Trade between China and Ireland continues to grow. In the fields of high-tech products, machinery and equipment, consumer goods, etc. A large amount of imports are imported from China. Shipping time is a key factor for many merchants and enterprises to seize the market. Therefore, this article will introduce the shipping time from China to Ireland in detail.

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Major Ports and Airports in Ireland

Trade between China and Ireland is not limited to the exchange of products, but more about cooperation in logistics and supply chain management, which depends on the following ports and airports

Major ports

• Dublin Port: Dublin Port is one of the largest ports in Ireland and is the main channel for import and export of goods.
• Cork Port: Located in the south of Ireland, Cork Port is the second largest port in Ireland, mainly handling container transportation and cargo transportation.
• Belfast Port: Belfast Port is the main port in the north of Ireland. It has multiple routes connecting Europe and Asia.

Major airports

• Dublin Airport: Dublin Airport is the largest international airport in Ireland and one of the main entry points for air cargo.
• Cork Airport: Cork Airport also has a certain amount of cargo business, and is connected to major cities in China by air transport.
• Belfast International Airport: Belfast International Airport in Northern Ireland is also an important air transport node for receiving goods from China.

Factors Affecting Shipping Time from China to Ireland

No matter which mode of transport you choose, the shipping time from China to Ireland may be affected by the following factors:

• Weather and seasonal changes: Extreme weather, such as typhoons, blizzards, etc., can cause flight delays, or shipping routes are re-planned, resulting in longer shipping times.
• Port congestion: Congestion at Irish ports will directly affect the unloading and loading time of sea freight.
• Customs processing and quarantine: Customs clearance time may affect the entire transportation process. Especially in international transportation, Ireland’s import requirements and quarantine procedures require a certain amount of processing time.
• Choice of transportation route: Some routes require multiple transfers, which will increase the transportation time.
• Cargo type and packaging: Dangerous goods, perishable goods, etc. may require special handling, resulting in longer transportation time.

Shipping Time from China to Ireland

The main modes of transportation from China to Ireland include sea Freight and air Freight. Each mode of transportation has different characteristics.

Sea Freight Time from China to Ireland

Sea Freight is the most common mode of transportation from China to Ireland. It is suitable for bulk commodities and heavy equipment. The goods are loaded in containers. There are two types of services: FCL and LCL

• LCL: Your goods are not enough to fill the entire container, and they are loaded in a shared container with other people’s goods.
• FCL: It is a plan to rent an entire container and only load your goods.

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 (Portugal)	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 timeliness in the following articles:

How Long Does It Take To Transport Goods From China To Portugal

How Long Does It Take To Transport Goods From China To Saudi Arabia

How Long Does It Take To Transport Goods From China To Nigeria

How Long does it take to Ship from China to Iraq

How to Reduce Shipping Time from China to Ireland

If shipping time is a key factor, here are a few ways to help reduce shipping time from China to Ireland:

Choose a direct flight or direct route

Avoiding stops at transit points and choosing a direct route is an effective way to reduce air freight time.

Expedited shipping

Many logistics companies offer expedited shipping services, usually by air, with higher frequency or dedicated flights to speed up shipping.

Customs clearance preparation

Preparing all necessary documents, invoices and other customs clearance documents in advance can reduce customs processing time.

Book in advance

Plan shipping time in advance and avoid shipping during holidays or peak shipping periods (such as Spring Festival, Christmas, etc.).

Choose the right shipping company

Choose an experienced and reputable logistics company with more efficient shipping solutions and better time management.

Use digital logistics services

Use logistics management software or real-time tracking systems to better understand the shipping progress of goods and respond to possible delays in a timely manner.

Detailed Steps for Shipping from China to Ireland

The process of shipping from China to Ireland includes multiple links, including choosing the mode of transportation, customs clearance, warehousing, etc. Understanding the detailed steps can help you manage your time well.

Prepare the goods

Depending on the mode of transportation, choose appropriate packaging and ensure that all goods are marked as required (including destination, weight, volume and other information). Proper packaging can reduce the risk of damage during transportation.

Choose a freight forwarder

Work with an experienced freight forwarder to help you plan the transportation route, choose the most suitable mode of transportation, and handle the intermediate transportation, customs clearance and other matters. The freight forwarder will also provide transportation quotes and arrange transportation capacity.

Book space and transportation arrangements

Depending on the nature, quantity and mode of transportation of the goods, the freight forwarder will help you book transportation space.

Cargo loading and transportation

The goods will be delivered to the main ports or airports in China and then loaded with goods. The goods will be shipped to Ireland by ship or flight

Customs declaration and customs clearance

After the goods arrive in Ireland, they need to be cleared for import. Import customs clearance documents include:

• Submit invoice
• Packing list
• Certificate of origin
• Transport documents, etc.

Payment of customs duties and value-added tax (VAT)
If DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is used, the freight forwarder will handle all fees in advance. Choosing to use AEO certified channels or other fast customs clearance services can speed up customs clearance.

Delivery to the final destination

From the destination warehouse, the goods will continue to be delivered to the end customer by truck or other means of transportation. The inspection link can ensure that the goods are not damaged during transportation.

The shipping time from China to Ireland varies depending on the mode of transportation. According to specific needs, this article can reasonably select the mode of transportation and optimize the process to more effectively reduce the transportation time and improve the overall logistics efficiency.