Shipping from China to Armenia: A Comprehensive Guide by WanHao

Introduction

Shipping goods from China to Armenia involves several considerations, including different shipping methods, associated costs, transit times, and crucial customs clearance aspects. WanHao, as a professional China Freight forwarder, is here to assist you in understanding and navigating these elements.

Shipping Methods and Costs

Ocean Freight

Ocean FCL (Full Container Load)

• How it works: When you have a large volume of goods that can fill an entire container, FCL is a suitable option. Containers come in standard sizes such as 20 - foot and 40 - foot.

• Cost: As of November 2024, for a 20 - foot container, the cost ranges from $1,750 - $3,250, while a 40 - foot container may cost between $2,375 - $4,480. These costs can be affected by factors like the origin port in China, the destination in Armenia (usually transiting through ports like Abbas or Poti), and market fluctuations. For example, if shipping from major Chinese seaports like Shanghai or Shenzhen, the rates might vary slightly due to differences in port handling fees and demand.

• Suitability: Ideal for large - scale shipments, such as when a business is importing a significant quantity of furniture, machinery, or bulk consumer goods.

Ocean LCL (Less - than - Container Load)

• How it works: LCL is designed for smaller shipments that do not fill an entire container. Multiple shippers' goods are consolidated into one container.

• Cost: The cost is calculated based on the volume or weight of your goods. Generally, it ranges from $300 - $500 per shipment or $40 - $60 per cubic meter. However, additional fees for handling, documentation, and customs clearance at both ends may apply. For instance, the port of departure fee includes sea freight, document fees, customs declaration fees, and warehousing fees. Different ports in China like Tianjin, Ningbo, Guangzhou, etc., may have different fee structures for these components.

• Suitability: Perfect for small - to - medium - sized businesses or individuals who need to ship smaller quantities of products, like a few cartons of electronics or a small batch of handicrafts.

Air Freight

• How it works: Air freight offers a fast - paced shipping solution, with goods transported by airlines. Many major airlines operate routes from China to Yerevan, Armenia's capital.

• Cost: As of November 2024, for shipments over 1000 kg, the cost is around $4.615 per kg. However, for smaller shipments, the cost can be higher, typically in the range of $2 - $5 per kg. Air freight rates can be influenced by factors such as the weight and dimensions of the cargo, the urgency of the shipment, and the specific airline used.

• Suitability: Recommended for high - value, time - sensitive goods such as electronics components, perishable items like certain foods or flowers, and urgent medical supplies.

International Express

• How it works: International express services, such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, and TNT, provide door - to - door delivery with fast transit times.

• Cost: The cost usually ranges from $5 - $15 per kg, depending on the weight, dimensions, and destination. Express services often offer different levels of service, with higher - cost options providing faster delivery and additional features like enhanced tracking and priority handling.

• Suitability: Ideal for small, urgent shipments, such as samples, important documents, or small - value, high - priority items.

Transit Times

Ocean Freight

• Ocean FCL: Transit times for FCL shipments from China to Armenia typically range from 16 - 21 days. However, this can be affected by various factors such as the shipping route, port congestion, and weather conditions. For example, if there is a typhoon in the shipping lanes or congestion at the transiting port like Poti, the delivery time may be extended.

• Ocean LCL: LCL shipments generally take longer, usually 20 - 40 days. This is because of the need for cargo consolidation and de - consolidation at the origin and destination ports. The more stops the container makes for loading and unloading other shippers' goods, the longer the transit time.

Air Freight

Air freight offers much faster transit times, usually taking 3 - 5 days from China to Armenia. This makes it the preferred choice for businesses that need their goods to arrive quickly.

International Express

Express services can deliver goods in 2 - 5 days, providing the fastest option for shipping from China to Armenia. This is highly beneficial for time - critical shipments.

Customs Clearance in Armenia

Documentation Requirements

• Commercial Invoice: This document should clearly state the value, quantity, description, and origin of the goods. It is crucial for determining customs duties. For example, if you are shipping electronics, the invoice should detail the model numbers, serial numbers (if applicable), and the price per unit.

• Packing List: A packing list provides a detailed breakdown of the contents of each package, including the weight, dimensions, and quantity of items in each package. This helps customs officials to verify the goods during inspection.

• Bill of Lading or Air Waybill: These are the shipping documents that confirm the carrier's receipt of the goods and the contract of carriage. They also contain information about the shipper, consignee, and the details of the goods being shipped.

Customs Duties and Taxes

• Armenia applies customs duties and value - added tax (VAT) on imported goods. The amount of customs duty depends on the type of product. For example:

• Electronics may have a 0% customs duty but a 5% VAT. So, for a shipment of electronics worth $10,000, the VAT amount would be $500.

• Apparel, machinery, toys, furniture, and automotive parts typically have a 5% customs duty and a 5% VAT. For a $10,000 shipment of apparel, the total tax (customs duty + VAT) would be $1,000.

• Food products may have a 0% customs duty and a 5% VAT, resulting in a $500 tax for a $10,000 shipment.

• It's important to note that these rates are subject to change, and it's advisable to check with the Armenian customs authorities or a reliable freight forwarder like WanHao for the most up - to - date information.

Customs Clearance Process

• Submission of Documents: The shipper or the freight forwarder must submit all the required documents to the Armenian customs authorities. This can usually be done electronically through the customs' online system.

• Inspection: Customs officials may inspect the goods to verify the information provided in the documents. They may check for compliance with Armenian regulations regarding product quality, safety, and origin.

• Payment of Duties and Taxes: Once the goods are cleared for release, the consignee (recipient in Armenia) is responsible for paying the applicable customs duties and taxes. The customs authorities will provide an official notice of the amount due.

• Release of Goods: After the duties and taxes are paid, the goods are released from customs custody and can be delivered to the final destination.

How WanHao Can Help

WanHao, as a leading freight forwarder, offers a comprehensive range of services for shipping from China to Armenia:

• Customized Shipping Solutions: We assess your specific shipping needs, considering factors such as the type of goods, volume, budget, and delivery time requirements, and then recommend the most suitable shipping method.

• Competitive Pricing: We have established strong relationships with shipping lines, airlines, and courier companies, allowing us to secure competitive rates for our customers.

• Documentation Handling: Our experienced team takes care of all the necessary documentation for customs clearance, ensuring accuracy and compliance to avoid delays.

• Tracking and Monitoring: We provide real - time tracking of your shipments, so you can stay informed about the progress of your goods from the moment they leave China until they reach their destination in Armenia.

• Door - to - Door Service: WanHao offers door - to - door shipping, handling all aspects of the transportation process, from picking up the goods at the supplier's location in China to delivering them to the consignee's address in Armenia.

If you are looking to ship from China to Armenia, don't hesitate to Get A Quote from WanHao. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in making your shipping experience seamless and efficient. Whether you are a business looking to import or export goods or an individual sending personal items, we have the expertise and resources to meet your shipping needs.