Freight shipping from Germany to China
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Learn more about the trade route
China is one of Germany's most important trading partners. In 2024, the bilateral trade volume totalled 245.98 billion euros. Exports from Germany to China accounted for 89.95 billion euros of this, while imports totalled 156 billion euros. In terms of trade volume, China is Germany's largest import partner and second most important export partner (after the USA).
Central Röhlig services at a glance
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Germany
China
General Services
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Upcoming customer shipments
Sea Freight from Germany to China
The sea route from Germany to China is the preferred, economical solution for larger loads. High-performance seaports in Germany and China enable efficient transport handling.
The most popular trade route is through the Suez Canal, with an alternative route via the Cape of Good Hope which is significantly longer (plus approx. 10-15 days). The classic routes are Hamburg-Shanghai and Bremerhaven-Shenzhen.
As an experienced logistics partner for sea freight, we offer you customised, reliable and economical solutions for the transport of your goods from Germany to China. Our service portfolio includes both classic FCL and LCL transport (including Expedited LCL) as well as Project Logistics. We also carry out sea freight consolidation and ro/ro shipments - tailored to your individual requirements.
Air Freight from Germany to China
Smaller, light and/or urgent goods shipments, such as pharmaceutical products, can be transported from Germany to China via air freight. The significantly higher costs are offset by a much shorter transit time. Frankfurt Airport is the most prominent German air freight hub to Asia. Shanghai, on the other hand, is not only China's largest cargo airport, but also the most utilised entry point for German air freight to China.
Röhlig supports your air freight from Germany to China with a wide range of services including direct flights, Air Freight Charter, Onboard Courier Services, multimodal Door to Door air freight, the transport of temperature-sensitive goods and freight consolidation.
Sea Freight from Germany to China
The sea route from Germany to China is the preferred, economical solution for larger loads. High-performance seaports in Germany and China enable efficient transport handling.
The most popular trade route is through the Suez Canal, with an alternative route via the Cape of Good Hope which is significantly longer (plus approx. 10-15 days). The classic routes are Hamburg-Shanghai and Bremerhaven-Shenzhen.
As an experienced logistics partner for sea freight, we offer you customised, reliable and economical solutions for the transport of your goods from Germany to China. Our service portfolio includes both classic FCL and LCL transport (including Expedited LCL) as well as Project Logistics. We also carry out sea freight consolidation and ro/ro shipments - tailored to your individual requirements.
Air Freight from Germany to China
Smaller, light and/or urgent goods shipments, such as pharmaceutical products, can be transported from Germany to China via air freight. The significantly higher costs are offset by a much shorter transit time. Frankfurt Airport is the most prominent German air freight hub to Asia. Shanghai, on the other hand, is not only China's largest cargo airport, but also the most utilised entry point for German air freight to China.
Röhlig supports your air freight from Germany to China with a wide range of services including direct flights, Air Freight Charter, Onboard Courier Services, multimodal Door to Door air freight, the transport of temperature-sensitive goods and freight consolidation.
Popular trade routes from Germany to China
Sea Freight
Hamburg - Shanghai
Bremerhaven - Shenzhen
Air Freight
Frankfurt - Shanghai
Rail Logistics
Duisburg - Chengdu
Customised logistics services for the trade route from Germany to China
The trade route from Germany to China has been successfully established for many years. Nevertheless, efficient logistics processes require a logistics partner that has excellent knowledge of the strict requirements imposed by Chinese import authorities.
Our branches in China are staffed with experienced experts which is proven to provide a clear advantage. We know the applicable quarantine regulations, trade restrictions and the necessary registration procedures for the required import licences.
Further requirements and restrictions for China exports
Packaging and labelling (examples)
Wooden packaging must comply with the ISPM 15 standard
Raw wood requires a phytosanitary certificate
Food labelling: Mandatory labelling in simplified Chinese characters
Registration procedure & licences
Quarantine regulations for plants and animals
| Plants | Strict quarantine regulations to protect domestic agriculture; certain products may be completely banned. |
| Animals | Pets are subject to quarantine regulations, usually with a 30-day isolation requirement. |
Certificates and licences
GACC registration: Registration with the Chinese customs authority (GACC) is required before export, especially for food or pharmaceuticals.
Furthermore, certain Chinese certificates such as the China Compulsory Certificate (CCC) are required for import.
Import restrictions and bans
Mandatory registration for food: Since 1 January 2022, foreign manufacturers must be registered with Chinese customs. Strict controls and import licences are required for meat, fish and dairy products.
Certain import duties to protect domestic production - e.g. for textiles
Import bans for certain categories of goods:
Weapons, ammunition, explosives
Counterfeit money, deadly poisons, drugs (e.g. heroin, hashish)
Media with politically or culturally undesirable content
Animals/plants with bacterial risks
Industrial waste, goods containing mercury
Details on the Germany - China trade route
From 2019 to 2024, German exports to China fell by 6.3 %. A large proportion of the decline in exports was attributable to motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts. Food and chemical products, on the other hand, recorded an increase.
Outlook & opportunities
Despite declining growth and increasing uncertainties in the world of global trade, China remains a highly essential export market for Germany.
The expansion of railway lines, ports and hubs by China plays a pivotal role in this, due to the high-demand of technology solutions that are “Made in Germany”.
This combination of demand, market depth and excellent infrastructure speaks in favour of a long-term stable trade relationship between China and Germany
Substantial investment interest from German companies
By the first half of 2023, €7.3 billion in direct investments from Germany had already hit the Chinese market and Despite ongoing challenges, 71% of German companies plan to further expand their investments in China. The reasons for this include the competitive production conditions and the well-developed infrastructure, which make China attractive for global value chains.
German companies in China benefit from a comprehensive network of government and business contact points that facilitate market access.
Customs clearance for Germany-China exports
Chinese customs regulations are extensive and subject to frequent changes triggered by trade policy decisions, security concerns or international agreements. Violations of these regulations can lead to significant delays in the release of goods, unexpected costs (e.g. storage fees, penalties) and even legal consequences.
This is where our customers benefit from our extensive experience in customs clearance for German exports to China! Our experts know the specific requirements of the Chinese import authorities inside out and ensure that your freight is processed smoothly and swiftly.
On request, we can also prepare the necessary accompanying documents such as customs declarations or certificates of origin - so that your goods reach their destination without delay.
Transport insurance for your delivery from Germany to China
Most transported goods are too valuable or sensitive to take the risk of uninsured transport. In addition, depending on the Incoterm (e.g. CIF or CIP), you are responsible for taking out insurance that meets ICC standards.
Insurance services individually tailored to the goods and transport route are the usual standard for freight from Germany to China. Our tip: Rely on the proven insurance cover of a Röhlig Transport INSURANCE Solution!
Packaging requirements for importing goods to China
China has specific requirements for the packaging of imported goods, especially for dangerous goods. Non-compliant packaging can lead to the goods being rejected.
Packaging requirements for importing goods to China
Dangerous goods regulations
Specific labelling and safety data sheets in Chinese are required for the export of hazardous chemicals to China. The packaging must comply with Chinese standards to enable import.
Substance bans and restrictions
China has its own regulations on the restriction of hazardous substances in products, similar to the European RoHS Directive. Exporters should ensure that their products comply with these requirements.