You can use air freight, ocean freight and rail freight to ship goods between China and the Czech Republic. Analyze how long it takes to transfer goods across borders, what your spending would be and common logistics practices.
Your Step-by-Step Shipping Guide When Importing From China to Czech Republic
Step 1: Choose Your Shipping Option
Ask yourself if you prefer your package being delivered quickly or you would like to look for lower prices. Air shipping is faster, yet using the sea is cheaper.
Step 2: Work with a Reliable Freight Forwarder
Choose a logistics company that has experience in the field for easy management of your shipment.
Step 3: Prepare Packing & Documents
Ensure your products are packed well and your documentation is flawless and complete.
Step 4: Manage Customs Clearance
Make sure customs tasks are handled correctly in both countries to avoid any possible delays.
Step 5: Track Your Shipment
With an online monitoring service, you can keep track of your cargo and see what is happening at every step.
Step 6: Understand Shipping Costs
Look at the items you must pay for, according to the terms of your agreement.
Step 7: Receive and Check Your Goods
You should check and collect your shipment right away after it arrives in the Czech Republic.
Why This Matters
Applying these steps will avoid delays, extra charges and issues at customs, so your goods are delivered as arranged.
How to Importing goods From China to Czech Republic?
Estimate your tax liability for importing goods from China to Czech Republic
Imports come with a tax liability where you are required to pay customs and tax authorities. Being aware of trade laws between China and the Czech Republic assists you in avoiding extra charges and customs problems.
A 21% VAT is usually charged on most imports in the Czech Republic. The kinds of products can cause different extra charges.
When the whole process of taxes and customs fees seems complicated, door-to-door shipping services can cover everything for you in an all-inclusive quote.
Find a suitable shipping method.
There are four essential shipping options in the world, including express shipping, air freight, rail freight and sea freight.
You should opt for a method that fits your cargo, sets a suitable delivery time and costs the right amount for your needs.
Shipping methods from China to Czech Republic
There are mainly three ways to get products from China to the Czech Republic:
| Method | Description | Speed | Cost Range |
| Express Delivery | Fast, courier-based shipping for smaller parcels | 3–5 days | High |
| Air Freight | Suitable for bulk or urgent shipments via airlines | 3–6 days | $6.00–$8.90/kg |
| Railway Freight | Rail transport via China-Europe rail lines | 14–20 days | Medium |
| Sea Freight | Affordable for large or non-urgent goods | 25–40 days | Low |
Air Freight from China to Czech Republic
Goods are transported over long distances by being loaded onto airplanes in air freight. Flying is quicker and easily one of the safest methods for travel.
Even so, it does not include transportation from the airport. It is important to arrange something different to move the goods from the airport to the final place.
What is the Air freight shipping time from China to Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic usually receives air cargo within 3 to 6 days.
It might take longer or shorter to deliver your item depending on a few things.
- What kind of cargo will be transported (bulk or light)
- Cargo weight
- Shipment value
- Flight availability
The more you pay, the faster the services will be.
What is the cost of Air freight from China to Czech Republic?
Though air transport is highly convenient, it is usually more expensive than other courier services.
Numerous expenses need to be covered.
- Air freight cost
- Fuel surcharge
- Safety and charge for entering the airport
- Handling fees
Airline rates change depending on the season, the shipping routes and what the airlines want to charge.
Most foods sold on Amazon range in price from $6.00 to $8.90 per kilogram.
To ensure you get correct rates, either call your freight forwarder or ask air couriers directly.
Main airports China to Czech Republic?
The leading Chinese Airports sending cargo to Czech Republic are:
- It is referred to as Beijing Capital International Airport.
- The airport is known as the Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
- This airport is known as Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport.
- Shanghai Pudong Airport
- The international airport in Guangzhou is called Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport.
- The airport is officially called Hong Kong International Airport.
- Baoan International Airport Shenzhen
- Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport
Main airports in Czech Republic
- The name of the airport is Václav Havel Airport Prague.
- Brno-Tuřany Airport
- Karlovy Vary Airport
- Leoš Janáček Airport is also known as Ostrava Airport.
- Kunovice Airport
- Pardubice Airport
Sea freight from China to the Czech Republic
Despite the Czech Republic having no sea borders, sea freight is the main way people ship goods because it is both cheap and gives more options.
Hamburg Port in Germany usually receives the shipped cargo which is then transported across the Czech Republic by train, truck or boat.
Czech Republic’s important ports located inland include
- Prague Port
- Decin Port
- Usti nad Labem Port
- Port Kolin
- Port Mělník
- Port Radotín Prague
You can rely on it because it is affordable and handles all types of cargo, including items that are flammable or harmful.
Cons: Products often take several weeks to get delivered.
FCL Container Ship from China to Czech Republic
FCL shipping means you have the place an entire container with your goods.
- It accommodates goods that are more than 15 CBM.
- The available containers come in sizes 20ft, 40ft, 40ft HQ and 45ft HQ.
- More valuable for buying and storing large and high-volume shipments
- Sometimes, filling the whole container won’t be necessary. In that case, shipping your goods LCL can be less costly.
LCL container Ship from China to Czech Republic
When using LCL shipping, a container is filled with goods from different importers together.
- You only have to pay for the part of the storage space your possessions occupy.
- This transportation service is excellent for cargo that measures between 1 CBM and 15 CBM.
- The space is reserved by a freight forwarder and they handle consolidating the products.
This solution works well and is less expensive for loads that aren’t very heavy.
Cost of Sea freight shipping from China to Czech Republic
Several things affect the pricing of products.
- Before entering Czech Republic, the cargo must be discharged at a port.
- The cargo’s type and size should be understood before planning.
- There is a need to establish the amount of container availability as well as the capacity of ships.
- Prices for fuel regularly go up and down depending on the season.
- In the case of FCL shipping
For FCL shipping
The sea route between Shanghai and Prague is:
| Container Type | Cost Estimate |
| 20ft Container | $1500 – $3000 |
| 40ft Container | $3500 – $4500 |
For LCL shipping
| Basis | Cost Estimate |
| Per CBM | $100 – $150 |
| Per Kg (200kg/CBM) | $2 – $3 per kg |
Sea freight transit time from China to the Czech Republic
Depending on various factors, sea freight usually takes 30 to 50 days.
- China is the country where the products in this trade are produced.
- The picked airline and its route
- Sailing schedules
- How tour groups are handled at the Czech Republic’s destinations
Transit Time Table:
| China Seaport | Via Seaport | Czech Seaport | Transit Time |
| Qingdao | Hamburg | Prague | 46 days |
| Shanghai | Hamburg | Prague | 42 days |
| Ningbo | Hamburg | Decin | 44 days |
| Shenzhen | Hamburg | Prague | 37 days |
| Hong Kong | Hamburg | Prague | 47 days |
How do we determine which seaport in China is for sea shipping?
Although most factories are close to ports in China, some of them are found in the interior. Therefore, logistics firms in the interior need to take goods to the closest port for export.
When selecting a Chinese port, keep some factors in mind.
- Nearby port – Transporting goods from nearby ports costs less than from far ones.
- Having more and larger cargo can be an advantage when using popular and large ports.
- Preferred shipping route – There are ports in Europe that provide faster or more affordable routes to the Czech Republic.
Usually, working with a freight forwarder gives the best results. They are well experienced and can offer recommendations for the best port that fits your route and kind of cargo.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Port:
Placing a factory locally to save money on transporting products inland
- Cargo should correspond with the available capacity at the port.
- The option to use different routes helps guarantee faster and more affordable delivery.
- To keep control of costs, the port handling fees must be managed.
- Freight forwarders use their experience to suggest the best type of transportation.
Main Seaports China to Czech Republic
These are the main ports in China that cargo ships take to the Czech Republic:
- Shanghai Port
- Ningbo Port
- Shenzhen Port
- Guangzhou Port
- Qingdao Port
- Xingang Port
- Chongqing Port
- Hong Kong is a center for international commerce because of its world-class port.
Rail freight Route and Transit time from China to the Czech Republic
Trains are now commonly used as a trustworthy and convenient way to deliver goods to Prague in the Czech Republic.
It provides both affordability, like sea freight and a quick turnaround, like an airfreight shipment.
The construction of the New Silk Road railroad has made these goods exchange possible. Rail freight is suitable for moving small and frequent parcels, but larger loads are rarely made up of valuable goods.
Route taken
Many Chinese cities allow rail shipments to depart from them, including:
- Beijing
- Shanghai
- Guangzhou
- Shenzhen
- Dongguan
- Sichuan
- Shandong
From Kazakhstan to Germany, the trains take a route that leads them to Prague through Russia, Belarus, Poland and finally Germany.
Rail freight transit time
It usually takes 18 to 22 days to move goods by rail from China to the Czech Republic, based on the chosen departure and arrival terminals.
When you use door-to-door services, it usually takes 5 extra days and costs more.
Door-to-door shipping from China to Czech Republic.
If you choose express shipping, your package will be delivered fast and safely to your door. The most common express service companies in China are DHL, UPS and FedEx which quickly send shipments to the Czech Republic.
More flexible combined shipping possibilities for DDP delivery are also available.
- Air freight in combination with express delivery
- These include rail freight and express delivery.
- The combination is sea freight with express delivery.
- Using trains for most of the work and trucks for the last part.
By using these, delivery time is shorter and the cost becomes more efficient.
DDP shipping allows you to do this, as DDP includes payment of duties and taxes, therefore saving time and money. You can move your goods with DDP by using air, rail, road or sea.
New importers as well as seasoned ones can benefit from using this service.
- It’s not necessary to deal with local transport or seek out carriers.
- It is the forwarder’s job to process customs clearance and pay import fees.
- Forwarders come to better agreements with Czech transportation specialists.
- It prevents many kinds of risks and inconveniences when you import items.
An agent you trust will ensure the process runs smoothly all the way from China to the Czech Republic.
Table: Estimated DDP Shipping Transit Time
| DDP Shipping Method | Transit Time |
| Air Freight | 6–10 days |
| Truck Freight | 16–17 days |
| Rail Freight | 18–22 days |
| Sea Freight | 35–45 days |
Import tax and duties in Czech Republic
All products that enter the Czech Republic are charged with import taxes. Duty rates vary according to the kind of product and where it comes from.
A percentage of an item’s price is usually the amount you pay in taxes. You usually do not have to pay customs fees on items worth less than $150.
Because the Czech Republic is part of the EU, it applies lower import and export tax rates. There is an average duty of 5%–14% on industrial products, whereas dairy products are taxed the most at 32.3%.
Some types of products may require paying extra taxes or fees. To find out the present tariff rates, check the EU Trade Tariff Database.
It’s generally a good idea to let the freight forwarder take care of import taxes and costs to steer clear of possible mistakes.
Documents Requirements for Shipping from China to Czech Republic.
It is the importer’s duty to submit the necessary documents needed for customs clearance. Most of these duties are undertaken by the importer or a freight forwarder.
| Document | Purpose |
| Packing List | Details every item, its HS code, and country of origin. |
| Commercial Invoice | States the value of goods in USD. |
| Bill of Lading | Issued by the carrier, showing shipper and receiver details. For air, an airway bill. |
| Arrival Notice | Notifies the consignee of shipment arrival. |
| Import License | Required for restricted goods like chemicals, weapons, or controlled materials. |
| Certificate of Origin | Confirms the shipment’s origin. |
| Single Administrative Document & CMR | Standard forms for customs and road transport. |
What goods can be imported from China to Czech Republic?
Various types of products can be imported to the Czech Republic.
- Electrical appliances
- Nowadays, computers and machinery
- There are no longer issues with vehicles and auto parts.
- Mineral fuels are also referred to as oils.
- Plastic products
- Materials that include iron and steel
- Pharmaceuticals
- Medical and reading and writing tools
- Furniture as well as lighting products
- There are more prefabricated buildings being built these days.
What goods can’t be imported from China to Czech Republic?
There are certain goods that you cannot bring in which includes:
- Bank checks
- Alcoholic drinks
- Products that include dimethyl fumarate (DMF)
- Animal products
- Blood, gelatine
- Non-prescription drugs
- Fabric samples
- Food items
- Laser discs
- Liquor (with the exceptions of some even wine limits).
- Plant resources and plant-based materials
- Pornographic content
- Radar devices
- Tobacco and coffee are
Some Tips to save shipping costs from China to Czech Republic.
- Group your products together to bring down what you pay for shipping each piece.
- Reserve your hotel early if you wish to avoid paying extra.
- Ship goods by train instead of air to save money and speed up delivery.
- Look for the provider or supplier that is accessible by the nearest port or rail.
- Opt to use an experienced freight forwarder for useful tips on rates and routes.
- Go for DDP services to skip any surprises from extra customs-related charges.
- If you can, send products in bigger batches to achieve a good price.
- Use smaller packaging to keep the total package weight and size low.
