As an important trading country in Europe, Portugal has increasingly close economic and trade relations with China. Understanding the transportation methods, costs and timeliness from China to Portugal is of great help to the international trade between China and Portugal. This article will introduce the situation of shipping from China to Portugal in detail.
Introduction to Portugal
Portugal is located in southwest Europe, bordering the Atlantic Ocean to the west and Spain to the east. The main goods imported from China include electronic products, machinery and equipment, clothing and furniture. It is an important gateway to the European market. Portugal is a member of the European Union. Once the goods are cleared, they can circulate freely throughout the EU market.
Major ports and Airports in Portugal
Major ports
- Porto de Lisboa: the largest port in Portugal, suitable for container transportation and bulk cargo transportation.
- Porto de Leixoes: an important port in the north, handling a large number of import and export goods.
- Porto de Sines: a deep-water port, the largest container port in Portugal, connecting the Asian, European and American markets.
Major Airports
- Lisbon Airport (Humberto Delgado Airport, LIS): Portugal’s largest and busiest international airport, mainly responsible for cargo and passenger flights.
- Porto Airport (Francisco Sa Carneiro Airport, OPO): An important international airport in northern Portugal, suitable for air cargo.
- Faro Airport (FAO): Has a certain number of cargo flights
How to Ship from China to Portugal
When shipping goods from China to Portugal, it is important to understand the different modes of transportation, their respective costs and shipping times
Sea Freightis the most common mode of transportation. Compared with air transportation, sea transportation is cheaper and suitable for large quantities of goods. There are two main container transportation methods: FCL and LCL
- Full container shipping (FCL): Suitable for large quantities of goods, usually using 20-foot or 40-foot containers.
- LCL shipping (LCL): Suitable for small quantities of goods, sharing containers with other goods to reduce costs.
Air Freightis the fastest and most reliable way to transport goods from China to Portugal. It is particularly suitable for high-value, time-sensitive goods that need to be delivered quickly, and air freight flights are frequent and less likely to be delayed than sea freight.
Shipping Cost from China to Portugal
The cost of shipping from China to Portugal depends on factors such as the mode of transport, type of goods, weight/volume, port of departure and port of destination. The main factors affecting the cost from China to Portugal are,
Nature of goods
- General goods (clothing, accessories, machinery) are cheaper
- Sensitive goods (batteries, liquids, chemicals) require special lines or special approvals, and are more expensive
- Large goods (overlength, overweight) require additional fees
Transportation distance and ports
- Major ports (Lisbon, Porto) have lower costs
- Inland cities require trailer fees or railway transit
Tariffs and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Portugal VAT rate: 23%
- Tariff calculation method: determined by HS Code
Effects of off-season and peak season
- Peak season (July-October): Sea/air freight prices rise
- Off-season (January-April): Prices are relatively stable
Sea Freight Cost from China to Portugal
Sea freight costs usually include basic freight, fuel surcharges, port fees, etc. Shipping costs from China to Portugal usually vary depending on the shipping service. Here are the cost ranges from different ports to Portugal:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Lisbon | $80-$135 | $1550-$3050 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Lisbon | $75-$150 | $1600-$3100 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Lisbon | $80-$140 | $1550-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Lisbon | $85-$135 | $1700-$3000 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Lesos | $75-$140 | $1450-$3150 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Lesos | $70-$135 | $1500-$2900 | $3000-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Lesos | $80-$145 | $1650-$2950 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Lesos | $75-$135 | $1500-$3050 | $2950-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Sines | $80-$150 | $1650-$2850 | $3150-$4750 |
| Shenzhen | Sines | $85-$140 | $1550-$3050 | $3000-$4900 |
| Qingdao | Sines | $90-$150 | $1700-$3100 | $3100-$4800 |
| Ningbo | Sines | $75-$145 | $1450-$3000 | $3050-$4950 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Portugal
Air freight is safer, faster and more convenient than sea freight. However, the cost is also much higher than sea freight. The cost is generally based on the weight and volume of the goods (the billing weight is the larger of the actual weight and the volume weight). The following is the cost range:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Portugal) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Lisbon Humberto Delgado | $6.0 – $10.2 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Lisbon Humberto Delgado | $6.3 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Lisbon Humberto Delgado | $5.5 – $9.7 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Puerto Francisco Sa Carnero | $5.8 – $9.6 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Puerto Francisco Sa Carnero | $6.1 – $9.5 |
| Beijing Capital | Puerto Francisco Sa Carnero | $5.5 – $10.5 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Faro | $6.0 – $9.5 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Faro | $6.0 – $10.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Faro | $5.8 – $9.7 |
Learn more about the cost of shipping from China to other countries:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Spain?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to France?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Morocco
Shipping Time from China to Portugal
The arrival time from China to Portugal depends on the mode of transportation, but is also affected by the following factors:
Transportation routes
- Direct flights are faster than transit routes
- Different ports have different processing efficiencies. Remote ports have old equipment and take longer
Customs clearance and tariffs
- Fast customs clearance: Portugal generally takes 1-3 days to clear customs
- Slow customs clearance: sensitive goods, high tax rates, incomplete information, and delays of 3-7 days
Weather factors
- Sea transportation is affected by storms and bad weather
- Air transportation may be cancelled due to smog and typhoons
Peak season vs. off-season
- Peak season (July-October): tight space and possible delays
- Off-season (January-April): more stable delivery time
Sea Freight Time from China to Portugal
Sea freight mainly departs from major ports in China, passes through the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, and arrives at major ports in Portugal. The transportation time is generally 30-40 days. Different service types have different times. LCL needs to wait for collection, which may add 3-7 days. Disassembly and sorting at the destination port takes a long time.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Lisbon | 30-36 days |
| Shenzhen | Lisbon | 29-35 days |
| Qingdao | Lisbon | 30-37 days |
| Ningbo | Lisbon | 31-38 days |
| Shanghai | Leixoes | 30-38 days |
| Shenzhen | Leixoes | 31-40 days |
| Qingdao | Leixoes | 32-37 days |
| Ningbo | Leixoes | 30-38 days |
| Shanghai | Sines | 32-38 days |
| Shenzhen | Sines | 31-40 days |
| Qingdao | Sines | 31-38 days |
| Ningbo | Sines | 30-39 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Portugal
Air freight from China to Portugal usually takes a shorter time. There are direct flights from major airports in China to Portugal. The following are the shipping time frames:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Portugal) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Lisbon | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Lisbon | 4-6 days |
| Beijing Capital | Lisbon | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Porto | 4-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Porto | 4-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Porto | 5-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Faro | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Faro | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Faro | 4-7 days |
Refer to the time efficiency of shipping from China to other countries:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Spain?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Morocco?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
DDP Shipping from China to Portugal
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is suitable for both corporate and individual importers. The service is handled by the freight forwarder or logistics provider, who will bear all taxes and fees, so that the consignee does not need to deal with customs clearance and pay additional duties.
Core features of DDP services
The DDP shipping mode is suitable for trade modes that require stable and transparent fees, especially in the European market, in compliance with EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) and Value Added Tax (VAT) policies. Its features are as follows:
- All-inclusive service: including pick-up from the Chinese warehouse, international transportation, customs clearance in the destination country, payment of tariffs, payment of VAT and last-mile delivery.
- Transparent costs: The quotation usually includes tariffs and VAT to avoid unexpected charges for the consignee.
- Applicable to all kinds of goods: general goods, e-commerce parcels, bulk goods and some special categories (such as electric products) can be carried.
Detailed Steps for Shipping from China to Portugal
The transportation process from China to Ireland includes multiple links, including the selection of transportation methods, customs clearance, and warehousing. The following are detailed steps
Determine cargo information
Clarify the basic information of the cargo, cargo type (ordinary cargo, live electrical products, liquids, dangerous goods, etc.), weight and volume (determine the transportation cost), packaging method (carton, wooden box, pallet, etc.)
Choose a transportation method
Choose a suitable transportation method according to the timeliness requirements, transportation costs and characteristics of the cargo
Customs declaration and customs clearance
After the goods arrive in Portugal, they need to go through import customs clearance procedures. Import customs clearance documents include:
- Submit invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Transportation documents, etc.
Deliver to the final destination
From the destination warehouse, the goods will continue to be delivered to the final customer by truck or other means of transportation. The inspection link can ensure that the goods are not damaged during transportation.
Choose the Right Freight Forwarder
The reasons for choosing UbestShipping mainly include the following aspects:
Professional international logistics service
UbestShipping has many years of international logistics experience, is familiar with the transportation process of major routes and destinations around the world, and can provide efficient and stable transportation services.
.Multiple transportation methods available
UbestShipping provides a variety of logistics solutions such as sea and air transportation, and can choose the most suitable transportation method according to the type of goods, budget and timeliness requirements.
Favorable freight
Because UbestShipping has long-term cooperative relations with major shipping companies, airlines and railway companies, it can obtain more favorable prices and help customers reduce transportation costs.
Convenient customs clearance service
UbestShipping has rich customs clearance experience and can assist customers to quickly handle customs clearance procedures, reduce delays caused by customs issues, and provide DDP (tax-inclusive door-to-door) services to simplify the import process.
Global distribution network
Whether it is Europe, America, Africa, or the Middle East, UbestShipping can arrange logistics distribution to meet the needs of customers in different regions.
Efficient customer service
UbestShipping provides one-on-one professional customer service, answers logistics questions at any time, and provides real-time tracking of goods to ensure that customers can understand the status of goods transportation at any time.
If you have any questions about importing from China to Portugal, please contact us. Please fill in the details of your goods in our enquiry form and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.