Over the years, China and Colombia have established strong trade relations. Colombia is known for its rich agricultural and natural resources and exports a variety of products to China. Colombia’s most important exports to China include crude oil, coal briquettes, coffee, bananas and cut flowers. Colombia’s high-quality coffee beans have found a popular market in China. Machinery, electronic products, textiles and manufactured goods are the main products China imports from Colombia.
Among some of the commercial products exported from China to Colombia, the main products are:
Vehicles (cars), large vehicles (buses, trucks), household appliances, beverages, pharmaceuticals, aluminum, electrical supplies, plastic gear products, advanced electronic components, epoxy chemical composites, adhesives, foam tapes, machinery, agriculture Equipment, medical facilities, heavy machinery, food processing facilities, solar symbols, LED products and more.
According to Colombia’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, bilateral trade volume between the two countries reached a record high of US$14.3 billion in 2019, a significant increase from US$10.6 billion in 2018, indicating the continued strengthening of trade relations between the two countries.
As international trade continues to boom, the need for efficient cargo transportation from China to Colombia has increased significantly. Goods can be shipped from China to Colombia by sea or air.
Sea freight from China to Colombia
Sea freight is the most economical way to transport goods from China to Colombia.
FCL sea shipping from China to Colombia
FCL (Full Container Load) is the most reliable and cost-effective way to ship from China to Colombia. FCL shipping gives you exclusive access and control of your container. Since you are not sharing container space, you are solely responsible for the security of your items from China to Colombia.
Linkshare can provide 20 feet, 40 feet, reefer containers, frame boxes, etc. from China to Colombia, no matter what size or type of shipping container you need.
Sea Freight LCL from China to Colombia
LCL (Less Than Container Load) is a service if you don’t have enough cargo to fill a full shipping container from China to Colombia. By sharing space with other consumers also shipping to the same destination in Colombia, you will be able to store funds while still having clear control over your shipment from China to Colombia.
Breakbulk sea shipping from China to Colombia
Breakbulk shipping is a more suitable option when your cargo cannot fit into a regular container due to the volume or weight of the cargo. Your breakbulk cargo from China to Colombia will be shipped individually on sea vessels, not in containers.
Linkshare provides door-to-door, door-to-port, port-to-port shipping services from China to Colombia.
Container Types for Shipping from China to Colombia
There are three main types of containers shipped from China to Colombia:
20’GP = 20’DV = 20FT = 20′ = 20 feet (generally used in Colombia).
This applies to bulky cargo. For example, rocks and minerals or heavy machinery.
40’GP = 40’DV = 40FT = 40′ = 40 feet (Universal in China)
This applies to large cargo, but not to overweight cargo. So this kind of container is suitable for goods such as furniture, tires, consumer goods, etc.
40’HC = 40’HQ = 40 foot high cube for shipping from China to Colombia
General containers usually refer to Dry Containers, also known as DCs.
Sometimes, fluid cargo can also be transported via DC as long as it is properly packaged.
For irregular cargo that cannot fit into regular containers, there are special options, such as open-top containers, refrigerated containers, flatbed containers, tank containers, etc.
We will be happy to negotiate with you about the container that best suits your needs.
Advantages of Sea freight from China to Colombia
Everyone knows that shipping goods from China to Colombia via sea freight is an option that offers moving services to shippers at reasonable prices. Sea shipping from China to Colombia is also the oldest freight option. It is one of the most convenient shipping methods from China to Colombia. Here you will find some advantages of shipping from China to Colombia:
- It is more economical to choose sea shipping from China to Colombia
- It is very efficient to use sea shipping services from China to Colombia
- Oversized, overweight, and bulky cargo can be sent from China to Colombia by sea.
- Safety of shipping services from China to Colombia
- Sea shipping from China to Colombia is environmentally friendly.
Air freight from China to Colombia
When speed is more important than cost, air freight becomes the shipping solution from China to Colombia. Air freight ensures fast delivery of goods, generally it takes 3-8 days from China to Colombia.
Maybe your project has been delayed for a long time, and air freight can allow you to make up for lost time and speed up the project schedule.
Maybe the goods being shipped are perishable; air freight is the only way because sea freight takes too long.
However, if you have the budget for your supply chain and simply need fast shipping, air freight not only has the speed you need, but also guarantees a higher level of safety than other shipping methods.
Of course, it’s faster, safer and more expensive to ship.
Keep in mind that not everything can be transported on a cargo plane. Some may be hazardous materials, and some may be too large to take on board a plane. Please consult us for information and advice before making any decisions.
If you need faster shipping from China to Colombia, please contact us for air freight solutions and shipping costs.
Advantages of air freight from China to Colombia
There are several ways to ship from China to Colombia, each with its own pros and cons. Air freight is often used for high-value and small-volume shipments, as you know by its strength. But what are the other (standard) reasons for requesting air freight?
- 1 Air freight from China to Colombia is very fast
When your goods need to be moved quickly, air freight is a better solution than sea or road transport. - 2 Arrival and departure times from China to Colombia Highly secure
The arrival and departure times of flights are highly secure as airlines strictly follow schedules. Even the suspension of flights would not pose much of a hindrance as there are usually flights departing every hour. - 3 Send your goods from China to almost anywhere. Most airlines have an extensive network of destinations, such as Colombia, covering almost the entire world. This means you can ship to almost every destination, such as Colombia
- 4 Lower premiums mean significant savings when shipping from China to Colombia, as air cargo has similarly shorter transit times and lower insurance incentives. If air freight is expensive, then insurance prices will be lower.
- 5 Since security controls for cargo at airports are strictly managed, cargo shipped by sea and air from China to Colombia is subject to a high level of protection and reduces the risk of theft and damage, which gives the high security group the advantage. Strictly regulated airport controls also reduce the risk of cargo theft and damage.
- 6 Air freight from China to Colombia requires less warehousing and fewer items in stock
With faster transit times for air freight, you have less local warehousing requirements and no need to hold inventory. Customs clearance, cargo inspection and cargo handling are more efficient in China and Colombia as most shipments are cleared within hours. - 7 Less packaging required for shipping from China to Colombia
Typically, air freight requires less packaging than, for example, sea freight. This means you can keep your time and money to help with additional filling. - 8 Track shipment status from China to Colombia
Many companies allow you to track your shipments using a website, which means you can control the entire process of your shipment from departure to arrival to keep it updated frequently.
China main loading ports (POL) and Colombia main ports of discharge (POD) for sea freight & air freight
| SEAFREIGHT | AIRFREIGHT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Main POL | Main POD | Main POL | Main POD |
| Shanghai | Cartagena | Shenzhen (SZX) | Bogota (BOG) |
| Shenzhen | Barranaquilla | Shanghai (PVG) | Medellin (MDE) |
| Ningbo | Buenaventura | Beijing (PEK) | Barranquilla (BAQ) |
| Qingdao | Santa Marta | Qingdao (TAO) | |
| Guangzhou | Bogota | Ningbo (NBG) | |
| Tianjin | Medellin | Xiamen (XMN) | |
| Dalian | Guangzhou (CAN) | ||
| Xiamen | Hong-Kong (HKG) | ||
| Hong-Kong | Zhengzhou (CGO) | ||
| Macao | Xi’An (XIY) |
POL: Loading Ports / POD: Ports of Discharge
How much does it cost to ship from China to Colombia?
Shipping costs from China to Colombia depend on various factors, including the shipping method, the size and weight of the cargo, and the specific route taken. Below are some general shipping cost estimates for different shipping methods:
Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Colombia
The average price to ship a container from China to Colombia is $3,550 to $7,550.
Shipping costs for shipping a full container from China to Colombia depend on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft) and the timetable route, please contact the Bassendon Quotation Team for detailed rates for shipping containers from China to major container ports in Colombia .
- How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Colombia? The average price to ship a 20-foot container from China to Colombia is $3550 to $4550. Shipping schedules for shipping 20-foot containers from China to Colombia vary by route.
- How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Colombia? The average price of shipping a 40-foot container from China to Colombia is from $4,050 to $5,550. Shipping schedules for shipping 40-foot containers from China to Colombia vary by route.
Generally speaking, the cost of shipping a standard 40-foot container from the Shanghai port in China to the Buenaventura port in Colombia is about US$5,800 to US$8,100. If you need the option to freeze perishable items, the price will be higher
You may be interested in the cost of China to other countries in the Americas:
Container shipping rates from China to Colombia
These are the average prices to ship a container from China to Colombia with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Colombia for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments to Colombia.
| Container shipping service to Colombia | Type of container | Ocean freight rates to Colombia: |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai to Colombia | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3550 20FT average prices from: $6850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao to Colombia | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3550 20FT average prices from: $6850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen to Colombia | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $4050 20FT average prices from: $6250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin to Colombia | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $4150 20FT average prices from: $7550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo to Colombia | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $4050 20FT average prices from: $6250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong to Colombia | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3850 20FT average prices from: $6050 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou to Colombia | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average prices from: $3850 20FT average prices from: $6050 40FT |
Air freight cost from China to Colombia
Air freight costs depend on the departure city, destination airport, and the weight and volume of the cargo. The price per kilogram is usually USD 8-22 per kilogram, depending on the specific air cargo company and route.
For example, your package has a gross weight of 20kg and dimensions of 30cm long, 30cm wide and 20cm high.
If you use FedEx’s International Priority package, the cost is about $750 to $800.
Delivery time is approximately 9 to 10 days.
If you use FedEx Economy Parcel International, the cost is approximately $540 to $560 and the delivery time is 15 to 17 days.
How to calculate the billing weight for air shipment from China to Colombia?
Everything about air freight is expensive, from crew wages to expensive premium fuel. Therefore, the cost of this service is very high, but it has the advantage of speed of delivery.
There are two measurement systems for air express delivery from China to Colombia and other countries, namely physical weight or gross weight and volumetric weight or volumetric weight.
All shipments from China to Colombia have gross and dimensional weight estimates.
Gross weight is simple, just like we deal with kilograms or pounds in our daily lives.
However, the dimensional weight is measured by multiplying the length, width, and height of the parcel box and dividing by 5,000.
Let’s say your package has a gross weight of 50kg. But its height is 100 cm, its width is 100 cm, and its height is 50 cm.
Then the volume is 500,000 cubic centimeters.
Divide by 5000 and you will get the volumetric weight of 100 kg.
If the cost per kilogram is $5, then you have to pay $500 for 100 kilograms, even though the actual weight is only 50 kilograms
What is the cheapest way to ship from China to Colombia?
Of course, the cheapest shipping from China to Colombia is by sea. If you want to import large quantities of products or large industrial machinery, then sea shipping is the best solution. But shipping from China to Colombia takes the longest.
In a 40-foot container, you can carry approximately 29,000 kilograms of product. If the container freight is around $9,000, then the shipping cost per kilogram from China to Colombia is around 32 cents. Air freight from China to Colombia costs many times more per kilogram.
How to reduce shipping costs from China to Colombia?
In the import business, calculating the cost-effectiveness of shipping from China to Colombia is very important to be competitive in the market. Your reliable freight forwarder will help you find the cheapest shipping from China to Colombia. For example, Linkshare can provide you with the best prices.
First, you have to set product and time priorities. If you can decide early on, sea shipping from China to Colombia will be the best solution for a cost-effective shipping strategy. Air shipping from China to Colombia will cost around five times more.
How long does it take to ship from China to Colombia
25-45 days is needed to ship cargo from China to Colombia by sea, and 4-8 days by air.
The actual transit time may varies depending on the terminal, service and route chosen, weather, congestion, seasonal change of market, etc.
China-Colombia sea freight transit time
Container shipping transit time by sea from China to Colombia
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Transit time |
| Shanghai | Buenaventura | 30 days |
| Shanghai | Barranquilla | 35 days |
| Shenzhen | Buenaventura | 32 days |
| Shenzhen | Barranquilla | 34 days |
| Qingdao | Buenaventura | 30 days |
| Qingdao | Barranquilla | 38 days |
FYI: Shanghai in East China, Shenzhen South China, and Qingdao North China, data from these 3 ports is enough to demonstrate the sea shipping time from China to Colombia.
The transit time by sea, port to port, depends on the specific origin and destination ports chosen, service route, sailing schedule and choice on carrier.
Above transit time is for full container load shipping, port to port only, for LCL shipping time estimate, pls add 7-10 days.
China-Colombia air shipping transit time
Cargo air shipped from China takes 4-8 days to arrive in Bogota, Colombia.
Choosing different service and route would result in a slight difference of transit time. If you require the fastest way possible, please contact an experienced air freight forwarder for the best route with the least lead time for your China-Colombia air shipments.
Colombian customs regulations
When exporting from China to Colombia, please sign an agreement with Colombian Customs to receive the goods and clear them through Colombian Customs. Here are the main levels to follow:
Colombian customs inspects the goods when deemed necessary and then authorizes the pickup of the goods.
Please complete the Andean Customs Value Declaration when the import value from China to Colombia is equal to or exceeds FOB USD 5,000.00.
Fill out the import declaration form from China to Colombia. When the import value approaches or exceeds $1,000.00, a Colombian customs broker should handle all paperwork and clear the goods through Colombian Customs.
Go to a confirmed economic entity to pay import duties, value-added tax, surcharges and other fees for express shipments from China to Colombia.
Present all documents for shipment from China to Colombia to customs.
Importers from China to Colombia must keep import documents for no less than five years.
Colombian customs officials attempted to inspect the merchandise to confirm that its description and classification were consistent with the importer’s declaration. In Colombia, customs inspection teams usually conduct regular inspections after customs clearance to detect fraud, foreign exchange irregularities and tax evasion.
Documents required for Colombian customs clearance
The customs clearance method is a process. In the process, you will definitely have a good experience. Of course, there may be some topics and matters regarding how to import from China to Colombia for customs clearance. Nonetheless, a specific customs broker in Colombia will be able to solve all these problems. Aside from receiving notifications and asking your broker questions, perhaps the most critical function in the customs clearance process is document preparation. Proper documentation arrangements will protect you and your customs broker from significant time and failure in Colombia. When importing goods from China to Colombia, you need four important import documents for quick and easy customs clearance.
Commercial invoice for export from China to Colombia
This article is for international business. The commercial invoice contains the details of your shipment from China to Colombia. Company, Origin, Destination and HS Code are crucial for clearing your shipment through customs. A person or company that manufactures goods is a company. Calculating customs duties is the main objective of commercial invoices. The commercial invoice must show the buyer and seller in China and Colombia. Other requirements for commercial invoices include:
- Packaging Types in China
- Product description in China
- China transportation information
- Sales date and terms in China
- In accordance with customs requirements, carefully read and fill in the English invoice. All information required for customs clearance at the U.S. port of entry must be included on the customs invoice.
Packing list for export from China to Colombia
The packing list is presented by the shipper or freight forwarder in China and can be used by customs for freight inspection. The data from the invoice should also be on your packing slip. Therefore, the invoice and packing list work together to provide important data for the customs clearance process. The packing list should immediately correspond to the invoice. Remember, a packing slip is not a replacement for a commercial invoice. The packing slip only helps confirm shipping costs. The type of packaging must be indicated on the packing list. Goods can be shipped in a variety of ways, including boxes, crates, barrels or cartons from China to Colombia.
China Exports Colombia Bill of Lading (BOL)
A bill of lading (BOL) is a document issued by a carrier to a shipper of goods in China. This document is necessary for Chinese exporters to receive payment and for importers to obtain goods in Colombia. If something goes wrong with your shipment, a bill of lading will need to be considered to prevent any injury, hold, or loss. BOL provides tracking numbers to track your shipment and covers international shipping details from China to Colombia