Shipping from China to Estonia — what importers need to know
China is the main sourcing country for many Estonian businesses. Importing from China is not complicated if you know which decisions to make before your supplier ships the goods. This article covers choosing a transport mode, delivery terms, costs and documents.
1. Choose the transport mode: sea, rail or air
The right mode depends on three things: how much you ship, how quickly you need it and how valuable the goods are.
- Sea freight is the cheapest option and suits larger volumes. Cargo travels to a major European port and then on to Tallinn or Muuga. Smaller shipments go as a shared container (LCL), larger ones as a full container (FCL).
- Rail freight is faster than sea and cheaper than air — a sensible middle ground when you need the goods sooner but air is too expensive.
- Air freight is the fastest and suits urgent, small or high-value goods (spare parts, electronics, samples).
Exact transit times depend on origin, schedules and transshipments, so we give a time estimate for every specific enquiry. If you are unsure, we will price several options side by side.
Read more: sea freight, rail freight and air freight.
2. Agree delivery terms (Incoterms) with your supplier
Incoterms define where your supplier's responsibility ends and yours begins. They directly affect the price and who arranges the transport.
- EXW (Ex Works) — you collect the goods at the supplier's premises and are responsible for everything, including Chinese export clearance.
- FOB (Free on Board) — the supplier delivers to the Chinese port and clears export. Your forwarder handles the rest. Usually the most transparent option for an importer.
- CIF / CFR — the supplier pays ocean freight to the destination port. It looks convenient, but destination charges that were not visible in the offer are often added on arrival.
- DAP / DDP — the supplier delivers to your door (with DDP, duties included). Convenient, but costs are hidden in the supplier's price and you have less control.
If your supplier offers several terms, ask us for a price comparison before you agree — FOB with separately arranged freight often works out cheaper overall.
3. Budget for all the costs
Freight is not the only cost. A complete budget usually includes:
- Transport in China from the supplier to the port or terminal (depending on Incoterms)
- Main carriage — sea, rail or air freight
- Local charges at origin and destination (terminal, handling, documentation)
- Customs duty — depends on the goods' tariff (HS) code; for many goods it is 0–12%
- Import VAT — 24% in Estonia, calculated on the value of the goods including freight and duty
- Delivery from the port or terminal to your warehouse
An important change for small shipments: since 1 July 2026 the EU no longer applies the €150 customs duty exemption, so duty is now due on low-value consignments too.
4. Prepare the documents
- Commercial invoice — description of goods, quantity, price and Incoterm
- Packing list — number of packages, weights and dimensions
- Transport document — Bill of Lading, rail waybill or air waybill (AWB)
- EORI number — a business cannot declare goods to customs without one. See our article how to get an EORI number.
- Certificates where needed — e.g. CE conformity, food safety or other permits depending on the goods
Check before ordering that the goods meet EU requirements (CE marking, labelling, chemical restrictions). Fixing goods held at customs is expensive.
5. How the shipment works, step by step
- You send us the cargo details: what, how much, dimensions and weight, supplier location and target date.
- We quote one or more transport options.
- You agree the Incoterm and ready date with your supplier.
- We book the transport and arrange pick-up and export documents together with the supplier.
- The goods travel to Estonia; we keep you updated along the way.
- We clear the import — customs declaration, duty and VAT.
- We deliver the goods to your warehouse or customer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Estonia take?
Air freight is the fastest, sea freight the cheapest, and rail sits in between. The exact time depends on origin, schedules and transshipments, so we give a concrete estimate for every enquiry.
Do I have to pay customs duty on a small shipment?
Yes. Since 1 July 2026 the EU's €150 duty exemption no longer applies, so duty is due on low-value consignments as well. Import VAT (24% in Estonia) applied before too.
Do I have to deal with the Chinese supplier about transport myself?
No. Once you have agreed the price and Incoterm with your supplier, we coordinate transport and documents with them directly.
What is an HS code and why does it matter?
The HS (tariff) code is the international classification of your goods. It determines the duty rate and any restrictions. We help you find the right code.
Read also: Customs clearance