The trade volume between Belgium and China is growing day by day. Belgium is an important global trade and logistics hub, and the demand for transportation is growing accordingly. Timeliness is what every customer who wants to import wants to know. This article will introduce in detail the timeliness of transportation from China to Belgium and understand the approximate transportation time.
Geographical Location of Belgium
Belgium is located in the heart of Europe, bordering France, Germany, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. It occupies a key position in transportation and trade on the European continent. It has several important transportation routes and is a key hub.
Sea Freight Time from China to Belgium
Sea Freight is the most commonly used mode of transportation in global trade, especially for bulk commodities and bulk goods. Sea transportation has a lower transportation cost, but it is relatively slow.
Goods generally depart from major ports in China, may pass through the Suez Canal, through the Mediterranean, and arrive at Belgian ports, after a voyage of about 25-35 days. The specific duration of the voyage is also affected by factors such as weather, routes and port congestion.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Antwerp | 26-34 days |
| Shenzhen | Antwerp | 28-35 days |
| Qingdao | Antwerp | 26-33 days |
| Ningbo | Antwerp | 25-35 days |
| Shanghai | Zeebrugge | 27-33 days |
| Shenzhen | Zeebrugge | 26-34 days |
| Qingdao | Zeebrugge | 28-35 days |
| Ningbo | Zeebrugge | 25-35 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Belgium
Air freight is the fastest mode of transport and is suitable for time-sensitive goods, providing fast and efficient transportation services.
The air freight transportation time from major airports such as Shanghai or Guangzhou to Belgian airports is about 5-7 days. Although the cost of air freight is higher than sea freight, it is suitable for high value-added products, perishables and other urgent transportation needs.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Belgium) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Brussels | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Brussels | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Brussels | 5-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Liege | 5-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Liege | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Liege | 5-6 days |
Rail Freight Time from China to Belgium
In recent years, rail Freight has gradually become an important logistics option between China and Europe. As a compromise between sea and air transport, rail transport has achieved a good balance in time and cost, and is suitable for medium-weight and large-volume goods.
Through China’s “China-Europe Express” project, goods depart from major railway stations in China (such as Chongqing and Wuhan), pass through Central Asia, and finally arrive at major railway hubs in Belgium. Rail transport usually takes 12-16 days.
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Belgium) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Chengdu | Brussels | 12-16 days |
| Chongqing | Brussels | 13-16 days |
| Wuhan | Brussels | 12-15 days |
| Chengdu | Liege | 13-15 days |
| Chongqing | Liege | 14-16 days |
| Wuhan | Liege | 12-16 days |
Refer to the time efficiency of transportation from China to other regions:
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the Netherlands?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the UK?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Germany?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to France
Factors Affecting Shipping Time from China to Belgium
There are many factors that affect the shipping time from China to Belgium. Here are some of the main factors:
- Customs procedures: Customs clearance procedures may be affected by factors such as port busyness, customs inspections, and completeness of documents.
- Weather: Adverse weather conditions such as typhoons and blizzards may affect the speed of transportation.
- Transportation distance and route: The choice of routes such as ports, railways, and airports and the arrangement of transportation time are also very critical. Different routes and transit stations may affect the overall time and cost of transportation.
- Port congestion: Especially during peak seasons, congestion at major ports may cause delays.
- Types of goods: Different types of goods (e.g., dangerous goods, perishables, heavy machinery, etc.) may require special packaging, handling methods, or special transportation methods, which may affect the timeliness of transportation.
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Belgium
The main sizes for shipping are 20ft and 40ft containers. Cost is an important factor in choosing a shipping method and determines the shipping time to a certain extent. The following is the cost range of ocean shipping containers:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Antwerp | $2150-$3550 | $3000-$4800 |
| Shenzhen | Antwerp | $2000-$3400 | $3050-$4850 |
| Qingdao | Antwerp | $2050-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Antwerp | $1900-$3300 | $3150-$4850 |
| Shanghai | Zeebrugge | $2950-$3350 | $3050-$4700 |
| Shenzhen | Zeebrugge | $2000-$3400 | $3000-$4800 |
| Qingdao | Zeebrugge | $2150-$3450 | $3050-$4750 |
| Ningbo | Zeebrugge | $2050-$3550 | $2950-$4850 |
Steps for Shipping from China to Belgium
The steps of transporting from China to Belgium can be divided into several key links. According to the transportation steps, you can control and understand the time
Determine the mode of transportation
Choose a suitable mode of transportation according to the type of goods, delivery time requirements and budget. Common modes of transportation include sea transportation, rail transportation, air transportation, etc.
Consult a freight forwarding company
Choose a reliable freight forwarding company (freight forwarder) and communicate with it about transportation needs, confirm transportation routes, timeliness and costs, etc.
Transportation process
Choose a shipping company, railway company or airline company according to the mode of transportation and needs, and ensure that they have the ability to handle international cargo transportation.
Customs clearance procedures
Goods arriving in Belgium need to be declared to the Belgian Customs and provide relevant import documents. Common transport documents include:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Export License (if applicable)
- Certificate of Origin
- Insurance Policy (if insurance is selected)
Transport to Destination
After the goods arrive at the destination, the goods will be delivered to the address specified by the consignee by the final distribution company (such as logistics companies, express companies, etc.).
Strategies to Save Time in shipping from China to Belgium
To save time in shipping from China to Belgium, the key is to optimize the efficiency of each link.
- Choose a direct route or direct rail route: Try to choose a transport route without multiple transfers.
- Flexibly adjust the transport plan: Flexibly adjust the delivery time according to market demand and transportation conditions to avoid conflicts with other bulk cargo transportation queues.
- Make plans in advance: When arranging transportation, try to let the goods arrive at the destination port or airport in advance for customs clearance and subsequent transportation.
- Prepare customs clearance documents in advance: Make sure all export and import documents (such as commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin, etc.) are complete.
- Real-time tracking and monitoring: Use the digital platform of the freight forwarder to track in real time and monitor the progress of the goods. Keep abreast of any possible delays and take countermeasures quickly.
- Experienced freight forwarders: Choose a professional freight forwarder with experience in handling transportation from China to Belgium, who can provide customized fast transportation solutions, reduce unnecessary transportation interruptions, and ensure that the goods arrive on time.
The timeliness of shipping from China to Belgium is affected by many factors. Through the above, you can find a suitable freight forwarder and use appropriate strategies to ensure that the goods arrive quickly.