Shipping from China to the Netherlands: Guide & Services

The Netherlands is China's top export market and second-largest trading partner in the EU. The Netherlands imports from China mainly include automatic data-processing equipment and its components, telephones and other equipment, transformers and static converters and electrical appliances, monitors and projectors, storage batteries, video game controllers and equipment, printing machines and parts and accessories, and so on. If you want to import product from China to the Netherlands, whether small packages or large shipments, we can tailor the best solutions, making your shipping experience more accessible and smoother. 

Contact Jike on shipping service from China to Nethelands.

Expanding your knowledge of shipping from China to the Netherlands is crucial as an importer. This article provides all the information you need  about transporting goods from China to the Netherlands. You can find this information and more in this guide. By thoroughly reading this guide, you can become an expert in freight shipping!

Shipping Costs from China to the Netherlands | Update October 2024

The Lastest Shipping Quote from China to Netherlands.

Regarding air freight and air express, you can check below shipping costs in details:

Air shipping prices from China to Netherlands are not stable, sometimes some airlines will have special price. If you need more price and options, please contact us, we will provide the latest offer according to your cargo type and cargo good time.

Container shipping offers two main transportation types: FCL and LCL. FCL involves using an entire container to transport goods, while LCL means sharing container space with other shipments, also known as consolidating shipments. FCL makes sense if you have many goods that can fill a container. FCL shipments usually range from $1,500 to $8,500, depending on the container type and size.  On the other hand, LCL shipments cost between $50 to $100 per cbm, making it a more cost-effective choice for smaller loads.

Update October 2024: How long does shipping from China to the Netherlands take? 

How to Import from China to the Netherlands

Step 1: Check trade laws in China and the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has its own laws and regulations regarding importing, and so does exporting from China. When you’re importing from China to the Netherlands, this means being aware, or at the very least working with a logistic partner that is aware of the regulations in both countries. Staying informed is crucial to your business, as breaking the law could be a huge legal headache, not to mention potentially causing financial difficulties for your shipment. Having the proper documents ready every time is of the utmost importance.

Step 2: Decide what you are importing.

For each importer, being aware of the market is crucial for success. While you may find a commodity that you like, be sure to check that there is enough demand and profit for the product you plan to bring into the Netherlands.

Step 3: Choose a proper shipping method.

Depending on your cargo volume and your budget, choosing the right method of transportation could be crucial for your business. While obviously air freight/air express is going to be more expensive, it also offers advantages in speed, which could mean that it is an economically viable option.

Step 4: Find a supplier.

Finding a supplier and ordering from them is the most crucial step.

You can find Chinese suppliers in many ways. For example, there are some very famous websites that serve as portals for Chinese companies, such as Alibba.com, 1688.com, and Made in China.

You can also choose to come to China to participate in Chinese trade fairs such as the Canton Fair. Although it takes more planning, seeing the products and supplier strengths, and talking to their representatives in person, you are more likely to find the products and strong suppliers you desire. The money and effort you spend on traveling will be worth it.

It's also a good idea to enlist the help of a professional China sourcing company. They offer a service based on sourcing the products you need from China and can save you the hassle of going through a long list of suppliers.

Finally, your freight forwarder may also be a good source of information. Their work involves logistical planning for goods and freight, so they will likely already have a wealth of supplier resources in the Chinese industry.

At Jike Logistics, as a long-established freight logistics company, we have a lot of experience in this area, so if you are looking for help with price negotiations or transportation logistics, let us know, and we will help you get the best price, and arrangements.

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Step 5: Check and estimate your import tax and duties.

Each country has its own tax and customs regime, and if you’re importing from China to the Netherlands, customs duties apply to 0%-12% (average 4.7%) and VAT applies to 4%-21%, and additional taxes and fees could apply depending on the items. Make sure you know ahead of time what the fees will be, as this will affect your business plan. You can check more details on the official website based on the HS code provided by your suppliers.

Step 6: Define your Incoterms.

International Trade - Know your Incoterms. Incoterms are internationally recognized rules for global trade. These rules cover a wide range of responsibilities along the supply chain. For example, who is responsible for monitoring goods or payments at certain stages of the process? Make sure you are familiar with these rules. You can define your Incoterms by looking at the picture below.

Step 7: Customs clearance from China to the Netherlands.

Customs clearance can be frustrating, but is a necessary part of international business. We therefore recommend that you find a professional freight forwarder/clearance agent to assist you at all stages, including declaration, obtaining licenses, warehousing (if required) and entry and exit of goods.

Step 8: Hiring a China freight forwarder.

Transporting goods can be a complex process, which is why businesses of all sizes choose to use a freight forwarding company to help them get their goods from China to the Netherlands. Experienced freight forwarders like Jike know exactly what it takes to ship cargo from China to the Netherlands, and we can handle your shipments from door to door, port to port, or anything in between. Hiring a freight forwarder to handle the shipping and importing can be a very economical decision. Contact us now and we will provide shipping solutions and shipping guide for you!

Shipping Methods for Shipping to Netherlands

When it comes to shipping from China to the Netherlands, there are four primary options available: air freight, sea freight, rail freight, and truck freight. 

Free Shipping Quote from China to the Netherlands.

Sea freight: sea freight is one of the most common ways of transportation from China to the Netherlands. With sea freight, goods are loaded in containers and then transported by ship. Sea freight is usually more affordable and is suitable for large shipments or items that are not delivered in a hurry. Transportation time is long and usually takes a few weeks to reach the destination port.

Among these options, sea freight is the most popular choice as it is the most economical. However, it is also the slowest option, with a shipping time of approximately 23-45 days.

Regarding container shipping in sea freight, FCL or Full Container Load means that your goods fill an entire container (mainly 20 or 40 feet long). If you are shipping large quantities, FCL will save you time and money. FCL pricing is fixed regardless of whether your container is completely full or not.. LCL or Less than Container Load means that your goods do not fill an entire container and are shar the container's space with other companies. It's important to note that LCL shipping costs are calculated per cubic meter, so consider this when making your decision. LCL shipping provides a more economical way to transport smaller quantities of goods that don't fill an entire container, but it takes a few days longer than FCL shipping because your goods must be consolidated at the port of origin and deconsolidated at the port of Netherland.

Air Freight: Air freight is a fast and efficient method of transportation. Goods are transported via airlines and are usually suitable for urgent deliveries or high-value items. Air freight costs more, but the transportation time is shorter, and the goods can be delivered to the destination usually within a few days.

Rail transportation: The China-Europa train is a rail transportation service that connects China with Europe, including the Netherlands. It is a faster mode of transportation in transit and is usually suitable for medium-sized shipments. It is faster than sea freight and more economical than air freight, with a shipping time of approximately 22-25 days. The freight rates for rail transportation are in between those of sea and air transportation and offer better transportation efficiency.

Finally, there is truck freight, which is a fast and emerging transportation method. The shipping time for truck freight is approximately 15-20 days.

Therefore, the shipping method you choose depends on the size and weight of your shipment and how quickly you want it to arrive at its destination.

The above are several standard modes of transportation. The specific choice of which method depends on the nature of the goods, transportation time requirements, budget, and other particular needs. When choosing a mode of transportation, it is recommended to consider the characteristics of the goods and the objectives of the vehicle in order to select the most suitable transportation option.

Which shipping method offers the most cost-effective option for transporting goods from China to the Netherlands?

The cheapest transportation method from China to the Netherlands is sea freight. Sea freight is a cost-effective transportation option, especially suitable for large-volume shipments or non-urgent deliveries. Although sea freight has a longer transit time, typically taking several weeks to reach Dutch ports, its freight cost is relatively low, which helps you save on transportation expenses.

Therefore, if you prioritize cost savings and are not in a rush for delivery, sea freight is the most economical transportation option.

Which transportation is recommended for shipping from China to the Netherlands?

When transporting goods from China to the Netherlands, if you have relatively urgent cargo or high demands for fast delivery, I recommend choosing air freight. 

However, it's important to note that air freight costs are generally higher as air transportation involves higher expenses. Therefore, if you have budget constraints or the delivery time is not particularly urgent, sea freight may be a more cost-effective option. Sea freight, although it takes longer in transit and typically requires several weeks to reach Dutch ports, is a relatively economical choice suitable for large-volume shipments or non-urgent deliveries.

In conclusion, if you prioritize speed and efficiency and have a tight delivery schedule, air freight is the more recommended option. However, if you have cost considerations and can accept a longer transit time, sea freight may be more suitable. The final decision on which transportation method to choose should be based on your specific needs and the factors that are most important to you.

Understanding Netherlands trade policy

● The Netherlands' competent authority for foreign trade is the General Directorate of International Economic Relations under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Which is responsible for formulating and coordinating the country's foreign trade policies.

● As a member of the European Union, the Netherlands adheres to the standard trade policies of the EU. Most import and export goods are not subject to restrictions, but certain products from non-EU countries are subject to import controls.

● All import and export goods that require inspection must undergo examination by the competent border inspection and quarantine authorities or their designated institutions. Imported goods that have not experienced the necessary review are not allowed for sale.

● The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) is the functional agency responsible for policy planning and implementation of inspections and quarantine.

● The destination of the goods determines the fundamental basis for the inspection procedures in the Netherlands. Goods imported into EU countries must undergo documentary, certification, and physical inspection procedures, while goods transiting to third countries only require documentary verification and certificate inspection.

● Some products are subject to health and sanitary certificate management. For imports of cattle, horses, pigs, meat, processed meat products, animal fats, bone meal, blood meal, and edible poultry, formal certificates of origin for health or sanitation are required.

Products that not allowed to import from China to Netherlands

Import Taxes and Duties

Whether an individual or a business entity is engaged in the import of goods in the Netherlands (from a country outside the EU), it is subject to import duties and taxes. All import duties and taxes are calculated in full on the value of the shipment, i.e. the CIF (Cost-In-Foreign) price.

[Tariffs]

Dutch tariff rates basically range between 0% (e.g. books) and 17% (e.g. Wellington boots). Certain goods such as laptops, cell phones, digital cameras and game consoles are exempt from customs duties. Certain goods may be subject to a surcharge, which is based on the country of manufacture, such as bicycles made in China, which are subject to an additional 48.5% anti-dumping duty.

[VAT]

The standard VAT rate in the Netherlands is 21% (19% until October 2012), with a reduced VAT rate of 6% for certain goods such as books and newspapers and magazines. VAT = VAT rate x (CIF price + import duty).

[Starting point]

The Netherlands has a starting point for import taxes and fees. If the value of imported goods (FOB) does not exceed €150 or the total customs duty on imported shipments does not exceed €10, customs duties are exempted; if the value of imported goods (FOB) does not exceed €22, VAT is exempted.

[Others]

Consumption tax: Taxes levied on specific goods such as tobacco products. Additional Customs Fees: Fees levied on imported goods for inspections, examinations and tests that must be performed during customs clearance.

Documents required for transportation to the Netherlands

The documentation required for shipping from China to the Netherlands depends on the type of cargo and the mode of transportation. Generally, you will need to provide a commercial invoice (listing the description, value and incoterms of the shipment), a packing list (listing the weight and dimensions of the shipment) and a bill of lading (detailing the contract of shipment between the shipper and the carrier). You may also need to provide other documents, such as a certificate of origin to prove your product was manufactured in China.

Netherlands Customs clearance requirements

Procedure for customs clearance in the Netherlands

The process of Dutch customs clearance is usually carried out electronically. 

First, the importer needs to submit an application for customs clearance to the Dutch Customs. Dutch Customs will examine the application and check that the goods are legal and safe. If the application is approved, Dutch Customs will issue a notice of clearance of the goods.

The importer must then provide all necessary documents and certificates to allow Dutch Customs to further inspect the goods. Finally, Dutch Customs will inspect the goods to ensure that they comply with all laws and regulations.

Customs Clearance Time in the Netherlands

Customs clearance in the Netherlands usually takes between 1-5 working days. Importers need to prepare the customs clearance documents in advance to allow enough time to complete all the customs clearance procedures to ensure that the shipment will reach its destination on time.

Conclusion

There are several shipping options available, including air, sea, railway and trucking. When shipping from China to Netherlands, it is also important to understand customs clearance procedures and required documentation to ensure smooth clearance and timely delivery of goods. By considering factors such as shipping costs, transit times and the nature of your shipment, you can make informed transportation decisions that result in efficient, cost-effective and reliable shipping to the Netherlands.

Don't forget to find a reliable freight forwarder like Jike Logistics to facilitate shipping from China to Netherlands. They can save your both time and money with tailored shipping services!

Contact us for help.

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