In recent years, with the advancement of the “Belt and Road” initiative in Latin America, Venezuela, as an important country in South America, has certain trade exchanges in petrochemical products, machinery and equipment, daily necessities, electronic products, etc. Learn about the logistics routes and transportation methods from China to Venezuela through this article.
Overview of Shipping from China to Venezuela
Transportation between China and Venezuela mainly relies on sea and air transportation. Due to the long geographical distance and limited direct routes, most goods are transported via transit routes. Common transit countries include Panama, Mexico, Miami, USA, Colombia, etc.
Major ports
- Port of La Guaira: Located near the capital Caracas, the port is one of the main maritime gateways of Venezuela and handles a considerable part of the country’s container transportation.
- Puerto Cabello: As the largest and busiest port in Venezuela, Puerto Cabello plays a vital role in the import and export of goods such as machinery, electronic products and consumer goods.
- Port of Maracaibo: Located on the west coast, the port is an important hub for goods shipped to the western and central regions of Venezuela.
Major Airports
- Simon Bolivar International Airport : Located near Caracas, it is Venezuela’s main international gateway and handles a large number of cargo flights.
- Arturo Michelena International Airport: Located in Valencia, this airport is an important commercial cargo hub that supports logistics operations in the central region.
- La Chinata International Airport: Located in Maracaibo, this airport serves the western region of Venezuela, ensuring efficient distribution of goods.
Sea Freight from China to Venezuela
Sea freight is the most common mode of transportation, with low transportation costs, suitable for large or heavy goods, more relaxed transportation restrictions, support for dangerous goods, large equipment, flexible loading, support for less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL), and can be flexibly selected according to the volume of goods.
Full container load (FCL) is an ideal choice for businesses that need to transport large quantities of goods. With full container load, you can have the entire container to yourself, ensuring that the goods are not mixed with other goods. This option provides greater security, faster transportation time and cost savings for bulk goods.
Less than container load (LCL) is a cost-effective solution for small shipments that do not require full container load. In LCL transport, it is combined with other goods, and container space and costs are shared with other companies to optimize logistics costs.
Air freight from China to Venezuela
Air freight has a fast transportation time, which is suitable for high-value or urgent goods, with short cargo detention time and low risk of cargo damage. It has high security and can be dispatched more frequently, allowing companies to flexibly meet tight deadlines and respond quickly to market demand.
Airlines have strict requirements on cargo weight, volume, and packaging, and have restrictions on weight and volume. Freight is expensive and there are no direct cargo flights between China and Venezuela. There are many transits. Aviation prohibited items (such as batteries, liquids, compressed gases, etc.) require special declaration.
Shipping Cost from China to Venezuela
The cost of shipping from China to Venezuela can vary greatly depending on several key factors. Understanding these factors can help companies make informed decisions and optimize their logistics costs.
- Types of goods: Dangerous goods (such as batteries, chemicals) will incur surcharges.
- Distance and route: The geographical distance between the departure and destination and the selected shipping route will significantly affect the cost.
- Peak season fluctuations: The peak season for South American replenishment and Christmas stocking is the peak season, with significant increases in freight rates and tight shipping space.
- Fuel prices: Fuel price fluctuations will directly affect transportation costs.
Sea Freight Cost from China to Venezuela
The cost of shipping is mainly charged according to the type of service, generally according to the size of the container (20ft and 40ft containers) or the volume of the cargo CBM. The following is the latest freight details for FCL and LCL:
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Panama) | LCL Shipping Cost | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | La Guaira | $180 – $300/CBM | $3,000 – $4,000 | $4,350 – $5,550 |
| Shenzhen | La Guaira | $200 – $310/CBM | $3,100 – $4,200 | $4,400 – $5,600 |
| Ningbo | La Guaira | $200 – $300/CBM | $3,250 – $4,150 | $4,200 – $5,400 |
| Shanghai | Puerto Cabello | $185 – $320/CBM | $3,200 – $4,300 | $4,250 – $5,550 |
| Shenzhen | Puerto Cabello | $195 – $300/CBM | $3,100 – $4,300 | $4,300 – $5,450 |
| Ningbo | Puerto Cabello | $210 – $310/CBM | $3,200 – $4,300 | $4,400 – $5,500 |
| Shanghai | Maracaibo | $185 – $305/CBM | $3,250 – $4,150 | $4,200 – $5,400 |
| Shenzhen | Maracaibo | $180 – $350/CBM | $3,000 – $4,000 | $4,350 – $5,550 |
| Ningbo | Maracaibo | $200 – $300/CBM | $3,100 – $4,300 | $4,300 – $5,450 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Venezuela
Air cargo usually uses transit routes and is transported in conjunction with the international air logistics network. The cost is generally charged based on the larger of the volumetric weight and the gross weight. The gross weight is the actual weight. Volumetric weight (KG) = length cm × width cm × height cm ÷ 6000:
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Venezuela) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Simon Bolivar | $8.5 – $9.6 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Simon Bolivar | $8.0 – $9.8 |
| Beijing Capital | Simon Bolivar | $7.5 – $9.8 |
| Shanghai Pudong | Arturo Michelena | $7.5 – $10.0 |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Arturo Michelena | $8.0 – $9.2 |
| Beijing Capital | Arturo Michelena | $7.5 – $9.8 |
Here are the costs for shipping to other countries:
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How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Brazil?
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Mexico
Shipping Time from China to Venezuela
Shipping time from China to Venezuela is affected by many factors. Understanding these variables can help companies plan logistics more effectively and set accurate delivery expectations.
- Flight and space arrangement: During periods of tight space, especially for charged and oversized cargo, there may be a delay of 1-2 flight cycles
- Port efficiency at destination: Busy ports and terminals, especially during peak season, may cause delays in cargo loading and unloading.
- Weather conditions: Severe weather conditions such as storms, heavy rains or hurricanes may disrupt shipping plans and cause delays.
- Customs clearance and document processing efficiency: Venezuela has strict customs clearance supervision. If the documents are incomplete or the declaration is wrong, it may delay the time.
Sea transport mainly departs from major ports in China. There is no direct flight between China and Venezuela. Most goods need to be transferred through transit ports in Latin America or the Caribbean. It usually takes 40-55 days to arrive at Venezuela.
Air transport mainly departs from major airports in China, then transits through Europe and the United States, and usually takes 7-12 days to arrive at airports in Venezuela
| Port of Origin (China) | Port of Destination (Venezuela) | Air Freight Time | Sea Freight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Caracas | 7–10 days | 42–54 days |
| Guangzhou | Caracas | 6–9 days | 40–53 days |
| Ningbo | Caracas | 7–11 days | 45–55 days |
| Shanghai | Puerto Cabello | 8–12 days | 44–52 days |
| Guangzhou | Puerto Cabello | 6–10 days | 42–55 days |
| Ningbo | Puerto Cabello | 6–11 days | 40–55 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
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Argentina
DDP Shipping from China to Venezuela
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means that the seller bears all costs and responsibilities during the transportation of goods until the goods are delivered to the buyer’s designated location. Under the DDP terms, the seller is not only responsible for export customs clearance, international transportation, and import customs clearance, but also bears the relevant costs of the destination country’s tariffs, VAT, and other related costs.
Features
- Transportation responsibility: The seller is solely responsible, and the buyer does not need to bear any matters in the transportation process
- Tariffs and taxes: The seller is responsible for all tariffs, VAT, and other possible costs in the destination country
- Customs clearance responsibility: The seller is responsible for customs clearance procedures in the destination country
- Delivery method: Door-to-door delivery, the goods are delivered directly to the buyer’s designated address
- Applicable scenarios: The buyer is not familiar with the import process
Detailed process of transportation
Pickup and packaging
The logistics service provider arranges to pick up the goods from the Chinese supplier’s location to ensure proper packaging for international transportation. For sensitive or high-value items, additional packaging or labels may be used to protect the goods.
China export customs clearance
The goods are transported to the departure port or airport, and export documents such as commercial invoices, packing lists, ocean bills of lading, or air waybills are submitted for customs clearance. The logistics provider ensures compliance with Chinese export regulations.
International transportation
The goods are shipped by sea or air using the transportation method of your choice. During transportation, the logistics provider will monitor the progress of the goods and coordinate any necessary transfers.
Customs clearance for Venezuelan import
Upon arrival in Venezuela, the logistics provider will handle customs clearance. The logistics provider is required to submit the necessary documents, pay all applicable duties and taxes, and ensure that the goods comply with all Venezuelan import requirements.
Final delivery to the destination
After customs clearance, the logistics provider arranges the last mile delivery to the address specified by the consignee in Venezuela, completing the door-to-door delivery. The goods are delivered directly to the customer’s location, providing a seamless, easy and convenient experience.
Customs Clearance Shipping from China to Venezuela
Customs clearance and destination considerations
- Venezuela has strict customs clearance requirements, and usually requires commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, etc. to be provided in advance
- Exchange rates are unstable, and foreign exchange settlement issues require advance communication of payment methods
- It is recommended to use DDU/DDP services, operated by experienced freight forwarders or customs clearance agents
- Avoid transporting prohibited items, as Venezuelan customs has strict audits on some electronic products, medicines, and communication equipment
Details of value-added tax and import taxes
- Value-added tax (VAT): 16% of the CIF value.
Import taxes: Import taxes depend on the type of imported goods. For example:
- Electronic products: 5%
- Fashion goods: 35%
- Medical equipment: 18%
How to Choose Freight Forwarder
Freight forwarders are crucial intermediaries in the global supply chain, responsible for managing the logistics and transportation of goods to ensure efficient, economical and compliant transportation. Their main responsibilities include arranging cargo transportation, processing documents, managing customs clearance, and providing tracking services. Choosing the right freight forwarder is essential to navigating the complex international transportation process, ensuring that goods are delivered on time, and complying with customs regulations.
The following are factors to consider when choosing a suitable freight forwarder
- Choose a Chinese freight forwarding company with experience in shipping to South America
- Confirm whether the freight forwarder can provide door-to-door service
- Find out if the freight forwarder has a cooperative customs clearance agent or office in Venezuela
- Check whether the transportation plan provided by the other party is transparent and reasonable, and whether there are any hidden fees
Although the transportation from China to Venezuela is a long journey and the process is complicated, through this article, you can choose the right transportation method, master the key points of each link, and cooperate with reliable logistics partners to achieve stable and efficient freight operations.