One-stop Sea, Air Freight Shipping from China to Colombia

Colombia is now China’s fifth largest trading partner in Latin America. And China is Colombia’s second largest partner. Both countries are making headway on FTA negotiations.

Explore a complete guide to shipping from China to Colombia. If you are an importer from Colombia, you will certainly find this it helpful. This article includes shipping method, cost, transit time, best way to ship, and what an experienced freight forwarder can help with your China-Colombia shipments. 

Two main shipping methods for China-Colombia trade lane, sea freight and air freight. 

Sea Freight from China to Colombia

If you are seeking the least expensive way of shipping from China to Colombia, sea freight is the right solution. Over 90% of the world’s total cargo is being shipped by sea every year, and its low cost is one of the reasons that contribute to its high popularity. Compared to other forms of cargo shipping services, sea freight is superior economically and environmentally, which is a perfect choice for shipping goods in bulk or equipment of large size, over long distance. Another advantage is, it can transport almost all types of cargo, even those dangerous goods, as long as the required certificates and documents are approved. 

FCL and LCL are the most regular sea shipments. 
FCL (Full container load): shipping a container filled with goods exclusively for one client from China to Colombia. Shipping FCL is more cost efficient.
LCL (Less than container load): Sharing a container with other clients who have cargo to the same destination, at the same time. Naturally, due to extra work (consolidation, de-consolidation, warehousing, paperwork, etc.), the final cost on each unit is higher than FCL, and shipping takes longer. LCL is a good choice for small business to start with. 

When it comes to shipping oversized and heavy cargo from China to Colombia, flat rack and open top container could be the solution. For cold-chain transportation, we have reefer containers. Breakbulk and RO-RO solutions are often used for bulk shipments, vehicles or other wheeled cargo.

Top sea ports in China: Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, etc. 
As one of the top China based freight forwarder serving Colombia, we have everything you need. Our comprehensive services cover all Chinese major ports, and reach across the ocean to Colombia. 

Major ports of Colombia

Buenaventura
The port of Buenaventura is located in the Southwest region of Colombia, and it’s the main port of call in the Pacific for Colombia.
It handles dry and liquid bulk, breakbulk and containers. 
Annual throughput capacity of 650,000 TEUs

Barranquilla
Barranquilla is Colombia’s 4th largest city, the country’s principal port
Barranquilla is also known as the Golden Gate of Colombia
The port of Barranquilla registered cargo traffic of 1.42 million TEU in 2020. 

Cartagena
Port of Cartagena, locally known as Puerto Cartagena
The port of Cartagena is Colombia's second largest port and the largest in exports.
4th largest port in Colombia, “Best Caribbean port”

Santa Marta
A natural deep water port with docks for large ships, both cargo and passenger, and has a special terminal for visitors arriving on cruise ships from various parts of the Caribbean.
Advantage: for bulk cargo from Colombia

If you are interested in shipping from China to Colombia, no matter where your supplier is located, and where the shipment goes to, we have the one-stop China-Colombia sea freight service that you need. 
Contact us, get a sea shipping solution and cost for your China-Colombia shipment. 

Air Freight from China to Colombia

When speed is more important than cost, air freight becomes the solution to shipping from China to Colombia. Shipping by air ensures a fast delivery of shipment, generally from China to Colombia it takes 5-7 days. 
Maybe your project has been delayed for long, air shipping allows you to make up for the time lost, and accelerate the project. 
Maybe the cargo to be shipped is perishable; air shipping is the only way, because sea freight takes too long. 
However, if your supply chain has sufficient budget, and just requires a rapid transit, air freight has not only the speed you need, but also guarantees a higher level of security compared to other forms of transport. 
Naturally, with faster speed and higher security, comes higher shipping cost. 

Keep in mind that, not everything can be shipped with cargo planes. Some may be dangerous goods, and some may be too large to fit in the plane. Consult us for information and suggestions before you make any decisions. 
If you ever need a faster way of shipping from China to Colombia, contact us for air freight solution and shipping cost.

Main airport in Colombia

Bogota
El Dorado International Airport (IATA: BOG)
Colombia’s main gateway for air traffic, most of the air cargo is handled through Bogota airport
The busiest airport in South America in terms of cargo traffic and 2nd busiest in terms of passenger traffic

How long does it take to ship from China to Colombia?

20-35 days is needed to ship cargo from China to Colombia by sea, and 5-7 days by air. 
The actual transit time may varies depending on the terminal, service and route chosen, weather, congestion, seasonal change of market, etc. 

China-Colombia sea freight transit time

Container shipping transit time by sea from China to Colombia

POL (port of loading)	POD (port of discharge)	Transit time
Shanghai	Buenaventura	25 days
Shanghai	Barranquilla	29 days
Shenzhen	Buenaventura	32 days
Shenzhen	Barranquilla	34 days
Qingdao	Buenaventura	30 days
Qingdao	Barranquilla	28 days

FYI: Shanghai in East China, Shenzhen South China, and Qingdao North China, data from these 3 ports is enough to demonstrate the sea shipping time from China to Colombia.
The transit time by sea, port to port, depends on the specific origin and destination ports chosen, service route, sailing schedule and choice on carrier.
Above transit time is for full container load shipping, port to port only, for LCL shipping time estimate, pls add 7-10 days.

China-Colombia air shipping transit time

Cargo air shipped from China takes 5-7 days to arrive in Bogota, Colombia. 
Choosing different service and route would result in a slight difference of transit time. If you require the fastest way possible, please contact an experienced air freight forwarder for the best route with the least lead time for your China-Colombia air shipments. 

Contact us, get a shipping solution and freight quote.

Best way to ship from China to Colombia

You may wonder what the best way is to ship goods from China to Colombia. 
There’s no simple answer. Shipments come in many forms and quantity, with various requirements, and the shipping market is fast changing. Whatever the situation is, we always want one same outcome.

1. Speed: fast delivery (as fast as possible, before a pressing deadline if there’s one)
2. Cost: within the planned budget, at the minimum cost
3. Safety: to have your goods arrive in good condition
4. Other customized requirements

To make it work, you’ll have to rely on an experienced freight forwarder for his knowledge, expertise and insight, to work out the best China-Colombia shipping solution. As a top China based freight forwarder serving Colombia, we would ask our clients for the details below.
1.    The type of goods and its value
2.    How quickly you need your goods
3.    The load of your goods (size, weight, quantity) or simply share the packing list
4.    Supplier address (origin seaport/airport), delivery address(destination seaport/airport)
5.    Your budget
6.    Goods ready time
Submit the details to us by filling in quote page, we’ll offer the best shipping solution from China to Colombia with all things considered. 
Get a shipping solution and quote from us now.

How much does shipping from China to Colombia cost?

Shipping a 40ft container from Shanghai China to Buenaventura Colombia used to cost $1000-2000, however price went up by 5-6 times after the pandemic. Similar is true with air shipping market. 
The point is:
1.    Each shipment is different, and clients may have various requirements under some specific circumstances.
2.    The shipping market is fast changing, the year-on-year difference could be drastic, and price for last week may not be valid for this week. Sea and freight rates fluctuate frequently, affected by oil price, seasonal and strategic adjustment by carriers, as well as by relationship of supply and demand.
It’s impossible to provide a general estimate of shipping cost from China to Colombia. One thing is true, the faster you wish to receive your shipment, you more cost you’ll have to spend on shipping.

Knowing the shipping cost from China to Colombia is essential, if you are into import and export business. Shipping cost is an indispensable, and sometimes can be a large portion of the final landed cost of imported goods. 

Contact us for the latest shipping cost as well as a tailored shipping solution from China to Colombia.

Freight forwarder shipping from China to Colombia

Shipping from China to Colombia is time & energy consuming, so why not leave it to the professional freight forwarder?

Using an experienced freight forwarder to handle your shipments from China to Colombia allows you focus more on your main business, to bring the best out of you. Everybody’s got his specialty and expertise. With the help of a professional freight forwarding team, your shipment will be well planned and carried out smoothly, avoiding delay and potential extra charges, and freight management made easier than ever.

As one of the top China based freight forwarders serving Colombia, we have the knowledge, expertise and experience to provide the most accurate answers and optimal shipping solutions tailored to your needs. Leave it to the expert, and you are freed from all the troubles and complexity of shipping and logistics. 

Moreover, we have representatives in Colombia and have been working with other local Colombian freight forwarders as well. By combining their networks with our freight forwarding services, we are able to provide the easiest one-stop door to door shipping solution from China to Colombia.

How to ship from China to Colombia

Step 1: Find a freight forwarder; a China based one is preferred.
You may reach out to a freight forwarder either from China or in Colombia, while a Colombian forwarder is most likely to rely on a Chinese local shipping agent. So working directly with a China based freight forwarder is more straightforward, as the majority of complexities and uncertainties of international cargo shipping lie in origin, not in destination.
More on “Why you should work with a local China freight forwarder”
Step 2: Provide shipment details and get a shipping quote from China
Step 3: Connect forwarder with supplier, forwarder does his job
Step 4: Get cargo insurance (optional)
Step 5: Arrange customs clearance
Or you can simply rely on us for the easiest one-stop door to door shipping solution from China to Colombia.

Why us when importing and shipping from China to Colombia?

We are China based freight forwarder specialized and experienced in international logistics for China-Colombia import & export business. With years of hard effort on China-Colombia trade lane, building networks of sea, air freight and local connections, we are able to provide a hassle-free one-stop shipping solution from China to Colombia. For importers from Colombia, we have the below reasons for you to choose us as freight forwarder for your freight shipping from China. What makes us different from our competitors is our unique combination of:
1.    Quick Response, high efficiency
2.    Communication
3.    Professionalism, agility, accuracy
4.    Our logistics expertise, local and global connections
5.    Cost-saving
6.    Dedicated, focused
7.    Higher attention & tailored shipping solution
More on Why us when importing and shipping from China to Colombia

As one of the top China freight forwarder serving Colombia, we have the logistics knowledge, expertise as well as insight into global trade to fulfill a fast and safe delivery of shipment from China to Colombia.

If you are interested in shipping from China to Colombia (Buenaventura, Bogota, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Santa Marta, etc.), whether by sea or air, contact us to start a stress-free cargo shipping experience. 
Get a shipping solution and quote for your China-Colombia shipment.