As trade between China and South American countries continues to deepen, Suriname, a country in northern South America, is attracting increasing attention from Chinese companies. However, due to Suriname’s emerging market, many exporters lack understanding of shipping methods, customs clearance procedures, and logistics costs. This article will provide a detailed overview of the logistics situation between the two countries.
Detailed Shipping Process from China to Suriname
Located in northeastern South America, Suriname enjoys convenient access to the Caribbean Sea. Its economic development relies on import and export trade, with a large amount of machinery and equipment, building materials, home appliances, textiles, and daily consumer goods exported to Suriname. Due to the geographical distance, it’s crucial to understand the detailed shipping process:
Choosing a Freight Forwarder
Select an international freight forwarder with experience shipping from China to Suriname (preferably one that offers door-to-port, door-to-door, or DDP services).
Understand the destination market and transportation requirements.
Before shipping, you’ll need to prepare the recipient’s details (company name, address, tax ID), the type of goods, quantity, weight, and volume.
Product Preparation and Packaging
Packaging that complies with customs standards, palletizing (to prevent damage), and affixing shipping labels (including shipping marks)
China Export Declaration
The freight forwarder or exporter will file a declaration with China Customs, and the goods will be released for shipment after export clearance is completed.
Shipping and Tracking
While the goods are in transit, we provide tracking and monitoring services, allowing you to monitor the location and status of your goods at all times. We provide real-time data to ensure you always know the progress and estimated arrival time of your shipment.
Suriname Import Customs Clearance
Usually handled by the Surinamese importer or their authorized customs clearance agent, the following are required:
- Bill of Lading or Waybill
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
- Import License (if applicable)
Payment of import duties and VAT (based on the HS code of the product)
Cargo Collection and Delivery
Cargo is collected from the port or airport and delivered to the warehouse or final delivery address.
Shipping Options from China to Suriname
To meet different customer needs, there are two main shipping options from China to Suriname: sea freight and air freight. Below is a detailed comparison of the two options:
Sea Freight
Sea freight offers low costs and is suitable for large volumes. It can accommodate cargo of various sizes, including general cargo, building materials, equipment, and large machinery. It is ideal for highly planned trade and offers flexible loading options. The main options are FCL and LCL:
- Full Container Load (FCL): Shipping by the entire container, suitable for larger volumes (such as 20 GP or 40 HQ).
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Smaller volumes are shipped together with other shipments in a shared container.
| Service | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| LCL Shipping (Less than container load) | $200 – $250/CBM | 35–50 days | Small shipments consolidated into shared containers. |
| FCL Shipping (Full container load) | $3,800 – $6,500 | 35–45 days | Bulk goods that benefit from cost-effective transportation. |
Air Freight
Air freight is fast and suitable for urgent orders or high-value goods. The process is streamlined, customs clearance and pickup are efficient, and document processing time is short. This option offers a low damage rate, as cargo requires less handling or stacking, resulting in a lower risk of breakage and loss. It’s suitable for high-value cargo, but cargo capacity is limited. Flammable and explosive goods, such as lithium batteries, are subject to air transport restrictions and require special packaging and declaration.
Service | Cost | Transit Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Freight | $6.5–$10.0 per kg | 5–8 days | Suitable for high value-added or urgent goods. |
Factors Affecting Shipping Costs from China to Suriname
Whether you’re exporting to Suriname for the first time from China or have established trade relationships, understanding the factors that influence shipping costs will help you better control costs and choose the most appropriate shipping method. The following factors influence sea and air freight:
Cargo Volume and Weight
Sea freight is charged by cubic meter, while air freight is charged by volumetric weight over actual weight, whichever is higher. Sea freight is more cost-effective for heavy cargo, while air freight for light and bulky cargo is more expensive.
Cargo Types and Special Requirements
Special cargo such as electrical products, batteries (requiring MSDS and UN38.3 certificates), chemicals (requiring dangerous goods declaration), and oversized cargo (requiring special packaging or lifting) requires special handling, which increases costs.
Port of Departure and Destination
Freight rates vary slightly between ports in China, and the complexity of transshipment will affect the quote.
Direct Flight or Transshipment
Transshipping through the Caribbean or Panama increases the distance and cost. Some air freight shipments require transit through the US or Europe.
Customs Clearance and Delivery (DDU/DDP) Required
DDP services will incur additional taxes, customs clearance, and delivery costs.
Peak Season and Special Times
Logistics costs typically increase before the Spring Festival, during the export peak in June, and before Black Friday.
Shipping Costs from China to Suriname
Suriname, as an emerging market in South America, has a stable demand for Chinese-made goods. For exporters, understanding the detailed composition and estimated range of shipping costs is key to controlling costs and deciding on shipping methods.
Sea Freight Range
- Ocean Freight (Base Rate)
- Port of Departure Miscellaneous Charges (THC, customs clearance, document fees)
- Port of Destination Miscellaneous Charges (unloading, document processing, customs clearance, etc.)
| Departure Port (China) | Arrival Port (Suriname) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Paramaribo | $2650 – $3,350 | $4,400 – $6,750 |
| Shenzhen | Paramaribo | $2400 – $3,400 | $4,500 – $6,800 |
| Ningbo | Paramaribo | $2550 – $3,450 | $4,550 – $6,850 |
| Guangzhou | Paramaribo | $2400 – $3,400 | $4,300 – $6,700 |
| Qingdao | Paramaribo | $2450 – $3,500 | $4,400 – $6,700 |
Air Freight Range
- Air Freight Charged by weight or volume (the higher of volumetric weight and actual weight).
- Document Processing Customs clearance, manifest filing, and airway document fees.
- Fuel Surcharge Adjusted dynamically based on the airline’s current fuel prices.
- Security Surcharge Security fees charged under aviation security regulations.
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | Cost per kg |
| Shanghai Pudong (PVG) | Johan Adolf Pengel (PBM) | $5 – $9 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun (CAN) | Johan Adolf Pengel (PBM) | $6 – $10 |
| Shenzhen Bao’an (SZX) | Johan Adolf Pengel (PBM) | $4 – $8 |
Learn more about fees in the following articles:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Brazil?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Argentina
Customs Clearance Process in Suriname
After goods are shipped from China to Suriname, they must undergo formal customs clearance procedures at the local Surinamese customs office before they can be delivered or stored. Customs clearance is a critical step in the entire cross-border logistics process. The following is a detailed process:
- Goods arrive at the port/airport
- Submit documents to the customs clearance agent
- Preliminary review by the customs system and confirmation of the HS Code
- Calculation of tax rates and import duties. Surinamese customs duties range from 5% to 50% (depending on the product category), and Value Added Tax (VAT) is approximately 10%
- Inspection: Manual inspection / Release otherwise
- Payment of customs duties and VAT (if applicable)
- Goods release, pickup, or delivery
Freight Forwarding from China to Suriname
Freight forwarders are crucial. They manage documentation, ensuring compliance with Chinese export and Surinamese import regulations, coordinate multimodal transport, and organize seamless transfers between sea, air, and land transport to ensure efficient delivery. They also provide real-time tracking, providing continuous updates from departure from China to final delivery in Suriname.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Freight Forwarder to Ship to Suriname
- Experience with the China-Suriname route: Look for expertise with extensive experience managing the unique logistical challenges of this corridor.
- Strong Network: Ensure the freight forwarder has strong connections in sea, air, and land logistics to enable flexible route planning.
- Comprehensive Service Offering: Select a provider that offers customs clearance, warehousing, and customized distribution services.
- Reliable Reputation: Consistently positive feedback and on-time delivery are key indicators of quality service.
With the steady growth of China’s trade with Suriname, shipping from China to Suriname is no longer a complicated problem. Welcome to contact Ubestshipping to get a one-on-one shipping solution quote and customs clearance advice to help you easily enter the South American market!