Best Shipping Routes from China to Spain: Costs, Customs, and Smarter Choices

Marcus

·August 27, 2025

·11 min read

Best Shipping Routes from China to Spain: Costs, Customs, and Smarter Choices — Image Source: pexels

When you look for the best Shipping Routes from China to Spain, you face more than just choosing a path. Many Spanish businesses and shoppers now rely on Chinese goods.

The share of imports from China to Spain grew from 3.3% in 2002 to 10.7% in 2020.
Supply chains between the two countries can break down easily, especially when most products come from just a few places.

These challenges often make shipping complex. FISHGOO helps you manage this process. This platform lets you shop from China with less worry about language barriers, hidden steps, or supply chain risks.

Key Takeaways

Learn about the four main shipping methods. These are sea, air, rail, and express. Each one has different costs and times. Pick the one that fits your needs best.
Try using FISHGOO to make shipping easier. They give you solutions made just for you. They help with customs forms and let you track your package live.
Watch out for extra fees that can raise your costs. Some common ones are port fees, customs duties, and insurance.
Plan early so you do not get customs delays. Make sure all your papers are filled out right. This helps your shipment stay on time.
Think about putting shipments together to save money. Combining orders can cut costs and make things work better.

Shipping Routes Overview

When you ship goods from China to Spain, you have several main Shipping Routes to choose from. Each route offers different speeds, costs, and benefits. Understanding these options helps you make the best choice for your needs. FISHGOO offers tailored shipping solutions for each route, making the process easier for you.

Sea Freight

Sea freight is the most popular way to move large shipments between China and Spain. You can send goods in full containers or share space with others. This method works well for bulky or heavy items.

Route	Average Transit Time
Shanghai to Valencia	30-35 days
Shenzhen to Barcelona	28-32 days
Ningbo to Algeciras	30-36 days
Guangzhou to Bilbao	32-38 days

Service Type	Average Shipping Rate (USD)
Full Container Load (FCL)	$1,200 – $3,500
Less than Container Load (LCL)	$100 – $300 per cubic meter
Break Bulk/Project Cargo	Varies widely

Major Spanish ports like Valencia, Barcelona, and Algeciras handle millions of containers each year.

Port	Annual Container Throughput (TEUs)
Algeciras	> 4.5 million
Bilbao	> 500,000
Barcelona	> 3 million
Valencia	> 5 million
Vigo	> 200,000

Sea freight is cost-effective for large shipments, but it takes longer than other methods. FISHGOO can help you consolidate orders to save on shipping costs.

Air Freight

Air freight is much faster than sea freight. You can use this route for urgent or high-value goods. Airlines fly from major Chinese cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong to Spanish cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.

Route	Transit Time	Avg. Cost
Beijing to Madrid	5-7 days	High
Guangzhou to Barcelona	5-8 days	Moderate
Hong Kong to Valencia	6-7 days	High

Air freight costs more, but you get your goods quickly. FISHGOO offers air shipping options for time-sensitive orders.

Rail Freight

Rail freight is a newer choice for Shipping Routes between China and Spain. Trains travel from Chinese cities to Spain through Central Asia and Europe. This method balances speed and cost.

Transit time: About 15 to 18 days from station to station.
Cost for a 20 ft container: About $500 to $800.
Cost for a 40 ft container: Around $700 to $1,000.

Rail freight works well if you want something faster than sea but cheaper than air. FISHGOO can arrange rail shipments for you, especially for medium-sized loads.

Express Options

Express shipping is the fastest way to send small packages from China to Spain. Companies like DHL, FedEx, and UPS offer door-to-door service.

Feature	Detail
Transit Times	Typically 1-3 days from China to Spain
Cost Factors	Ranges from €5 to €8 per kilogram, varies based on urgency and size of shipment

Express shipping is best for urgent or valuable items. It costs more per kilogram than other methods. FISHGOO provides express options for small, time-critical shipments.

Tip: Express shipping is great for small packages, but not for heavy or bulky goods. Use it when speed matters most.

Pros and Cons

You need to weigh the pros and cons of each Shipping Route before making a decision. The table below shows the main points:

Shipping Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Sea Freight	Cost-effective for large shipments	Longer transit time (25-35 days)
Air Freight	Fastest and safest option	Higher cost compared to other methods
Rail Freight	Cheaper than air, faster than sea	Transit times vary (15-18 days)
Express Freight	Fastest delivery (1-3 days)	Most expensive option, not suitable for heavy goods

Bar chart comparing import duty rates for product categories shipped from China to Spain

FISHGOO helps you pick the best route for your needs. You can choose sea, air, rail, or express shipping based on your budget and timeline. FISHGOO also offers special services like tax-free routes and shipment consolidation, making your shipping experience smoother and more affordable.

Comparing Shipping Methods

Sea vs. Air vs. Rail vs. Express

Choosing the right shipping method can save you time and money. Each option fits different needs. You should look at cost, speed, and what you are shipping. Here is a simple table to help you compare the main methods:

Shipping Method	Cost	Speed	Suitability
Air Freight	Higher cost, especially for large items	3 to 7 business days	Urgent, high-value goods
Sea Freight	Most cost-effective, especially for bulk	Weeks or longer	Heavy, low-value goods
Rail Freight	Moderate cost, cheaper than air	Moderate speed	Bulk commodities, machinery
Express Freight	Highest cost per kilogram	1 to 3 days	Small, urgent packages

FISHGOO lets you choose from these Shipping Routes and helps you combine orders to lower your costs. You can pick the best method for your needs with their flexible options.

Transit Times

Transit time matters when you need your goods fast. Air freight gets your items to Spain in 3 to 7 days. Express shipping is even faster, with delivery in 1 to 3 days. Rail freight takes about 15 to 18 days, which is quicker than sea freight. Sea freight usually takes 28 to 38 days, depending on the port. FISHGOO provides real-time tracking, so you always know where your shipment is.

When to Use Each

You should pick a shipping method based on your timeline, budget, and what you are sending.

Use air freight if you have a strict deadline or need to ship high-value goods.
Choose sea freight for large, heavy, or low-value items that are not urgent.
Rail freight works well for medium-sized loads and offers a balance between speed and cost.
Express shipping is best for small, urgent packages that must arrive quickly.

Tip: FISHGOO can help you decide which Shipping Routes fit your order. They also offer consolidation, so you can save money by sending several items together.

Shipping Costs Breakdown

Cost Factors

When you plan your shipment from China to Spain, you need to know what affects the price. The main cost factors depend on the shipping method you choose. Look at the table below to see what matters most for each option:

Shipping Method	Cost Factors
Air Freight	Type of goods, weight and volume, shipping distance, seasonality (holidays can raise prices)
Rail Freight	Bulk goods, container size, average cost for 40-foot container: $6,000 to $9,000
Sea Freight	Best for large shipments, cost difference grows above 100 kilograms
Express Shipping	Higher price for urgent deliveries, best for small parcels

Other important factors include fuel prices, port charges, and handling fees. These can change based on global events or the time of year.

Cost Estimation

You want to estimate your shipping costs before you order. Here are some average prices for popular methods:

Sea freight: $800 - $850 for a 20-foot container, $1,000 - $1,200 for a 40-foot container.
Rail freight: $6,000 - $9,000 for a 40-foot container.
Express shipping (DHL): About $50 - $60 for a parcel up to 120x80x80 cm.
Air freight: Costs more than sea freight, especially for heavier shipments.

Rates often go up during peak seasons, like holidays. Off-peak times may offer lower prices. Global events, such as pandemics, can also change shipping rates quickly.

Tip: FISHGOO helps you save money by consolidating orders and offering tax-free Shipping Routes. You can combine several items into one shipment, lowering your total cost.

Hidden Fees

You should watch out for extra charges that may not appear in the first quote. Common hidden fees include:

Port fees
Customs duties
Insurance
Terminal handling fees

Fuel price changes and special surcharges can also affect your final bill. FISHGOO gives you clear cost breakdowns and helps you avoid surprises, so you can plan your budget with confidence.

Customs in Spain

Documents Needed

If you want to bring goods from China to Spain, you need the right papers. Customs officers will look at these papers to check your shipment. If you forget a paper or make a mistake, your shipment might be late or cost more money. Here is a table that shows the main papers you need:

Required Document	Description
Commercial Invoice	Details the sale between you and the seller.
Packing List	Lists everything inside your shipment.
Bill of Lading	Shows the carrier received your cargo for shipping.
Import Licenses	Needed for certain restricted goods.
Inspection Certificates	Proves your goods meet safety or quality standards.
Documents of Origin	Confirms where your goods come from.
Transport Document	Gives details about how your goods travel.
Insurance Documents	Shows your shipment has insurance.
Special Certificates	Needed for items like food or medical products.

FISHGOO can help you get and sort all these papers. Their team will help you with every step.

Customs Steps

When your shipment gets to Spain, you must follow some steps. These steps help customs officers check your goods and collect taxes. Here is what happens:

Step	Description
EORI Number	You need this number to import goods into the EU.
HS Code	This code tells customs what your goods are and sets the duty rate.
Import Duties and VAT	Spain charges 21% VAT and other duties based on your goods.
Documentation	Customs checks your invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and certificates.
Customs Broker/Freight Forwarder	Working with a broker or forwarder, like FISHGOO, makes the process easier.

FISHGOO can be your customs broker. They do the paperwork and talk to customs for you. This helps you avoid mistakes.

Avoiding Delays

Customs delays can slow your shipment and cost you extra money. You can stop most problems if you stay organized and follow the rules. Delays often happen because:

Some papers are missing or not filled out right.
Your goods do not meet Spain’s import rules.
Shipping is busy during holidays, so things move slower.

To stop these problems, you should:

Get all your papers ready before your shipment leaves China.
Make sure your goods follow Spanish rules.
Work with a customs expert, like FISHGOO, who knows the process and can help clear your goods faster.

Tip: FISHGOO’s customs help keeps your shipment moving. You can relax and know your goods will arrive on time.

Smarter Shipping Choices

Cost-Saving Tips

You can spend less on shipping from China to Spain by being smart. Many companies save money by sharing space or getting better deals. You can also pick the best route for your goods. The table below shows some ways to save money:

Strategy	Description	Effectiveness
Collaborative Shipping Models	Share space with others to lower costs and work better.	Up to 15% savings in running costs.
Securing Volume Discounts	Ship more items at once to get cheaper prices from carriers.	Lower costs and better dependability.
Optimizing Shipping Routes	Choose the best route using trade data and timing.	Efficiency goes up by 15% with good planning.

FISHGOO helps you save by letting you combine orders, pick tax-free routes, and choose the best way to ship. You can pay with credit cards, PayPal, or bank transfers. This makes shipping easy and flexible.

Common Mistakes

Many people make mistakes when shipping from China to Spain. These mistakes can cause delays, extra costs, or upset customers. Watch out for these problems:

Not knowing all the steps in international shipping can cause delays and higher costs.
Not fixing mistakes fast can lead to bigger problems and lost customers.
Sending the wrong items because of order mistakes can hurt your business.
Not checking products, sellers, or shipping steps can bring surprise fees and delivery trouble.

FISHGOO’s guides and support team help you avoid these problems. Your shipments can arrive safely and on time.

Choosing the Best Option

You should always pick the shipping method that fits your cargo and timeline. Think about these things:

Criteria	Details
Transportation Modes	Air freight costs more than sea freight, especially for heavy items.
Costs	Prices change based on where your goods start, where they go, and how you ship them.
Urgency	Air freight is best for urgent or expensive goods. Sea freight is cheaper for big loads.
Specific Requirements	Some goods need special care or packaging.

Ocean freight usually costs less than air freight.
Shipping prices depend on weight, size, and how fast you need your goods.
Busy times, like Chinese New Year, can make prices go up and slow down delivery.

FISHGOO makes it simple to compare choices, track your shipment, and get extra help like quality checks and safe packaging. You can shop smarter and ship with confidence every time.

There are many ways to ship goods from China to Spain. The table below shows some key points:

Aspect	Details
Shipping Routes	The Suez Canal is the main way. Rail and Cape of Good Hope are other choices.
Cost Implications	It costs $2,400–$3,000 per container through the Suez Canal. The Cape route costs more.
Customs	Some products need CE, ROHS, or ERP certificates. Pre-clearance can speed things up.

To make shipping better, you can:

Use trusted freight forwarders or local Chinese companies.
Combine shipments to get lower prices.
Track your packages and get insurance. FISHGOO helps with these steps, so you can ship easier and save money.

FAQ

How long does shipping from China to Spain usually take?

Shipping time depends on the method you choose. Sea freight takes about 30 days. Air freight takes 5 to 7 days. Rail freight takes 15 to 18 days. Express shipping can deliver in 1 to 3 days.

What documents do I need for customs in Spain?

You need a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and sometimes special certificates. FISHGOO helps you collect and organize these documents so your shipment clears customs smoothly.

Can I track my shipment from China to Spain?

Yes, you can track your shipment online. Most shipping companies and platforms like FISHGOO offer real-time tracking. You always know where your package is during its journey.

How can I save money on shipping costs?

Combine several orders into one shipment. Choose the best shipping route for your needs. FISHGOO lets you consolidate packages and select cost-saving options like tax-free routes.

What should I do if my package is delayed at customs?

Check your documents for errors or missing information. Contact your shipping provider or FISHGOO for help. They can guide you and work with customs to resolve the issue quickly.