container Load) | 18 – 22 Days |
| Rail Freight | LCL (Less than Container Load) | 20 – 25 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 Austria?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Romania?
Door-to-Door Shipping from China to Hungary
Door-to-Door service is a comprehensive shipping solution that manages every stage of shipping (from the supplier’s door in China to the consignee’s door in Hungary). This all-inclusive service covers a variety of shipping methods, including sea, air and rail freight, ensuring that businesses get a seamless and worry-free experience.
There are many advantages to choosing door-to-door service that can simplify your logistics operations and improve your business efficiency:
- Full service: From the starting point to the end point of the goods, all transportation and formalities (such as customs clearance, warehousing, transshipment, etc.) are provided by the service provider. The cargo owner only needs to provide the necessary documents and pay the fees, and the logistics company is responsible for the rest.
- Save time: Efficiently coordinate and manage all logistics links to ensure timely delivery and minimize delays and interruptions.
- Cost-effectiveness: Compared with independently managing multiple suppliers, integrated services and optimized transportation routes can save costs.
- Simplified customs clearance process: Professional customs documentation and compliance management ensure smooth and worry-free customs clearance.
- High flexibility: Whether it is larger goods or small items, flexible transportation methods and delivery times can be provided.
Detailed Shipping Process from China to Hungary
Understanding and being familiar with the detailed process of transportation from China to Hungary and understanding the time of each step will help to better plan the transportation plan.
Cargo preparation and packaging
Ensure that the goods meet the import standards of Hungary and the EU. Choose the appropriate packaging method to prevent damage during long-distance transportation.
Choose a mode of transportation and reserve a space
Book a space through a freight forwarder or international logistics company, and confirm the transportation time and cost.
Customs declaration and export procedures
Submit the export declaration form and go through the customs declaration procedures.
Transportation process
The goods are shipped to Hungary by sea, rail or air.
Customs clearance at destination
After the goods arrive in Hungary, the importer or logistics agent will go through the customs clearance procedures and pay VAT and customs duties (if applicable).
Customs clearance documents include:
- Invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- Transportation contract
- Certificate of origin and other documents.
Last mile delivery
Delivered to the customer’s warehouse or final delivery address through local logistics.
Shipping from China to Hungary involves a variety of transportation methods. By choosing the right freight plan, optimizing the logistics process, and avoiding potential risks, this article will help reduce transportation costs and improve transportation efficiency.