The challenge of successfully keeping the two countries connected with smooth shipping is a major achievement in today's turbulent logistics market. The ports of Spain and China are bustling with various shipping requests, high demand, and quality supply. Many carriers are managing the Spain-China shipping routes as the core of their supplies. The SeaRates team simplifies necessary shipping logistics operations for the world's major destinations. In this article, you will get answers to many questions that arise when shipping from Spain to China.
Air and maritime freight transportation are reliable and fast solutions for container shipping to China from Spain. Let's look at the key differences between shipping to China and the peculiarities and rules that carriers should be prepared for when planning deliveries.
One of the first steps in transportation is finding the cheapest freight rates from Spain to China in February 2024. Multiple factors will need to be considered and will affect the rate and the presence of extra charges. The SeaRates team is always ready to assist you at every stage of the preparation and execution of your shipment.
Ready to ship? Get instant freight quotes with this helpful tool:
What costs do I need to consider when shipping from Spain to China?
The freight rates for your transportation will greatly vary and depend on various factors, including:
- transportation type
- characteristics and type of cargo (type, amount, weight, and dimensions)
- shipment’s insurance
- time of year
The SeaRates team individually calculates and provides the best freight on the market today. You just need to pay attention to some factors:
- Air freight is generally more expensive than shipping by vessel. However, if you need to deliver a lightweight shipment, air freight will be a cheaper option.
- High-value goods that are subject to high insurance will increase your shipping costs.
- Choose the LCL container (Less than Container Load) type of transportation if you can’t fill a shipping container with your goods. This option is cheaper than FCL container (Full Container Load) transportation.
Many of these basic rules complicate the logistics planning process. There are always IT logistics tools to calculate the cost of shipping conveniently. Among all of them, SeaRates Logistics Explorer allows you to find freight rates for individual parameters, compare the best rates from market carriers, and book instantly, avoiding sudden cost increases. All you need to specify are the shipping ports of departure and destination when you plan to ship your cargo and what type of cargo you are shipping.
Mostly, the cheapest option for shipping from Spain to China will be to ship FCL via ocean during off-peak times of the year.
How long does cargo shipping from Spain to China take?
Shipping cargo door-to-door from Spain to China could take from 35 to 40 days, depending on your chosen origin and destination port, what is being shipped, and the method of transportation.
Air freight is the fastest method of transportation, with cargo reaching its destination port in China in 5 days.
Ocean freight takes a lot longer than air. It can take up to 47 days to ship your cargo from Spain to a destination port in China.
Moreover, FCL transportation is faster than LCL transportation due to the logistics involved in loading and unloading goods at both ends of the shipment.
Sea and Air freight time from Spain to China
| Port-to-Port | Door-to-Door | |
| Sea FCL | 34-37 days | 44-47 days |
| Sea LCL | 35-40 days | 45-50 days |
| Air Cargo | 3-5 days | 13-15 days |
When is the best time to ship from Spain to China?
Seasonal factors significantly affect air and ocean freight rates, especially for FCL shipments.
The main peak seasons for freight rates are from mid-August to mid-October, in the run-up to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve. The increase in freight rates is due to high demand and a lack of space in containers. Therefore, you should take this factor into account when planning your supply chain and make shipments outside the peak season.
Does the day of the month in which you plan to ship your cargo impact the cost of the freight rate?
Shipments that are booked in the last 2 weeks of the month may be cheaper as carriers try to fill up the available space on vessels. However, the beginning of the month may be more expensive for you, as the General Rate Increase may be charged for cargo spaces.
Thoughtful advance planning guarantees the cheapest transportation costs for your goods.
Cargo tariffs for transportation from Spain to China
We have figured out what affects the cost of your transportation. SeaRates Logistics Explorer will take all the factors into account for you and offer you a quote that fits your budget and requirements.
You only need to specify the main details of your shipment (points of departure/destination, dates, etc.), and the freight shipping tool allows you to compare different options for quoting cargo transportation on this route. You will also receive information about the handling of your cargo and the transit time.
Additionally, Logistics Explorer provides a cost breakdown for each leg of the shipment to give you a handle on your budget and expenses.
Freight shipping quotes from Spain to China
These are some examples of the most affordable 20-foot FCL shipping costs from Spain to China.
| Bilbao - Shanghai | From $940 | Check rates |
| Valencia - Qingdao | From $500 | Check rates |
| Cartagena - Wuhan | From $1130 | Check rates |
| Algeciras - Taicang | From $1130 | Check rates |
| Valencia - Shanghai | From $530 | Check rates |
| Alicante - Changzhou | From $900 | Check rates |
| Sevilla - Shekou | From $1800 | Check rates |
*Actual rates are valid until April 9, 2024.
You can ask the SeaRates Customer Support team any questions about the freight rates you found. You can also request a customized quote for shipping. Here you will receive a quote with more details about your cargo (commodity type, HS Code, and weight). After that, SeaRates will contact you directly and offer several options.
Container packaging and what you need
It is important to have a practical and comprehensive approach to packaging for cargo transportation. You need to consider the weight and dimensions of the cargo, as well as what kind of packaging material you need.
It's a daunting task to comprehend and calculate everything on your own, so the SeaRates Load Calculator tool provides you with a vivid 3D diagram to help you understand what your cargo will look like and how much space in the container it will need.
All you need to do is provide a few details about your shipment, including the equipment you'll need for transportation, the size of the shipment, and the shipping mode.
Finally, the Load Calculator will display how your shipment will look in the container you choose, as well as its total volume and weight.
Know the essential documents needed for shipping from Spain to China
For a successful shipment customs clearance process from Spain to China, it is necessary to properly pack and label the cargo. Having the necessary documents, such as an importation permit for certain goods, a commercial invoice, and a packing list, is also key.
Documents needed for shipping to China:
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of origin
- Letter of Credit or other payment terms
You may also need a special permit if you’re shipping certain goods, like hazardous materials.
Is container insurance required?
The SeaRates team encourages our clients to insure their cargo, as insurance may be the only protection in case of loss or damage during transportation.
You can get cargo insurance through the freight forwarding community or a third-party insurance agent. Also, be sure to contact SeaRates to find the right insurance policy for you.
The cost of cargo insurance is usually between 0.3% and 0.5% of the value of your commercial invoice.
Main shipping ports in Spain
Warehouse operators, suppliers, and freight forwarders – each party to the logistics process needs to find the best port for their requirements. Also, you can explore port services and other information about ports through SeaRates to consider when planning your transportation.
Certain ports may be better for you due to their location, customs procedures, and cargo handling volumes, or perhaps your factory has a special agreement with a particular port.
The main sea freight ports in Spain include:
The main air cargo ports in Spain include:
- Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport (MAD)
- Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN)
- Zaragoza Airport (ZAZ)
- Vitoria Airport (VIT)
Main shipping ports in China
Major ocean cargo ports in China include:
Major air cargo ports in China include:
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)
- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN)
- Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) (technically a Special Administrative Region of China)
- Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU)
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH)
- Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport (XMN)
- Qingdao Liuting International Airport (TAO)
- Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY)
Find an easy route from Spain to China for cargo transportation
Our team is constantly improving our IT tools for shipping and logistics services to make delivering to new destinations around the world a simple task for you.
Conquer new markets and expand your services with the SeaRates platform, which guarantees you the most convenient route at the best price. We are committed to helping you navigate the complexities of the market so you can focus on growing your business.
You can always contact us at logistics@searates.com for assistance with your logistics needs.
