Shipping from China to Estonia

With the growing trade between China and Europe, more and more Chinese exporters and Estonian importers choose to ship goods from China to Estonia via international freight. Whether it is electronic products, mechanical equipment, excavators, clothing or household goods, understanding the various shipping methods, time, cost and customs clearance procedures from China to Estonia is essential to ensure the smooth arrival of goods.

Shipping from China to Estonia

For shipping from China to Estonia, you can choose the following mainstream transportation methods based on factors such as the volume, weight, delivery time and budget of the goods:

Sea Freight
The most economical choice, suitable for large-volume cargo transportation. The main departure ports are Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Qingdao, etc. The destination port is generally the Port of Tallinn in Estonia, or transit through European ports such as Hamburg, Germany and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Air Freight
The fastest speed, suitable for urgent goods or high-value products. The main departure airports in China include Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport, Beijing Capital Airport, etc., and the destination is Tallinn International Airport.

Rail Freight
An intermediate choice that is faster than sea freight and cheaper than air freight. Usually departs from inland China (such as Yiwu, Zhengzhou, Chongqing, etc.), transported to Poland, Germany and other places via the China-Europe Express, and then transferred to trucks to Estonia.

International Express:
Such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, suitable for small goods or samples, good timeliness, but higher freight.

Sea Freight from China to Estonia

Sea freight is currently the most economical mode of transportation from China to Estonia. It is mainly shipped through major ports in China (such as Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao, etc.), and then shipped through major European ports (such as Hamburg Port and Rotterdam Port), and then transferred to Tallinn Port in Estonia.

• FCL (full container load): suitable for goods with a volume of more than 15-30 cubic meters, and customers use a single container. For importers who need to handle large quantities of goods, full container load (FCL) is usually the first choice. This method can use the entire container exclusively, thereby maximizing transportation efficiency
• LCL (less than container load): suitable for small quantities of goods. When the amount of goods does not need to fill a container, less than container load (LCL) is a viable option. This method consolidates cargo from multiple shippers into one container, allowing businesses to share shipping costs.

Ocean shipping from China to Estonia usually takes 30-40 days, depending on the ship schedule and transshipment port.

Port of Tallinn

The Port of Tallinn is the largest and most important port in Estonia, with a huge cargo volume. It plays a vital role in the import of goods from China and other countries. The port is equipped with modern facilities for efficient container loading and unloading and customs clearance. Its strategic location ensures that goods can be delivered to all parts of Estonia and neighboring countries in a timely manner.

Air Freight from China to Estonia

If your goods have high requirements for timeliness, air freight is a faster option. Common departure airports include Guangzhou Baiyun, Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen Baoan, Beijing Capital, etc., arriving at Tallinn International Airport (Tallinn Airport) in Estonia.

Air freight is suitable for customers with high requirements for timeliness. Commonly exported products include:

The process of air freight from China to Estonia:

1. Chinese factories or suppliers prepare goods
2. Air freight forwarders arrange pickup and booking
3. Export customs declaration
4. Arrival at Tallinn Airport
5. Customs clearance, pickup, delivery

The general time for air freight from China to Estonia is about 3-7 days, and there may be slight delays during the peak season.

Railway transportation from China to Estonia

In recent years, the China-Europe Express has been opened, and rail transportation has become a new option from China to Eastern and Northern European countries. Although there is no China-Europe Express directly to Estonia, it can be transferred through Małaszewicze Station in Poland or Hamburg in Germany.

Advantages of rail transportation:

• Lower cost than air transportation and faster than sea transportation
• Time limit is generally 20-25 days
• Suitable for bulk light-weight goods, medium and high-value goods

The transportation process is usually: China-China-Europe Express-Poland/Germany-truck transfer to Estonia.

Cost of shipping from China to Estonia

The factors that affect the final transportation cost from China to Estonia include:

• Cargo volume and weight
• Transportation method (sea, air, rail, express)
• Departure port and destination
• Cargo type (ordinary goods, sensitive goods, dangerous goods, etc.)
• Do you need DDP or door-to-door service

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

Cost Of Shipping 20ft & 40ft Container From China To Estonia

• How much does it cost to ship a 20-foot container from China to Estonia?
  The average price for shipping a 20-foot container from China to Estonia is US$2,850 to US$4,550. Shipping schedules for 20-foot containers from China to Estonia vary by route.
• How much does it cost to ship a 40-foot container from China to Estonia?
  The average price for shipping a 40-foot container from China to North Macedonia is US$3,250 to US$5,550. Shipping schedules for 40-foot containers from China to Estonia vary by route.

You might want to know:

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

The shipping time of goods from China to Estonia is affected by many key factors, mainly related to the mode of transportation. Generally speaking, sea freight takes 30 to 45 days and air freight takes 3 to 8 days. Please refer to the table below:

Door to Door Shipping from China to Estonia

Door to Door Shipping refers to a full-process service from the Chinese seller’s warehouse to the Estonian buyer’s receiving point, which is fully operated by the freight forwarder. It includes:

Pickup and collection: The service begins with picking up the goods from the seller’s location in China. This process is coordinated by the freight forwarder to ensure timely pickup and safe handling of the goods.

Shipping from China to Estonia: Once the goods are collected, they will be transported from China to Estonia by air or sea, depending on the nature of the goods and the specific requirements of the importer.

Customs clearance: A key part of door-to-door transportation is to understand the customs regulations of China and Estonia. A good freight forwarder will handle all the necessary documents and compliance checks to ensure smooth customs clearance of the goods.

Final delivery: After customs clearance, the goods are delivered directly to the recipient’s address in Estonia. This final leg of transportation is managed by the logistics provider to ensure that the goods are delivered safely and on time.

When choosing a door-to-door shipping service, businesses can choose between Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU) or Delivered Duty Paid (DDP).

• DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): Under this arrangement, the seller is responsible for shipping the goods to the destination country but does not pay duties or taxes. The buyer is responsible for these costs at the time of delivery, which can result in unexpected expenses when receiving the goods.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Under the DDP model, the seller assumes all responsibilities, including duties and taxes, ensuring that the buyer does not have to pay any additional costs when receiving the goods. This option provides peace of mind for buyers looking for a worry-free experience.

DDP Shipping from China to Estonia

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) transportation, that is, tax-inclusive door-to-door service.

Features of DDP Shipping:

• Includes all costs such as freight, customs clearance, tariffs, and value-added tax
• Buyers do not need to provide import qualifications or go through customs clearance procedures
• Full freight forwarding processing

DDP Shipping is suitable for customer groups:

• No EU customs clearance company
• E-commerce sellers
• Temporary buyers

Note: The price of DDP service is relatively higher, but it can avoid risks such as port congestion, customs clearance failure, and additional tariffs at the destination port.

Learn more: DDP Shipping from China

Customs Clearance from China to Estonia

Customs clearance is an important step in the entire logistics process, involving:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
• Certificate of Origin (such as CO or FORM E)
• If necessary, CE certification, MSDS, dangerous goods certificate, etc. are also required

Basenton Logistics can assist customers in preparing relevant documents and arrange customs clearance services at the destination port.

Freight Forwarders from China to Estonia

Choosing an experienced international freight forwarder is critical to ensuring smooth transportation. Especially when importing goods from China. The right partner can significantly affect the efficiency and effectiveness of your transportation process. The main responsibilities of a freight forwarder include:

Routing and planning: Freight forwarders analyze shipping routes and determine the most cost-effective and efficient way to transport goods, taking into account factors such as the type of goods, urgency, and budget.

Document processing: They prepare and manage all necessary shipping documents, such as bills of lading, commercial invoices, and export declarations, ensuring compliance with Chinese and North Macedonian regulations.

Customs clearance: Freight forwarders liaise with customs authorities to facilitate customs clearance of goods, comply with complex regulations, and ensure that all duties and taxes are properly handled.

Cargo insurance: They usually arrange cargo insurance to protect goods from potential loss, damage, or theft during transportation.

Cargo tracking: Provide real-time updates to monitor the progress of cargo transportation.

Warehousing and distribution services: Many freight forwarders provide additional services such as warehousing to help companies effectively manage inventory and distribution channels.

Basenton Logistics has long focused on transportation services from China to Europe, Eastern Europe and Northern Europe, providing:

• Omni-channel transportation by sea, air and rail
• Professional DDP, door-to-door services
• EU local customs clearance team support
• Logistics solution customization and real-time cargo tracking