Ocean Freight · Tianjin → Hamburg

Ocean Freight from Tianjin to Hamburg

Tianjin (CNTSN), China to Hamburg (DEHAM), Germany is a 11,397-nautical-mile ocean lane (21,107 km). Vessels on this routing transit the Suez Canal, Strait of Malacca, Strait of Gibraltar and Bab-el-Mandeb. Port-to-port transit runs about 28–39 days, depending on whether the service is direct or transships at a hub.

Distance
11,397 nm
Transit
28–39 days estimated port to port, subject to carrier
Service
FCL & LCL
11,397 nm
Distance
28–39 days estimated port to port, subject to carrier
Estimated transit
Suez Canal
Routing via
WhatsApp
Written quote, same business day

Lane at a glance

Route facts

GoForwarder books full-container (FCL) and consolidated (LCL) space on this lane, coordinates pickup and export in China, and hands the cargo to import clearance and final delivery in Germany.

Origin
Tianjin (CNTSN), China
Destination
Hamburg (DEHAM), Germany
Distance
11,397 nm (21,107 km)
Estimated transit
28–39 days estimated port to port, subject to carrier
Routing via
Suez Canal, Strait of Malacca, Strait of Gibraltar and Bab-el-Mandeb
Equipment
FCL 20', 40', 40' HC · reefer · LCL
Incoterms
EXW · FCA · FOB · CIF · DAP · DDP

Live network

Loads in motion

Origin, destination and mode as the operation reports them. No names, prices or file numbers.

  • Cartagena, ColombiaVeracruz, Mexico

    OceanQuoting

    9 hours ago

  • Veracruz, MexicoRotterdam, Netherlands

    OceanQuoting

    33 hours ago

  • Manzanillo, MexicoSydney, Australia

    Ocean · FCLQuoting

    42 hours ago

  • Manzanillo, MexicoCiudad Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

    OceanQuoting

    44 hours ago

  • Hai Phong, VietnamGuaymas, Mexico

    OceanQuoting

    48 hours ago

  • I need, GreeceLos Angeles, USA

    Ocean · LCLQuoting

    52 hours ago

Destination guide

Importing from China to Germany: ports, documents and how to quote

Shipping from China or Hong Kong into Germany is a core lane for importers who need a single freight forwarder to connect Asian origin with European, North American, Latin American or Oceanian clearance. The destination gateways that matter most are Hamburg and Bremerhaven on the North Sea, plus Munich (MUC) and Frankfurt for time-critical air freight. GoForwarder structures the file so booking, documentation and hand-off to destination customs sit in one conversation instead of scattered vendors.

Typical import documents into Germany include EORI, ICS2 ENS, invoice, packing list, transport document, and German import clearance with VAT identification where required. Exact annexes depend on the HS code—chemicals, food, medical devices or dual-use items may need extra licences—so share the product detail early. We align the commercial invoice and packing list with the transport document before the vessel or flight departs, reducing destination queries.

Recommended Incoterms for this corridor: FOB Shanghai/Ningbo for ocean; FCA airport of departure for air; CIF Hamburg when the seller covers the sea leg; DAP German warehouse when inland trucking is part of the quote. Misaligned Incoterms are a frequent cause of demurrage and “who pays THC” disputes; we flag the split of costs before you confirm the booking.

Choose LCL when volume stays roughly under 15 cubic metres and you can accept longer CFS cut-offs; move to a 20-foot or 40-foot FCL when density, sealing integrity or sailing frequency matters more than sharing a container. For air, chargeable weight (actual vs volumetric) drives the quote, so always share dimensions.

GoForwarder acts as your freight forwarder from China and Hong Kong: we book ocean FCL or LCL space, or air freight when the timeline is tight, arrange origin pickup and export formalities, and coordinate destination clearance with local partners. We do not publish static rates here because bunker, peak-season surcharges, equipment imbalance and product HS codes change every week. Instead we quote from real cargo data.

To quote, send origin city or port in China/Hong Kong, destination in Germany, cargo description, weight, volume or container type, and preferred Incoterm on WhatsApp 81 1999 3446. We reply with mode options and a written proposal—without inventing transit promises that only the carrier can confirm after booking.

Whether you load in Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Qingdao, Tianjin, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Dalian or Hong Kong, the operational playbook toward Germany stays the same: lock cargo data, pick FCL/LCL or air, book space, export at origin, track the main leg, then clear and deliver at destination with partners who know local practice. Use this page together with the city–port pairs linked below and our China freight-forwarder hub when you need a wider network view.

How it works

From quote to delivery

  1. 01

    Quote and booking

    Send cargo details on WhatsApp; we confirm the rate and book vessel space from Tianjin.

  2. 02

    Pickup and export clearance

    We coordinate container release, pickup and export customs in China.

  3. 03

    Ocean transit

    Sailing Tianjin → Hamburg: about 28–39 days port to port, with tracking until arrival.

  4. 04

    Import clearance

    Customs clearance in Germany, coordinated with our customs broker partners.

  5. 05

    Final delivery

    Drayage from the terminal to your warehouse, with proof of delivery.

Checklist

Documents and cost drivers

Documents to import into Germany

  • Commercial invoice
  • Packing list
  • Bill of lading (B/L)
  • EORI number of the importer
  • ICS2 entry summary declaration (ENS)
  • Import customs declaration in the EU member state
  • Proof of origin under the EU–Mexico agreement when applicable

What drives the price on this lane

  • Base ocean freight (per container for FCL, per CBM for LCL)
  • Bunker / fuel surcharges (BAF) and peak-season surcharges
  • Terminal handling at origin and destination (THC)
  • Documentation and B/L fees
  • Customs clearance at both ends
  • Drayage from the port to the final address
  • Cargo insurance

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How long does ocean freight from Tianjin to Hamburg take?+

Estimated transit is 28–39 days port to port. Direct services sit at the low end; transshipment, peak season or inspections push it to the high end.

How far is Tianjin from Hamburg?+

About 11,397 nm (21,107 km) by sea via the Suez Canal, Strait of Malacca, Strait of Gibraltar and Bab-el-Mandeb.

How much does ocean freight from Tianjin to Hamburg cost?+

It depends on container size or volume (CBM), the season and surcharges. Send your cargo details on WhatsApp and we reply with a written quote.

FCL or LCL — which one do I need?+

Below roughly 15 m³, consolidated LCL is usually cheaper. Above that, a 20-foot container starts to pay off; a 40-foot container fits about 67 m³.

What documents do I need to import into Germany?+

Commercial invoice; Packing list; Bill of lading (B/L); EORI number of the importer; ICS2 entry summary declaration (ENS).

From Tianjin to other destinations in Germany

Ready to move your cargo?

Send origin, destination and cargo details — we reply with a written quote.

Quote on WhatsApp 81 1999 3446