In the ever-expanding global trade landscape, shipping from China to Thailand has become an important way for companies to enter the booming Southeast Asian market. Whether you are an experienced importer or new to the world of international shipping, this guide will walk you through the essential steps and considerations for successful shipping from the manufacturing powerhouse of China to the dynamic economy of Thailand.
Sea Shipping from China to Thailand
Shipping from China to Thailand is a long and complicated process. However, it is much easier if you know the right China freight forwarder in China.
The cheapest way to ship from China to Thailand is by sea. China freight forwarders are responsible for transporting your goods from the China port of entry to your desired destination port in Thailand.
There are many routes from China to Thailand, but the lowest-cost route is not necessarily the fastest or cheapest. When it comes to air freight, it’s one of the most expensive routes, but it’s also one of the fastest. The most popular shipping option is sea shipping, which takes longer than air shipping but is also cheaper. Air freight is expensive but fast, making it the best option for last-minute shopping or delivery.
There are many factors that go into calculating shipping costs from China to Thailand. China’s freight forwarding, cargo type, and destination will all have an impact on costs.
An important factor is whether you use containers or LCL, but a less time-consuming method (such as air freight). Another factor is which freight forwarder you use to ship your goods. The final factor is how long it takes for your goods to be shipped from China to Thailand, which may vary depending on where in China your goods are shipped.
What are the options for shipping from China to Thailand.
When you’re shipping goods from China to Thailand, you have a variety of options, depending on factors such as cargo type, urgency, budget, and convenience. Here are the main shipping methods you can consider:
Sea shipping from China to Thailand
Less than Container Load (LCL): When you book LCL shipping, your shipment is shipped in a shared container with other shippers’ shipments. This is a great option if you don’t want to bear the price of an entire container. LCL is often the most affordable way to import small items from China to Thailand.
Full Container Load (FCL): When you book FCL shipping, you pay for the use and transportation of the entire container from China to Thailand. For shipments with larger volume and/or weight, this may be less expensive than LCL shipping in terms of unit shipping costs.
Air freight from China to Thailand
Air freight will surely deliver your goods to Thailand as quickly as possible. However, in most cases, it is also the most expensive option.
Land and sea transportation from China to Thailand:
Speed: Land shipping is relatively faster than sea shipping, but it depends on the distance and route.
Suitable for: If your shipment comes from southern China, you can explore overland shipping options, such as trucking or rail, to Thailand. This can be a faster alternative to sea shipping.
Railway freight from China to Thailand:
Speed: Rail freight is faster than ocean freight and more cost-effective than air freight.
Suitable for: Railway transportation is suitable for goods that need to be delivered quickly but do not have high requirements for air transportation speed.
Delivery Service:
Speed: Express services like DHL, FedEx, and UPS offer fast, reliable shipping options for small packages.
Cost: For smaller shipments, they can be more expensive than traditional air or sea freight.
Ideal for: smaller packages, urgent documents and high value items.
Multimodal transport:
Combined Modes: Some shipments may involve a combination of multiple modes of transportation. For example, goods might be transported by truck to a nearby port, then shipped by sea to Thailand, and finally transported by truck to the destination.
Your shipping needs, including the types of goods you want to transport, budget constraints and delivery schedules, must be carefully evaluated to select the most appropriate shipping method. Consider working with Bassenton logistics professionals who can provide guidance and ensure a smooth shipping process from China to Thailand.
How long does sea shipping take from China to Thailand
By From to Shipping time
Air freight China Thailand 1-3 days
Ocean Freight China Thailand 12-15 days
Air freight DDP China Thailand 6-7 days
Sea Freight DDP China Thailand 12-15 days
Trucking DDP China Thailand 8 – 10 days
How long does it take to ship goods by sea from China to Thailand?
Ocean shipping from China to Thailand can take as fast as 6 days and as long as 31 days, as shown in the example below:
Shanghai to Bangkok – 14 days LCL
Guangzhou to Bangkok – 12 days for FCL, 13 days for LCL
Wuhu to Bangkok – 21 days LCL
Shenzhen to Bangkok – 20 days for FCL
Ningbo to Bangkok – 31 days for FCL, 15 days for LCL
Chongqing to Bangkok – 27 days for FCL, 17 days for LCL
Huangpu to Bangkok – 14 days for FCL and LCL
Jiangmen to Bangkok – 14 days LCL
Dalian to Laem Chabang – 17 days for FCL
Shekou to Bangkok – 6 days for FCL
Shekou to Laem Chabang – 12 days for FCL
China Port Bangkok/Laem Chabang
Hong Kong/Shenzhen 7-9 days
Tianjin Port 13-15 days
Ningbo Port 10-12 days
Shanghai Port 11-13 days
Guangzhou Port 8-10 days
How long does it take to air cargo from China to Thailand?
*In terms of transit time from China to Thailand, it takes approximately 6-12 days, depending on the departure city in China.
Are there any emergency deadlines? Air freight from China to Thailand is the fastest way to satisfy discerning customers in Thailand. Freight forwarders can deliver your cargo to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport within four days from Shanghai, Shenzhen or Chengdu, or within eight days from Wuhan, Guangzhou or Beijing.
Factors affecting air freight costs from China to Thailand
Air freight costs are basically a combination of various fees and surcharges, including air freight, fuel surcharges, security fees, terminal fees and other surcharges. These fees are set by different airlines based on their operating costs. Airlines often adjust these charges to reflect market changes based on factors such as season, international oil prices, off-season, and other factors.
Air freight costs vary depending on the airline, route, and season. For the same route, air freight charges may vary for each airline. For example, if two airlines both fly from China to Thailand, the cost of cargo shipped during peak season may be different than the cost of cargo shipped during low season.
Other surcharges are constantly revised from time to time based on off-season, peak season, international oil prices and other factors, so the price difference between airlines may change every few months or every week.
Road transportation time from China to Thailand
Obviously, the shipping time between China and Thailand is shorter than sea shipping. Here are two examples:
Hong Kong – Bangkok: 2-3 days
Guangzhou-Chiang Mai: 2-3 days
NEW SPEED: If you need to ship from a city located in the northeast of the country, it is recommended to use sea shipping because the distance required is so significant.
How much does it cost to ship from China to Thailand
Freight forwarders can provide you with sea and air freight quotes for sea freight from China to Thailand. The price you will receive takes into account:
The nature of the goods you wish to ship
Your preference for air or sea shipping
Dimensions, weight and volume of your shipment
Whether you need port-to-port, port-to-door, door-to-port or door-to-door service.
As a guide, shipments weighing less than 100kg are usually just as cost-effective to ship by air as by sea. Beyond this weight, the cost-effectiveness of air freight begins to be lower than that of sea freight.
The Bassendon Logistics service is not available for consignments weighing less than 35kg. For shipments of this weight or below, we recommend using a courier service.
Shipping goods from China to Thailand involves several steps and considerations. Here’s a general overview of the process:
Documentation and customs clearance:
Make sure you have all the necessary documents for shipment, including invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading or air waybills.
Familiar with Thai customs regulations and import requirements. Complying with these regulations is critical to avoiding delays and fines.
Choose shipping method:
You can choose from a variety of shipping methods, including air, sea and land shipping.
Air freight is faster but more expensive, while sea freight is cheaper but takes longer.
Choose a shipping company or freight forwarder to handle your shipment.
Packaging and labeling:
Pack your goods correctly to prevent damage during transportation.
Make sure your package is properly labeled with the recipient’s address, contact information, and any required labels or markings.
Book your shipment:
Please contact the shipping company or freight forwarder of your choice to reserve your shipment.
Provide them with all the necessary details, including the dimensions and weight of the shipment.
Customs clearance within China:
Your goods will be cleared by customs in China before they can be shipped to Thailand. Your shipping company or freight forwarder can assist with this process.
transportation
Your goods will be delivered to Thailand by air or sea, depending on the method you choose.
Track your shipment’s progress and estimated arrival date.
Thailand customs clearance:
When your goods arrive in Thailand, they will be cleared for customs again.
Make sure all required documentation is complete and any duties or taxes are paid.
Delivery and Distribution:
After customs clearance, your goods can be shipped to your designated destination in Thailand.
Coordinate with local dealers or logistics companies if needed.
Comply with import regulations:
Please be aware of any specific regulations or restrictions related to your product category. Thailand has various regulations governing imports, including licensing requirements for certain goods.
Customs clearance from China to Thailand
What customs rules and regulations apply to your shipment from China to Thailand? What documents are required to ensure that your shipment passes customs inspection at the port of origin and port of arrival? These are complex questions that freight forwarders can answer quickly.
You can save a lot of time and hassle when you hire an expert to handle the customs clearance process for you.
Here are the minimum documents you need:
commercial invoice
packing list
Certificate of Origin
Letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
Ocean bill of lading or air waybill (Shipa Freight will provide this for you)
Need more details about these files? We’ve compiled helpful information on this handy shipping and customs documentation page.
Why choose NEW SPEED Logistics to ship from China to Thailand
If you don’t want to take any risks when shipping valuable goods from China to Thailand, book your shipment with us. We are a digital-first, online-only freight forwarder ready to serve all your ocean and air freight needs.
Let us simplify your supply chain by providing access to our cutting-edge online platform. Now you can manage your entire shipping process from one place.
Enjoy the following benefits when you ship with us:
Get and compare quotes online instantly
Book and pay for your shipment directly online without wasting time.
Always prepare the correct shipping documents.
Get rid of the complexity of customs – we’ll take care of it for you.
Get help from our friendly customer service team, 24/7.
Ensure compliance with international shipping rules and regulations.
As you can see, China to Thailand sea shipping is a complicated process and can be confusing if you don’t know what you are doing. This is why hiring a reliable and experienced freight forwarder is so important. A good freight forwarder will handle the entire transportation of your inventory from the factory to its final destination. This is a service that Bassenton Logistics has many years of experience handling. Don’t hesitate; お問い合わせ today and we can start helping you ship your order today.