Shipping from China to Italy

Q: What are Italy’s customs duties and VAT rates?

Import Duty : Based on HS code (e.g., electronics: 0–4%). 付加価値税 : Standard 22%, reduced rates (10% for food, 4% for essentials). Calculation : Duty = Goods Value × Product Tax Rate VAT = (Goods Value + Freight + Duty) × VAT Rate

Q: What are transit times for rail?

北ルート (via Russia): 12–18 days (e.g., Xi’an→Duisburg→Milan) Middle Corridor (via Caspian Sea): 20–30+ days (delays common at Aktau port)

Q: How fast is air freight to Italy?

Express: 3–5 days (e.g., Shanghai→Milan). Standard: 5–7 days

Q: What sea routes connect China and Italy?

Major ports: Shanghai → Genoa (25–35 days), Shenzhen → Naples (28–40 days), Ningbo → Venice (30–45 days). Genoa handles 65% of Italy’s container traffic

International freight shipping from China to Italy

VIPU Logistics uses over 15 years of experience to offer smooth multimodal freight solutions from China to Italy. VIPU specializes in sea freight (FCL/LCL), air cargo, and rail transport between China and Europe. They have a strong infrastructure, with over 2,000 dedicated containers and the ability to handle more than 3,000 tons of air cargo each month. VIPU also partners with major carriers like COSCO and MSK. This helps them provide cost-effective, reliable, and timely deliveries. Their end-to-end services cover:

鉄道貨物： Transit takes 18–25 days for oversized/DDP shipments along Northern Corridor routes, like Chongqing to Milan. Enjoy real-time tracking and VAT-compliant clearance.
海上貨物: Competitive FCL (20ft: 2,850–2,850–4,250; 40ft: 3,400–3,400–5,850) and LCL (100–100–300/m³) options from Shanghai/Shenzhen to Genoa/Naples .
Air Express: Priority 3–5-day delivery (8.50–8.50–12.00/kg) for urgent shipments .
Value-Added Solutions:
- Door-to-door delivery
- DDP/DDU customs clearance
- 倉庫業
- Specialized handling for e-commerce and dangerous goods

VIPU focuses on sustainability by using rail, which cuts CO₂ by 75% compared to air travel. It also promotes supply chain transparency. VIPU optimizes routes, reduces peak surcharges, and follows Italy’s import rules, including a 22% VAT and IOR requirements. Their all-in-one solution lowers shipping costs and improves market speed for businesses moving goods between China and Italy.

Shipping from China to Italy

Freight Services from China to Italy

Shipping from China to Italy links two big economies. It offers different transport options based on the type of cargo, budget, and how fast you need it. Knowing your key options helps with smooth logistics. You can focus on cost efficiency for bulk goods or speed for high-value items.

Sea Freight: Cost-Effective Bulk Shipping

Sea freight is ideal for large, non-urgent shipments. Full Container Load (FCL) offers security and efficiency for whole-container shipments. Less than Container Load (LCL) lets smaller cargo share space, which cuts costs. Major Chinese ports like Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Ningbo ship to Italian hubs such as Genoa (Italy’s busiest port), Naples, and La Spezia. Transit times range from 20–35 days, with costs varying by container size and origin port.

To ship from China to Italy efficiently, choose the best logistics method. Consider cargo volume, budget, and urgency. 海上貨物 remains the most cost-effective option for bulk shipments. Full Container Load (FCL) works best for large shipments. Less than Container Load (LCL) lets smaller loads share space in a container, which cuts costs. For urgent deliveries, 航空貨物 ensures speed (5–8 days) but at higher rates. We offer door-to-door solutions. This includes DDP/DDU customs clearance, tax payment, and final-mile delivery in Italy. We remove hidden fees and delays.

Italy’s import regulations require meticulous handling. All shipments need to pass through Italian customs. You must have an Importer of Record (IOR). Also, submit commercial invoices, packing lists, and bills of lading. VAT applies at 22% (standard), 10% (processed foods), or 4% (essentials like books/medicine).

Prohibited items are:

Liquids
Powders
Batteries
Branded goods without invoices
Weapons
危険物

Freight Price Table from China to Italy

Below is a comparison of current shipping costs and transit times (as of June 2025):

サービスタイプ	Route Example	コスト	Transit Time	ベスト	キーノー
Sea FCL (20ft container)	Shanghai → Genoa	$2, 850-$ 4,250	25–35 days	Machinery, bulk furniture	Includes port fees; excludes VAT
Sea FCL (40ft container)	Tianjin → Venice	$4, 608-$ 6,827	28–40 days	Large-volume goods	Venice port surcharge: +7% (2025)
Sea LCL (per m³)	Shenzhen → Naples	$100-$ 300/m³	30–45 days	SMEs with partial loads	Minimum 1m³; weight/volume charge applied
Air Freight (per kg)	Beijing → Milan Malpensa	$4.30-$ 9.00/kg	4–8 days	Electronics, urgent samples	+Fuel surcharge & security fees
Postal Surface Mail	Guangzhou → Rome	$21 (1 s t k g) +$ 4.5/kg after	60–90 days	Documents, small parcels (<20kg)	Excludes customs fees & VAT

⚠️ 2025 Update: Mediterranean sea freight rates rose 7% in April 2025 due to rerouted shipments avoiding US tariffs. Early booking is advised to secure space.

キーノー:
VAT Calculation: VAT = (Goods Value + Freight Cost + Duty) × Tax Rate (e.g., €1,000 goods + €500 freight at 22% VAT = €330).
Prohibited Items: Liquids, powders, batteries, weapons, and counterfeit brands .
Customs Essentials: IOR mandatory; provide HS codes to avoid clearance delays .

Why Choose Our China to Italy Freight Services?

We provide full logistics services. This includes FOB and CIF shipping, container consolidation, fumigation, and DDP or DDU clearance. Our partnerships with Italian agents (e.g., Savino Del Bene, Kuehne+Nagel)

ensure smooth last-mile delivery. To optimize shipping container costs to Italy, we negotiate peak-season surcharges. We also offer real-time tracking through platforms like FreightAmigo.

Contact us for a tailored quote—reduce costs by 10–20% and accelerate transit times with our integrated sea-air-rail solutions!

Rail Freight: Balanced Speed & Cost

Rail transport via the China-Europe network offers a middle ground: 15–25-day transit times—faster than sea, cheaper than air. Suitable for electronics, industrial parts, and mid-volume cargo. Example route: Chongqing → Poland → Italy via multimodal trucking.

Rail Freight Services from China to Italy

VIPU Logistics focuses on affordable and dependable shipping from China to Italy. They specialize in rail solutions between Europe and China. We ship freight from China to Italy using rail transport. This method is fast and affordable. It takes 30–45 days and costs about one-third of air freight. Below is a streamlined overview of services and pricing.

Key Advantages of Our Europe Rail Solutions:

Oversized Cargo Specialty: We offer door-to-door shipping of containers to Italy. This service is perfect for machinery, industrial equipment, and bulky items. Includes Dutch warehouse unloading, palletizing, and one-piece fulfillment.
DDP/DDU Services: Tax-paid clearance with VAT compliance. This service covers all EU destinations.
Flexible Packaging:
- Accepts cartons, wooden crates, and loose cargo.
- Supports battery-equipped goods and sensitive items.
Full Tracking & Pan-EU Delivery: You get real-time updates from start to finish. This covers Italy, Germany, France, and more.
Consolidation Expertise: LCL/FCL options, export tax rebate support, and customs brokerage.

Routes & Pricing (June 2025)

The table below summarizes routes, costs, and transit times for shipping from China to Italy:

Routes & Pricing (June 2025)

The table below summarizes routes, costs, and transit times for shipping from China to Italy:

サービスタイプ	ルート	Transit Time	コスト	Key Features
Oversized Rail Cargo (DDP)	Shenzhen → Rotterdam → Milan	30–35 days	$3.50-$ 6.00/kg	Dutch warehouse, pallet delivery, real-time tracking
Rail Tax-Paid/Delayed	Chongqing → Duisburg → Rome	30–40 days	$2.80-$ 4.50/kg	VAT clearance, duty deferral, EU-wide trucking
Standard Rail LCL	Xi’an → Warsaw → Genoa	35–45 days	$100-$ 160/m³	Consolidation, labeling, weekly departures
Standard Rail FCL	Chengdu → Hamburg → Naples	25–35 days	$7, 800-$ 9,800/40HQ	Priority booking, dedicated container

注記:
VAT & Duty Calculation: Italy’s standard VAT is 22% (reduced rates: 10% for processed foods, 4% for essentials). Duty varies by HS code (e.g., electronics: 0–4%). Formula: VAT = (Goods Value + Freight + Duty) × VAT Rate .
Prohibited Items: Liquids, batteries, weapons, counterfeit goods .
Cost Factors: Weight/volume, packaging, seasonal surcharges (peak season: +15% June–August).

Air Freight: Premium Speed for Urgent Goods

Best for lightweight, high-value items (e.g., electronics, fashion):

乗り継ぎ時間: 5–8 days from major Chinese airports (Shanghai Pudong, Shenzhen) to Milan Malpensa.
Costs rise for heavy/bulky items but ensure minimal handling risk.

Why Choose Our Freight from China to Italy?

Speed & Reliability: Leverage partnerships with airlines like China Southern and Alitalia for priority lanes, ensuring 99% on-time delivery.
Special Cargo Handling: Certified for batteries, cosmetics, and fragile goods, with compliant packaging and documentation .
Customs Expertise: Pre-cleared HS codes and VAT/DUTY optimization under the 2025 China-Italy Double Tax Agreement (DTA), reducing withholding taxes on dividends to 5% .
コスト効率: Rates up to 70% cheaper than standard express carriers for bulk shipments .

Multimodal & Specialized Solutions

Multimodal Transport: Combines sea/rail with European trucking for door-to-door delivery (e.g., sea to Genoa + road to Milan).
Overseas Warehousing: Store goods in Italian warehouses like Milan or Bologna. This allows for 1–3 day local delivery, which is perfect for e-commerce.

Compliance Essentials

Export Documentation:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Export license
- Customs declaration (HS codes are critical for duty calculation)
Import Clearance: Requires an Importer of Record (IOR) in Italy to handle VAT (4–22%, based on product) and duties. The 2025 Shipping from China to Italy Double Tax Agreement cuts withholding taxes on dividends and interest. This change helps lower business costs for cross-border transactions.

おさがにじみ出迅速かつ競争のお客様の個人

航空貨物、海上輸送オプションなどの鉄道貨物輸送及びTIRす。

We offer Freight Shipping from China to Italy with convenient shipping service .

Freight Costs from China to Italy (June 2025)

Below table summarizes updated rates for key shipping methods:

Channel	納期	21KG+	45KG+	71KG+	101KG+	500KG+	注記
Europe Express (General Cargo)	5–7 days	44.5	42.5	41.5	40.5	39.5	Direct flight from China, tax included, 50% volumetric billing, UPS last mile
Europe Express – With Battery	6–8 days	44.0	42.0	41.0	40.0	39.0	Battery shipment allowed, strict documentation required
Europe Express (6-Day Delivery, Battery)	5–7 days	47.5	45.5	44.5	43.5	43.5	Hong Kong flight, tax included, UPS last mile
Europe General Line – General Cargo	9–12 days	41.0	39.0	38.0	37.0	36.0	For FBA or 3rd party warehouse, UPS delivery
Europe General Line – Battery	9–12 days	41.0	39.0	38.0	37.0	37.0	South Korea flight, tax included, UPS last mile
Europe General Line – Non-FBA	9–12 days	42.0	40.0	39.0	38.0	37.0	UPS pickup, 50% volumetric billing
Europe General Line – Non-FBA (Battery)	9–12 days	43.0	41.0	40.0	39.0	39.0	South Korea flight, tax included
Oversized – General Cargo	8–12 days	53.5	49.5	43.5	42.5	42.5	FedEx delivery, 25KG minimum billing, 30€/piece if >30KG
Oversized – With Battery	8–12 days	59.0	55.0	49.0	48.0	48.0	FedEx delivery, battery-supported, no volumetric billing
Europe Special Line – Pure Battery (HK)	7–9 days	58.0	56.0	55.0	54.0	54.0	Battery ≤100WH/20WH only, no UN3480 label, requires MSDS & UN38.3. No deferred service (except power banks: -¥1/kg).
Europe Sea Shipping – Express Delivery	35–45 days	13.0	—	11.0	9.5	—	Shenzhen → Yantian → Rotterdam/Antwerp → Germany → UPS pickup. No delay compensation.
Europe Sea Shipping – VAT Deferred	35–45 days	12.5	—	10.5	9.0	—	Amazon or 3PL warehouse only. Private address requires own VAT, VAT fee ¥350/shipment. No delay compensation.
China-Europe Railway – Express Delivery	20–25 days	15.5	—	14.5	13.0	12.5	Shenzhen → Alashankou → Russia → Duisburg → Belgium → UPS Germany pickup. Fast rail + UPS delivery.
China-Europe Railway – VAT Deferred Express	20–25 days	15.0	—	14.0	12.5	12.0	Same as above, VAT-deferred: Amazon/3PL only. VAT clearance required.
VAT Deferred (all above types)	+RMB 350/VAT	—	—	—	—	—	VAT & EORI required, real tax & duties charged

💡 注記:
Cost factors: Fuel surcharges, container type, insurance (typically 0.3% of cargo value), and Italian VAT (up to 22%).
2025 trends: Peak season surcharges apply for June–August shipments; rail costs rose 15% YoY due to BRI infrastructure demand.

Why Choose China-Italy Freight Services?

Trade Efficiency: China ranks among Italy’s top non-EU partners, with €50B+ annual trade. Optimized logistics reduce lead times by 20–40% versus standard routes.
持続可能性: Rail freight cuts carbon emissions by 75% compared to air transport.
Tax Incentives: Use the 2025 DTA to lower dividend withholding taxes from 10% to 5% for Sino-Italian ventures.

For quotes on freight from China to Italy, talk to experts like VIPU Logistics. They can help you with tariffs and secure space early.

FAQ about Shipping from China to Italy

What are Italy’s customs duties and VAT rates?

Import Duty: Based on HS code (e.g., electronics: 0–4%).
付加価値税: Standard 22%, reduced rates (10% for food, 4% for essentials).
Calculation:
- Duty = Goods Value × Product Tax Rate
- VAT = (Goods Value + Freight + Duty) × VAT Rate

What documents are needed for Italian customs clearance?

Essential docs include:

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill.
Import Declaration (submitted via EU’s Customs Decision System).
Certificates for regulated items (e.g., food, cosmetics).

What items are prohibited in shipments to Italy?

Banned goods include:

Liquids, powders, batteries (without certification), weapons, counterfeits.
Explosives, toxic materials, plants, and unlicensed pharmaceuticals

What are transit times for rail?

北ルート (via Russia): 12–18 days (e.g., Xi’an→Duisburg→Milan)

Middle Corridor (via Caspian Sea): 20–30+ days (delays common at Aktau port)

How fast is air freight to Italy?

Express: 3–5 days (e.g., Shanghai→Milan).
Standard: 5–7 days

What sea routes connect China and Italy?

Major ports: Shanghai → Genoa (25–35 days), Shenzhen → Naples (28–40 days), Ningbo → Venice (30–45 days). Genoa handles 65% of Italy’s container traffic