Shipping from China to Thailand 🇹🇭 | Air, Sea, Road & Express

Shipping From China to Thailand

When planning to ship from China to Thailand, understanding the different shipping methods, their respective costs, and transit times is crucial. In this guide, we will explore options such as sea freight, air freight, door-to-door shipping, and express shipping. Each of these shipping methods offers distinct advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost efficiency and delivery speed. Our aim is to provide you with comprehensive information on these methods to help streamline your Shipping process and ensure that your shipping decision is aligned with your business requirements and budget constraints.

How to Arrange your Shipment when importing to Thailand from China 

Step 1: Understand Trade Regulations

Ensure you are up-to-date with the latest trade laws when exporting from China and importing to Thailand. As regulations frequently change, staying informed is crucial. This initial step also involves preparing the necessary documentation for a seamless customs process.

Step 2: Identify Your Imports

Consider what products your business can successfully sell. It’s essential to verify market demand in Thailand and understand the potential profitability after covering production, marketing, and distribution costs.

Step 3: Select a Shipping Method

Choose an appropriate shipping method based on your product type, weight, and volume. If unsure, seek advice to find the best shipping option for your needs.

Step 4: Locate a Supplier

Finding the right supplier is key. Use online searches and establish relationships with Chinese suppliers that can offer quality products. Consider various sources like:

  • Business-to-business platforms
  • Direct visits to trade fairs
  • Recommendations from freight forwarders
  • Chinese sourcing companies

Step 5: Calculate Tax Responsibilities

Be aware of the 7% value-added tax imposed by Thai customs, along with any other applicable taxes and fees. Understanding these costs upfront will help you avoid unexpected expenses and complications during customs clearance.

Step 6: Understand Incoterms

If new to international shipping, familiarize yourself with Incoterms. These are global rules defining the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international transactions, crucial for managing payments, insurance, and shipping documents.

Step 7: Manage Customs Clearance

The customs clearance process involves several steps:

  • Data entry
  • Document declaration
  • Goods assessment
  • Permit acquisition
  • Fee payment
  • Goods warehousing and exit

Step 8: Hire a Freight Forwarder

To simplify the complex logistics of international shipping, employ a reputable and experienced freight forwarder. They can manage the movement of your goods from the factory to their final destination in Thailand, ensuring a smooth and efficient shipping process.

By following these steps and choosing reliable partners, you can effectively manage your import activities from China to Thailand.

Overview of main Shipping Methods from China to Thailand

There are 4 main methods for shipping goods from China to Brazil: sea freight and air freight. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your specific needs and requirements.

Air Freight

Air freight is the fastest way to transport goods from China to Brazil, with delivery times typically ranging from 5-7 days. This mode of shipping is ideal for time-sensitive cargo or items with a short shelf life. However, air freight can be more expensive than other shipping options, particularly for heavy or bulky items.

Sea Freight & Container Shipping

Sea freight is a cost-effective option for shipping larger volumes of goods from China to Brazil, with transit times typically ranging from 35-45 days. This mode of shipping is suitable for non-perishable items and those that do not require urgent delivery. Sea freight involves the use of containers, which come in standard sizes of 20 feet and 40 feet.

Door to Door Shipping

Door-to-door delivery offers the convenience of having your goods picked up from the supplier in China and delivered directly to your address in Brazil. This service eliminates the need for you to handle customs clearance and transportation arrangements, making the shipping process hassle-free.

DDP Shipping 

DDP Shipping From China to Thailand having your goods picked up from the supplier in China and delivered directly to your address in Thailand. This service eliminates the need for you to handle customs clearance and transportation arrangements, making the shipping process hassle-free.

Sea Freight from China to Thailand

Thailand was the largest export market of goods to China in 2020. The total value of the Thailand import from China reached $5.5 billion, accounting for 9% of the total import from China, when shipping cargo from China to Thailand, the most popular methods are sea freight, air freight, and rail freight. The three main sea ports in the Thailand is Bangkok.

Choose Between FCL and LCL shipping

Sea freight offers two primary choices tailored to the size of the shipment: LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load).

Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping

With FCL shipping, you reserve an entire container for your goods. This option is ideal for larger shipments that fill or nearly fill a container. FCL can be more economical than LCL when you calculate the shipping cost per unit, especially for heavier or bulkier shipments from China to Thailand.

Less than Container Load (LCL) Shipping

LCL shipping means your goods will be transported in a container shared with other shippers. This is an excellent choice if you’re not ready to pay for an entire container. LCL offers a cost-effective solution for importing smaller shipments from China to Thailand.

Major Sea Ports in China to Thailand Shipping Routes

China-Thailand shipping routes leverage major Chinese ports such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo-Zhoushan, and Guangzhou to facilitate trade between the two nations. These ports are crucial in managing the extensive flow of goods via strategic ocean pathways. Shanghai Port, a global shipping hub, plays a pivotal role in exporting goods from eastern China, while Shenzhen Port, positioned in the industrial powerhouse of Guangdong province, specializes in catering to the Pearl River Delta’s high production outputs. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, known for its vast cargo handling capabilities, supports the heavy container traffic typical of China’s bustling trade activity.

 

The primary shipping routes used include the South China Sea Route, where vessels traverse the South China Sea to reach the Gulf of Thailand. This route is vital for direct access to Thailand’s eastern seaports such as the Port of Laem Chabang, which handles a significant portion of Thailand’s import and export activities. Additionally, the Andaman Sea Route is utilized for reaching western ports like the Port of Phuket, navigating through the Strait of Malacca and northward along the western coast of Thailand.

 

Key Thai ports such as the Port of Laem Chabang, Port of Bangkok, and Port of Phuket are integral to managing imports from China. These ports ensure the efficient distribution of goods across Thailand, supporting the country’s economic expansion and its robust trade relationship with China

Air Freight from China to Thailand

Air freight from China to Bangkok Thailand is ideal for shipping cargo of relatively high value and urgency, but not necessarily large. With Air freight service from China, you’ll get door-to-door delivery in a shorter amount of time than with other transport options.

The cost of air freight is higher than sea freight or rail freight. However, air freight has many advantages over these transportation methods. Air freight is safer, faster, and more convenient than other modes of transport. Air freight also offers greater flexibility for scheduling deliveries and managing the flow of goods.

Key Air Freight Routes: China to Thailand Airports

Air freight routes from China to Thailand optimize the transportation of goods, providing direct connections from major Chinese airports such as Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, and Guangzhou Baiyun to key hubs in Thailand including Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Chiang Mai International, and Phuket International. Direct flights are crucial for the rapid movement of cargo, which is essential for industries that depend on timely deliveries. Strategic air links between these airports boost trade efficiency and strengthen economic partnerships. Efficient cargo handling at these key airports ensures that high-value and time-sensitive shipments receive priority. Seamless logistics solutions along these routes cater to a wide array of sectors, ensuring safe and timely arrival of products.

 

Important Considerations for Air Freight from China to Brazil

When arranging your air freight shipment from China to Thailand, you will need to provide specific details about your cargo, such as its weight and dimensions. Once your itinerary is confirmed, the freight forwarder in China will inform you of the flight departure times and any other pertinent details regarding your shipment.

Air freight cargo must be packaged according to airline regulations, with packaging requirements varying based on the type of goods being shipped. At Super International Shipping, we offer professional packaging services at our China warehouse, saving you time while ensuring your cargo is properly packaged according to airline packaging standards.

For fragile items, ensure that a “fragile” label is prominently displayed on the exterior packaging. Besides an address label, avoid attaching unnecessary signs or markings to the packaging to maintain clarity and compliance during transport.

Air Freight Costs and Transit Times

Air freight costs from China to Thailand include various fees like fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal fees, and other surcharges. These costs are adjusted by airlines based on factors such as seasonal demand and international oil prices. The table below provides a comprehensive view of the costs and estimated transit times for shipping different weights from various cities in China to key destinations in Thailand.

City in China City in Thailand Total Cost (USD per Tonne) Cost for 10 kg (USD) Cost for 100 kg (USD) Cost for 500 kg (USD) Transit Time (Days)
Ningbo Bangkok 500 5 50 250 4
Shanghai Chiang Mai 550 5.5 55 275 4
Guangzhou Phuket 450 4.5 45 225 3.5
Chongqing Pattaya 480 4.8 48 240 4.5

 

The typical air freight transit time from China to Thailand ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 days, depending on the origin and destination cities. For more detailed information or assistance with your shipping needs, please contact our shipping experts. We are here to help from the initial dispatch in China to the final delivery in Thailand.

DDP Shipping from China to Thailand

Shipping your goods by DDP terms save your shipping costs and removes the need for you to care about taxes and duties, which saves time and money. Using a freight forwarder like Super In’l Shipping is going to make everything easier for you at every step. DDP shipping from China to Thailand can be done in several different ways: sea freight, road freight, rail freight, or air freight. You’ll need to prepare a few documents for your Chinese factory to fill out when they’re exporting your goods from China.

DDP Shipping is a popular shipping method in the Thailand. It is also known as Door to Door (D2D) shipping. In this type of shipping, the consignee can receive the shipment at their doorstep, without any additional charges.

The consignee needs to be available at the address where they want to receive the shipment and sign for it on delivery. The company then delivers it to them and takes responsibility for any damages or losses that may occur during transit. DDP is a very secure method of shipping because it does not require any third-party involvement in order for goods to be delivered successfully.

DDP stands for “Delivery Duty Paid.” It means that the seller pays all costs related to the delivery of your cargo. These include transportation and insurance costs. This is in contrast to FOB terms (Free on Board), which means that you pay all the costs up until a certain point of time. After that point, the buyer takes over and has to pay for the rest of the way.
It’s a very popular way of shipping goods between Thailand and China, and it’s used by businesses in a wide range of industries

Cargo need to go through customs clearance in China before they are exported. They will be sent to our warehouse in Shenzhen or you can appoint us to pick up your goods from your China factory. In Thailand, we use our business partners as importers for import declarations. We manage all customs clearance procedures from China and Thailand.
Last miles delivery will be arranged by express couriers

DDP shipping best for Amazon FBA Shipping, business addresses, private addresses.

DDP Shipping Costs and Requirements

When considering DDP shipping from China to Thailand, understand that this option covers all expenses from the origin to your doorstep, including shipping and insurance costs. This method, whether by sea or air, ensures that you don’t have to worry about additional taxes and duties, offering a hassle-free experience.

 

Transit times vary based on the mode of transport. Sea freight generally takes between 10-16 days, while air freight is quicker, taking about 2-4 days depending on the departure and arrival ports. Below is a detailed table that outlines both the costs and transit times for different shipping methods from China to Thailand, such as door-to-door air freight from Shanghai to Bangkok.

 

Shipping Type

From (China)

To (Thailand)

Total Cost (USD for 100kg)

Transit Time (Days)

Cost per Kilo (USD)

Air Freight DDP 

Shanghai Airport

Bangkok Airport

1100

2

11

Air Freight

Hong Kong Airport

Phuket Airport

1200

3

12

Sea Freight

Port of Shanghai

Port of Bangkok

700

14

7

Sea Freight

Port of Guangzhou

Port of Laem Chabang

800

16

8

Road Freight

Shanghai

Bangkok

1500

10

15

Road Freight

Guangzhou

Chiang Mai

1600

12

16

Choosing DDP shipping simplifies the process, making it cost-effective and efficient by eliminating concerns about external fees. For more specific details or assistance with your shipping options from China to Thailand, feel free to contact our experts. We are here to ensure your shipping process is smooth and straightforward.

Shipping From China to Thailand – Transit Time Overview

When shipping between China and Thailand, transit times vary depending on the transport method and the specific ports or airports involved. Below is a combined overview of the estimated sea and air freight transit times for Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL), and air shipments.

Origin (China) Destination (Thailand) FCL 20-foot (Days) FCL 40-foot (Days) LCL (Days) Air Freight (Days)
Hong Kong Bangkok 14 15 18 1
Shanghai Chiang Mai 12 13 16 1
Guangzhou Phuket 16 17 20 3.5
Chongqing Pattaya 15 16 19 4
Shanghai Bangkok 14 15 18 4
Tianjin Laem Chabang 14 15 18 5
Shenzhen Songkhla 14 15 19 4.5

Key Insights:

  • Sea Freight:
    • Transit times for FCL shipments range between 12 to 17 days depending on the container size and port locations.
    • LCL shipments generally take longer, ranging from 16 to 20 days.
  • Air Freight:
    • Air freight is significantly faster, with transit times ranging from 3.5 to 5 days depending on the origin and destination airports.

Whether you choose sea or air shipping, understanding these transit times ensures better planning and timely delivery of your goods. For specific inquiries or assistance with your shipment, feel free to contact our logistics experts.

Shipping Cost from China to Thailand (last Updated on September 2024)

Transport Mode From (China) To (Thailand) Cost for 20FT Container (USD) Cost for 40FT Container (USD) Cost for 100kg (USD) Cost per Kilo (USD)
Sea Freight Port of Shanghai Port of Bangkok $370 $600 $500 $5
Sea Freight Port of Guangzhou Port of Laem Chabang $240 $430 $600 $6
Air Freight Shanghai Airport Bangkok Airport $350 $500 $550 $5.5
Air Freight Beijing Airport Phuket Airport $650 $6.5

Which Transport Mode Should You Use?

  • Sea Freight:

    • Best for large shipments or bulky goods. If you’re shipping a 20-foot container, expect to pay $370 from Shanghai to Bangkok and $240 from Guangzhou to Laem Chabang. 40-foot containers cost $600 and $430, respectively.
    • Pros: Cost-effective for larger volumes, but slower transit times.
    • Cons: Not ideal for urgent or time-sensitive shipments.
  • Air Freight:

    • Ideal for smaller, high-value, or time-sensitive shipments. For 100kg of goods, air freight costs $550 from Shanghai to Bangkok and $650 from Beijing to Phuket.
    • Pros: Faster transit times, suitable for urgent deliveries.
    • Cons: More expensive, especially for heavier shipments.

By comparing the shipping costs from China to Thailand across both transport modes, you can make a more informed decision based on your budget and delivery requirements. For more specific inquiries or assistance with your shipment, don’t hesitate to reach out to our logistics experts.

Customs and Compliance when Importing into Thailand from China

When shipping from China to Thailand, the customs process begins once you submit the customs declaration form and accompanying documents at the Thai port of entry. Thai customs officials will examine these documents to ensure everything is in order, including the completeness of forms and documents, the applicable tax rates, and the valuation of goods. After these checks, your customs clearance process will be completed.

 Import Customs Clearance in Thailand

When a shipment arrives in Thailand, the import customs clearance process is necessary. Cargo arrives at the seaport of Thailand, it must go through import customs clearance. This process can take 1-2 days after the arrival date of the cargo at the seaport and will be completed on the same day. In the Super International shipping , we have our own customs broker in Thailand to handle the import customs declaration. If you don’t have your own customs broker, we can help you find one.

How the Customs Process Works

When goods arrive in Thailand, the customs procedures follow a standard protocol similar to those in many other countries. Importers must complete several key steps to ensure compliance with Thai customs regulations.

Firstly, an entry form must be filed electronically through the e-Customs system. This form is essential for initiating the customs process.

Few Things To Pay Attention When Air Freight From China To Thailand
  • Once you confirmed transport by air freight from China to Thailand, you need to provide the cargo details, cargo weight, cargo dimension. Once itinerary is confirmed, freight forwarder in China provides flight departure time and other information for your shipment.
  • Air freight cargo must be packaged to fulfil airline’s regulations, the packaging also varies according to different types of goods. In Super International Shipping, we provide professional packaging service in our China warehouse, that could saving your time also make sure your cargo packing fits into airline repacking requirement.
  • For fragile products, make sure fragile label stick onto outer packaging. In addition to the address label on the outside of the packaging bag, try not to carry other irrelevant signs.
How To Determine Which Seaport In China For Sea Shipping
Shanghai Seaport

The Shanghai seaport is one of the most important seaports in the world. It is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River in East China. The port has access to a large portion of inland China, including the North China Plain, the lower Yangtze River Basin and Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces.
As a coastal city, it is also a gateway to oceanic shipping routes. A network of highways and railways connect with this port to make it accessible from all over China.

Ningbo Seaport

Ningbo Seaport

Ningbo is one of the seaports with the largest export volume in China, and the port code is CNNBO. It is an important shipping hub of Chinese seaports. The seaport area has a unique geographical location and convenient transportation. The Yiwu area is located about 100km south of Ningbo. It is also an important hub for trade in China and many local businesses rely upon Ningbo to ship their products to customers all over the world. Ningbo handles about half of all imports from Yiwu’s factories.

 

Shenzhen Seaport

Shenzhen seaport is a key coastal shipping hub, with excellent multimodal transportation links to destinations across China, including nearby Guangzhou and Hong Kong. Shenzhen seaport comprises two main areas: Yantian and Dapeng Port Area in the east, and Nanshan, Dachan Bay, Dachan Island, Xiaochan Island and Baoan Port Area in the west.

 

Guangzhou seaport

Guangzhou Seaport as the world’s fifth busiest container port in Asia, the port has four areas: Inner Port, Huangpu Port, Xinsha Port and Nansha Port. The Nansha area is the main container port that provides ocean liners and large-scale vessels. The radius of the Nansha port is 100 kilometers, located in the center of the Pearl River Delta, connecting cities on both sides of the Pearl River.

 

Qingdao Seaport

Qingdao Seaport, located in the eastern Shandong province of China, is a deepwater port with a high degree of automation. In terms of container throughput, it ranks sixth among Asian ports. It’s also one of the most important seaports in China.
Shipping from Qingdao Port is convenient because of its location on the Yellow Sea, and its proximity to shipping lanes which connect China to other Asian nations, as well as the Middle East and Europe.

Xingang Seaport

Tianjin seaport is major international commerce and shipping hub in northeast China. It serves as the transhipment gateway to Beijing, Tianjin and other cities by import cargo and export cargo.

 

Chongqing seaport

Chongqing seaport is an inland seaport in Chongqing, China. It is the largest water transportation hub on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River and connects to Shanghai seaport. The Chongqing Port Road is connected with Chongqing-Wuhan and Chongqing-Changsha highways.

Hong Kong Seaport

Hong Kong is a free seaport and thrives on its ability to handle large volumes of cargo. The port, one of the busiest in Asia. This makes it an attractive place for shipping cargo as well as storing goods before sending them elsewhere around the world.

Hong Kong seaport has been divided into three main areas: North Harbour, South Harbour, and Kwai Chung Container Terminal.
The North Harbour area has been upgraded to include a new ferry terminal and cruise ship terminal, as well as additional warehouses. The South Harbour area has been upgraded to include an expanded cruise ship terminal.

Hong Kong seaport handles container ships, passenger ships, bulk carriers, oil tankers, ocean vessels and general cargo ships. The Kwai Chung Container Terminal is one of the world’s largest facilities for handling containers.

How ASEAN China Free Trade Agreement benefit to your shipment

China and the ASEAN countries are officially trading partners. The China – ASEAN Free Trade Certificate of Origin is now applicable to exports to Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, and Myanmar as well. In order to be considered the product of an ASEAN preferential origin, your product has to comply with the regulations issued by China – ASEAN Free Trade Area (e.g., Product Form E). It should originate in one of these 10 countries: Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei darussalam and other emerging economies bordering on the Pacific Ocean

This is the standard format of trade certificates of origin that must be respected. In ‘The Trade in Goods Agreement’ Protocol II, there are also other regulations regarding the backside description.

Foreign Trade Agreements (FTAs) between China and Thailand bring you reduced import duties, which can help you develop infrastructures such as railways. This should lead to a significant decline in logistics costs, which will be beneficial for business and tourism here in Thailand.

Thailand is trading roughly 80% of its goods to/from an ASEAN country, at a competitive price. Such trade arrangements have been instrumental in boosting development in the ASEAN bloc. It is important that China and Thailand enter into a free trade agreement. This will be beneficial to both countries.

The Following Are Mandatory Customs Clearance Documents When Importing Into Thailand

When importing cargo into Thailand, the importer is responsible for ensuring that all applicable customs clearance documents are provided. The importer or his authorised customs agent must submit the following documents to the customs office at the port of entry or submitted electronically through the Federal Customs Administration’s single window system (e-Customs)

  • Packing List that listing all of the items being imported, including their country of origin and HS code
  • Commercial Invoice with commercial value in USD
  • Bill of Lading
  • Arrival Notice
  • A commercial invoice will be needed for any non-EU goods valued over €6,000 that do not require a declaration. For more information on importing into Thailand please consult Thailand Federal Customs Office

HS codes are a unique ten-digit number, which is also known as the Tariff code or Customs code. HS codes are used to describe a product to calculate the customs duties and import tax for any shipments into Thailand. There are three types of HS Codes:

The first two digits represent the heading. The third digit represents the subheading, and the fourth represents the first four digits of the six-digit product code.

For example: 8703.91.00

8703 represents the heading, and 91 represents the four-digit product code within this section (9100).

HS Code is useful for importing goods into Thailand in order to calculate import duties and taxes, especially for companies that have international trading relationships with companies in Thailand

Regarding HS code you can check with your Chinese suppliers or consult with our shipping team

Customs in China http://english.customs.gov.cn/

Door to door Delivery from China to Thailand

Door delivery is a service that is available to assist with your international shipments no matter DAP or DDP. Door to door delivery options generally fall into two categories: Trucking delivery and express door delivery.

Trucking deliveries are shipped by truck, from the origin station to your door. Trucking is the most common method and takes approximately 1-2 days for transit time. The cost for this method is cheaper than express services , but the cost is higher than ground services

DDP Shipping transit time from China to Thailand

  • DDP Air freight from China to Thailand can take between 4-5 days.
  • DDP Road freight from China to Thailand can take 13-14 days by LCL
  • DDP Rail freight from China to Thailand can take 16-20 days by LCL
  • DDP Sea freight shipping from China to Thailand takes 30-35 days by LCL
DDP Shipping Requirement From China To Thailand:
  • Do not send any items that infringe on intellectual property rights.
  • Do not send any illegal
  • Items need to be labeled with “Made in China” on their packaging and SKU labels.

In addition to cargo original packaging, the outer carton should be new and sturdy. Suggest using transparent tape to seal the carton’s outer box. Do not use coloured tape.

DDP shipping from China to Thailand weight limit range from 11Kg/ to 21Kg. The maximum gross weight for each waybill is 30Kg.

DDP shipping from China to Thailand min chargeable weight per shipment is 100kgs.
Please make sure that the total cargo weight of all the items does not exceed 30Kg.

 

Testimonials

Some Words from
our Clients

[our_testimonials]