Shipping from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Berlin Port, Germany: 20FT/40FT FCL and LCL Sea Freight
Port of Origin: Guangzhou/Shenzhen, China
Guangzhou and Shenzhen are two of China’s busiest and most important ports, offering excellent connections for international shipping. Located in southern China, these ports are well-equipped to handle a range of cargo types, including bulk goods, containers, and specialized vehicles such as the grey hopper car (灰斗车). For shipping goods like these, both Full Container Load (FCL) and Less-than-Container Load (LCL) options are available.
Sea Freight Transit Time and Routing
The sea freight journey from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Berlin typically takes around 33 days. This timeline includes the voyage from the origin port to the European continent and the final delivery to Berlin Port, one of Germany’s major ports for inland transportation.
For Full Container Load (FCL), shipments are consolidated into either 20-foot or 40-foot containers. The choice of container size depends on the volume of goods to be shipped, with 40FT containers typically offering more space for larger shipments. FCL shipments are more straightforward as they are directly shipped without the need for sharing container space with other cargo.
For Less-than-Container Load (LCL), goods are consolidated with other shipments into one shared container. While LCL is a more cost-effective option for smaller loads, it requires more time for consolidation at the origin and de-consolidation at the destination.
Port of Destination: Berlin Port, Germany
Berlin, though inland, is well-connected to sea routes via the Port of Hamburg, Germany’s largest seaport. Cargo is shipped by sea to Hamburg and then transported by river, rail, or road to Berlin, which is about 290 kilometers away. As Berlin does not have its own major port facilities for ocean freight, all maritime cargo destined for the city is first handled by larger ports like Hamburg.
The Port of Berlin is crucial for facilitating trade to and from the capital, with numerous shipping routes linking it to major European logistics hubs. It serves as a significant point for receiving goods, including machinery, industrial components, and consumer goods that arrive by sea.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) Shipping Terms
CIF shipping terms are often used in international trade, ensuring that the seller covers the cost of the goods, shipping, and insurance until the goods reach the destination port. In this case, the cargo is insured and transported to Berlin Port, Germany, at the seller’s expense, making it a more secure option for buyers. Once the goods arrive at Berlin, the buyer is responsible for the customs clearance and any additional inland transportation costs.
