Over the past five years, trade between China and Italy has soared from $50 billion to nearly $80 billion, significantly highlighting the strong economic ties between the two nations. If you are new to China-Italy international shipping, or you are a business looking to take advantage of this huge market, this page will be helpful to you. Winsky will explain the entire processes involved in Sea, Air, and Rail shipping from China to Italy.

Several methods can be used to ship from China to Italy. Each method has unique benefits and challenges.

There is probably no way to avoid this method in international shipping, especially when dealing with large or bulky cargo. It is a cheap and safe shipping method and can carry almost any type of good you have. However, you should be prepared for long transit times, because ocean routes from China to Italy take weeks.

You can choose different incoterms during sea shipping from China to Italy. The incoterm chosen will determine the costs and level of involvement you experience. Generally, your goods will be shipped from the Chinese port directly to the Italian port, and then you take over from there.

If you’re familiar with sea freight, you’ll know of LCL and FCL shipping.

Every port has its advantages. You should prioritize a port that lets you save costs and time. So, always choose one closer to your supplier and final destination.

In China, your goods can travel from Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Qingdao, or Ningbo. There are other ports, but these are the major ones with frequent shipping to Italy.

In Italy, the essential ports are:

• Ancona: Located on the Adriatic Sea, this port facilitates trade to and from Central and Eastern Europe.
• Catania: This port is important for trade with other Mediterranean countries and is perfect for shipments to Sicily and the southern regions of Italy.
• Genova (Genoa): One of the busiest ports in Italy. it is the main gateway for goods entering Northern Italy and Southern Europe.

Sometimes, you might not be comfortable with the slow transit time of sea freight. Probably your business involves perishable goods or expensive items like electronics parts. In such cases, Air freight is an option to consider. The advantage is that your goods can arrive within 3 to 10 days. The disadvantage is that it is a more expensive shipping method.

In this method, your cost is determined by the “chargeable weight”, which can either be the volumetric or gross weight.

If “Gross weight” > “Volumetric weight”, Chargeable weight = Gross weight.

If “Volumetric weight” > “Gross weight”, Chargeable weight = Volumetric weight

The latter usually occurs when you have lightweight goods that occupy a lot of space.

Your cargo flight can take off from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Shanghai, or Beijing. The usual destinations in Italy are Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino, Genoa and Venice. These airports are well-equipped with facilities to handle large volumes of international cargo.

Your freight forwarder can advise you on selecting the best airports. To reduce costs, you have to consider its connectivity to road and rail networks, the routes taken by the flights, and how close it is to your destination.

When importers hear Express freight, they may wonder what the difference is, because it also involves shipping by cargo planes. Well, the difference is that your goods are transported through specific courier companies like FedEx, UPS, DHL, and TNT this time. What is the advantage? It is very stress-free and fast. So fast that you can receive cargo within “2-5 working days” with door to door service. As you will expect, it is also a very expensive shipping method.

However, Winsky freight has contracts with all the express shipping companies operating between these two countries and we can ensure the lowest available price that you won’t get from the company itself.

Most of the job can be handled by Winsky Freight. We’ll ship your goods to the nearest Courier depot, deal with the export custom declaration, then the courier will assist you about import custom clearance, duties & ship it to your destination.

This option is the perfect compromise between cost and freight. It’s no surprise that many importers prefer this option for sending their heavy cargo from China to Italy.

Advantages

• It saves you time (It takes about half the time of “sea shipping”)
• It saves you money ( You spend about half the cost of “air shipping”)
• It can transport large and heavy goods.
• You can use LCL or FCL.
• Reliable and safe shipping method.
• With Winsky Freight, you can choose DDP door-to-door shipping option.
• Well-connected rail network from China to Italy.

“Guangdong→ Chengdu/Chongqing→Alashankou→Kazakhstan→Russia→Polish Mara→ Customs clearance in Hungary/Czech→UPS Pick up→UPS End Delivery to Italy.”

The estimated shipping times for train freight from China to Italy are as follows:

• First Leg within China- “Guangdong/Zhenjiang to Chengdu/Chongqing”: 3-5 days.
• Second leg between countries: 14-16 days.
• Third leg: Customs clearance: 3-5 working days.
• Fourth leg: UPS final delivery: 2-5 working days.

In good weather conditions, expect your goods at your doorstep in Italy in 30 days.

FedEx, UPS, DHL, and TNT can deliver within 5 days.

If all shipping conditions go according to plan, then expect the following delivery dates:

Station to station: 16 days.

Door to door: 28-35 days.

International shipping costs depend on various factors such as seasons, shipping methods, shipment volume, factory and delivery address. Therefore, there is no magic calculator to tell you the exact shipping cost from China to Italy. So,it is always better to ask for a quote from a freight forwarder to know the shipping cost. Here we have listed reference cost dated 05-June-2024 for you information:

Remember that the chargeable weight determines your cost. And the volume or weight of your goods determines the chargeable weight.

The costs vary with seasons, your chosen container option and the distance between the ports.

We mostly focus on the LCL DDP door to door train freight. Below is the reference Train freight Door to door, including import custom clearance service.

You can’t avoid this process in international shipping. It’s either you do it yourself, or you commission a “customs broker” to do it on your behalf. First, are you sure the goods you’re shipping are acceptable in Italy? if you’re not sure, contact your freight forwarder and confirm. To avoid problems down the road. Before you proceed, your documentation must be intact. Always get the following beforehand:

Required Documents:

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)
• Certificate of Origin
• Import License (if required)

When your goods arrive, fill out the declaration form and proceed to customs. They’ll request for the documents listed above. They’ll then calculate your taxes based on the “value” of your goods and their “classification”. Pay the duties, and you’re free to leave with your cargo. Sometimes, the whole customs process is not so straightforward. This is why we advise importers to leave it for their freight forwarders or customs brokers. Any problems with inspection or documentation will lead to fines, which can affect your budget. Contact Winsky if you want a smooth sailing shipping and clearance experience.

As a European Union (EU) member, Italy follows the EU’s “Common Customs Tariff”. The customs duties depend on the “CIF value” of the goods and their “HS code”. Duties can range from 0% to 17%, with an average tariff of 4.2%. Some products from China may benefit from preferential rates or even zero tariffs due to trade agreements.

In addition to customs duties, VAT is applied to imported goods at the standard rate of 22%. However, reduced rates of 10% or 5% may be used for certain goods, depending on their classification. To determine the exact duty rate for your product, consult the “EU TARIC database” or a customs broker.

With Winsky, you can choose DDU or DDP from China to Italy for the door to door service.

DDU Shipping

The important thing to remember for the DDU shipping is that you do nothing until the goods reach Italy. Your job is to clear the goods at customs and then receive it at your doorstep. If you’re familiar with express couriers like FedEx and DHL, then you must have experienced this type of shipping.

DDP Shipping

When you use the DDP shipping option from China to Italy, you have no job at all in the logistics process. Yeah, that’s right. You only have to pay an all-inclusive price ahead, and the entire shipping plus clearance is done on your behalf. You then receive the goods at your doorstep.

Transit Time estimate:

“DDP sea freight arrives in about 38-45 days.”

“DDP air freight arrives in about 14 days.”

“DDP train freight arrives in about 35 days.”

It’s a straightforward process. After pick up from your supplier, we load your goods in the container and gather the required documents. Then, shipping proceeds. In Italy, Winsky’s representatives take over and clear the goods. They unload the cargo and send it out to you via express couriers.

It’s very easy to monitor your China-to-Italy shipments. If you use an express courier, air, or sea freight, then input your tracking number into their website, and you’ll get a live location of your goods.

You can also use specialized tracking sites like 17Track or ask your freight forwarder to give you live updates on the shipping process.

If you choose to use Winsky as your freight forwarder, we’re very glad to assist you throughout the shipping process. When your goods are ready, we’ll come pick them up ourselves and confirm that every necessary document is intact. If you’re not able to visually verify the goods yourself, Winsky can also do that on your behalf. Just give us the full specifications of your products, and we’ll confirm for you.

After settling the payment, we handle export clearance and consolidate your goods on a shipping carrier. Throughout the sea transit, we monitor your goods on your behalf. You can contact us at any time for a real-time update on shipping. When your goods arrive in Italy, our representatives complete clearance and deliver the goods to your final destination.

Let’s give you reasons why thousands of businesses across the globe choose Winsky for their logistics operations:

1. We’re an experienced and very reputable China freight forwarder. Winsky has successfully handled thousands of freight in over 15 years of operation.
2. We provide unbeatable prices and very fast delivery times. You don’t have to spend above your budget when shipping with Winsky. We find creative ways to beat down the price for you without compromising on shipping quality.
3. We have local partners in every major country in the world. Winsky can get it there for you no matter where you’re shipping to.
4. You never have to worry about the safety of your packaging. Winsky will package your goods right in our warehouse and ensure their safe handling throughout the shipping process. No matter how rough the seas or the consolidation process, your goods will arrive in one piece.
5. We prioritize excellent customer service and fast response times when dealing with clients. We’re available 24/7 to guide you during shipping and answer whatever questions you may have.
6. With our level of experience, you can expect your customs clearance to be speedy and without fines. We understand every necessary documentation and have customs brokers in every major country. Just sit back, relax, and watch us do the work.
7. Clients get numerous extras when shipping with Winsky. They include: Warehousing, Distribution support Packaging, Cheap Insurance, etc.

Winsky Freight accepts major payment gateways for different countries. You can use PayPal, T/T Bank Transfer, Wise.com, Western Union, or MoneyGram. These methods are fast, reliable, and suitable for all types of international payments.

This article has addressed the basics of shipping from China to Italy in 2024. We hope you can rely on this guide for a smooth and hassle-free shipping experience. Should you have any more questions or need any support about shipping to Italy, contact Winsky Freight. You’ll hear from us immediately.