How Much does it Cost to Ship from China to Panama

Panama is located in Central America and has the world-famous Panama Canal, which is an important global shipping hub. As an important trading partner of China in Latin America, more and more companies and individuals choose to import goods from China to Panama. So, how much does it cost to ship from China to Panama? What are the factors that affect freight? How to choose the right logistics method? This article will give you a detailed analysis.

There are 2 main ways to ship from China to Panama:

Sea Freight from China to Panama:

Sea Freight is suitable for bulk cargo or large equipment transportation, such as mechanical equipment, fitness equipment, car tires, solar panels and other goods. Sea Freight mainly uses container ships for transportation, which is lower in cost, but the transportation time is longer, about 25-45 days. Especially for bulk cargo over long distances.

• FCL (Full Container Load): Suitable for customers who transport large quantities of goods. We provide 20ft and 40ft containers (20GP, 40GP, 40HQ) for more cost-effective transportation.
• LCL (Less than Container Load): Ideal for small-volume transportation, your goods share space with other customers’ goods. Although LCL costs slightly more and takes longer to process due to consolidation, it is a good choice for small businesses.

What are the ports for shipping from China to Panama by sea?

Major ports of departure (China)

Many major ports in China can be directly shipped or transferred to Panama, including:

• Shanghai Port: One of the largest ports in the world, with rich routes and sufficient shipping capacity.
• Ningbo Port: An important port in East China, suitable for exporting goods from Zhejiang and Jiangsu.
• Shenzhen Port: The largest export port in South China, connecting Southeast Asia and the Americas.
• Guangzhou Port: An important international trade port in South China, with a large number of goods exported to Latin America.

Other large ports such as Qingdao Port, Xiamen Port, and Tianjin Port can also arrange transportation to Panama.

Major ports of destination (Panama)

Major ports in Panama include:

• Colón Free Zone (CFZ): The largest free trade zone in Latin America and a major distribution center for imported goods.
• Port of Balboa: Located at the southern end of the Panama Canal, it is an important port for entering the Pacific Ocean.
• Port of Cristobal: Located on the Caribbean side, it connects to the Atlantic route.
• Manzanillo International Terminal (MIT): One of the busiest container ports in Panama.

The choice of different ports will affect the final transportation cost and customs clearance process, so it is recommended to choose the most suitable port according to the final delivery location of the goods.

Air Freight from China to Panama

Air freight is a fast solution to transport your goods from China to Panama, usually only 3 to 7 days, suitable for high-value, urgent goods, but the cost is higher.

Panama has several major airports, which facilitates efficient air freight operations. The main airports include Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, which is a major hub for international freight. Major Chinese airports such as Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) are key departure points for air cargo to Panama. These established routes ensure that cargo is transported quickly and safely, taking advantage of the strong air cargo infrastructure of both countries.

In addition, express shipping services are available for small, high-value shipments, such as door-to-door services provided by DHL, FedEx and UPS.

Cost of shipping from China to Panama

The shipping cost from China to Panama involves many factors, including transportation method, type of goods, weight, volume, place of shipment, destination, etc. Please choose the appropriate transportation method according to your budget. You can refer to the following table:

Cost of shipping 20ft & 40ft containers from China to Panama

If you have a large volume of cargo, you can choose to ship from China to Panama in full container. The most common container specifications include:

• 20-foot container (20ft): volume of about 33 cubic meters, suitable for small and medium-sized goods.
• 40-foot container (40ft): volume of about 67 cubic meters, suitable for large quantities of goods.
• 40-foot high cabinet (40HQ): Compared with ordinary 40-foot containers, it is taller and has a larger loading capacity.

More details: 20ft, 40ft and 40ft HC Shipping Containers Guide

If your goods are small (less than 10 cubic meters), you can choose LCL (less than container load) transportation. The freight of LCL is usually charged by cubic meter (CBM), and the specific cost depends on the volume and weight of the goods.
Reference cost for LCL shipping (China to Panama): $100 – $150 / cubic meter (CBM)
Shipping time: 30-40 days

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Air Freight Cost from China to Panama

Air Freight from China to Panama is suitable for the following situations:

• High value of goods (such as electronic products, luxury goods, etc.).
• Time sensitive (such as pharmaceutical products, samples, etc.).
• Light weight and small volume (50-500kg)

The cost of air freight from China to Panama is generally between US$5 and US$10 per kilogram.

Air freight costs are affected by factors such as fuel surcharges, aviation peak season and market demand. It is recommended to consult the freight forwarder in advance to lock in the price.

If you are interested in the cost of shipping from China to other countries in South America, you can click to read:

How to Reduce Shipping Costs from China to Panama

In order to control the transportation flow costs from China to Panama, the following strategies can be adopted:

Choose the right mode of transportation: large quantities of cargo should be shipped by sea (FCL), small quantities should be shipped by less than container load (LCL) or air.

Book space in advance: especially in the peak season (September-December) to lock in space in advance to avoid price increases.

Optimize cargo packaging: reduce volume and weight to avoid additional costs.

Choose the right port: choose a port closer to the final destination to reduce inland transportation costs.

Work with a reliable freight forwarder: professional freight forwarders can provide more favorable freight rates and optimize transportation plans.

Shipping Time from China to Panama

The time efficiency of different shipping methods from China to Panama varies greatly, usually as follows:

The shipping methods from China to Panama include sea, air and express. The sea freight (FCL) cost is about $2,500-$4,800, the air freight cost is $5-$10/kg, and the express delivery cost is about $10-$50/kg. The time efficiency and cost of different transportation methods vary greatly. Choosing the most suitable solution can effectively reduce logistics costs. If you need professional logistics services, Basenton Logistics can provide you with a full range of transportation solutions.