Belgium is China’s sixth largest trading partner in the EU. China is Belgium’s second largest trading partner outside the EU. Belgium is also an important participant in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Many merchants importing from China to Belgium want to know about transportation, including transportation methods, costs, time, etc. I hope this comprehensive guide on transportation from China to Belgium can help you.

With this guide, we hope to answer all the questions you may have when importing from China. Below includes shipping methods, costs, transit times, how to ship from China to Belgium, and what freight forwarders can provide for your China-Belgium shipments..

What are the shipping methods from China to Belgium?

The main international transportation modes for trade from China to Belgium include sea freight, air freight and railway transportation.

Sea freight from China to Belgium

For shipping goods from China to Belgium, sea shipping is always the first choice.
More than 90% of the world’s total cargo volume is transported by sea each year. Sea freight is popular mainly because of its low cost and is the right choice if your supply chain transportation budget is limited. More advantages of sea freight: large capacity, ability to transport almost all types of goods, shipping time from China to Belgium can take 30 to 50 days.

• FCL (Full Container Load): Shipping a container filled specifically for one customer from China to Belgium. Shipping FCL is more cost effective.
• LCL (than container load): Sharing a container with other customers who have 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.

The most common sea shipments are FCL and LCL. In addition, we handle oversized and heavy cargo from China for cold chain transportation using frame containers or open top containers, refrigerated containers, and sometimes charter bulk carriers and ro-ro vessels for large projects.

Major Ports in Belgium

The Belgian coastline is 66.5 kilometers long. Belgium has many coastal ports, including Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent, Heimersheim, Liège, Nieuwpoort, Ostend and other ports. The largest one is Antwerp, Belgium 70 % of maritime trade is completed here.

The most important of these are the Port of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, the latter being one of the basic ports on the European route and the main port of call on the Belgian route.

Port of Antwerp
Location and throughput: Located in Antwerp in the heart of Europe, the port is an important hub due to its comprehensive network of connections and will have a shipping volume of more than 1 3,484,122 TEU in 2022.
Main trading partners and strategic importance: The Port of Antwerp has repeatedly received high scores in international rankings and has traditionally traded with countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France , China and the USA. Furthermore, its strategic importance as a chemistry cluster cannot be overstated.
Business Background: If you want to enter chemical-related industries and require services such as container, breakbulk, liquid bulk and dry bulk transportation, the Port of Antwerp may be a strategic enabler for your transportation strategy due to its versatile and rich logistics capabilities.

Port of zeebrugge
Location and throughput: Located in the Belgian coastal city of Zeebrugge, the port is critical to numerous industries, especially the automotive industry, with a 2022 throughput of approximately 3 million TEU.
Main trading partners and strategic importance: The port mainly facilitates trade with the United Kingdom and is also an important automotive logistics center in Europe.
Company background: The strategic importance of the Port of Zeebrugge lies in its excellent roll-on/roll-off, vehicle handling and cold chain facilities. For businesses in the automotive or perishables industry looking to transport goods to neighboring European countries, this port could be the cornerstone of your logistics model.

Port of Ghent
Location: Located in Ghent, it is of great importance to many industries.
Major trading partners and strategic importance: It serves a wide range of trading partners, among which Turkey, Russia and Brazil play an important role. One of the strategic aspects is ensuring inland connectivity through an extensive network of railways, roads, pipelines and waterways.
Business background: If you want to ensure smooth inland transportation of goods, explore intermodal logistics solutions or penetrate the Eastern European and South American markets, Ghent can become an important player in your logistics puzzle due to its well-connected networks and Versatile service.

Port of Ostend
Location: The port is located on the English Channel coast in the Flanders region.
Key trading partners and strategic importance: The port’s strategic importance lies in its attractiveness to the short-sea shipping business, particularly to the United Kingdom and the Scandinavian countries.
Business Background: If your business requires short sea transport or is primarily focused on the North Sea and English Channel regions, the Port of Ostend can help drive your business with its excellent ferry and roll-off facilities and ideal location.

Port of brussels
Location and throughput: The Port of Brussels is located in the heart of the Belgian capital and handled nearly 6.8 million tons of cargo in 2022.
Main trading partners and strategic importance: Mainly shipping to ports in France, Germany and the Netherlands. Its strategic importance lies mainly in its urban location, which facilitates the rapid movement of goods in and out of the city.
Business background: The Port of Brussels may be the ideal partner for your urban logistics, especially if your business is mainly focused on metropolitan supply chains, due to its professional services and excellent location in the city center.

Air freight from China to Belgium

Air freight is by far one of the fastest ways to transport goods around the world, much faster than sea freight. The flight time from China to Belgium is between 10 and 12 hours. You can use this time to get an idea of the time frame of air transportation. . But please note that the entire process usually takes about 3 to 8 working days.

Not only is air freight fast, it’s also the safest way to transport goods, with minimal risk of damage or theft. Reliability and fast delivery times make air freight the trump card when shipping from China to Belgium. Being able to send high-value electronic goods via air freight can save you time and money.

When choosing air freight, you must be familiar with the terms special cargo and general cargo:

• Special cargo applies to “products” that require special handling, such as live animals, food, and high-value or flammable items.
• General cargo is the term used for ordinary goods. However, all shipments must meet safety and specified requirements.

Main International Airports in China

Beijing Capital International Airport
Cargo volume: The cargo volume of Beijing Capital International Airport in 2022 is approximately 988,675 tons.
Main trading partners: the United States, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Australia.
Strategic Importance: As China’s busiest and most important aviation hub, it provides direct routes to most destinations around the world.
Distinctive features: Home to Air China, it has three operational terminals equipped with advanced cargo facilities.
Suitable for your business: Close to the Northern China market with excellent intermodal connections for smooth transfer of goods to nearby cities.

Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Cargo volume: In 2022, the airport’s cargo volume will exceed 3.9 million tons, ranking third in the world and first in China.
Main trading partners: the United States, Japan, South Korea, Germany and Singapore.
Strategic importance: An important hub for international freight, with a special free trade zone ideal for transshipment.
Distinguishing Features: Serving more than 110 transport airlines, having two major cargo areas and world-class service.
Right for your business: Ideal for high-volume shipments and connecting to Asian markets. Customs clearance in the free trade zone is faster, saving your business time and money.

Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Cargo volume: Guangzhou’s air cargo volume will exceed 2 million tons in 2022.
Main trading partners: the United States, Japan, South Korea, Canada and Vietnam.
Strategic importance: This is an important air transport gateway and major logistics hub in southern China.
Notable Features: The airport is home to China Southern Airlines and is currently expanding its cargo terminal to expand cargo capacity.
Right for your business: If you’re looking for quick access to the booming markets of Southern China and Asia, Guangzhou is your best choice.

Shenzhen Baoan International airport
Cargo volume: 2020, 2022 throughput nearly 1.6 million tons
Main trading partners: Hong Kong, the United States, Germany, Japan, and South Korea.
Strategic importance: Quick access to key technology and production centers in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Distinctive features: 24-hour customs clearance service and advanced refrigeration facilities.
For your business: If you handle perishable or time-sensitive goods, advanced cold storage facilities and quick access to manufacturing centers make it a top choice.

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Cargo volume: Shuangliu Airport’s cargo volume will reach 600,000 tons in 2022.
Main trading partners: United States, Japan, Germany, Australia and Canada.
Strategic importance: It is the main gateway into the markets and industries in western China.
Notable Features: The airport underwent a major expansion to handle increased air cargo volumes.
For your business: If you’re targeting Western China, its strong domestic and international connectivity ensures efficient delivery of goods.

Main Airports in Belgium

Brussels airport
Freight volume: more than 775,721 tons per year.
Main trading partners: United States, China, UAE, Germany, France.
Strategic importance: As Belgium’s largest airport, it is located in the heart of Europe, has an extensive flight network and is an important hub for cargo.
Notable Features: Has a dedicated cargo area called “Brucargo” equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for handling various types of cargo, including pharmaceuticals, perishables and live animals.
For your business: Its excellent connectivity and professional facilities ensure your goods are transported quickly and safely. If your business involves time and temperature sensitive products, Brussels Airport may be your first choice.

Liege airport
Freight volume: more than 1.1 million tons per year.
Main trading partners: China, the United States, Qatar, Saudi Arabia , and the United Arab Emirates.
Strategic importance: Liège Airport is one of the largest cargo airports in Europe and a major center for cargo airlines. It has a significant geographical advantage in the heart of the Golden Triangle (Paris-Amsterdam-Frankfurt), where 66% of Europe’s purchasing power is concentrated.
Distinctive Features: Due to easy and fast loading, unloading and customs clearance of goods, it operates around the clock and is presented as Flexport.
Suitable for your business: If your transport needs flexibility and fast turnaround times, or your market is concentrated in the Golden Triangle, Liege Airport may be the best choice for your logistics chain.

Ostend-Bruges International Airport
Freight volume: Over 28,000 tons per year.
Main trading partners: Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
Strategic importance: Although smaller than Brussels and Liège, Ostend-Brugge Airport is strategically located close to the seaports of Ostend, Zeebrugge, Antwerp and Rotterdam.
Salient Features: 24/7 operation with specialized handling procedures for different types of cargo.
Suitable for your business: If you are looking for services that connect sea and air freight, Ostend-Brugge Airport may be your best choice due to its proximity to major seaports. Its 24/7 operation also ensures that your cargo handling needs are met at all times.

Please check the official website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Railway freight from China to Belgium

Rail freight is now available between China and Belgium, complementing traditional sea and air freight. Most customers face this dilemma: sea freight from China to Belgium takes too long, and air freight services are too costly. Now rail freight is the perfect choice,
In 2018, a new railway line opened between Tangshan, China and Belgium. The freight train journey takes approximately 16 days to reach the destination of Antwerp, shortening the journey by approximately three weeks compared to the sea route. The freight train passes through Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland and Germany, with a total mileage of 11,000 kilometers.

Rail transport to major train stations in Belgium

• Liege-Guillemins Station, Belgium
  It is the main railway station in Liège, the industrial capital of the Wallonia region, and contributes significantly to the region’s economic activity. The station is also connected to Germany and Luxembourg, making it an important hub for intra-European freight. If your business is looking for widespread European distribution, Liège-Guillemin can offer you excellent logistics solutions.
• Antwerp Central Station, Belgium
  It is part of Belgium’s freight rail system and offers direct access to the central region of the country, thus reducing operating costs, and is ideally located close to the Port of Antwerp, one of the busiest ports in the world. It is ideal for businesses that anticipate high freight volumes and need to simplify access to port facilities.
• Brussels South Station, Belgium
  This is an important node in Belgium’s entire freight network, with large freight volumes and seamless international connections. The station is crucial for connecting the capital with the rest of Europe. If your business focus involves fast shipping times and efficient coverage of multiple European countries, please consider this site.
• Ghent-St. Peters Station, Belgium
  As the busiest train station outside Brussels, Belgium, it offers unparalleled convenience and vital connections to the surrounding industrial and commercial areas. If your freight business is mainly concentrated in Western Europe, especially France and the Netherlands, please pay attention to this station.

Shipping Cost From China To Belgium In 2024

If you’re importing from China to Belgium, understanding shipping costs is critical to your business.
However, the shipping market is not always static and is changing rapidly. Sea, air and rail freight prices fluctuate over time, affected by supply and demand relationships and carrier strategic adjustments. Year-over-year differences can be significant, and last week’s prices may not apply to this week. In addition, each batch of goods is different, and the transportation cost from China to Belgium cannot be provided. It can only be an estimated price. If you want to know the latest and most correct price, you can contact Linkshare to get a quote.

Cost Of Shipping 20ft And 40ft Container From China To Belgium

How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Belgium? The average price to ship a container from China to Belgium is US$2,550 to US$5,850.
Shipping costs to ship a full container from China to Belgium depend on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft) and the timetable route, please contact our quote team for detailed rates for shipping containers from China to major container ports in Belgium.

• How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Belgium? The average price to ship a 20-foot container from China to Belgium is US$2,550 to US$3,550. Shipping schedules for shipping 20-foot containers from China to Belgium vary by route.
• How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Belgium? The average price to ship a 40-foot container from China to Belgium is US$3,050 to US$5,850. Shipping time for shipping 40ft container from China to Belgium depends on the route.

Container shipping rates from China to Belgium:

These are the average prices to ship a container from China Belgium with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Belgium for 20ft and 40ft containers (FCL) with all types of cargo such as: commercial cargo, vehicles, or personal effects for international shipments from China to Belgium.

Container shipping service from China to Belgium	Type of container	Ocean freight rates from China to Belgium:
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Belgium.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2250 20FT average price from: $4150 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Belgium.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Belgium.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2550 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Belgium.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Belgium.	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2650 20FT average price from: $3650 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Belgium	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2550 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Belgium	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Belgium	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2650 20FT average price from: $4350 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Belgium	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Belgium	20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL	average price from: $2650 20FT average price from: $4850 40FT

Air Freight Cost Per Kilogram From China To Belgium

Air freight from China to Belgium costs approximately $5 to $15 per kilogram, depending on the weight, size, and seasonality of the shipment.

Railway cost from China to Belgium

If it is a container, it is usually between US$5,000 and US$8,000. If it is calculated by kilogram, it is usually between US$3 and US$5 per kilogram. If this price is also an estimate, and you want to automatically get the latest price, you can consult Linkshare.

How long does it take to ship from China to Belgium?

Freight from China to Belgium takes 3 to 8 days by air, 30 to 50 days by sea, and 14 to 20 days by rail. Actual shipping times may vary depending on shipping method, service and route, availability, congestion, etc.

Sea freight time from China to Belgium

The average transit time, sailing, and vessel schedule to ship your container from China to Belgium from the major ports in China.

Continent of origin	Country of origin	Port of origin	Port of destination	Transit time (days)
Asia	China	Port of Shanghai	Port of Zeebrugge	35
Asia	China	Port of Shenzhen	Port of Antwerp	40
Asia	China	Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan	Port of Zeebrugge	38
Asia	China	Port of Hong Kong	Port of Antwerp	39
Asia	China	Port of Guangzhou	Port of Zeebrugge	40
Asia	China	Port of Qingdao	Port of Antwerp	42
Asia	China	Port of Tianjin	Port of Zeebrugge	42
Asia	China	Port of Dalian	Port of Antwerp	37
Asia	China	Port of Xiamen	Port of Zeebrugge	40
Asia	China	Port of Yingkou	Port of Antwerp	40

Air freight time from China to Belgium

Air freight from China usually takes 3 to 8 days to arrive in Belgium.
If everything goes well, with Liège or Brussels as the destination airport, it can be delivered in 3 to 8 days no matter which airport in China you depart from.
There are direct flights between some airports in China and Brussels
Shanghai – Brussels
Shenzhen – Brussels
If your supplier is located near these origin airports, air freight time can be reduced to just 1 day.

Freight train time from China to Belgium

Shipping goods from China to Belgium by train usually takes 14-20 days. The journey of freight trains from Yiwu to Liege and Tangshan to Antwerp is about 16 days (station to station or hub to hub).
With rail freight, we no longer have to wait 30-50 days. Shipping time is reduced to less than half that of ocean shipping.
If you are looking for doorstep solution, please add another 5 days.

How long does it take to clear customs in Belgium?

Normally, fast customs clearance only takes one day. Now, before the goods arrive at the destination, they will be pre-cleared through customs. If everything goes smoothly, there will be no special customs clearance and they will be released directly upon arrival at the local location without any formalities. If there is no pre-clearance, the specific customs clearance time depends on the cooperation speed of the consignee. Some 1-2 days, some 4-7 days. This is uncertain.

How to ship from China to Belgium

Step 1: Contact the freight forwarder; China will be given priority. (More about “How to choose a good China freight forwarder“)
Step 2: Submit shipping details and get a shipping quote from China
Step 3: Connect the freight forwarder with the supplier and the freight forwarder does its job
Step 4: Obtain cargo insurance (optional)
Step 5: Arrange Customs Clearance
Or you can contact us, a leading freight forwarder offering one-stop door-to-door shipping from China to Belgium.

What documents are needed to import from China to Belgium?

The requirement for importing from China to Belgium is to present an English-translated commercial invoice and a detailed packing list, which must indicate the quantity, product type and shipping location details, and then provide the following documents to customs in Belgium:

Goods imported from China must have the following documents:

• Bill of Lading Manifest, used for import, release and tax purposes.
• Belgian tax identification number
• Tariff subheadings and location of goods
• Register as an importer in Belgium
• Belgian customs value declaration
• Belgium debt free
• Transfer inventory from China to Belgium (simple copy)
• Having a trade or company patent in Belgium must show that you are committed to importing from China.
• China Phytosanitary Export Certificate (Simplified Copy)
• Demonstrating Belgium’s economic solvency
• Develop the terms of an Incoterms import agreement.
• Find a good customs broker in Belgium
• Original bill of lading, sea waybill or air waybill from the shipping company
• packing list
• commercial invoice
• China Joint Certificate of Production Value and Origin (CCVO)
• A letter of authorization authorizing your customs broker to handle import customs clearance for you in Belgium.

Belgium’s tax policy on imported goods

Goods imported from EU member states are exempt from tariffs, while goods imported from non-EU countries are subject to import duties and taxes. The tariff rates are based on the EU unified tax rate.

Belgium’s tariff rates are basically between 0% and 17%. Certain goods will be exempt from tariffs, while certain goods may be subject to additional duties (anti-dumping duties, etc.).

Goods imported from Belgium (FOB) with a value not exceeding €150 are exempt from customs duties. Imported goods (FOB) with a value not exceeding €22 are exempt from VAT.

The standard VAT rate in Belgium is 21%, and some products enjoy preferential VAT rates of 12% or 6%. VAT = VAT rate × (CIF price + import tariff)

Some goods are subject to excise taxes when produced and imported. The EU imposes excise taxes on mineral oils, alcohol, alcoholic liquids and tobacco products, and Belgium imposes domestic excise taxes on coffee and non-alcoholic beverages.

Inbound goods must be inspected and tested during customs clearance and corresponding customs fees must be charged.