Shipping from China to Spain | Sea, Air & Rail freight | 2023
With the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020, many businesses have had to adapt their supply chains to reduce reliance on China. However, as the world starts to recover from the pandemic, China is once again becoming an attractive option for sourcing goods. This is particularly true for Spain, which has seen a resurgence in trade with China in recent months.
Shipping from China to Spain is not as difficult or expensive as you might think. There are three main options for freight transport – sea, air and rail – and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at all three options so that you can decide which is best for your business. So let’s get started!
LCL shipping & FCL shipping
- 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
FCL Shipping from China to Spain
Full Container Load (FCL): FCL shipping means paying for the exclusive use and transportation of a shipping container from China to Spain. As you’ll pay a flat fee, this mode of transport can be less expensive than LCL for larger, heavier goods.
LCL Shipping from China to Spain
Less than Container Load (LCL): Your cargo will share space in a container with the consignments of other shippers when you opt for LCL shipping. This can be ideal when you’re only transporting small quantities of goods and don’t need an entire container just for your shipment. Importing from China to Spain via LCL is often the most affordable option for smaller consignments.
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Importing from China to Spain
Before you are ready to export goods from China to Spain, these preparations are necessary:
Find an experienced freight forwarder
Research export regulations and procedures
Know taxes and other financial factors
Find quality Chinese suppliers
How to get started for shipping from China to Spain?

If you are looking to start shipping from China to Spain, there is lots to consider! Shipping from China to Spain can be a daunting task, particularly if you’re not familiar with international shipping regulations. However, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your items arrive safely and on-time.
Step 1: Check trade laws in China and Spain
If a business wants to be successful in international trade, they need to understand the applicable regulations that can vary depending on the countries involved. To ensure compliance with local laws, businesses wanting to do business in China and Spain should begin by researching the latest trade laws in both countries. Doing the research upfront gives companies an advantage as changes in trade laws can often create unexpected difficulties and delays.
Step 2: Decide what to import from China
Once you have decided to pursue the import business model of transport materials from China to Spain, the very next step is to decide on what exactly you will be importing.
The possibilities are endless and it can be difficult sorting through them all. It is important to make sure whatever product you decide on has a desirable market in Spain, as well as the availability and manufacturing capabilities in China.
Additionally, there should be enough of a difference between the two markets for your imports to create profit for your business. With just a bit of research into the current markets abroad and what opportunities may exists in your own backyard, this will make for a successful journey into international trade.
Top Spanish Imports from China:
Electronic equipment
Furniture
Textiles
Toys
Garments
Food products
Sporting good pieces
Footwear
Knowing what already has an existing market and demand in Spain can give you a good idea of what you might be suited to provide for your prospective customers.
Where can I find the right supplier for my business?

Finding the right supplier for your business in China can be a daunting task, but luckily there are many helpful resources out there. One of the most popular and trusted sources is Alibaba.com which specializes in offering businesses access to over 370 million product listings, allowing you to explore a wide range of reliable suppliers.
Here’s just a handful of the types of items you can find on Alibaba.com to import to Spain:
Home appliances
Baby products
Clothes
Accessories
Health and Beauty supplies
Sporting goods
Fashion pieces
The list is virtually endless! With thousands of suppliers from all around China, you’re sure to find exactly what you need for your business at Alibaba.com.
Along with Alibaba.com and other reputable websites such as Made-in-China or Global Sources, utilizing industry specific resources or tradeshows like Canton Fair or China Sourcing Fairs are also great ways of ensuring you find a quality Chinese supplier that can meet your needs.
With so many options for finding the right Chinese supplier, there is no need to worry about making the right decision to support your business goals.
Now is also the time to determine whether any items you’re considering importing from china are prohibited or restricted by the Spanish government. If they are, delve into the current regulations that apply to those specific items. The last thing you want is to realize your cargo isn’t allowed into Spain and you have to figure out what to do with a container-load of inventory.
Examples of prohibited or restricted items for import into Spain:
All types of narcotics
Explosives
Flammable liquids or solids
Firearms and ammunition
Live animals and plants
Certain luxury
Culturally significant items
It’s best to know what you’re allowed to ship about your goods list before planning to ship to Spain – it would be an unwelcome surprise to find these prohibited items confiscated upon arrival!
Step 3: Find a supplier from China
The next step is to locate potential suppliers in China. There are several different ways to locate a reliable supplier. Many companies take advantage of sourcing agents or platforms like Alibaba to quickly find reliable vendors in China.
These companies specialize in helping customers source quality products at the lowest possible prices. You can even utilize third-party vetting services to help determine if the supplier is legitimate and trustworthy before moving forward with any agreements or transactions.
If you find yourself struggling with price negotiations with your new-found supplier, contact us. We can talk you through the process and help you get the best price for your merchandise. It’s just one more way Honourocean Shipping is here for you from beginning to end.
Step 4: Estimate your tax liability
Spanish customs will apply a value-added tax of between 10% and 21% of the value of your merchandise, depending on what items you’re importing. You may also need to pay customs and excise duties.
Other taxes and fees may apply depending on the type of items you’re shipping. It’s vital to stay well-informed about current Chinese and Spanish trade regulations so you know ahead of time what fees and taxes you should expect to pay. This will prevent unhappy and expensive surprises down the road. It will also help prevent you from running into unforeseen problems at Spanish customs.
Step 5: Hire a freight forwarder
As you can see, shipping items across the world is a complicated process that can get messy if you don’t know what you’re doing. With the help of a freight forwarder, businesses can take advantage of their expertise when it comes to navigating customs, determining transit times and keeping costs low.
It’s important to find a reliable and experienced freight forwarder who takes the time to understand your business needs and goals before committing – after all, they will become an invaluable asset in your supply chain journey. This is exactly the service Honourocean Shipping has years of experience handling. Don’t hesitate; reach out today so we can get to work helping with your shipment.
Step 6: Define your shipment’s Incoterms

It is important to clearly define the Incoterms of your shipment, as it will impact the costs and responsibilities of each party. By defining what falls within each party’s communication and responsibilities, one can ensure that all costs associated with shipping and deliveries are properly allocated and accounted for. A clear understanding of the Incoterms associated with the shipment will be beneficial to all parties involved.
Shipping Methods from China to Spain:
When looking to make shipments from China to Spain, it is important to evaluate what shipping method offers the best cost and transit time balance. Choices include air freight shipping, sea freight shipping, international express courier services, or a combination of multiple modes of transportation.
Sea freight from China to Spain

Ocean freight is ideal if you are shipping large volume from China due to its cheap cost.
Though slow, you can use this means if you have time to spare for your shipment.
Some of the items that you can import using this method include RORO cargo, liquid,and perishable container and bulk cargo
Let’s have a look at the details of ocean shipping from China to Spain
Sea route from China to Spain
Port of Qinhuangdao to Bilbao Port
Beijing Harbor to Port of Barcelona
Port of Shanghai to Port of Barcelona
Top Chinese seaports for exports to Spain:
Shanghai
Shenzhen
Ningbo-Zhoushan
Guangzhou Harbor
Hong Kong
Qingdao
Tianjin
Xiamen
Dalian
Main Spanish seaports:
Algeciras
Barcelona
Valencia
Madrid
Vigo
Bilbao
Almeria
Alicante
Cadiz
Sea freight shipping costs
Sea freight shipping cost from China to Spain can vary widely, depending on the shipping company and the items being transported. While shipping large quantities of goods through sea freight may be cost-effective, shipping smaller items can get pricey due to additional fees and surcharges.
Factors such as distances, size and weight also play an important role in determining shipping cost from China to Spain.
Honourocean Advice : We handle everything for you, sticking to your budget and expectations! Contact our Honourocean professional now and receive a free quotation within 4 hours!
Transit time
To be certain you will receive your goods in a timely fashion, it’s important to take into account the transit time when choosing sea freight transport from China to Spain. Transit times typically range between 25 and 35 days depending on the cargo type, port of loading, and final destination.
It’s important to consider factors such as high or low season rates, customs regulations, the number of transshipment ports involved, and other variables which can significantly affect transit times. By understanding all these considerations and planning accordingly, shippers can ensure their goods will arrive at their desired destination in a timely manner.
Honourocean Advice : Please contact your Honourocean Shipping to set up any sea freight transportation service. We will figure out together what is the best destination port, suited to your expectations and needs.
Air freight from China to Spain

Air freight from China to Spain is a reliable and efficient way of transportation for businesses. Companies gain competitive advantage when they ship their goods quickly, as well as reduce their inventory costs.
Air freight can be swift and timely – with some companies having the ability to transport items in just one day. Additionally, there are regular services available providing peace of mind that the shipment will arrive on time.
Shipping goods via air is the quickest delivery method available, but there are limitations that need to be taken into account.
Some dangerous and fragile items cannot be shipped by air due to their hazardous nature or risk of damage in transit.
Additionally, some airlines impose weight restrictions which limit the size and quantity of items that can be sent.
Therefore, it’s important to determine the rules and regulations before shipping something of considerable size or weight through air cargo services.
Flight route from China to Spain
(1)Beijing-Madrid-Sao Paulo route is a direct shipping route via air between China and Spain that does not require transit. Flight number CA907 Air China (every Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday).
(2)Beijing to Barcelona. The flight number of this route is CA841/2, and the model used is a wide-body Airbus A330-300. There are 4 flights per week, and the flights are on Mondays and Sundays. Four, Friday and Sunday. The flight will stop in Vienna, the capital of Austria. The entire one-way voyage is about 12 and a half hours, including a 90-minute stopover in Vienna.
(3)Hangzhou-Madrid, Spain direct flight operated by Capital Airlines was officially launched. This is also the first most direct shipping route via air to Spain in East China. The flight is every Monday/Friday.
(4)Shanghai-Madrid. There are three direct flights between Madrid and Shanghai every week, departing from Shanghai every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
(5)Hong Kong-Madrid operated by Cathay Pacific was officially launched, CX315 Cathay Pacific (every Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday/Sunday).
(6)Chengdu-Madrid, the capital of Spain, with one flight every Tuesday and Saturday.
Top Chinese airports for exports to Spain:
Beijing Capital International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Kunming Changshui International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Spain’s international airports for imports:
Barcelona-El Prat Airport
In terms of handling cargo, this is the best airport in Spain.
Palma de Mallorca Airport
Lanzarote Airport
Gran Canaria Airport
Air freight shipping costs
With shipping cost constantly changing, it is important for those shipping goods from China to Spain to familiarize themselves with air freight shipping cost.
These shipping cost can be affected by factors such as weight and size of the cargo, location of shipping departure and arrival points, shipping duration, shipment type or class, and seasonality. Companies should strive to keep up with the fluctuating shipping cost to ensure their shipments arrive on time and in budget.
Transit time
Air freight from China to Spain is a convenient, fast, and cost-effective way of ship cargo. Depending on the route, expected transit times can range from 8 days to 15 days.
Factors such as service quality and size of the shipment will determine which option will provide the quickest and most economical journey.
Train railway freight from China to Spain

Railway shipping acts as an alternative to the ocean and air shipping.
The cheap shipping cost and the availability of shipping a large volume of cargo make it a choice if you want to import your cargo.
Rail Routes from China to Spain
Yiwu–Madrid railway line
Yiwu–Madrid railway line provides a convenient course for goods traveling between China and Spain. With a 13,052 kilometer direct link between the two countries, Yiwu–Madrid offers an efficient and reliable route to transport goods and products of all kinds between these distant countries and over continental Europe.
Train railway freight costs
Running a railway network for freight and passenger travel is an expensive business, and freight train operators naturally have to factor the cost of running their services into their ticket prices.
Train railway freight costs are variable and depend heavily on the size of load being transported, the length of journey, as well as external factors like fuel costs.
Transit time
Rail freight transit times from China to Spain are among the world’s longest, taking an average of 27 days – almost a full month – just to traverse the 15,042km distance.
This makes for a challenging logistics process due to so much downtime in between the two countries. However, it does provide an opportunity for those looking for low-cost freight services connecting these two distant points because despite the extended journey time, railway freight is more reliable and often more economical than air shipping.
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Other Shipping Service

In addition to the services above, we also provide many other services that you will be interested in.
Express shipping freight
For air freight services from China to Spain, express shipping provides an efficient way to ship cargo. With their speedy delivery options, packages can reach their intended destination in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
Furthermore, express shipping not only ensures the timely receipt of the package but also guarantees that it arrives in perfect condition. The air freight service comes with a reliable tracking system so customers know exactly when their package will arrive making it easier to plan production and delivery times for businesses.
Customs clearance
Customs clearance can be a tricky process when transporting goods between China and Spain. There are several factors to consider, including
The costs of tariffs and fees
The time involved in obtaining all necessary documents and paperwork
The certifications that must be obtained
Awaring of both Chinese and Spanish customs regulations
Working with an experienced freight forwarder such as Honourocean Shipping will help make sure all guidelines are being met so that shipments reach your destination without any issues or delays.
Door to Door service
Door to door shipping from China to Spain has become increasingly more accessible with the emergence of door-to-door shipping companies.
With door-to-door service, customers can have items shipped directly from one door in China to another door in Spain without having to endure the hassle and complexity of international mail forwarding services.
Door-to-door services provide tracking, customs clearance, secure packaging, door pick-up, door drop off and other services that make it easier for customers to know when their packages will arrive safely at their destination.
Freight insurance
When it comes to shipping goods between countries, one of the most important considerations is freight insurance.
While products are often well-protected in their origin country, when they travel long distances, there are always potential risks of destruction or loss. Shipping from China to Spain has some unique challenges due to longer transit times and difference in port regulations; having an insurance policy tailored to these conditions is essential for ensuring goods arrive safely at their destination without experiencing costly setbacks due to lack of protection.
Honourocean Shipping can also supply quality inspection, repacking, labeling service and warehousing etc
If you have any questions, pls contact us.
Below is the FAQs for shipping to Spain

How Long Does It Take to Ship via Air From China to Spain?
The shipping time from China to Spain via air depends on several factors such as the departure and arrival cities, shipping carrier, and the specific service selected. However, on average, it takes around 5-7 days for air shipping from China to Spain.
we also have air DDP shipping, transport is about 5-7 work days+ 3-5 work days delivery.
How long does it take to ship from China to Spain?
The shipping time from China to Spain can vary depending on the mode of transportation and the specific route taken. Generally, for sea freight, it takes around 30-40 days to ship from China to Spain, while for air freight, it takes around 5-7 days. However, the actual transit time can vary based on factors such as the specific departure and arrival locations, carrier, and any potential customs delays.
Do I have to pay import tax from China to Spain?
You must pay taxes and duties in Spain to import goods from outside the European Union, either an individual or a business entity. Taxes and import duties payable is calculated on the value of the imported goods plus the cost of importing them (shipping and insurance).
How much is customs duty in Spain?
The import VAT must be paid by the importer. Usually, 21% applies, although there are reduced rates (10%) and super reduced (4%). The minimum threshold for VAT application is € 22 for shipments sent by companies and € 45 for shipments between individuals.
What do I need to know about Customs documentation?
Our team at Honourocean Shipping will guide you through the often arduous process of customs clearance.
For shipping from China to Spain you will need: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Letter of Credit or other payment terms (depends on the contract between the parties involved), Bill of Lading.
Do I need insurance?
We highly recommend that you purchase insurance for your shipping. This will give you peace of mind and we’ll be happy to provide this service for you.
Which payment methods do you accept?
T/T transfer
PayPal
Western Union