As a Polish exporter sending machinery parts, amber jewelry, and agricultural products to China, understanding shipping costs has been essential for my business’s bottom line. Over the years, I’ve navigated through various shipping methods, and each comes with its own cost structure. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what it really costs to ship from Poland to China in 2025, based on my firsthand experience and industry insights.

1. Shipping Methods and 2025 Cost Breakdown

a. Sea Freight: The Cost-Effective Choice for Bulk

Why It’s Popular:

• Ideal for large shipments (over 100kg or 2 CBM). In 2025, a 20ft container from Gdynia to Shanghai cost me €3,800—perfect for sending 200 pieces of industrial equipment.
• LCL (Less than Container Load): For smaller orders. My 2025 LCL shipment of 5 CBM amber jewelry from Szczecin to Shenzhen cost €650 (€130 per CBM), plus €180 in port fees.

Transit Time:

• 35–45 days from Polish ports to Chinese hubs like Shanghai or Ningbo. My 2024 sea shipment to Guangzhou took 38 days, delayed slightly by Suez Canal congestion.

b. Air Freight: Fast but Pricey

• When to Use It: For urgent or high-value goods under 100kg. A 2025 air shipment of 30kg precision parts from Warsaw to Beijing cost €480 (€16/kg), arriving in 5 days.
• Cost-Saving Tips:
  • Book flights 3–4 weeks ahead to get 10–12% off.
  • Choose airport-to-airport service to save €100–€150 on door-to-door fees.

c. Express Shipping: Quick for Small Parcels

• Costs: DHL/UPS charge €30–€48/kg. A 7kg sample of Polish vodka to Guangzhou in 2025 cost €273—worth it for rush orders but pricey for bulk.

2. 2025 Cost Comparison: Real-World Examples

a. 100kg Machinery Parts to Shanghai

• Sea (LCL):
  • Freight: €1,300 (€13/kg)
  • Port fees: €180
  • Total: €1,480 (40-day transit)
• Air:
  • Freight: €1,600 (€16/kg)
  • Handling: €120
  • Total: €1,720 (5-day transit)

b. 800kg Agricultural Equipment to Qingdao

• Sea (FCL):
  • 40ft container: €5,200
  • Customs: €450
  • Total: €5,650 (35-day transit)
• Air:
  • Freight: €12,800 (€16/kg)
  • Total: €12,800 (5-day transit)

3. Hidden Costs You Can’t Ignore

a. Chinese Customs Duties and Taxes

• China charges import duties based on product type. In 2025, machinery parts face a 5% duty, plus 13% VAT. A €10,000 shipment incurred €1,800 in taxes.
• Free Trade Agreements: Some goods under the China-EU FTA are duty-free—verify with a forwarder.

b. Port and Handling Fees

• Chinese ports like Shanghai charge €150–€200 per container for unloading. My 2025 FCL had an extra €180 terminal handling fee.

4. 3 Strategies to Lower Shipping Costs

a. Consolidate Shipments

• Bundle small orders into one LCL shipment. In 2025, combining three 3 CBM orders saved me €240 vs. shipping them separately.

b. Negotiate with Forwarders

• China Top Forwarder secured me a 15% discount on 2025 sea freight, saving €570 on my equipment exports.

c. Optimize Packaging

• Use lightweight materials to reduce weight. Repacking my 2025 machinery parts cut 20kg, saving €320 on air freight.

5. When Air Freight Makes Sense (Even with Costs)

• Perishable Goods: Sending fresh Polish produce? Air freight’s 4–5 day transit preserves quality. A 2024 delay in sea freight ruined €2,200 worth of berries.
• High-Value Items: Insuring expensive goods via air is cheaper than risking loss at sea. My 2025 jewelry shipment’s insurance was €60 via air vs. €120 via sea.

Recommend China Top Forwarder for Poland-China Shipping

After working with multiple forwarders, China Top Forwarder stands out:

• Route Expertise: Found a 2025 Gdynia–Ningbo sea route that cut my costs by 18%.
• Customs Knowledge: Reclassified my 2025 “precision parts” to a lower-duty code, saving €850 in Chinese taxes.
• Real-Time Cost Tools: Their 2025 calculator compares sea/air options instantly, helping me choose the best route.

Contact for a Custom Shipping Quote

Ready to ship from Poland to China without overspending? Contact them – Get a free quote