Is there a minimum volume to work with you?

No. We handle everything from 1 CBM LCL shipments to multi-container projects. Many of our clients start with a trial LCL shipment and grow with us. What matters is that the shipment makes economic sense, and we tell you that upfront.

What's the difference between LCL and FCL?

FCL (Full Container Load) means you rent an entire 20 or 40-foot container just for your cargo. LCL (Less than Container Load) means your goods share a container with other importers and you only pay for the space used. Below around 15 CBM, LCL is usually more cost-effective. Above that, FCL wins on price and reduces cargo handling.

What does it really cost? Are there hidden charges?

It depends on the Incoterm agreed with your supplier. The real cost can include factory pickup, origin charges (THC, documentation), Chinese export clearance, international freight, import clearance at destination, local duties and taxes, and final delivery. Many forwarders only quote the freight and extra charges appear on arrival. We give you a full breakdown from the first quote.

What is an Incoterm and which one should I use?

Incoterms are international trade terms that define who pays what and who bears the risk at each stage. The most common when importing from China are EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP. For a first-time importer, FOB is usually the best balance: you control freight and insurance without handling China-side logistics. We advise you on which works best for your operation.

What documents does my supplier need to prepare?

The Chinese exporter needs: commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and, in some cases, an export license. Certain products also require quality or phytosanitary certificates. If your supplier has limited export experience, we can guide them or handle the export process directly from China.

Can I track my shipment in real time?

Yes. From the moment your cargo leaves the factory we provide a tracking number. Sea freight: B/L number to track the vessel. Air freight: AWB for real-time tracking. Your account manager also keeps you proactively informed of any incidents or changes during transit.

How does customs clearance work?

Your goods go through customs twice: on departure from China (export) and on arrival in your country (import). You'll need a commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or AWB. Depending on the product, additional certificates may be required (CE marking, phytosanitary, etc.). We handle the Chinese export clearance and coordinate with the local customs agent at destination.

Which Chinese port will my cargo ship from?

Not all goods leave from the nearest or best-known port. The choice depends on cost, available routes, the carrier, transit times and the exact factory location. For example, a factory in Yiwu usually ships via Ningbo-Zhoushan, one in Fujian may get better connections from Xiamen, and many in Guangdong operate through Shenzhen or Guangzhou. We analyse every shipment to choose the best combination of factory, port and carrier, instead of applying the same solution to all. We ship from China's main ports — Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Qingdao, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Kaohsiung — to 40+ destination ports across 45+ countries.

Which carriers do you work with?

We work with the world's leading carriers: MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Evergreen, HMM, Yang Ming and ZIM, among others. But we're not tied to any of them: for each shipment we select the best option based on cost, transit time, space availability and service reliability. That independence is what lets us always recommend what's best for you, not whatever we're meant to sell.

How long does shipping from China take?

It depends on the mode and destination. As a reference for Europe: sea freight LCL/FCL 28-35 days, air freight 5-7 days, rail 18-25 days. Transit times vary for the Americas, Middle East or Oceania. Add customs clearance (1-5 days) and final delivery (1-3 days). Ask us for exact times on your route - we include them in every quote.

What if my goods arrive damaged or delayed?

That's why we recommend cargo insurance. International carrier liability limits are very low - under Hague-Visby for sea freight, coverage is barely ~$2/kg. The industry standard is the ICC clauses: ICC (A) is all-risk and the one we recommend by default. The typical premium is around 0.3-0.5% of the declared cargo value - a small cost compared to the risk.

Could my goods be classified as dangerous goods (DG)?

More often than you'd think. Many legal, everyday products travel as dangerous goods (DG): lithium batteries (phones, power banks, tools), paints and aerosols, perfumes and nail polish, cleaning products, inks, fertilisers or adhesives. What you see as 'a box of ink', the carrier may see as UN1210, IMDG Class 3 (flammable liquid) - some lines won't accept it, others require documentation, surcharges or specific routes. We review the safety data sheet (SDS/MSDS) before shipping to classify it correctly, choose the right carrier and avoid delays, rejections or extra costs. It's best to check before you buy. Regulations: IMDG (sea), IATA (air), ADR (road).

Import duties and VAT when importing from China to Spain: how they are calculated

One of the first questions anyone importing from China asks is: “how much tax will I pay when the goods arrive in Spain?”. The answer has two parts —the duty and the import VAT— and once you understand them, they stop being scary. In this guide we explain what they are, what they are charged on, and we walk through it with a worked example.

This guide is specific to Spain. If you also import to other countries, the underlying mechanics are the same: you’ll find them in the general guide to import duties and VAT from China.

Cascade of the tax calculation when importing from China to Spain: on the customs value (CIF: goods + freight + insurance, €10,000) you add the duty (example 3%, €300) to get the VAT base (€10,300); on that base you apply 21% VAT (€2,163); the total to settle at customs is €2,463. The company recovers import VAT; the duty, it doesn't. — How what you pay at customs is built up. Example figures; the actual duty depends on the product.

The two taxes you pay at customs

When importing goods from China to Spain, the import clearance settles two different things:

The duty (customs duties): a tax on the entry of the goods into the European Union.
Import VAT: the same VAT you pay on any purchase, but applied to the goods coming in.

They are calculated in a cascade (the duty first, and VAT on the result), so it helps to take them in order.

The duty: how much and on what

The duty depends on two things: what the product is and where it comes from.

What the product is → determined by its commodity code (TARIC). Every good has a code, and each code has a rate. Some products carry 0% duty and others higher rates; that is why classifying correctly is key (see below).
Where it comes from → with China there is no preferential trade agreement, so the general (third-country) duty applies (the same as for any country without special treatment). Do not expect origin-based reductions like those countries with an agreement enjoy.

The duty is calculated on the customs value, which is normally the CIF value: the price of the goods plus freight and insurance up to the EU border. In other words, transport and insurance are also part of the base the duty is calculated on.

Import VAT: 21% on what base

In Spain, the standard VAT is 21% (some products have reduced rates of 10% or 4%). But mind the base: import VAT is not calculated only on the value of the goods, but on:

VAT base = customs value (CIF) + duty + other costs up to the first destination

That is, VAT is applied after adding the duty. That is why it is a cascade: you also pay VAT on the duty.

Worked example, step by step

Let’s assume an import with a customs value (CIF) of €10,000 and an example duty of 3% (the real one will depend on your product):

Item	Calculation	Amount
Customs value (CIF)	goods + freight + insurance	€10,000
Duty (example 3%)	3% of €10,000	€300
VAT base	€10,000 + €300	€10,300
Import VAT (21%)	21% of €10,300	€2,163
Total to settle at customs	€300 + €2,163	€2,463

Swap the duty rate for the one on your goods and you have your figure. What matters is the method: the duty first on the CIF, then VAT on the sum.

Thresholds: the €150 mark and the end of the €22 exemption

Two thresholds worth keeping clear:

Duty: shipments with an intrinsic value of €150 or less are exempt from duty (but not from VAT).
VAT: since 1 July 2021, the EU removed the old VAT exemption for low-value consignments (those under €22). Today VAT is paid from the very first euro. For sales to end consumers up to €150 there is the IOSS system, which simplifies its handling.

The moral: do not count on “slipping through” commercial goods without VAT because they are low value. That loophole no longer exists.

The detail almost nobody tells you: VAT is recovered, the duty is not

Here is the difference that reassures anyone importing as a business the most:

The import VAT you pay at customs is deductible: you recover it in your periodic VAT return (form 303), just like the VAT on any other purchase. For your business it is not a cost, but a temporary outlay (you advance the money and then offset it).
The duty, on the other hand, is a real cost: it is not recovered. It becomes part of the cost of your goods.

That is why, when working out your margin, the one that really “weighs” as a cost is the duty; VAT is mostly a matter of cash flow (having the money to advance it). If you import as a private individual, careful: with no economic activity you cannot deduct that VAT.

Common mistakes

Confusing duty with VAT. They are two different taxes, with different bases and different treatment (one is recovered, the other is not).
Misclassifying the product (TARIC). A wrong code makes you overpay or exposes you to a penalty. It is the piece most worth getting right.
Forgetting that freight and insurance are in the base. The customs value is CIF, not just the price of the goods.
Counting on exemptions that no longer exist. The €22 VAT one disappeared in 2021.

In summary

You pay two taxes at customs: duty (per TARIC, no preference for China) and import VAT (21%).
They are calculated in a cascade: the duty on the CIF value, and VAT on CIF + duty.
The business recovers the VAT; the duty is a real cost.
Correct tariff classification is what saves you the most (or costs you the most).

At EasyChinaShipping we handle customs clearance: we help you with TARIC classification, calculate the taxes in advance and coordinate clearance so there are no surprises on arrival. See how our customs clearance from China works, review what you need to import from China to Spain, and if you don’t have it yet, start with what the EORI is and how to apply for it. Questions about your case? Tell us and we’ll give you the clear numbers.