Ship a parcel to China, without the hassle
Compare top carriers in one overview, have your customs paperwork done automatically and ship at our negotiated rates. If you get stuck, our people help you out.
10% welcome discount on all your bookings for the first 4 weeks · for businessesFor individuals and businesses in the Netherlands and Belgium.
FedEx EconomyCheapest option See rate FedEx PriorityFastest option See rate 
UPS SaverExpress See rate 
DHL WorldwideExpress See rate You can compare and book without an account, also as an individual.
Calculate your shipping costs to China
Enter your shipment, compare the carriers side by side and have it picked up today.
Welcome discount · businesses only
10% off all your bookings for the first 4 weeks
No credit card, minimum volume or contract
What are you sending to China?
From documents to pallets. For each type of shipment you see the carriers that fit, with their delivery time.
Contracts, passports and papers. Express, with the delivery time the carrier gives for China.
Rate for documents →Choose between economy and express and see the expected delivery day for each carrier.
Rate for parcels →Heavier and larger freight to China, including handling of the export documents.
Rate for pallets →How to send a parcel to China
Four steps, no account needed to compare.
Enter your shipment
Address, dimensions and weight. You don't need an account to see rates.
Compare and choose
All carriers side by side, with price, delivery time and terms.
Paperwork done for you
The label and customs invoice are created and sent digitally.
Your chosen carrier picks up
Pick-up at the address you choose. Track your shipment in your account.
What you need for a shipment to China
Because China is outside the EU, customs paperwork is involved. On our platform that's part of the same flow as the booking itself.
Shipping advice for China
China is outside the EU, so your shipment goes through customs. These four points help you avoid delays and extra charges afterwards.
Expect import duties and VAT
A shipment to China may be subject to import duties and VAT. When you create your customs invoice, you'll always see an estimate of those costs, so you won't be surprised afterwards. Read more about the customs rules for China.
Calculate it now ↓
Describe your goods precisely
Use a detailed English description and the right HS code for each item. Words like ‘sample’ or ‘spare part’ are the most common cause of delays at customs.
Decide who pays the import costs
You decide whether you pay the import costs (DDP) or the recipient does (DAP). Agree this with your recipient in China beforehand — it prevents refused parcels and return costs.
Enter dimensions and weight accurately
Carriers measure again when they collect. If the dimensions or weight differ, you get an additional charge. Measure the box including packaging and round up.
Booking checklist
Got everything to hand? Then you can book in two minutes
- ✓The recipient's full address and phone number
- ✓Dimensions and weight of each box
- ✓English description, value and HS code for each item
- ✓VAT or EORI number for business shipments
You book parcels to China directly online. Customs documents are created automatically and sent to customs digitally.
What can you send to China?
China has its own rules on what may enter the country, and carriers have their own restrictions too. This overview shows what usually goes through fine, what needs extra paperwork and what isn't allowed.
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Gold and silver products
- Chinese currency
- Toxic chemicals on China's list
- Alcoholic drinks
- Cosmetics
- Medicines, with and without prescription
- Foodstuffs, meat, vegetables, seeds and plants
- Personal belongings and personal mail
- Used electrical equipment and machinery
- Machine and electronics parts
- Computer parts
Show all 21
- Communications equipment
- CDs, floppy disks, tapes and other storage media
- Ship parts
- Collectible coins and stamps
- Tobacco
- Toy weapons and replica weapons
- Ivory, rhino horn and tiger bones
- Items marked ‘Made in ROC’ (‘Made in Taiwan’ is allowed)
- Printed matter and media China considers politically or morally harmful
- Products made by prisoners
- Soil and wood pulp
- Tests to predict a baby's sex
- Beef from the US
The red list applies to FedEx's economy service. With an express service you can usually send parts, machines and electronics to China.
Calculate your import duties ↓
- Food and drinkYou can't send food, sweets, chocolate or drinks to China.
- PostcodeDoes the postcode end in a 0? FedEx usually doesn't accept that for China. Change the last 0 to a 1 and it usually works.
- Address in Latin lettersCarriers don't print Chinese characters on the label. Translate the address into English, for example with Google Translate.
- DescriptionDescriptions like ‘Parts’, ‘Gifts’, ‘Samples’ or ‘See invoice’ aren't specific enough. Describe in English what it is.
- GiftA gift can also be charged import duties and VAT. ‘Gift’ on the customs invoice doesn't guarantee an exemption.
- PO boxDelivery to a PO box isn't possible. Give a street address.
Sources: FedEx International Connect, Country/Region-Specific Prohibited and Restricted Items (as of 1 July 2023). That is FedEx's economy service; express often allows more. The checks at booking come from our own platform. ParcelParcel: prohibited and dangerous goods. Rules change; if in doubt, ask us before you book. More about the customs in China.
All about China
Compare carriers, rates and delivery times to China.
Have a shipment collected in China and sent to the Netherlands or Belgium.
Read more →Import dutiesImport duties ChinaWhat the recipient pays in import duties and VAT.
Read more →CustomsCustoms information ChinaRules, prohibited goods and the documents you need.
Read more →What shippers to China say
Frequently asked questions about shipping to China
How much does it cost to send a parcel to China?+
The price of a parcel to China depends on weight, dimensions, destination and the carrier you choose. The calculator shows all options side by side with the exact price for your shipment.
How long does a parcel from the Netherlands or Belgium to China take?+
That depends on the carrier and the service: express is fastest, economy takes a few working days longer. If Chinese customs holds your shipment for inspection, it can take longer. You'll see the expected delivery day for each carrier in the calculator before you book.
Which customs documents do I need?+
For China you need a customs invoice with an English description, value and HS code for each item. You create it on our platform; we send it digitally to the carrier and customs.
Who pays the import duties and VAT?+
You choose when you book: you as the sender (DDP) or the recipient (DAP). When you create your customs invoice, you see an estimate of the expected costs.
Will my shipment be picked up from me?+
Yes, your shipment is picked up at your own address. If you book before the carrier's cut-off, the courier usually comes the same working day.
Is my shipment insured?+
Every shipment is covered by the carrier's standard liability. If you want the full value covered, choose our transport guarantee when you book.
How do I return a parcel to China?+
You send a return to China, for example to a webshop or seller, just like a normal parcel: enter the return address, compare the carriers and have the parcel collected from you. Because China is outside the EU, a return also needs a customs invoice. State on it that it is a return shipment. You'll find more tips under returning to China.
What is the cheapest way to send a parcel to China?+
Choose an economy service instead of express and pack your items as compactly as possible. For a large, light box, carriers charge by volumetric weight (in Dutch) instead of the actual weight. In the calculator you can sort the options by price, so you see straight away what's cheapest for your shipment.
Can I send a parcel to China with DHL?+
Yes. In the calculator DHL sits next to other carriers such as FedEx and UPS, with the price and expected delivery day for each service. So you can see right away whether DHL is the fastest or cheapest choice for your weight and dimensions. You book without an account and the courier collects the parcel from you.
Send your first shipment to China with a 10% welcome discount
Register your business account and use the discount on all your bookings for four weeks. No credit card, minimum volume or contract.
- ✓10% discount on all your bookings
- ✓For four weeks, from the day you register
- ✓No credit card, minimum volume or contract
Shipping as an individual? You can compare and book without an account.
Sending a parcel from Belgium to China
Live or work in Belgium? Then you send your parcel or package to China in exactly the same way. From Belgium the calculator above is already set to Belgium as the collection country, so you see the rates from Belgium; otherwise choose Belgium under ‘From’. The carrier collects your shipment for free from any address in Belgium, and we create the customs invoice for you automatically.
You ship through ParcelParcel Belgium BV, pay with Bancontact, KBC or Belfius among others, and if you have questions you can call our customer service in Belgium on 03 808 70 99.
Send a parcel to China from €56
Need to send a parcel to China? With ParcelParcel you instantly compare the best options from DHL, UPS and FedEx and save up to 70% on your shipping costs. We collect for free, deliver with signature and you follow everything through our track & trace. We handle both export and import (back to NL/EU) seamlessly — for businesses and private senders, with no contract or minimum volume.
What does it cost to send a parcel to China?
The cost of a parcel or package to China depends on the weight, the dimensions and the service you choose (Economy or Express). Watch out for volumetric weight: a large but light parcel is charged on size rather than weight. The rate calculator shows you right away what your shipment costs — no account needed.
Quick overview: services to China (indicative)
Carrier | Service (example) | Indicative transit time | Notes |
DHL Express | Express Worldwide (time-critical) | 2–4 working days | Strong worldwide express network |
UPS | Express Saver / Expedited | 2–5 working days | Robust tracking & customs logistics |
FedEx | International Priority / Economy | 2–5 working days | Flexible for heavier or unusual sizes |
Weight and size limits differ per service (usually up to ±70 kg per parcel). We check this for you and recommend the best option.
DHL, UPS or FedEx to China?
With DHL Express you send documents and parcels time-critically, usually within 2–4 working days. UPS offers reliable express and economy services with strong customs handling, suitable for multiple packages and heavier shipments. FedEx combines fast International Priority with cheaper Economy options and is handy for unusual sizes. With ParcelParcel you compare them in one overview and benefit from our negotiated rates — we'll advise which service suits your shipment.
PostNL or bpost is only worth it for small, non-urgent, low-value shipments: delivery usually takes 7–15 working days with limited tracking, and you handle customs clearance yourself.
Customs when shipping to China
China is outside the EU, so every shipment goes through customs. You need a commercial invoice (in English) with the correct HS-codes, a clear description of the goods and the country of origin. At ParcelParcel your customs documents are created automatically and sent to customs digitally in advance.
You choose who pays the import costs in China: the recipient (DAP) or you as the sender (DDP). Watch out for restrictions on products with lithium batteries, liquids, food and cosmetics, and dangerous substances, among others — see our page on shipping special goods (in Dutch) or ask our specialists.
Business shipping to China: samples, parts and returns
Many of our customers are businesses working with manufacturers or suppliers in China: they send product samples and prototypes to producers, parts for repair or replacement, and returns to suppliers.
For valuable goods — equipment, instruments, art — you activate our transport guarantee against damage, theft or loss with one click. Read more about business shipping (in Dutch).
Delivery times to China
- Express: usually 2–4 working days
- Economy: usually 4–8 working days
Customs clearance in China can take extra time, especially if documents are missing or incomplete. Major cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Guangzhou receive deliveries daily; different rules apply to Hong Kong — see our page on shipping to Hong Kong.
Importing from China
Importing is just as easy as exporting: you book the shipment from the Netherlands or Belgium, we arrange the pick-up at your supplier in China and you follow everything from one overview. Allow for 21% VAT (or the 9% reduced rate) and, above €150, import duties too. Calculate your total costs in advance with the import duty calculator.
Ready to ship to China: checklist
- Compare rates and transit times with the rate calculator
- Commercial invoice (in English) complete: HS codes, description of goods, country of origin
- Estimate import duties and VAT in advance with the import duty calculator
- Check prohibited and restricted goods (batteries, liquids, food, cosmetics, dangerous substances)
- Sturdy packaging: double-wall box for heavier shipments, padding, invoice in a document pouch on the outside
- Choose an Incoterm (DAP or DDP) — we'll advise what suits your situation
- Schedule the collection and activate track & trace
- Let the recipient know about possible charges on delivery