HOW TO SHIP FROM CHINA TO IRAN

Shipping goods from China to Iran involves a strategic selection of transportation methods, proper documentation, and careful handling of customs regulations. The most common methods include sea freight and air freight, each offering distinct advantages based on cost, time, and the nature of the goods being shipped. The first step is determining the type and volume of your cargo, which influences whether sea or air freight is more suitable.

When shipping, it’s crucial to ensure all required documents are prepared, such as the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading (for sea freight), air waybill (for air freight), and any necessary certificates for customs clearance. Depending on the type of products, some may also require an import license, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals or electronics.

Working with a reliable logistics partner is essential in navigating the complexities of customs in both China and Iran. Presou Logistics provides comprehensive solutions, from selecting the best shipping route to handling paperwork and clearing customs, ensuring your goods move efficiently and without delay.

WHAT ARE THE SHIPPING METHODS FROM CHINA TO IRAN

Air Freight: Due to the close trade relations between China and Iran, air freight has become a successful option for shipping between the two countries. Air freight is a fast option and is ideal for time-sensitive shipments. For shipments weighing more than 45kg to 100kg, or for shipments of high value, air freight is recommended, with a minimum delivery time of 2 to 5 days.

Sea Freight: Sea freight is a cost-effective and reliable method of shipping goods to Iran. It is particularly suitable for bulk goods and costs much less than air and land freight. This option also has advantages such as lower insurance costs and reduced risk of damage during transportation.

Express Shipping: When shipping parcels or documents weighing up to 20kg from China to Iran, consider express delivery services. Express delivery is fast, but does not include customs clearance fees in Iran. It is important to ensure that the courier company has a clear understanding of the shipping process.

Door-to-Door (DDP) Shipping: For a comprehensive, worry-free shipping experience, DDP shipping from China to Iran provided by Presou Logistics is an excellent choice. This service includes customs clearance, distribution, and warehousing for customer convenience.

For more detailed information, you can read:Door-to-Door Shipping Solutions: China to Saudi Arabia

SEA FREIGHT FROM CHINA TO IRAN

Sea freight is the most popular and cost-effective method for shipping large quantities of goods from China to Iran. The journey typically starts from major Chinese ports like Shanghai, Ningbo, or Shenzhen, and ships dock at key Iranian ports, including Bandar Abbas, the largest port in Iran. This method is ideal for businesses with bulk cargo that can be consolidated into containers for either Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than Container Load (LCL) shipments.

FCL is most suitable for businesses that can fill an entire container, allowing for the most efficient and cost-effective transportation of large volumes of goods. LCL, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for smaller shipments, where your goods are grouped with others to fill a container. While FCL tends to be faster, LCL is more budget-friendly for smaller loads.

Sea freight transit times from China to Iran vary depending on the specific route and port of departure, but on average, the shipping duration ranges from 20 to 35 days. While sea freight takes longer than air freight, it is the go-to option for transporting heavy machinery, construction materials, and other large, non-urgent items.

For more detailed information, you can read: Comprehensive Analysis: FCL vs LCL Shipping

HOW TO CHOOSE SEA FREIGHT FROM CHINA TO IRAN: FCL VS LCL

LCL Shipping from China to Iran

• Definition: LCL or Less than Container Load (LCL) is a method of shipping where your shipment will share space with other shipments within the same container. This method of shipping is ideal for shipments that are too small to fill an entire container.
• When to use: If your shipment does not exceed 13-15 CBM (cubic meters), choose LCL shipping between China and Iran. This provides flexibility as it allows you to ship your shipment when it is ready, rather than waiting for enough to justify the cost of a full container.
• Example: Let’s say you are a boutique fashion retailer importing unique goods from China to Iran. Your orders may be irregular and each shipment may not be large enough to fill a container. In this case, using LCL shipping allows you to better manage your freight rates and inventory levels.
• Cost Impact: With LCL shipping, you only pay for the space your shipment takes up in the container. However, keep in mind that the per-unit shipping cost may be higher compared to FCL shipping. Still, for smaller or inconsistent shipments, the overall cost and enhanced supply chain flexibility offered by LCL shipping may still make it a more attractive option.

FCL Shipping from China to Iran

• Definition: FCL or Full Container Load is a unique mode of ocean shipping where the goods fill an entire container, usually 20 feet or 40 feet. It is called FCL shipping because it provides security as it remains sealed from origin to destination.
• When to use: FCL shipping is the ideal mode of shipping when handling larger volumes of goods, usually more than 15 cubic meters. This is because of economies of scale, and shipping larger quantities is more cost-effective.
• Example: Let’s say you are shipping a large shipment of electronics from Shanghai to Iran. Considering the size and value of the shipment, choosing FCL shipping allows your goods to be safely packed in a single container, reducing potential loss or damage during transportation.
• Cost Impact: In FCL shipping, you are responsible for the cost of the entire container; therefore, the cost may seem high. However, since the cost per cubic meter will be lower, it will be less for larger shipments. Getting a FCL shipping quote is essential to understanding your financial situation. The quote usually includes terminal handling charges at origin and destination, freight charges, and possible surcharges depending on the cargo and route.

MAJOR SEAPORTS IN IRAN

Bandar Abbas

Location: Located on the north side of the Strait of Hormuz on the southern coast of Iran, it is the capital of Abbas Province.

Importance: One of the most important cargo transshipment centers in the Persian Gulf region, with modern loading and unloading facilities and a vast yard capable of handling a large amount of import and export cargo.

Bushehr

Location: Located on the southwest coast of Iran, bordering the northeast side of the Persian Gulf.

Importance: Iran’s second largest port, an important gateway for trade between Iran and South Asia, East Africa and other regions.

Chabahar

Location: Located in southeastern Iran, close to the Pakistani border.

Importance: Iran’s important channel to the Indian Ocean and an important node in the “Belt and Road” initiative.

In addition, there are other major ports such as Bandar Imam Khomeini, Khorramshahr, Kish Island, and Qeshm Island.

Freight from China to Iran (January 2025)

Ocean freight costs vary greatly depending on factors such as the type of goods, the size of the goods, specific transportation conditions, etc. The cost of shipping a 20-foot container from China to Iran by sea ranges from $2,000 to $3,200, while the cost of a 40-foot ocean container ranges from $2,800 to $4,500.

AIR FREIGHT FROM CHINA TO IRAN

For businesses needing faster delivery or dealing with high-value, time-sensitive products, air freight is an excellent solution. With flights departing from major Chinese airports like Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport, your cargo can reach Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport or other key airports in Iran within 3 to 7 days.

Although air freight is more expensive than sea freight, it offers unmatched speed and reliability. This option is especially useful for perishable goods, medical supplies, electronics, and other time-critical shipments that require quick delivery. Presou Logistics offers customized air freight solutions, ensuring that even urgent deliveries are handled with precision and care.

Another advantage of air freight is the streamlined customs process. Generally, air cargo clears customs faster, reducing the likelihood of delays. However, it is essential to ensure that all paperwork is correctly filled out and that your goods comply with both Chinese export regulations and Iranian import requirements.

By choosing air freight, businesses can balance the need for speed with the higher costs, making it ideal for smaller, high-value shipments that need to reach Iran quickly and efficiently.

You can read the following article to learn about shipping fees for countries around Iran:

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MAIN AIR ROUTES FROM CHINA TO IRAN:

• Shenzhen to Tehran by Mahan Airline
• Guangzhou to Tehran by Mahan Airline
• Hong Kong to Tehran by Mahan Airline
• Beijing to Tehran by Mahan Airline
• Shanghai to Tehran by Iran Air
• Shanghai to Tehran by Mahan Airline

MAJOR AIRPORTS IN IRAN

Imam Khomeini International Airport
Location: Located southwest of Tehran, the capital of Iran.
Importance: The most modern, largest and busiest airport in Iran.

Mashhad International Airport (also known as Shahid Hashemi Nejad International Airport)
Location: Located in the southern suburbs of Mashhad, the second largest city in Iran.
Importance: The second busiest airport in Iran.

Shiraz International Airport 
Location: Located in Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran.
Importance: The second largest airport in the country after Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport.

Bandar Abbas International Airport
Location: Located on the east side of Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, Iran.
Importance: A strategic location on the Strait of Hormuz, with flights to Iran and the Persian Gulf countries.

AIR FREIGHT FROM CHINA TO IRAN COST PER KG

The cost of shipping from China to Yemen is generally between US$5 and US$10 per kilogram. You can refer to the following table for the cost of 100 kg:

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO SHIP FROM CHINA TO IRAN?

It takes 20 to 30 days for goods to be shipped from China to Iran by sea and 3 to 7 days by air.

DOOR TO DOOR SHIPPING FROM CHINA TO IRAN

Door-to-Door service is a comprehensive shipping solution that covers the entire logistics process from the seller’s location in China to the buyer’s doorstep in Iran. The service simplifies the shipping process by handling all aspects of shipping, including pickup, customs clearance, and final delivery.

Two important International Commercial Terms (Incoterms) are often mentioned in the context of door-to-door services:

• DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): Under DDU terms, the seller is responsible for shipping the goods to the buyer’s location, but the buyer must clear customs and pay any import duties and taxes when the goods arrive.
• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Under DDP terms, the seller is responsible for the entire shipping process, including customs clearance and payment of all import duties and taxes. This provides a worry-free experience for buyers as the goods are delivered to their doorstep without any additional costs.

Door-to-Door service can be applied to various types of shipments, including:

• LCL (Less Than Container Load) Door-to-Door: Suitable for smaller shipments that do not need to fill a full container. Multiple shipments are consolidated into a single container, which reduces costs and provides flexibility.
• FCL (Full Container Load) Door-to-Door: For large shipments that can fill an entire container. This service ensures that the goods are transported directly from the seller’s location to the buyer’s doorstep without any intermediate handling.
• Air Freight Door-to-Door: For urgent and time-sensitive shipments, the Air Freight Door-to-Door service offers the fastest delivery times. This is especially useful for high-value or perishable goods that require expedited transportation.

You can read the following article to learn more: Presou DDP 8.0: Comprehensive One-Stop Solution for Shipping from China

SHIPPING FROM CHINA TO IRAN CUSTOMS CLEARANCE DOCUMENTS

If you want to do customs clearance yourself and don’t want to hire a freight forwarder, you will need to prepare some customs clearance documents. Here is a list of documents required for shipping from China to Iran:

• Commercial Invoice: Details the transaction and the value of the goods being shipped.
• Packing List: Depending on the nature of the goods, list the number of packages, marks, numbers, gross weight, and net weight. The documents can be translated into Iranian Persian if necessary.
• Certificate of Origin: A certificate of origin issued by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce or relevant institutions must be provided.
• Copy of Bill of Lading: This document proves that the goods have been shipped and are in good condition.
• Customs Declaration: Prepare and submit customs forms to ensure compliance with Chinese and Iranian customs regulations.