As a Belgian business owner who has imported everything from industrial machinery to consumer goods from China for over a decade, understanding the most popular shipping routes is critical to keeping my supply chain efficient and costs under control. Whether I’m moving bulk cargo or time-sensitive goods, the route I choose determines everything from shipping from China to Belgium price to transit reliability. Here’s a breakdown of the tried-and-tested routes I rely on, based on firsthand experience.

Sea Routes: The Backbone of Bulk Shipping to Belgium

Over 90% of my non-urgent shipments travel by sea. These routes are ideal for large, heavy, or low-value goods, and they’ve evolved into well-oiled pipelines between China’s manufacturing hubs and Belgium’s key ports.

1. Shanghai to Antwerp: The High-Volume Power Route

• Why It’s Popular: Antwerp is Belgium’s largest port (and the second-largest in Europe), handling over 220 million tons of cargo annually. It’s a gateway to the EU, with seamless rail/truck connections to Brussels, Liège, and beyond.
• Transit Time: 30–35 days for a full container (FCL); 35–45 days for LCL (shared container).
• Cost: $3,500–$5,000 for a 40-foot FCL; $180–$250 per cubic meter for LCL (2025 rates).
• My Experience: In 2024, I shipped 500 sets of industrial tools from Shanghai to Antwerp via FCL. The route’s reliability meant my goods arrived exactly on the quoted 32-day timeline, with no delays from port congestion.

2. Shenzhen to Zeebrugge: The Southern China Shortcut

• Why It’s Popular: Zeebrugge is Belgium’s second-largest port, specializing in roll-on/roll-off cargo (e.g., vehicles) and high-efficiency container handling. It’s a prime route for goods from Guangdong province.
• Transit Time: 28–32 days (FCL), slightly faster than Shanghai due to southern China’s direct shipping lanes.
• Cost: $3,200–$4,800 for a 40-foot FCL.
• Tip: Use this route for electronics or textiles from Shenzhen/Hong Kong—my 2025 LCL shipment of 10 cubic meters of smart home devices cost $1,800, arriving 3 days earlier than the Shanghai-Antwerp route.

3. Ningbo to Antwerp: The Cost-Effective Alternative

• Why It’s Popular: Ningbo is China’s busiest export port, and its direct sailings to Antwerp offer competitive rates for bulk goods like furniture or building materials.
• Transit Time: 32–38 days (FCL).
• Cost: $3,000–$4,500 for a 40-foot FCL—often 10% cheaper than Shanghai due to lower congestion fees.

Air Routes: Speed for High-Value or Urgent Shipments

When time is critical, I turn to air freight. These routes prioritize speed and reliability, though they come at a premium.

1. Shanghai Pudong to Brussels Airport: The Electronics Highway

• Why It’s Popular: Brussels Airport is Europe’s 7th-largest cargo hub, with daily direct flights from Shanghai. It’s my go-to for high-value electronics, pharmaceuticals, or prototypes.
• Transit Time: 5–7 days door-to-door, including customs.
• Cost: $7–$10 per kilogram for shipments over 100kg.
• Real-World Example: In 2025, I rushed 200kg of smartwatch components from Shanghai to Brussels via this route. The cargo cleared customs in just 6 hours thanks to pre-approved AEO status, arriving in time for a crucial product launch.

2. Shenzhen Bao’an to Brussels Airport: The Tech Hub Connection

• Why It’s Popular: Shenzhen is China’s tech capital, and this route serves Belgium’s growing tech industry in Flanders.
• Transit Time: 6–8 days (slightly longer than Shanghai due to flight schedules).
• Cost: $8–$12 per kilogram, but worth it for time-sensitive tech parts.

3. Beijing Capital to Brussels Airport: The Northern China Express

• Why It’s Popular: Ideal for goods from Beijing/Tianjin, such as automotive parts or industrial machinery.
• Transit Time: 7–9 days, with fewer direct flights but reliable connections via hubs like Frankfurt or Amsterdam.

How to Choose the Right Route for Your Business

1. Balance Cost and Speed

• Bulk Goods (Furniture, Textiles): Opt for shipping from China to Belgium by sea via Shanghai/Shenzhen to Antwerp/Zeebrugge—save 50–70% vs. air freight.
• High-Value/Urgent (Electronics, Medical Devices): Use air shipping from China to Belgium via Shanghai/Shenzhen to Brussels Airport—prioritize speed over cost.

2. Leverage Tracking for Peace of Mind

No matter the route, shipping from China to Belgium tracking is non-negotiable. My forwarder provides a portal that shows:

• Real-time container location (e.g., “Currently at Suez Canal” for sea freight).
• Flight updates and customs clearance status for air shipments.
• A 2023 sea shipment was delayed by a Red Sea incident—tracking allowed me to reroute part of the cargo via air, minimizing customer delays.

3. Work with a Route Expert

A good freight forwarder doesn’t just book space—they optimize routes. In 2024, my forwarder suggested a new Ningbo-Zeebrugge LCL route for my small furniture orders, cutting costs by 15% without increasing transit time.

Why China Top Forwarder Is My Route Optimization Partner

After years of trial and error, China Top Forwarder has become indispensable for navigating China-Belgium routes:

• Route Insights: They flagged a 2025 customs duty exemption for my solar panels via the EU-China Carbon Border Mechanism, saving $4,000 on a Shenzhen-Antwerp shipment.
• Tracking Precision: Their real-time alerts notified me of a Brussels Airport strike in 2025, allowing me to arrange ground transport from Liege Airport instead—no delivery delays.
• Rate Negotiation: Their long-term contracts with Maersk and Lufthansa secure me 10–20% discounts on both sea and air routes.

Whether I’m shipping a full container of machinery or a 50kg box of samples, their team ensures I’m on the most cost-effective, reliable route—with no hidden fees or surprises.

Final Thoughts: Routes as a Strategic Asset

The most popular routes from China to Belgium aren’t just shipping paths—they’re lifelines for businesses. By matching your cargo type, budget, and timeline to the right route, you can turn logistics into a competitive advantage. Remember:

• Sea routes for bulk, air routes for speed.
• Always track your shipments to avoid delays.
• Partner with experts who understand the Nuances of each route.

For personalized route planning that balances price, speed, and reliability, contact China Top Forwarder. Their decade of experience in China-Belgium logistics ensures your goods take the smartest path—so you can focus on growing your business, not navigating ports and airports.