China and Ireland have maintained strong and steadily growing diplomatic and economic ties. In recent years, bilateral trade has expanded significantly, with Ireland emerging as one of China’s key trading partners within the European Union. At the same time, China has become Ireland’s fourth-largest trading partner, its fastest-growing major market, and its largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
In this guide, Hongocean will help you understand the shipping time from China to Ireland and share practical tips on optimising your logistics for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
How long does shipping from China to Ireland take?
Sea shipping from China to Ireland usually takes between 30 to 40 days. Door-to-door delivery can take longer. Using faster sea freight shipping lines can help cut down delivery times.
| Shipping Method | Estimated Time |
| Air Freight | 5 to 7 business days |
| Rail Freight | 20 to 30 days |
| Sea Shipping (20ft Container) | 30 to 40 days |
| Sea Shipping (40ft Container) | 30 to 40 days |
| LCL Sea Shipping | 25 to 35 days |
| Express | 3 to 5 business days |
Sea Freight Time from China to Ireland
Generally speaking, sea transport from major ports in China (such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc.) to major ports in Ireland (such as Dublin, Cork, etc.) usually takes 25-35 days. The following is the specific time range:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Dublin | 25-32 days |
| Shenzhen | Dublin | 26-33 days |
| Qingdao | Dublin | 27-35 days |
| Ningbo | Dublin | 26-31 days |
| Shanghai | Cork | 25-35 days |
| Shenzhen | Cork | 26-34 days |
| Qingdao | Cork | 27-33 days |
| Ningbo | Cork | 26-35 days |
| Shanghai | Belfast | 27-32 days |
| Shenzhen | Belfast | 26-35 days |
| Qingdao | Belfast | 25-35 days |
| Ningbo | Belfast | 27-33 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Ireland
Air freight is suitable for goods with high requirements for transportation time or high value. It usually takes 4-7 days from major airports in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc.) to airports in Ireland. However, if you need to go through other transit airports, it may take 1-2 more days.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Ireland) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Dublin | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Dublin | 4-6 days |
| Beijing Capital | Dublin | 4-7 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Cork | 4-6 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Cork | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Cork | 5-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Belfast | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Belfast | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Belfast | 4-7 days |
Learn more about shipping timelines in the following articles:
How Long Does Shipping from China to the US Really Take?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Canada?
How long is shipping from China to Germany?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to the UK?
How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Switzerland?
Factors Affecting Transportation Time from China to Ireland
Several factors can influence the shipping time for goods traveling from China to Ireland:
- Mode of Transportation: As outlined earlier, the chosen mode of transport—sea, air, or rail—largely determines the base transit time.
- Origin and Destination: The specific departure point in China and the final destination in Ireland affect inland transit times and the selection of ports, airports, or rail hubs.
- Port Congestion: Delays at the origin, transshipment, or destination ports can significantly impact shipping times.
- Customs Clearance Efficiency: Smooth and efficient customs procedures in both China and Ireland are crucial. Goods with accurate and complete documentation clear faster, reducing potential delays.
- Weather and External Events: Severe weather (such as ocean storms or heavy fog) and external disruptions like strikes or geopolitical events can cause unexpected delays.
- Shipping Lines: Service reliability, schedules, and routing can vary among carriers, influencing transit time.
- Cargo Type and Characteristics: Special cargo, such as hazardous materials, oversized items, or goods requiring special handling, may need additional processing time.
- Full Container Load (FCL) vs. Less than Container Load (LCL): LCL shipments typically take longer due to the need for cargo consolidation and deconsolidation.
- Seasonality: Peak shipping seasons—such as the period leading up to major holidays or year-end—can strain capacity, increase costs, and extend transit times.
How Freight Forwarders Optimize Shipping from China to Ireland
Freight forwarders play a vital role in simplifying and optimizing international shipments. Here’s how they help streamline the transportation process from China to Ireland:
- Mode Selection: Recommending the most suitable transport method—sea, air, rail, road, or multimodal—based on your cargo type, budget, and required delivery timeline.
- Consolidation Services: Offering Less than Container Load (LCL) solutions by combining shipments from multiple clients into a single container, helping reduce costs for those not needing Full Container Load (FCL) service.
- Carrier Booking & Rate Negotiation: Using established relationships with carriers to secure shipping space and negotiate competitive freight rates on your behalf.
- Documentation & Customs Clearance: Managing all required documentation—such as the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin—and handling customs procedures in China and Turkey.
- End-to-End Logistics Management: We provide complete door-to-door service, including cargo pickup, packaging, international transport, customs clearance, and final delivery, resulting in a more seamless experience and greater cost predictability.
- Route Optimization: Selecting efficient shipping routes and less congested ports reduces delays and improves delivery times.
- Real-Time Tracking: Offering shipment tracking systems for greater visibility and peace of mind throughout shipping.
- Insurance Arrangements: Help secure cargo insurance to protect your goods against damage, loss, or other unforeseen risks during transit.
