In recent years, as trade relations between China and Central and Eastern European countries continue to deepen, Romania, as a member of the European Union and an important member of the ‘17+1 co-operation mechanism’, has gradually become an important destination for Chinese exporters in Europe. Particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, there is a growing demand for shipments from China to Romania, covering a wide range of commodities from machinery and equipment and electronic products to consumer goods.
However, for many exporters and individual business people, how to choose the right shipping method? What are the price components of shipping? What are the cost differences between LCL and FCL, rail and Air Freight? These questions are often confusing. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the various modes of transporting goods from China to Romania, cost structures, tariff calculations, and practical strategies to reduce transport costs, helping readers to make more informed logistics decisions.
How to ship from China to Romania
There are many ways to transport goods from China to Romania, and each form of transport has its advantages in terms of price, time, applicable types of goods, and so on. Enterprises or individuals need to make a judgment when choosing between them, taking into account their own logistical needs, the characteristics of their goods, and their budgets. Below are the 3 main modes of transport
Sea Freight
Sea freight is one of the most common international freight transport modes, especially suitable for bulk, non-urgent commodities. According to the cargo volume, it is generally divided into two types: FCL (Full Container Load) and LCL (Less than Container Load). FCL is suitable for customers with sufficient cargo volume, who can use a container (20 feet or 40 feet) independently, while LCL is suitable for small and medium-sized shippers, who can concentrate the goods of different shippers into the same container to reduce costs. The main export ports in China are Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, etc., while Romania mainly uses the Port of Constanța as a receiving port.
Air Freight
Although air transport is more expensive, the speed of transport is fast and suitable for high-value or time-sensitive commodities, such as electronic products, medical equipment, small quantities of samples, and so on. Common airfreight routes start from Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, etc., and end up at Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest. Airfreight is usually charged by weight, which is divided into billable weight and actual weight, whichever is higher.
Railway Freight
The China-Europa train has developed rapidly in recent years and is an important land transport mode connecting China with the European continent. Starting from China’s inland cities such as Chongqing, Xi’an, Yiwu, etc., it passes through countries such as Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, etc., and finally reaches central and eastern Europe. Although the cost of rail transport is slightly higher than that of sea transport, the timeframe is usually between 15 and 22 days, which is much faster than traditional sea transport, and the cost is lower than that of air transport.
Logistics timeframe from China to Romania
The logistics timeframe from China to Romania depends on the mode of transport, origin, and destination, as well as the efficiency of customs clearance and local delivery. However, it is also affected by the following factors:
- Seasonal factors: Peak seasonal peaks (e.g., Double 11, Christmas) will lead to logistics delays of 3-7 days, and factory shutdowns around Chinese New Year may also affect the delivery timeframe.
- Port and route congestion: Congestion in major ports (e.g., Shanghai, Constanta) or route transit will add 5-10 days to the delay.
- Customs clearance and inspection: Errors in export or import clearance documents, sensitive goods, or random inspections can cause delays of 1-5 days.
- Mode of transport options: Air Freight, Rail, and Ocean Freight are subject to unstable timelines due to flight adjustments, border checks, and weather.
- Documentation and compliance issues: Errors in documents such as bills of lading, invoices, or delays in approval of special permits may affect customs clearance and delivery times.
- Local delivery and traffic conditions: delivery time in inland or remote areas of Romania is increased by 1-3 days and may be further delayed on holidays.
Sea Freight Time from China to Romania
The transit time for Ocean Freight depends on the distance between the port of departure (e.g., Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo) and the port of destination (e.g., Constanta). The entire journey takes around 30 to 40 days, depending on the shipping route and the efficiency of the ports.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Constanta | 30-38 days |
| Shenzhen | Constanta | 30-40 days |
| Qingdao | Constanta | 31-35 days |
| Ningbo | Constanta | 30-36 days |
| Shanghai | Galati | 32-38 days |
| Shenzhen | Galati | 31-37 days |
| Qingdao | Galati | 33-38 days |
| Ningbo | Galati | 32-38 days |
| Shanghai | Braila | 31-36 days |
| Shenzhen | Braila | 32-40 days |
| Qingdao | Braila | 32-39 days |
| Ningbo | Braila | 30-40 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Romania
Goods are usually shipped to Romania via flights from major international airports in China (such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou). It usually takes about 5 to 7 days, which allows for quick delivery of goods.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Romania) | Shipping time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Henri Coande | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Henri Coande | 6-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Henri Coande | 4-6 days |
| Shanghai Pudong | Cluj-Napoca | 4-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Cluj-Napoca | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Cluj-Napoca | 3-7 days |
Rail Freight Time from China to Romania
The China-Europe Express departs from major cities in China (such as Chongqing, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, etc.), passes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany and other countries, and finally arrives in Romania. The transportation time is usually 15 to 20 days.
| Departure City(China) | Arrival City(Romania) | Shipping time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Zhengzhou | Bucharest | 15-20 days |
| Chongqing | Bucharest | 16-19 days |
| Wuhan | Bucharest | 15-19 days |
| Zhengzhou | Constanta | 14-19 days |
| Chongqing | Constanta | 15-18 days |
| Wuhan | Constanta | 15-20 days |
The main factors affecting shipping costs
- Nature of the goods: Special goods such as dangerous goods or perishable goods may incur additional costs.
- Transport method: Choosing Ocean Freight, Air Freight, or Rail Freight will directly affect the cost and timeliness.
- Weight and volume of the goods: Heavier or larger goods will generally increase the shipping costs.
- Origin and destination: Different ports and cities may result in cost differences.
- Type of service: Door-to-door, port-to-port, and other service models will affect the total cost.
Calculating customs duties from China to Romania
In Romania, import duties and VAT are calculated based on the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) price of goods. The customs duty rate generally ranges from 0% to 17%, depending on the type of goods. The VAT rate is 24%, calculated as follows: VAT = 24% × (CIF price + import customs duty). In addition, Romania has a customs duty and VAT threshold, and goods with a value (FOB) of no more than 150 euros are exempt from customs duty, and goods with a value of no more than 10 euros are exempt from VAT.
Tips for reducing transport costs
- Choose the right transport method: Depending on the urgency and budget, choose the most suitable transport method.
- Optimize the packaging of goods: Reducing the volume and weight of goods can help to reduce transport costs.
- Consolidate freight: Consolidating multiple small shipments can reduce the cost of freight.
- Plan: Booking transport services to avoid peak periods can help to get better prices.
