Shipping from China to Italy: Air, Sea & Rail Freight | Rates and Transit times | 2023 - Honourocean
Shipping from China to Italy guide
Choosing the right shipping method for your goods from China to Italy is a key decision that can have an impact on the success of your business. Whether you’re looking for the fastest, most cost-effective option or something tailored more to your needs, there are various options available. In this article, we’ll go over the three main shipping methods from China to Italy – air, sea, and rail freight.
Honourocean Shipping provides professional shipping solutions with an extensive experience in international transport logistics. We are a highly knowledgeable organization that can offer a wide variety of knowledge with decades of experience. We’ll help you determine what shipping strategy is best for your company requirements. Honourocean Shipping can provide you with the best cheapest & highest quality services from China to Italy.
Costs of Import From China To Italy

Shipping from china to Italy
we arrange sea freight from China to Italy. We also provide you with customs clearance service and arrange all necessary documentation on your behalf.

Air shipping from china to Italy
We ship your goods via air freight shipping from China to Italy. We provide air freight services at an affordable shipping cost from any city of China to Italy.

Door to door shipping from china to Italy
One of our advantage of shipping way from China to Italy is door to door shipping for your deliveries. We provide door to door shipping at a low freight cost from China to Italy.

Rail freight from china to Italy
We provide rail freight services from China to Italy via The Yiwu – London Railway Lin. Rail freight is more affordable and reduces your shipping from China to Italy cost.

Express shipping china
We provided courier from china to Italy. including DHL China to Italy; ups shipping from china to Italy and so on courier service from china to Italy.

Customs Clearance Italy and China
We specialize in providing customs clearance services from China to Italy. We have our own customs department, researching customs policies of both Italy and China for early clearance.
Cheap shipping from china to Italy
- When shipping by sea, there are two main transit types: FCL and LCL. FCL is when an entire container is used to ship your products, while LCL is when your products share space with other people’s products in the same container – also known as groupage. If you’re shipping large volumes and can fill a container, it makes sense to choose FCL
- Generally speaking, FCL is a better option if you’re shipping a large volume of goods or items that are sensitive to damage (e.g., electronics). LCL is ideal for small shipments or if you’re just getting started with importing from China. It’s also worth noting that LCL rates are calculated per cubic meter, so be sure to factor that into your decision.then LCL shipping (also known as groupage) offers a more economical way to ship smaller quantities that make up less than half of the volume of a full container
cost of shipping 20ft/40ft container from china to Italy 2022
FCL(full container load), Full Containerload, equates to filling a 20′ or 40′ container full with all the necessary materials. When importing fcl you can save time by sending fcl in large quantities. Price for FCL can vary depending on whether or not container is full. .Regular customers of a shipping company always get a reasonable price, cooperate shipping company :such as COSCO, CMA, ONE, MSK, MSC, etc.
LCL shipping from china to Italy
LCL (less than container load) means you cannot fill all containers and are delivered in addition to other containers or pallets. Note: During LCL shipment the goods must occupy a unified destination port and have to be consolidated. This is the reason LCL ship times are longer than FCL.
you may interest: Standard Pallet Sizes & Dimensions
Table of Contents
Additional services for shipping from China to Ghana
freight forwarders
We are proud to be one of the leading freight forwarders in the Italy offering specialized logistics services for Amazon’s FBA to freight forwarders, brokers, Amazon sellers, and suppliers. Italy bonded warehouse & storage facility with distributions as well as packing services.
Shipping agent from china to Italy-Honouroceanshipping
as top 5 logistics companies in china to Italy, Our service includes:
1. air freight from china to Italy;
2. shipping from china to Italy prices;
3. Ddp shipping from china
4.we can support buying from china to Italy, then arrange door to door Italy delivery for customers.
DDP shipping from China to Italy

Shipping from China to Italy is made easier with delivery duty paid (DDP) options. With this type of shipment, an importer in Italy can have their goods transported from a Warehouse in China all the way to their Italian door, without having to worry about additional taxes and fees when the good arrive at its final destination.
DDP shipping eliminates complexity by giving customers a guaranteed price for their shipment that includes customs clearance and all other necessary fees when it arrives to Italy. This makes it one of the most cost-effective and efficient methods of shipping goods from China to destination countries worldwide.
DDP Air freight from China to Italy can take between 3 to 4 days.
DDP Road freight from China to Italy can take 16 to 17 days by LCL
DDP Rail freight from China to Italy can take 18 to 22 days by LCL
DDP Sea freight shipping from China to Italy takes 30 to 50 days by LCL
DDP Shipping Requirement From China To Italy:

Do not send any items that infringe on intellectual property rights.
Do not send any illegal
Items need to be labeled with “Made in China” on their packaging and SKU labels.
In addition to cargo original packaging, the outer carton should be new and sturdy. Suggest using transparent tape to seal the carton’s outer box. Do not use coloured tape.
DDP shipping from China to Italy weight limit range from 11Kg/ to 21Kg. The maximum gross weight for each waybill is 30Kg.
DDP shipping from China to Italy min chargeable weight per shipment is 100kgs.
Please make sure that the total cargo weight of all the items does not exceed 30Kg.
Weight Prices and Requirements
The minimum weight charge is 10KG for Air, 13kg for Rail, 12KG for Sea and 12KG for Truck freight.
Waybill minimum charges are 11KG for Air, 13 Kg for Rail, 21KG for Sea and 21 KG for Truck.
The maximum weight for one outer carton is 30kg.
Sea freight from China to Italy

Sea shipping is the most cost-efficient method of international shipping. Ocean freight is perfect for customers trying to transport large, heavy shipments or for those who have time constraints and need their cargo delivered fast. The transit times vary depending on the port of origin and destination but average between 14 and 30 days.
LCL shipping from China to Italy
LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping allows customers to ship smaller consignments in an efficient, cost-effective way. By consolidating the cargo of multiple customers into one shipment, LCL shipping offers unbeatable value for businesses looking to move small loads from China to Italy. The transit time for this type of freight is usually between 15 and 30 days depending on the port of origin and destination.
FCL shipping from China to Italy
FCL (Full Container Load) shipping is a great option for customers who need to ship large, full containers at once. This type of freight is more expensive than LCL shipping but offers more security and control over the cargo as the goods are not loaded with other customers’ consignments. The transit time for FCL from China to Italy usually ranges between 14 and 28 days.
Main ports in China

NANSHA
Port Facts: Located on the Pearl River and with over 4600 berths, Nansha is ranked the fifth largest port in the world for container volume. This is a historic port that dates back over a thousand years.
Owned By: Guangzhou Port Group Co. Ltd. Annual Container Volume: >20.3 million TEUs. UN/LOCODE: CNGZG.
SHENZHEN
Port Facts: Shenzhen has links to over 130 shipping lanes and 18 container berths and is among the world’s busiest container hubs. Located on the South Coast, it’s ideal for importers and exporters working in the Guangdong region of China.
Owned By: Shenzhen Government. Annual Container Volume: >25.2 million TEUs. UN/LOCODE: CNSHK.
CHANGSHA
Port Facts: Changsa is a small port but has some vital connections to inland China, including some of the fastest growing regions. The port is likely to expand its operations in the near future.
Owned By: Changsha Harbour Administration Bureau. Annual Container Volume: >100,000 TEUs. UN/LOCODE: CNCSX.
WUHU
Port Facts: Wuhui is located in Anhui province which has traditionally been the hub of China’s rice trade and is now also a center for manufacturing.
Owned By: Wuhu Port Authority. Annual Container Volume: >500,000 TEUs. UN/LOCODE: CNWHI.
LIANYUNGANG
Port Facts: This port is located in Jiangsu province and is one of the ten biggest ports in China and the 30th largest in the world.
Owned By: Lianyungang Port Group Co. Ltd. Annual Container Volume: >4.7 million TEUs. UN/LOCODE: CNLYG.
Other ports in China you can use
As well as the above listed ports, there are many other ports in China that can ship your goods to Italy.
There are services available from the following ports: Zhuhai, Tianjin, Ningbo, Shanghai, Dalian, Fuzhou, Chongqing, Shantou, Qinzhou, Qingdao, Zhongshan, Nanjing, Xiamen.
Main ports of Arrival in Italy
LA SPEZIA
Port Facts: With its origins going back to the 19th century, La Spezia is a major container port in the Mediterranean Sea and is built on a natural and deep breakwater.
Owned By: Port of La Spezia Port Authority. Annual Container Volume: >1.4 million TEUs. UN/LOCODE: ITSPE.
ANCONA
Port Facts: Ancona in the Italian Adriatic coastline, this port has cutting edge container and freight handling abilities and covers 1.4 million square miles with container traffic growing each year.
Owned By: Central Adriatic Ports Authority. Annual Container Volume: >150,000 TEUs. UN/LOCODE: ITAOI.
VENICE
Port Facts: Venice is Italy’s eighth-busiest commercial port and has 23 freight terminals that can handle all types of goods. The port also connects to Italy’s rail network, making this a useful port for railway connections.
Owned By: Port Authority of Venice. Annual Container Volume: >1.4 million TEUs. UN/LOCODE:ITVCE.
NAPLES
Port Facts: Naples is located on Italy’s southern coast and is an important hub with 38 berths.
Owned By: Port Authority of Naples. Annual Container Volume: >500,000 TEUs. UN/LOCODE: ITNAP.
GENOA
Port Facts: Genoa is one of the biggest ports in the Mediterranean and its harbor is over a thousand years old. Nowadays it has modern logistics and freight handling capabilities that mean it’s a great place to send your consignments for speedy delivery.
Owned By: Genoa Port Authority. Annual Container Volume: >2 million TEUs. UN/LOCODE: ITGOA.
Air freight from China to Italy

Air freight shipping is the most expensive but fastest way of shipping goods from China to Italy. The transit time for air freight is around 4 to 8 days depending on the port of origin and destination. This type of freight is ideal for customers who need their goods delivered as quickly as possible.
Main airports in China

GUANGZHOU
Airport Facts: Guangzhou is located in Guangzhou province and is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world and the third largest airport in China.
Italy Airports Served: Rome-Fiumicino Guangzhou to Italy Cargo-Only Operators:None. IATA CODE: CAN.
CHENGDU
Airport Facts: Chengdu is the gateway to Sichuan Province. This airport serves western China’s exporting business and is the fourth-busiest cargo airport in the country with connections to over 50 airports worldwide.
Italy Airports Served: Rome-Fiumicino. Chengdu to Italy Cargo-Only Operators: None. IATA CODE:CTU.
SHENZHEN
Airport Facts: Shenzhen is located on the Pearl River and is a busy freight airport.
Italy Airports Served:Rome-Fiumicino Shenzhen to Italy Cargo-Only Operators: None. IATA CODE: SZX.
SHANGHAI-PUDONG
Airport Facts:Shanghai is one of the busiest airports for freight in the world handling almost 4 million tonnes of cargo annually. It is the third-largest airport in the world in terms of freight. An important airport for connecting to the city of Shanghai.
Italy Airports Served: Milan-Malpensa, Rome-Fiumicino. Shanghai-Pudong to Italy Cargo-Only Operators: China Cargo Airlines, Fed-Ex Express. IATA CODE: PVG.
BEIJING-CAPITAL
Airport Facts: Located in the capital, Beijing is the 13th busiest commercial airport in the world and has been operating since 1958.
Italy Airports Served: Milan-Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino. Beijing-Capital to Italy Cargo-Only Operators: None. IATA CODE: PEK.
OTHER AIRPORTS IN CHINA
There are other airports in China from which you can export from, either directly or indirectly. These include Qingdao, Xiamen, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, and Shanghai Hongqiao.
Main airports of Arrival in Italy
MILAN-MALPENSA
Airport Facts: 50 km north of Milan, this airport is nearby the Ticino river and has two runways and two terminals. It is Italy’s busiest airport for freight.
Connected Airports in China: Beijing-Capital, Shanghai-Pudong China to Milan-Malpensa Cargo-Only Operators: FedEx Express. IATA CODE: MXP.
ROME-FIUMICINO / DA VINCI
Airport Facts: This is Rome’s busiest airport and the eighth busiest airport in Europe. The airport has five terminals, one which is dedicated to cargo.
Connected Airports in China: Beijing-Capital, Shanghai-Pudong, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chengdu. China to Rome-Fiumicino Cargo-Only Operators : None. IATA CODE: FCO.
Rail freight from China to Italy

Railway shipping is a great option for customers who need to move large volumes of cargo quickly and cost-effectively. This type of shipping offers fast transit times, usually between 10 and 16 days, depending on the port of origin and destination. Rail freight is often used when time-sensitive goods are being shipped due to its faster transit time compared to other modes of transport.
Items that can’t be shipped by railway freight:
Electronics (tablets, cell phones)
Liquids
Powders
Knives
Weapons
Other hazardous items
Express Shipping freight From China to Italy
Express shipping is a premium freight service designed for customers who need their goods delivered quickly and securely. The transit times vary depending on the port of origin and destination, but are generally between 1-5 days. This type of shipping offers door-to-door delivery services, tracking and tracing capabilities, and insurance coverage for the goods. It is the most expensive option but guarantees fast delivery times and peace of mind for customers.
What's the shipping cost from China to Italy?
The cost of shipping goods from China to Italy depends on a few factors, including the size and weight of the shipment, the distance between ports of origin and destination, and the type of freight.
Air freight cost is typically higher but faster than sea or rail freight. Express Shipping is also more expensive but offers door-to-door delivery within 2-5 days.
Customers should contact a freight forwarder for more detailed pricing information.
Overall, customers should assess their needs when selecting the best option when shipping goods from China to Italy in order to ensure a successful shipment. All of these options provide reliable and cost-effective solutions that can meet any budget or time frame requirement.
Customs clearance in China and Italy
Customs clearance is an important step in the shipping process that must be completed before goods can enter either China or Italy.
In both countries, customs authorities will require a valid invoice and additional documentation in order to clear the shipment. Depending on the type of cargo being shipped, other documents such as inspection certificates may also be necessary.
Customers should contact a freight forwarder for more detailed information on what is required for customs clearance in both countries.
Documents to prpare when shipping from China to Italy
The documents you’ll need to supply us are:
A Commercial Invoice
A Packing List
A Certificate of Origin
A Letter of Credit or other payment terms (depends on the contract between the parties involved)
An Airway Bill for air cargo or a Bill of Lading for ocean freight (this will be provided by the carrier or freight forwarder)
Also keep in mind that depending on your cargo, there may be additional requirements when it comes to paperwork. This could be because your goods are on a list of special goods that require additional permission or licences to import.
Shipping from China to Italy– Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is the cheapest shipping method from China to Italy?
The cheapest shipping method from China to Italy is sea freight.
This type of freight offers slower delivery times compared to air or express freight, but it is the most cost-effective option. Customers who do not need their cargo in a hurry should consider this option as it will usually provide the best value for money.
It is important to keep in mind that the cost of sea freight will depend on the size and weight of the shipment, so customers should always contact a freight forwarder for accurate pricing.
Additionally, customs fees may also apply depending on the type of goods being shipped. Customers should be aware of these additional costs when selecting the best shipping option for their needs.
2. What is not allowed in air cargo if the ship from China to Italy?
We recommend not shipping the following:
Important family documents.
Guns
Seeds or live plants
Open bottles
Hazardous & flammable liquids
Alcohol
3. How do I avoid high shipping costs on Alibaba when ship from China to Italy?
The best way to avoid high shipping costs when purchasing goods from Alibaba for shipment from China to Italy is to compare the different options offered by various freight forwarders.
It is important to determine which shipping services are included in each quote and what additional fees may be applicable.
Additionally, customers should consider the delivery time frame that they require, as express or air freight may be more expensive but offer faster delivery times. By comparing all available options, customers can ensure they are selecting the most cost-effective and reliable shipping method for their needs.
Customs clearance is also an important factor to consider when determining overall shipping costs. Customers should always check with a customs broker to confirm which paperwork and documents will be required.
Additionally, customers may be able to take advantage of certain discounts and offers when ordering goods from Alibaba in bulk.
By leveraging these deals, customers can save money on their overall shipping costs.
Ultimately, taking the time to compare all available options will help customers get the best value for their money when shipping from China to Italy.
4. How can I reduce the cost of shipping?
If you are familiar with your country of destination, we invite you to consider to a door-to-port service. This is not possible for every destination though. You may choose to self-pack your inventory to lower origin costs. Please remember that your personally packed items must still be professionally loaded by our overseas movers. Packing your own shipment must also be for professional export shipping, and can only be insured for total loss.
5. What are the shipping routes from China to Italy?
1) Traditional Shipping Routes:
shipping from the coastal ports of China major ports such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Ningbo, Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, etc, first shipping from the southwest, through the Strait of Malacca, then across the Indian Ocean, to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, through the Suez Canal, to Mediterranean coastal countries such as Greece, Italy, France, Spain, etc, then continue to ship through the Strait of Gibraltar, arriving in Britain, Germany, and other North Europe countries.
2) The railway shipping from China to Italy:
Total delivery takes about 30 days door to door, starting from the major node cities of Chongqing, Lianyungang, Xuzhou, Zhengzhou, Xi’an, Lanzhou and Urumqi, all the way to the west, then ship to the Atasu-Alashankou, the border of China, into Kazakhstan, and then through Russia, Belarus, Poland, import customs clearance start from Poland, after import custom clearance finished in Poland, goods will be transferred to an oversea warehouse, and pick up from UPS/GLS/DPD in Germany, finally reach to the destination in Italy and other European countries.
3) Air cargo transport routes:
Direct flights from China to Italy, Europe (such as Beijing to Paris, Shanghai Pudong to London, Guangzhou to Frankfurt), and transit flights through the Middle East (such as Shenzhen to Madrid, transit in Dubai in the Middle East, carried by Emirates; Xiamen to Hamburg, transit in Qatar in the Middle East, carried by Qatar Airlines. ).
Kindly note the above modes of transportation apply to different goods. Sea transportation is generally suitable for transporting goods with large quantities and low value; railways are generally suitable for transporting goods in large quantities, especially those that can be transported in containers; and air transport is generally suitable for goods with small batches and high value, season products, Urgent or perishable goods.
6. What type of boxes should I use for household goods?
Always use new packing boxes and materials. Never used old or pre-used boxes to ship your items. Old supermarket boxes may cost nothing, but they are not well padded nor strong enough to withstand international shipping, and will often be responsible for damage to your items.
7. What import taxes will I have to pay for Italian customs?
Italian customs apply a 21% value-added tax(including 0-17% customs duties and 4.2% tariff) to nearly all imported items. You may also need to pay customs and excise duties, as well as other fees.
It’s Important to stay well-informed about current Italian import fees and to disclose all the contents of your shipments to your freight forwarder so they can provide you with an accurate estimate.
If you don’t want to pay taxes by yourself, we have also shipping methods that including taxes,door to door, including all cost. You need only waiting the packages arrive after paying us the shipping cost,then we will handle it for you. That is a special shipping route from China to Italy,including shipping fees, including taxes, including export customs clearance and including import customs clearance.
8. How can I make sure my goods arrive safely?
While we take all possible precautions, we encourage every customer to purchase insurance so your shipments are covered in case of damage or loss during transit. We’re happy to help you choose the right insurance for you. We can even walk you through the process.
9. What is the best way to protect fragile items
Ensure our overseas shipping crew is aware of your boxes containing your fragile items. Our team will inform you if your valuables should be packed in more protective boxes. Generally speaking, the heaver the item, the tighter the box around it should be. Label all fragile item containing boxes “FRAGILE”.
10. When will my payment be due?
Payment is due after goods ship. If you’re choosing to have us pick up your items at your supplier factory, payment is due after item pickup. We will send out and provide the tracking number which can let you track your goods shipping states online, at the time you can arrange to pay to our company account.
11. Which payment methods do you accept?
T/T transfer
PayPal
Western Union
Cash in RMB (Chinese currency)
12. Do I need to be present when my container is delivered?
Yes. Ensure that you are the location when you are delivery crew arrives. Please, stay while the unloading is underway to answer any questions. You may authorize an adult to represent your interests if you cannot be there yourself to accept your delivery, and inform the delivery crew ahead of time. Your representative must be prepared to record any change in the condition of your items at the time of arrival and load.
13. What Is The Maximum Weight For Air Freight Shipping From China To Italy?
It depends on the type of aircraft. Normally, air shipment is limited to a maximum height of 163 centimeters with a pallet.
This limit is applicable if it is a wide-bodied passenger aircraft.
Some airlines have cargo aircraft with more capacity.
They can allow up to 300 centimeters height of the box with a pallet.
If you are confused with the size of the package to ship from China to Italy, consult your freight forwarding agent or the local office of the airlines.
Some special type of cargo aircraft can provide you more limits if needed.
But never expect enough size as rail and sea freight systems can provide.
14. Who Pays The Import Duty When Shipping From China To Italy?
When you import a product from China, all cost is imposed on your import, directly or indirectly.
Sometimes, sellers from China include the cost of shipment and duty. He calculates everything before offering you the rate.
So, the import duty goes to you indirectly.
Normally, you are liable to the duty at the time of clearing from the port.
Your clearing and forwarding agent will perform the formalities on your behalf.
How Honourocean can provide the best freight forwarder service to Italy?
Honourocean shipping offers the cheapest shipping rates in the market. The international shipping process is very complex and requires a large number of connections and expertise.
Honourocean shipping does not just have a few contracts with big carriers but also many smaller ones. This allows them to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, We have a 24/7/365 customer support team to help you with information, any queries, and the latest update on your shipment.
Conclusion
China is offering very competitive packages for all types of businesses around the world. Small to medium orders become the large size of shipment to continents and countries. With this, making a full container takes less time and the average cost is reduced very competitively.
So, there is no doubt that the business of import from China to Italy has many advantages.
alibaba shipping costs to Italy?
Alibaba shipping agent: honourocean shipping are alibaba golden supplier for over 5years.
More detail for The Ultimate Guide for Alibaba Shipping
