Shipping Furniture from China to Europe: Cost, Timelines & Mode Guide (2026)

Freight is typically the second-largest line item in a furniture import programme after the product cost itself. Understanding your shipping options — and their cost and time trade-offs — is essential to building an accurate landed-cost model before you place an order.

Sea Freight — FCL (Full Container Load). Current (mid-2026) rates from Shanghai/Ningbo to major European ports: 20ft (~28 m³) €1,800–€2,600; 40ft (~58 m³) €2,600–€3,800; 40ft High Cube (~68 m³) €2,800–€4,200. Transit time: 28–35 days port-to-port.

Sea Freight — LCL. For shipments under 12 m³, LCL shares container space with other cargo. Cost is roughly €80–€140 per m³. LCL is ideal for first orders, sample runs, or mixed-product trial shipments. The downside: transit time is 5–10 days longer than FCL due to consolidation/deconsolidation at both ends.

Rail Freight — China-Europe Railway Express. Transit from Xi'an/Chongqing to Duisburg/Hamburg takes 14–18 days. Cost is roughly €4,000–€5,500 per 40ft container. Rail has gained popularity since 2022 as a hedge against sea freight volatility.

Hidden Costs to Budget For. Customs duty on upholstered furniture entering the EU is typically 0–5.6% depending on HS code. VAT is applied at the destination country rate (19–25%) and is recoverable for registered businesses. Add €150–€300 for fumigation certification (ISPM 15), €100–€250 for customs brokerage fees, and budget 1–2% of CIF value for cargo insurance.