As a southern European country, Portugal’s trade relations with China are developing rapidly. Portugal has a high demand for imported goods such as mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, chemicals, medical equipment, furniture, lighting equipment, plastics, etc. Therefore, it is easy to transport these goods from China to Portugal.
This guide will help you find a freight forwarder in Portugal and choose the right shipping method, such as sea, air or rail. It will also guide you in processing customs clearance and related documents. If you are interested in shipping goods to Portugal, this guide will provide valuable advice and strategies for the smooth and efficient movement of your goods.
What are the shipping methods from China to Portugal?
There are several main modes of shipping from China to Portugal, including sea, air and rail. Goods can be sent to China Freight Forwarding Company Linkshare’ warehouse, or we can pick them up directly from your factory. Then choose the appropriate shipping method. Each shipping method is outlined below:
Sea freight from China to Portugal
Portugal borders the Atlantic coast to the west and south, so shipping is also relatively well developed; for many people, shipping to Portugal is more popular. Portugal also has more advantages in shipping, such as lower costs and more stable flights; however, due to the relatively long transportation time, everyone must make transportation arrangements in advance.
Portugal’s main port
- Port of Lisbon: Located on the west coast of Portugal at the mouth of the Tejo River and on the east coast of the Atlantic Ocean, it is the largest shipping port in Portugal and is also known as the largest cork export port in the world.
- Porto Port: Located at the mouth of the Douro River in the northwest of Porto, about 5 kilometers west of the Atlantic Ocean. The area around the port is well connected by railways, roads and airways.
- Port of Sines: Sines is a port on the southwest coast of Portugal, providing port services such as bunkering, motorboats, medical, towing, sewage, fresh water, supplies and repatriation.
The above ports are all inland points in Europe and need to be transferred to nearby ports. There is no direct shipping. Through transshipment at a transit port, the voyage takes about 33 days.
Notes on Sea freight from China to Portugal
Less than Container Load (LCL)
- The sea freight LCL price is cost-effective
Since sea freight LCL is assembled with other goods, the billing only includes one basic fee, so it is very cost-effective in terms of transportation price. The domestic cost of LCL is only the trailer fee and customs clearance fee from the shipping place to the port warehouse, but LCL If a freight forwarder is designated for box goods, in addition to trailer fees and customs clearance fees, there will also be various fee details. This is the difference between designated freight forwarders and non-designated freight forwarders. - Shipping LCL can meet the needs of small batch customers
In daily foreign trade exports, not all buyers’ goods are enough to fill a container, so for customers with small quantities of goods, sea freight LCL can meet their needs. - Shipping LCL is simple and convenient
After you have the warehouse receipt for the LCL goods, you can arrange to put them into the warehouse and prepare customs clearance documents. - The arrangement time limit for sea freight LCL is relatively long.
If the goods cannot fill the entire container, they will need to wait for other freight companies to transport them to the same port of destination. This waiting time is uncertain and can easily cause a certain degree of delay.
Full Container Load (FCL)
- Full container shipping is easy to operate
Since the entire container is the goods of one company, customs clearance is easy. As long as there are no problems, it will be released quickly, and customs clearance efficiency is high. - Regular shipping and convenient loading and unloading of goods
Since the entire container of goods belongs to one company, the consignee can pick up the goods directly after the goods arrive at the destination, which is very convenient. - The price of the whole cabinet is relatively expensive
The shipping cost of a full container by sea needs to include basic freight, port surcharges and fuel surcharges. - The loading of the entire container for shipping must be reasonable.
Because all goods in the entire container need to be loaded during the loading process, in order to ensure that a container is filled, a certain loading plan needs to be designed to ensure that all goods can fill a container.
The difference between LCL and FCL charges
- The definitions of shipping FCL and shipping LCL are different.
Shipping FCL: FCL refers to a container with only one cargo owner or manufacturer. Larger quantities of goods that can hold one or more FCLs are FCL goods.
Shipping LCL: LCL refers to a container with multiple cargo owners. Small batches of goods that cannot fill a full container are LCL goods. - The service objects of FCL and LCL are different.
Shipping container: one container, one exporter, one consignee, one destination port, all meeting the “four ones” conditions at the same time.
Shipping LCL: For a container, at least one of the exporter, consignee and destination port is located in two or more places. - The operating procedures for shipping FCL and LCL shipping are different.
Shipping FCL: The shipper is responsible for packing, counting, filling in shipping documents, and having the goods stamped and sealed by the customs. The unpacking of the whole box of goods is shared by the lender, or the carrier can be entrusted to unpack the goods at the freight station. However, the carrier is not responsible for the goods in the box or the loss of the goods, unless the owner of the goods has evidence to prove that it is indeed the carrier’s responsibility, and the carrier is responsible. compensation.
Ocean LCL: After the freight forwarding company receives the LCL goods, they are classified according to their nature and destination, and the goods of the same destination and nature are loaded into the same container for transportation.
Air Freight From China shipping to Portugal
Although most goods are shipped by sea, air freight is undoubtedly the most expensive option of all shipping methods. Air transport is a fast and safe way to transport goods, especially for goods under 500kg. However, it should be noted that air freight prices are relatively high, especially for goods exceeding 500 kilograms. Therefore, before choosing air freight, you must make sure you consider the cost and urgency of your shipment.
It is crucial for new shippers to understand how billable weight is calculated. The billable weight for air transport is different from the regular weight system. Air freight typically uses billable weight to determine charges, taking into account the volume and weight of the shipment. This means that even if the actual weight of the shipment is lighter, the billable weight may still be higher if the shipment is larger. Therefore, before you are ready to choose air freight, make sure you understand and calculate the correct billing weight to better arrange and estimate your shipping costs.
It is also important to understand the nature of the cargo. Air cargo is usually divided into general cargo and special cargo. Specific loads may require additional screening, supervision and security measures. For example, specialty cargo may include fragile items, hazardous items (such as chemicals), temperature-sensitive items (such as seafood), etc. For special cargo, you must ensure that you comply with relevant safety and regulatory requirements and choose a reliable air cargo service provider to ensure that your cargo can be transported safely and smoothly to its destination.
Important airports in Portugal
Some of the main airports in mainland Portugal are Lisbon, Porto and Faro, which are located on the coast and are all international airports. Lisbon also plans to build a new airport. Portugal is served by two major international airlines: TAP Air Portugal and SATA.
Railway freight services from China to Portugal
China-Europe Railway Express (Yiwu～Madrid)
As the starting station of China-Europe freight trains, the first line of China-Europe freight trains (Yiwu-Madrid) starts from Yiwu West Station to Madrid, Spain, passes through Alashankou Port in Xinjiang, and passes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, France and Spain, the total distance is 13,052 kilometers, and the running time is about 21 days.
The China-Europe train (Yiwu-Madrid) has a total of 41 trains and 82 standard containers for export, with a total length of more than 550 meters. It first opened at 11:00 am on November 18, 2014. It is currently the longest train in Chinese history. The most cities, the most countries, the most foreign railways. With this train, the goal of international railway cargo transportation from Shenzhen to Portugal can be fully realized.
How much is the shipping cost from China to Portugal in 2024?
The final shipping cost from China to Portugal depends on several factors. Before preparing a quote, your freight forwarder may ask for the following details:
- Nature of your shipment
- Your preferred shipping method (FCL, LCL, air freight)
- The weight and dimensions of your shipment
- Origin and destination
- Service type (e.g. port-to-port, door-to-door)
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Container from China to Portugal
- How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Portugal?, the average price to ship a container from China to Portugal is from $2550 to $5550 US Dollars.
- The shipping price to ship a full container from China to Portugal ranges depending on the size of the container (20ft or 40ft), and the schedule route, please contact our quotation team to receive a detailed rate to ship your container from China to the major container ports in Portugal.
How much does it cost to ship a 20ft container from China to Portugal, the average price to ship a 20ft container from China to Portugal is from $2550 to $3850. The shipping timeline to ship a 20 foot container from China to Portugal ranges depending on the route.
How much does it cost to ship a 40ft container from China to Portugal, the average price to ship a 40ft container from China to Portugal is from $3250 to $5550. The shipping timeline to ship a 40 foot container from China to Portugal ranges depending on the route.
Container shipping rates from China to Portugal:
These are the average prices to ship a container from China Portugal with the cheapest rates for loading and shipping containers from the major ports in China to Portugal 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 Portugal.
| Container shipping service from China to Portugal | Type of container | Ocean freight rates from China to Portugal: |
|---|---|---|
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Portugal. | 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 Shenzhen China to Portugal. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Portugal. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Portugal. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Portugal. | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $2650 20FT average price from: $4250 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Portugal | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Portugal | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $3150 20FT average price from: $4550 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Portugal | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $3850 40FT |
| How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Portugal | 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 Yingkou China to Portugal | 20 foot container FCL 40 foot container FCL | average price from: $2850 20FT average price from: $4550 40FT |
Air freight cost per kilogram from China to Portugal
Shipping costs from China to Portugal via air freight are approximately $5 to $12 per kilogram, depending on the weight, shape and size of the package.
How to reduce shipping costs when shipping from China to Portugal?
To reduce shipping costs from China to Portugal, consider the following:
Optimize cargo packaging: Optimizing packaging design can reduce the space occupied, thereby reducing transportation costs. Reasonably select packaging materials and sizes to ensure the safety of goods and minimize space waste.
Freight choice: Choosing the right freight method can save costs. Specifically, depending on the nature, weight, and urgency of the goods, you can choose sea transportation, air transportation, or land transportation, and choose the most cost-effective method.
Freight route optimization: Reasonable selection of freight routes is also the key to reducing costs. Consider different supply chain channels and transshipment points, compare the freight rates and transportation times of different routes, and choose the most economical and efficient way.
Bulk Consolidation: If you have more than one shipment to ship to Portugal, consider bundling your shipments into bulk shipping to get better shipping discounts. Negotiate and agree on shipping costs with your freight forwarder or carrier in Portugal.
Choose freight forwarders and carriers wisely: Finding reputable freight forwarders and carriers with competitive prices can help reduce freight costs. Compare the services and prices of different companies and choose the most suitable partner.
Planning and booking: Planning the transportation needs of your goods in advance and booking transportation services can allow you to enjoy better prices and ensure that you have enough time to arrange the shipment of your goods.
Be aware of customs duties and tax benefits: Learn about Portugal’s customs duties and tax benefits to minimize associated tax costs. Use your tax exemption wisely and follow the rules to avoid extra fees.
Cargo tracking and risk management: Use cargo tracking systems to obtain timely information about the status and location of cargo, reduce potential risks and avoid additional costs.
How long does it take to ship from China to Portugal?
Sea freight from China to Spain takes 25 to 45 days, Air freight takes 3 to 8 days, and freight train takes about 15 to 20 days. Actual shipping times may vary slightly.
Sea freight time from China to Portugal
Generally speaking, the sea shipping time from China to Portugal takes about 25 to 45 days, depending on the departure port, arrival port and route selection.
The average transit time, sailing, and vessel schedule to ship your container from China to Portugal 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 Leixoes | 35 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Shenzhen | Port of Lisbon | 40 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan | Port of Sines | 38 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Hong Kong | Port of Setubal | 39 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Guangzhou | Port of Funchal Madeira | 40 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Qingdao | Port of Leixoes | 42 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Tianjin | Port of Lisbon | 42 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Dalian | Port of Sines | 28 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Xiamen | Port of Setubal | 26 | |
| Asia | China | Port of Yingkou | Port of Funchal Madeira | 25 |
Air freight time from China to Portugal
Typically, air freight can deliver your goods to your destination within 4 to 8 days. For time-sensitive shipments, try the more expensive but faster express shipping, which takes only 2 to 6 days.
Rail freight times from China to Portugal
The estimated delivery time is 14-18 days. There are many trains from China to Hamburg and Warsaw. Among them, the timeliness of Zhengzhou-Europe is 12-14 days, the timeliness of Hunan-Europe is 15 days, the timeliness of Hexin-EU is 15 days, the timeliness of Chengdu-EU from Chengdu to Lodz, Poland is 11 days, and the timeliness of Chengdu-EU is 11 days. -The EU transit time from Chengdu to Tilburg in the Netherlands is 13 days. After the pick-up box is cleared from customs, UPS estimated delivery time to Portugal is 2-3 days.
What is the customs clearance process in Portugal?
The following is the Portuguese customs clearance process:
- Prepare documents: First, you must prepare the necessary documents, including commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and export license. These documents are critical to the customs clearance process to ensure accuracy.
- Customs Declaration: Next you must fill out the Portuguese Customs Declaration form. In the customs declaration form, you must provide detailed information about the goods, including the type, quantity, value, country of origin, etc. Be sure to fill it out accurately to avoid problems.
- Pay taxes: Depending on the nature of the goods and relevant Portuguese regulations, you may be required to pay import duties, VAT and other applicable taxes. The customs will calculate the tax based on the information in the customs declaration and require you to pay it. Make sure there are enough funds to pay the required taxes.
- Inspection and review: Customs may conduct inspection and inspection of goods to ensure that they are consistent with the information on the customs declaration and comply with Portuguese regulatory requirements. They may provide samples of goods or request other supporting documents.
- Release and Delivery: If all goes well, customs will approve the clearance and issue a release order, allowing your goods to enter Portuguese territory. At this point, you can arrange for the goods to be shipped to the destination or other relevant party.
- The customs clearance process may vary depending on factors such as the nature and value of the shipment and the country of import. From time to time, additional scrutiny and special requirements may be encountered. If there are issues with documentation, taxes and duties, customs reserves the right to suspend shipments until the issues are resolved.
What are the customs duties and rates in Portugal?
In Portugal, import duties range from 0% to 17%. Some items, like laptops, cell phones, digital cameras, and game consoles, are tax-deductible, which is great! However, certain items may be subject to additional taxes depending on the country of origin. For example, if you import bicycles from China, you may need to pay an additional 48.5% anti-dumping duty.
In addition, Portugal has import tariff thresholds. When you import goods with a value (FOB price) of up to €150, you are exempt from import duties but are still required to pay VAT. It is worth noting that certain goods, such as tobacco products, are also subject to excise tax.
Portugal imposes a 23% VAT on imported goods, but the good news is that there is a 6.5% discount on certain items, such as books. Calculating VAT in Portugal is simple; the formula is Portugal VAT = VAT rate x (CIF price + import duties).
It is also important to note that there are some additional customs fees associated with inspection, verification and testing of imported goods to ensure the safety and compliance of the goods.
To avoid unnecessary hassles and taxes, we recommend you seek help from a customs broker. They are very familiar with the entire customs clearance process and can assist you with all formalities and ensure that the taxes and duties you pay are accurate. This way you can bring your goods to Portugal with peace of mind!