The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. Its four neighbors are Poland in the north, Germany in the northwest, Austria in the south, and Slovakia in the southeast.
The Czech Republic’s main trading partner is Germany, and China ranks second in the Czech Republic’s imports. In 2023, the bilateral import and export volume of goods between China and the Czech Republic will be US$21.5 billion. If you happen to import and transport from China to the Czech Republic, this guide can help you, including shipping methods from China to the Czech Republic, shipping time, prices, the best way to transport goods, etc.
What are the shipping methods from China to Czech Republic?
Sea freight, air freight and rail freight are the three main modes of transportation between China and the Czech Republic.
Sea Freight from China to Czech Republic
Sea freight is the most common way to ship items from China to the Czech Republic, mainly due to its versatility and reliability. While rail and air freight have restrictions on what they can transport, virtually all items can be shipped by sea freight, including very large and heavy items (such as cars, excavators, large furniture, machinery and equipment, etc.). The main disadvantage of sea shipping is that it takes longer. Other shipping methods take just a few days to deliver goods, while ocean freight can take weeks. Items typically take 30 to 45 days to reach their destination, depending on the type of shipment and the specific departure and arrival ports.
Ocean freight and rail freight use the same FCL and LCL container system. Please consider container size when selecting a shipping size and getting a price estimate, as FCL and LCL prices differ.
- FCL (Full Container Load): Shipping a container filled specifically for one customer from China to the Czech Republic. Full container shipping is more cost effective.
- LCL (Less Than Container Load): Sharing a container with other customers who are shipping goods to the same destination at the same time. Of course, due to the extra work (consolidation, unpacking, warehousing, paperwork, etc.), the final cost per unit is higher than the full box, and the shipping time is longer. LCL is a great option for small businesses.
We can help you create commercial invoices, clear customs and purchase insurance for your goods.
Air freight from China to Czech Republic
Air freight is mainly used to serve supply chains and markets that require speed. While 90% of goods are transported by sea, importers and exporters use air freight when high-value goods need to be transferred to the Czech Republic quickly and reliably.
Electronics are best shipped by air as they may be damaged by water if shipped by sea. In addition, perishable goods such as fruits, plants and some pharmaceuticals can also benefit from shorter transport times. However, air freight has its own disadvantages, such as being one of the most expensive shipments due to the speed requirements and fuel used. Air freight also has restrictions on product size and weight. Regulators restrict what can or cannot be transported by air, so oddly shaped or very large products may be better suited to other shipping methods.
Goods can be transported directly from Shanghai, Beijing, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and other Chinese airports to Czech airports, such as Brno-Turani Airport (IATA code: BRQ), Karlovy Vary Airport (IATA code: KLV), Russia Strava Leoš Janáček Airport (IATA code: OSR), Kunovice Airport (IATA code: UHE), Pardubice Airport (IATA code: PED), Václav Havel Airport (IATA code: PRG)
Czech Republic airports
Prague Airport (IATA code: PRG)
Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is ideally located in the heart of Europe
The largest airport in the Czech Republic
3 terminals with a total annual cargo throughput of 235,000 tons
Other airports:
Brno Airport (IATA code: BRQ)
Railway freight from China to Czech Republic
The China-Europe freight train provides a new way of transporting goods from China to the Czech Republic, which is faster than sea freight and cheaper than air freight. Transcontinental rail freight traffic from China to Europe is growing steadily in volume and popularity.
Shipping containers from China to the Czech Republic usually takes 30 to 45 days, but with freight trains, the journey can be shortened to 16 to 18 days. Rail freight is the perfect alternative to sea and air freight – faster than sea freight but much cheaper than air freight.
Freight train from Xi’an to Mannheim passes through Czech Republic
The China-Europe freight train Chang’an (Xi’an-Prague) departs from Xi’an International Trade Logistics Park (ITL), laying a more solid foundation for the high-quality development of China-Europe freight train services.
A new freight train line was opened from Xi’an to Mannheim, Germany, and a new railway line was added between China and the Czech Republic. This railway has a total length of 11,300 kilometers, passing through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, and ends in Mannheim, Germany.
How much does shipping cost from China to Czech Republic in 2024?
Shipping market prices are changing rapidly. Ocean, air and rail freight prices fluctuate over time, affected by supply and demand and carrier strategic adjustments. Year-over-year differences can be significant, and last week’s prices may not apply to this week.
The price from China to Czech Republic can only be estimated, if you want to know the latest and most correct price, you can contact Linkshare to get a quote.
Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Czech Republic
- How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Czech Republic?
The average price for shipping a 20-foot container from China to Czech Republic is US$2,550 to US$3,550. Shipping schedules for 20-foot containers from China to Czech Republic vary by route. - How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Czech Republic?
The average price for shipping a 40-foot container from China to Czech Republic is US$3,250 to US$5,850. Shipping schedules for 40-foot containers from China to Czech Republic vary by route.
Shipping Container Costs From China To Czech Republic
These are the average prices for shipping containers from China to Czech Republic and the cheapest prices for loading and shipping containers to Czech Republic from major Chinese ports, 20-foot and 40-foot containers (FCL) contain all types of cargo, such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, Or international shipping of personal belongings from China to Czech Republic.
| Container shipping service from China to Czech Republic | Type of container | Ocean freight rates from China to Czech Republic: |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Czech Republic | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $7050 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Czech Republic | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Czech Republic. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $4150 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Czech Republic. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3550 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Czech Republic. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $4150 20FT average price from: $6250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Czech Republic | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $4150 20FT average price from: $6250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Czech Republic | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3250 20FT average price from: $6550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Czech Republic | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $6050 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Czech Republic | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3250 20FT average price from: $6550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Czech Republic | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3350 20FT average price from: $6850 40FT |
Air freight cost per kilogram from China to Czech Republic
Air freight from China to the Czech Republic costs approximately $5 to $15 per kilogram, depending on the weight, size and seasonality of the shipment.
Air freight is a combination of various fees and surcharges, including air freight, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal fees and other surcharges. These fees are set by airlines based on their operating costs.
Airlines often modify these fees to reflect market changes based on factors such as seasonality, international fuel prices and time of year. Air freight costs vary depending on the airline, route, and season. For example, if two airlines both fly from China to the Czech Republic, the cost of a flight during peak season may be different than a flight during low season.
Railway cost from China to Czech Republic
If it is a full container railway, the price is generally between US$5,500 and US$8,800. If calculated by kilogram, it is usually between US$2 and US$5 per kilogram, which is also an estimated price.
How long does it take to ship from China to the Czech Republic?
Shipping from China to the Czech Republic takes 30 to 45 days, air shipping takes 3 to 7 days, and rail shipping takes 16 to 18 days. Actual transit times may vary slightly due to factors such as departure/arrival terminals, services and routes selected, weather, congestion, etc.
Sea Freight time from China to Czech Republic
Container shipping route from China to Prague, Czech Republic: China Port-Hamburg-Prague.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of destination) | Transit time |
| Qingdao | Prague | 42 days |
| Shanghai | Prague | 40 days |
| Yantian, Shenzhen | Prague | 35 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 the Czech Republic.
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.
Air Freight time from China to Czech Republic
Normally, air shipping from China to Czech Republic takes 3 to 7 days. Direct flights have been opened between some cities in China and Prague, making air cargo transit time faster.
Direct flights:
Beijing-Prague, Shanghai-Prague, Chengdu-Prague, Xi’an-Prague
What is the cheapest shipping method from China to Czech Republic?
Sea freight is the cheapest way to ship goods from China to the Czech public. Sea shipping routes are the longest, so there are many ports to choose from. For example, one of the most popular ports in China is Shanghai. In the Czech Republic you can find the ports of Prague and Brno in the Czech Republic. Depending on which port your shipment originates from and is destined for, you may be able to save on shipping costs by choosing a port that is closer to your destination.
Ocean shipping has more options for large shipments. The larger your shipment, the cheaper it is per unit to ship it by sea freight rather than by air or rail. This is because each shipping method has its own limitations on the types of items that can be transported each way and the space those items take up in a container.
Should I choose a Chinese or Czech freight forwarder?
If your supplier is in China, it is best to choose a freight forwarder from China because you will also need a warehouse in China for storage and preparation. When factors such as geography and language are taken into account, Chinese freight forwarders become the best choice for overseas transporters. Linkshare can transport goods from China to other countries, covering global shipping FCL, LCL, air transport, warehousing, distribution, customs clearance and other services.
If you choose a local freight forwarder in the Czech Republic, they will need to contact the Chinese agent, who will be responsible for picking up, warehousing and customs clearance in China. Therefore, you should consider whether you are willing to incur the time and expense of multiple turnarounds.
Customs clearance documents when importing from China to the Czech Republic
When importing goods from China to the Czech Republic, it is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that all applicable customs clearance documents are provided. The importer or his authorized customs broker must submit the following documents to the customs office at the port of entry or submit them electronically:
Packing List: This document lists all items being imported into the Czech Republic. It should include the country of origin and HS code.
Commercial Invoice: The invoice should list the commercial value in U.S. dollars.
Bill of Lading: This document provides proof of ownership of goods shipped by an ocean carrier, stating who shipped and received the goods.
Arrival Notice: An arrival notice is a notification from the carrier to the consignee that a specific shipment is ready for pickup.
Import License: Certain goods require an import license to be imported into the Czech Republic. Import licenses are often required for sensitive products such as controlled items (such as weapons and ammunition), hazardous materials, animals, etc. The Czech Republic does not require most EU import licenses
Import taxes and duties in the Czech Republic
When importing goods into the Czech Republic, you will be required to pay import duties and taxes on all items when importing from other countries. The amount of duty you need to pay depends on two factors: the country of origin and the type of goods.
Import taxes vary depending on the type of goods being imported. This is based on the Harmonized System (HS) tariff classification code for each product type.
For help determining the HS code for your product, please consult your China supplier or our shipping team.
Czech Republic tariffs can be found at Trade Tariffs, a comprehensive database containing details of tariffs and regulations applicable to specific products imported into the Czech Republic from outside the European Union (EU).