Shipping from Yiwu: express, air, sea and rail compared
Short answer: Goods bought in Yiwu usually leave China one of four ways. Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS): about 3–7 days door to door, best for samples and small parcels. Air freight: about 5–10 days, for urgent goods too big for express. Sea freight via Ningbo or Shanghai: roughly 20–45 days door to door, as a shared container (LCL) for a few cubic metres or a full container (FCL) for large orders. Rail to Europe: often around 15–25 days station to station, between air and sea in cost and speed. All times are typical, not guaranteed; they depend on destination, season and customs.
Key facts
- Main seaports usedNingbo-Zhoushan (nearest, roughly 150 km) and Shanghai
- Rail to EuropeYiwu–Europe freight trains have run since 2014 (first route: Madrid)
- Express chargeable weightHigher of actual and volumetric weight (L×W×H cm ÷ 5,000 is common)
- Air freight volumetric divisor÷ 6,000 is common
- Sea LCL is charged byCubic metre (CBM), usually with a 1 CBM minimum
- Door to door, duties paid (DDP)Available to many countries; quoted per order
The options compared
| Method | Typical transit time | Best for | Charged by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express courier (DHL, FedEx, UPS) | About 3–7 days, door to door | Samples, small parcels, urgent small orders | Chargeable weight (kg), including fuel surcharge |
| Air freight | About 5–10 days, plus customs and delivery | Urgent goods too heavy or bulky for express | Chargeable weight (kg), plus airport and handling fees |
| Sea freight, LCL (shared container) | Roughly 25–45 days door to door | About 1–15 CBM that is not urgent | Volume (CBM) or weight, plus port and destination fees |
| Sea freight, FCL (full container) | Roughly 20–40 days door to door | Larger orders, usually from about 15 CBM | Per container (20ft, 40ft, 40ft high cube) |
| Rail to Europe | Often about 15–25 days station to station, plus delivery | Europe-bound goods that need to be faster than sea | Volume (CBM) or per container |
| Door to door, duties paid | Depends on the route used | Buyers who want one price and no customs work | All-in price per kg or CBM, including duties and taxes |
Times are typical ranges, not promises. Peak seasons, weather, route changes and customs inspections can add days or weeks.
Which one fits your order?
- Samples or a small parcel: express courier. Fast, tracked, and the courier handles customs clearance.
- Urgent, but heavy or bulky: compare express with air freight. Above roughly 100 kg, air freight is often cheaper per kg, but you may need a customs broker at destination.
- A few cubic metres, not urgent: sea freight LCL. The cheapest per unit for mid-size orders, but slower and with fixed port fees at both ends.
- Around 15 CBM or more: ask for an FCL quote. A 20ft container can work out cheaper than LCL from around this volume.
- Going to Europe and in between: rail is usually faster than sea and cheaper than air.
- You don't want to deal with customs: door to door with duties paid (DDP), one price to your address.
Container sizes at a glance
| Container | Inside volume (approx.) | Practical load (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | About 33 CBM | About 25–28 CBM |
| 40ft standard | About 67 CBM | About 55–60 CBM |
| 40ft high cube | About 76 CBM | About 65–68 CBM |
Practical load is lower than the inside volume because cartons never fill every gap. Weight limits also apply for heavy goods.
How goods actually leave Yiwu
- Collect and check. Goods from each supplier are brought to one place, counted and checked. See quality checks before shipping.
- Pack and measure. Cartons are packed, weighed and measured. The final freight quote is based on these real numbers.
- Export customs. A customs declaration is made in China with a commercial invoice and packing list.
- Main transport. Express parcels are picked up in Yiwu. Sea cargo is usually trucked (or sent by rail) to Ningbo-Zhoushan or Shanghai. Air cargo often flies from a larger nearby airport such as Shanghai or Hangzhou.
- Import and delivery. Import customs, duties and taxes in your country, then delivery to your door. With DDP these are included in the price.
Costs to plan for
- Freight itself, plus fuel and peak-season surcharges
- Origin charges: trucking to the port, export declaration
- Destination charges: port or terminal fees, customs clearance, local delivery
- Import duties and taxes (such as VAT or GST) in your country
- Optional cargo insurance
Batteries, liquids, powders, aerosols and strong magnets have special rules for express and air, and some carriers refuse them. Tell us early if your goods include any of these.
Yiwu Buddy quotes each realistic option for your city before you pay, and bills international freight at cost. Our flat 10% service fee (US$50 minimum per sourcing order) covers buying, checking and packing many booths into one shipment. See how consolidation works.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Yiwu take?
Typically about 3–7 days by express courier, 5–10 days by air freight, roughly 20–45 days by sea door to door, and often about 15–25 days by rail to Europe station to station. Times vary with destination, season and customs.
What is the cheapest way to ship from Yiwu?
For large volumes, sea freight is usually cheapest per unit. For small parcels, express can actually cost less than air or sea, because freight has minimum charges and port fees at both ends.
Which port do Yiwu goods ship from?
Yiwu is inland, so sea cargo is usually trucked or sent by rail to Ningbo-Zhoushan port, roughly 150 km away, or to Shanghai.
When should I choose LCL or FCL?
LCL (a shared container) usually fits from about 1 CBM up to around 15 CBM. From roughly 15 CBM, a full 20ft container (FCL) is often worth quoting, and it can be cheaper and safer because your goods are not mixed with others.
Is there a train from Yiwu to Europe?
Yes. Freight trains have run from Yiwu to Europe since 2014, starting with Madrid. Rail is usually faster than sea and cheaper than air; transit is often about 15–25 days station to station, plus local delivery.
Can you ship door to door with duties paid?
Yes, to many countries. We quote a door-to-door price with duties and taxes included before you pay, so you have no customs work at your end. Ask on WhatsApp with your city.