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How Much Does It Cost to Ship from China to Spain

Over the past decade, China’s exports to Spain have doubled, In 2025, the volume of bilateral trade between China and Spain is projected to reach $55.03 billion. The main commodities imported from China to Spain include electrical equipment, machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers, heavy equipment,furniture, lighting fixtures,Medical device, prefabricated buildings, toys, games, sports equipment, clothing, organic chemicals and plastics.

In order to support the economic cooperation between the two countries, Shipping from China to Spain has become an indispensable link in the trade chain, and price is the issue that everyone is most concerned about.

This article discusses the shipping price from China to Spain to help you understand and choose the appropriate transportation plan, improve transportation efficiency, and promote smooth trade cooperation.

shipping from China to Spain

Sea transportation, air transportation and rail transportation are the 3 main modes of transportation on this trade route.

Shipping from China to Spain

Sea Freight from China to Spain

When shipping to Spain, sea shipping is the most popular option for importers due to its advantages. The main reason is that sea freight solutions can transport large quantities of goods at a lower cost. Ocean shipping works particularly well, especially when transporting large quantities of goods. It can accept almost all types of cargo, even those classified as dangerous goods. The obvious disadvantage is slow speed. Shipping from China to Spain takes about 30 to 50 days.

The most common sea shipments from China to Spain are FCL and LCL.

  • FCL (Full Container Load): Shipping a container filled specifically for one customer from China to Spain. Shipping FCL is more cost effective
  • LCL (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.

Air Freight from China to Spain

Without a doubt, shipping to Spain is the fastest and safest way to ship goods by air. It is ideal for transporting fragile and high-value products. When transporting time-sensitive cargo, speed is of the essence. The disadvantage is that it is relatively expensive compared to other shipping methods.
Due to these factors, it is recommended to choose air freight as a transportation method when transporting luxury goods or time-sensitive food, etc.

Rail freight from China to Spain

In addition to sea and air freight, rail transport is also an option, making freight from China to Spain cheaper and faster than ever. Transporting goods by train has only recently become popular. Considering that air freight is too expensive and sea freight takes too long, this is a great alternative.

Examples of rail routes and shipping times from China to Spain:
Ningbo to Madrid: 22 days
Wuhan to Madrid: 25 days
Chongqing to Madrid: 21 days
Shanghai to Barcelona: 24 days

There are more connections between China and Europe, but a lot of them lead to Germany. To ship your shipment from Germany to Spain, you must reload it onto another shipping method.

From China To Spain By China Railway Express

Shipping costs from China to Spain

Shipping MethodFrom China to the Spain (Cost)
Sea Freight (20ft Container)Approx. USD 2,450 for a 20ft container
Sea Freight (40ft Container)Approx. USD 3,300 for a 40ft container
LCL Sea FreightApprox. USD 70 – 150 per cubic meters
Door to Door or DDP ShippingSea Freight : Approx. USD 2.2 per kgs
Air Freight : Approx. USD 5.8 per kgs
Air FreightApprox. USD 500 for 100kg (Approx. USD 5 per kilo)
Rail FreightApprox. USD 8,000 to to 12,800 for a full container load
Express ShippingApprox. USD 10 per Kgs

The final cost of importing from China to Spain 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)

For goods weighing less than 100 kilograms, the cost difference between air freight and LCL sea freight is not large. Above 100 kilograms, the cost difference begins to widen. Although much slower, sea freight can quickly become much more economical than air freight when there is greater weight and size involved.

If you want to know more detailed shipping costs from China to Spain, you can contact Basenton to get a quote.

How much does it cost to ship from China to Spain

COST OF SHIPPING 20FT & 40FT CONTAINER FROM CHINA TO SPAIN

  • How much does it cost to ship a container from China to Spain?, the average price to ship a container from China to Spain is from $2250 to $5850 US Dollars.
  • The shipping price to ship a full container from China to Spain 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 Spain.

How much does it cost to ship a 20ft container from China to Spain, the average price to ship a 20ft container from China to Spain is from $2250 to $4550. The shipping timeline to ship a 20 foot container from China to Spain ranges depending on the route.

How much does it cost to ship a 40ft container from China to Spain, the average price to ship a 40ft container from China to Spain is from $2850 to $5850. The shipping timeline to ship a 40 foot container from China to Spain ranges depending on the route.

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Container Shipping Rates from China to Barcelona, ​​Spain

The following represents the average rates for container shipping from China to Spain, including the minimum costs for loading and transporting containers from major Chinese ports to destinations in Spain (Barcelona, ​​Valencia). These rates apply to both 20-foot and 40-foot containers (FCL) and accommodate the shipment of various types of cargo, such as machinery, electronics, apparel, furniture, and more.

Container shipping service from China to SpainType of containerOcean freight rates from China to Spain:
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shanghai China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $2650 20FT
average price from: $3350 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Shenzhen China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $2850 20FT
average price from: $3450 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Ningbo-Zhoushan China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $2750 20FT
average price from: $3450 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Hong Kong China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $2950 20FT
average price from: $3550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Guangzhou China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $2950 20FT
average price from: $3650 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Qingdao China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $2850 20FT
average price from: $3550 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Tianjin China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $2950 20FT
average price from: $3650 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Dalian China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $3050 20FT
average price from: $2950 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Xiamen China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $3050 20FT
average price from: $3850 40FT
How much does it cost to ship a container from Yingkou China to Barcelona, ​​Spain20 foot container FCL
40 foot container FCL
average price from: $3250 20FT
average price from: $4050 40FT
Container Shipping Rates from China to Barcelona, ​​Spain

How much is the cost per kilogram of air freight from China to Spain

Air freight from China to Spain costs between $4 and $9 per kilogram, depending on the goods, weight, and city of transport.

Departure CityRangeDestination AirportPrice Per KG ($USD)Estimated Transit time (days)
ShanghaiRate for 100KGS-299KGSBCN (Barcelona)6.54-5 DAYS
ShanghaiRate for 100KGS-299KGSMAD (Madrid)6.04-5 DAYS
ShanghaiRate for 300KGS-1000KGSBCN (Barcelona)4.54-5 DAYS
ShanghaiRate for 300KGS-1000KGSMAD (Madrid)4.24-5 DAYS
ShanghaiRate for 1000KGS+BCN (Barcelona)3.54-5 DAYS
ShanghaiRate for 1000KGS+MAD (Madrid)3.64-5 DAYS
ShenzhenRate for 100KGS-299KGSBCN (Barcelona)6.35 DAYS
ShenzhenRate for 100KGS-299KGSMAD (Madrid)6.23-4 DAYS
ShenzhenRate for 300KGS-1000KGSBCN (Barcelona)5.85 DAYS
ShenzhenRate for 300KGS-1000KGSMAD (Madrid)5.63-4 DAYS
ShenzhenRate for 1000KGS+BCN (Barcelona)4.35 DAYS
ShenzhenRate for 1000KGS+MAD (Madrid)4.23-4 DAYS

The calculation method of international air freight volumetric weight is as follows:
Formula: Volume weight (KG) = length (CM) × width (CM) × height (CM)/6000
For example, package size: 655050cm, quantity: 30 pieces. Actual weight: 650kg.
Volume weight (KG) = (65cm x 50cm x 50cm)/6000 x 30 pieces = 812.50KG
(Since the volume weight of 812.5KG is greater than the actual weight of 650.0KG, the billable weight for air transportation is 812.5KG.)
In addition to air freight, the air freight price from China to Spain also involves additional costs. These may include security fees, airport handling fees, air waybill fees, fuel surcharges, customs clearance fees, dangerous goods handling fees, air waybill issuance fees (also known as air waybill administration fees), consolidation service fees, destination warehouse storage fees site and other applicable fees.

How much is the cost per kilogram of air freight from China to Spain

Factors affecting air freight prices from China to Spain

There are several factors that influence the cost of air freight to Spain.

  • First, the type of goods being transported affects the price, as different types of products may have different rates.
  • Secondly, the weight and volume of the goods are also important. Larger and heavier items usually incur higher shipping costs.
  • Additionally, shipping distance is a key factor in determining the cost of air freight to Spain.
  • It’s also important to consider seasonality, as fluctuations may occur during certain periods. For example, freight prices often increase during holidays like Christmas or Halloween.

All in all, the cost of air freight to Spain depends on a variety of factors.

Railway Transportation Costs From China To Spain

Rail transport is cheaper and more economical than express or standard air freight, though it is more expensive than sea freight; if you need to transport large volumes of cargo but wish to avoid the long wait times associated with sea shipping, rail transport is the ideal choice.
By rail, the average cost of a 40-foot container from China to Spain is $8,000 to $12,800.

Railway freight per KG

 City Weight Price Range(USD) Weight Price Range(USD) Weight Price (USD)
Madrid ≥100kgs 3.0-5.5 ≥500kgs2.2-3.8 ≥1000kgs1.5-2.5
Railway Transportation Costs From China To Spain

Express Shipping Costs from China to Spain

International express services (such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, etc.) are suitable for samples, small-batch shipments, and e-commerce orders. For shipments from China (including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Yiwu, and other locations) to major cities in Spain—such as Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Valencia, Seville, and Bilbao—the transit time is typically 3 to 7 business days.

Express Shipping Cost Reference (USD/kg):

Weight RangeEstimated Cost (USD/kg)Transit Time
0.5 – 5 kg12 – 183–7 days
6 – 20 kg8 – 123–7 days
21 – 50 kg6 – 93–7 days
51 – 100 kg5 – 83–7 days

Note: Express shipping fees typically include door-to-door service but do not cover Spanish import duties or Value Added Tax (VAT).

Break Bulk / General Cargo Shipping Costs from China to Spain

This type of break-bulk cargo is typically transported via bulk carriers or project vessels, requiring specialized lifting, reinforcement, and lashing operations.

Key Ports of Transport:

  • China → Shanghai / Ningbo / Tianjin / Qingdao / Guangzhou
  • Spain → Barcelona / Valencia / Bilbao / Algeciras

The total transit time is approximately 35–55 days.

Break Bulk Cost Reference (USD):

Cargo TypeCharging BasisEstimated CostNotes
Steel CargoPer Metric TonUSD 45 – 95/MTHandling & stowage
Machinery & EquipmentPer Revenue Ton (RT)USD 90 – 200/RTRT = 1MT or 1CBM
Construction EquipmentPer Revenue TonUSD 160 – 320/RTCase-by-case
Long-Length CargoPer Revenue TonUSD 140 – 270/RTSpecial lifting required
Wind Power ComponentsPer ProjectNegotiableEngineering cargo
Project CargoLump SumNegotiableDetailed planning needed

RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) Shipping Rates from China to Spain

Vehicle TypeEstimated Cost (USD)Charging Basis
Sedans750 – 1,200Per Vehicle
SUV / Pickup1,200 – 1,800Per Vehicle
Van / Light Truck1,800 – 3,300Per Vehicle
Construction Machinery45 – 120 / CBMPer Cubic Meter
Oversized EquipmentNegotiableCase-by-case

RORO shipping is primarily used for movable equipment and vehicles, including:

How long does it take to ship from China to the Spain?

Shipping from China to Spain takes 30 to 50 days, air shipping takes 3 to 8 days, and freight train takes about 20 days.
Actual shipping times may vary slightly.

Port to Port (days)Door to Door (days)
Sea Freight FCL30-4535-50
Sea Freight LCL32-4838-55
Air freight3-75-10
Express3-56-8

Door-to-Door Shipping from China to Spain

Door-to-door shipping is one of the most hassle-free logistics solutions for transporting goods from China to Spain. From the initial pickup at the Chinese factory to the final delivery at the designated receiving address in Spain, the entire process is managed seamlessly by a single freight forwarding company. This eliminates the need for clients to coordinate with multiple parties, thereby significantly saving both time and communication costs.

Basenton Logistics offers a diverse range of door-to-door shipping solutions—including Sea Freight LCL (Less than Container Load), FCL (Full Container Load), and Air Freight services—which can be flexibly tailored to suit each client’s specific cargo type and delivery timeline requirements. Whether you are shipping e-commerce goods or handling large-scale commercial trade, we provide the ideal transportation method to meet your needs.

Typically, cargo departs from major ports or airports in China, transits through European ports, and subsequently enters Spain for final distribution to major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, ​​ensuring a stable and highly efficient delivery process.

DDP Shipping from China to Spain

Opting for DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping from China to Spain simplifies the import process significantly. The freight forwarder assumes responsibility for export customs clearance, international transport, Spanish import clearance, and the payment of duties and VAT; the consignee simply needs to await delivery.

As a member state of the European Union, Spain maintains rigorous requirements regarding import documentation and product compliance. With DDP shipping, a professional team centrally manages all customs clearance and tax-related matters, thereby effectively mitigating the risks of inspections and delays to ensure the smooth passage of goods through customs.

Furthermore, DDP typically operates on a fixed-price basis, allowing clients to determine their total logistics costs in advance and avoid unexpected surcharges at the destination port—making it an ideal solution for cross-border e-commerce sellers and small-to-medium-sized importers.

DDP Shipping from China to Spain

DDP Shipping from China

Freight Forwarder from China to Spain

Shipping from China to Spain involves a variety of transport modes and complex customs clearance procedures; selecting a professional freight forwarding company can effectively reduce overall logistics costs and enhance shipping efficiency.

Basenton Logistics is a leading international freight forwarding company based in China. We specialize in shipping routes between China and Europe, possessing extensive and reliable operational experience—particularly within the Spanish market. Our services include:

✔ Sea Freight (FCL & LCL)
✔ Integrated Air Freight and Express Courier Solutions
✔ Breakbulk and Project Cargo Transport Solutions
✔ Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Shipping Services
✔ Door-to-Door and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) Transport
✔ Customs Clearance and Tax Support

Basenton offers flexible transport solutions tailored to the specific nature of our clients’ cargo—ranging from machinery and equipment to e-commerce goods and project cargo. By leveraging our extensive route network and cost-control capabilities, we help our clients optimize their logistics budgets.

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