How Long Does it Take for Shipping from China to Thailand?
By / November 22, 2025
Your delivery deadline will heavily influence the mode of transportation you choose for goods shipping from China to Thailand. Given the close proximity of the two countries, shipping is generally fast. If you are in a hurry, air freight is the quickest option, typically taking 1 to 3 days to transport from China to Thailand.
However, speed comes at a price. If your timeline is flexible, or if you are working with a limited budget, sea freight from China to Thailand is almost certainly your most economical choice, with transit times ranging from 4 to 15 days depending on the port of origin.
Additionally, unlike the UAE route, China to Thailand offers a unique Road Freight (Cross-border Trucking) option, which balances speed and cost, usually taking 3-5 days.
1. How Long Does It Take for Cargo Shipping from China to Thailand by Sea?
Sea freight is the dominant method for trade between China and Thailand due to the high volume of trade. The transit time is relatively short compared to other international routes. As shown in the following examples, sea transportation between China and Thailand typically takes 4 to 15 days:
| Origin Port | Bangkok (PAT) | Laem Chabang | Lat Krabang |
| Port of Shenzhen | 4-6 days | 4-5 days | 5-7 days |
| Port of Guangzhou | 5-7 days | 5-6 days | 6-8 days |
| Port of Shanghai | 7-10 days | 7-9 days | 8-11 days |
| Port of Ningbo | 7-10 days | 7-9 days | 8-11 days |
| Port of Xiamen | 6-8 days | 6-7 days | 7-9 days |
| Port of Qingdao | 10-13 days | 10-12 days | 12-15 days |
| Port of Tianjin | 12-15 days | 11-14 days | 13-16 days |
| Port of Hong Kong | 4-5 days | 3-4 days | 5-6 days |
Specific Route Estimates:
Shekou (Shenzhen) to Bangkok – 4 days FCL, 6 days LCL
Nansha (Guangzhou) to Laem Chabang – 5 days FCL, 7 days LCL
Shanghai to Bangkok – 9 days FCL, 12 days LCL
Ningbo to Laem Chabang – 8 days FCL, 11 days LCL
Xiamen to Bangkok – 7 days FCL
Qingdao to Laem Chabang – 11 days FCL
Tianjin to Bangkok – 14 days FCL
Hong Kong to Laem Chabang – 4 days FCL
2. How Long Does It Take for Cargo Shipping from China to Thailand by Air?
Although the actual flight time from China to Thailand is only 3 to 5 hours, arranging cargo transportation involves more complex logistics. However, it remains significantly faster than sea transportation and is ideal for high-value or urgent electronics, perishables, and e-commerce goods.
It takes time to transport goods by land to your chosen departure airport and from the destination airport in Thailand (usually Suvarnabhumi Airport – BKK). Considering customs clearance and security checks in both countries, here are estimated total shipping times:
| Origin Airport | Bangkok (BKK) | Chiang Mai (CNX) | Phuket (HKT) |
| Shanghai (PVG) | 1-3 days | 3-5 days | 3-5 days |
| Guangzhou (CAN) | 1-2 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days |
| Beijing (PEK) | 2-4 days | 3-6 days | 3-6 days |
| Shenzhen (SZX) | 1-2 days | 2-4 days | 2-4 days |
| Hong Kong (HKG) | 1-2 days | 2-3 days | 2-3 days |
| Chengdu (CTU) | 2-3 days | 3-5 days | 3-5 days |
Specific Route Estimates:
Shanghai Pudong to Bangkok (BKK) – 2 days
Guangzhou to Bangkok (BKK) – 1 day (Next day delivery possible)
Shenzhen to Bangkok (BKK) – 1-2 days
Beijing to Bangkok (BKK) – 3 days
Hong Kong to Bangkok (BKK) – 1 day
Kunming to Chiang Mai – 2 days
For any questions, feel free to contact GWT Shipping. Our team will provide professional, standards-compliant advice tailored to your specific needs.
3. Factors Affecting Shipping Time from China to Thailand
Shipping time from China to Thailand is generally stable but can vary based on several key factors. GWT Shipping monitors these closely to ensure timely delivery.
Mode of Transportation: This is the biggest factor. Air freight is 1-3 days, Cross-border Trucking is 3-5 days, and Sea freight is 4-15 days.
Shipping Routes: Direct vessels from South China (Shenzhen/Guangzhou) are much faster than shipments from North China (Dalian/Tianjin). Choosing a direct service versus a transshipment service impacts time significantly.
Port Congestion: While less severe than trans-pacific routes, congestion at Bangkok (PAT) port can sometimes cause delays of 1-2 days. Laem Chabang is generally more efficient for larger vessels.
Customs Clearance Time: Thai Customs regulations can be strict. Proper documentation (Form E for free trade agreement) is essential. Delays in paperwork can add 2-3 days to the process.
Holidays: During Chinese New Year or Songkran (Thai New Year), logistics can slow down significantly due to factory and customs closures.
4. Cost of Shipping from China to Thailand
The shipping cost from China to Thailand varies depending on the carrier, cargo weight, size, and destination. Generally, sea freight is the most cost-effective, followed by road freight, with air freight being the most expensive.
As of 2025, the estimated ocean freight costs from China to Thailand are as follows. Please note these are averages and fluctuate based on fuel prices and demand.
Estimated Container Rates (Sea Freight):
| Cost Component | 20ft Container | 40ft Container |
| Basic Freight Charges | $350 – $700 | $550 – $1,200 |
| Terminal Handling Charges | $100 – $200 | $150 – $300 |
| Documentation Fees | $50 – $80 | $50 – $80 |
| Insurance | 0.3% – 1% | 0.3% – 1% |
| Customs Clearance Fees | $80 – $150 | $80 – $150 |
LCL (Less than Container Load): Approximately $20 – $50 per CBM. Air Freight: Approximately $1.50 – $3.50 per KG (depending on weight brackets).
If speed is your priority, air freight or cross-border trucking is recommended. For bulk goods where time is less critical, sea freight offers the best value.
GWT Shipping is a professional freight forwarding company specializing in the China-Southeast Asia route. We can provide you with a tailor-made solution, handling everything from customs clearance to door-to-door delivery in Thailand.
Conclusion
Navigating the logistics landscape from China to Thailand requires balancing three main factors: speed, cost, and reliability.
While Air Freight remains the undisputed champion for urgency (1-3 days), Sea Freight continues to be the backbone of bulk trade due to its unmatched cost-efficiency (4-15 days). However, the emergence of Cross-border Trucking has revolutionized this specific route, offering a strategic “third option” that delivers goods in just 3-5 days at a fraction of air freight costs.
At GWT Shipping, we don’t just move boxes; we optimize your supply chain. Whether you need assistance with Form E to save on tariffs, require a seamless DDP Door-to-Door solution, or need advice on the best transport mode for the 2025 peak season, our team is ready to assist.
Ready to streamline your Asia-Pacific logistics? Contact GWT Shipping today for a free, transparent quote and let us deliver your goods from China to Thailand safely and on time.
FAQ
For large volumes (over 2 CBM or 500kg), Sea Freight (FCL) is the most economical option. For smaller shipments that aren’t urgent, Sea Freight (LCL) is the best choice. However, for mid-sized shipments where speed is somewhat important but air freight is too expensive, Cross-border Trucking offers a cost-effective middle ground between air and sea.
Cross-border trucking is a unique advantage for the China-Thailand route. It is significantly faster than sea freight (taking only 3-5 days compared to 7-15 days) and is much cheaper than air freight (saving up to 50-70% of air cargo costs). It is ideal for e-commerce sellers and manufacturing components that need a balance of speed and budget.
To clear Thai Customs smoothly, you typically need:
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading (for sea) or Air Waybill (for air)
Import License (if applicable for specific goods)
Form E (Certificate of Origin): This is crucial. Under the ACFTA (ASEAN-China Free Trade Area), providing a Form E can reduce your import tariffs to 0% for many products. GWT Shipping can assist you in applying for this.
Yes, GWT Shipping offers comprehensive Door-to-Door (DDP) services. We handle everything from picking up the goods at the supplier’s warehouse in China, managing export declarations, shipping, clearing Thai customs (including paying duties and taxes), and delivering the final shipment to your doorstep in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand.
Thailand imposes a 7% VAT on all imported goods. Import duties vary by product category (HS Code), ranging from 0% to 80%. However, because China and Thailand are part of the ASEAN free trade agreement, most general goods can enjoy 0% or reduced import duties if you provide a valid Form E.
Yes. When you ship with GWT Shipping, we provide real-time tracking updates. Whether your cargo is on a vessel, a plane, or a truck crossing the border, our team keeps you informed about the status and estimated arrival time (ETA) of your goods.
Ready to ship from China to Thailand?
GWT Shipping specializes in fast, reliable China–Thailand logistics, offering sea, air, and cross-border trucking with full customs support. Contact us today for a tailored quote and the quickest routing for your cargo.
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