Shipping from China to Bulgaria: Complete Guide| 2022
Bulgaria is a small European country with increased international trade with China in the last few years. As recently as 2021, over $2.31 Billion of goods were imported from China to Bulgaria.
Suppose you are an importer or a business looking for cost-effective ways to ship from China to Bulgaria. In that case, you're in the right place.
This article will provide the best shipping methods from China to Bulgaria, the transit time, and their cost implications. We would also analyze the customs duties and expenses you should look out for.
Ultimately, importers and businesses would have a comprehensive guide that answers all questions about air and sea shipping from China to Bulgaria.
How to ship from China to Bulgaria?
When you make up your mind to import goods from China to Bulgaria, some steps are expected for you to take. They include the following.
- Do extensive product research and decide what to import- You can check out popular Chinese marketplaces like Alibaba and AliExpress to know the type of products available to be shipped.
- Find a reputable Chinese supplier- After knowing the product to ship, the next step is to search for the suppliers that sell the type of product you require. You might have to filter out these suppliers based on their reviews, ratings, and price.
- Define your shipment's Incoterms- Knowing the incoterms you want to ship with helps to know who is responsible for the entire shipping logistics. For example, the supplier handles the entire shipping in a DDP incoterm, whereas the importer is responsible for shipping in an EXW incoterm.
- Check trade laws in China and Bulgaria- This helps to prepare you for customs duties and clearance procedures. You will also know goods are prohibited from shipping from China to Bulgaria.
- Choose a shipping method- There are three basic shipping methods from China to Bulgaria. Express shipping, air freight, and ocean freight. We explain these methods in the article above, so you know the best option for your shipments.
- Hire a reliable freight forwarder to facilitate shipping- Freight forwarders make the whole shipping process easy. DFH had the requisite experience shipping from China to Bulgaria. We can help handle your cargo and shipments from the supplier to your preferred destination in Bulgaria.
- Buy insurance for your goods- While it is not compulsory, It's always a good idea to purchase cargo insurance, especially when transporting expensive items like phones, electronics, and other high-value items from China to Bulgaria.
Express shipping from China to Bulgaria
Some of the largest air courier companies that provide express shipping services are DHL, UPS, and FEDEX express from China to Bulgaria. They all have a strong reputation for dependability, so you can rest easy knowing that your possessions are arriving at their destination quickly.
Express shipping services are a very fast and stress-free mode of shipping goods. In 3 to 5 days, your goods are expected to reach Bulgaria, and it is also a door-to-door service.
However, it has the downside of being more expensive than other shipping methods, costing between $30 to $50 per kg.
If you need to ship heavier items that are not urgent or time-sensitive, consider using another shipping method.
Click here to see the cheapest way to ship heavy items from China.
Air Freight shipping from China to Bulgaria
Air freight is a way to ship cargo through air freight carriers or airlines. Bulgaria has well-established cargo airports capable of receiving air freight shipments from all over the world, particularly China.
Air freight is a quick and less expensive shipping option for goods compared to express shipping. It is the best for urgent, high-value air cargo shipments from China to Bulgaria.
The greater scheduling flexibility and manageable goods flow of air shipping are two benefits that should be considered.
How long does it take for Air freight shipping from China to Bulgaria?
Air freight from China to Bulgaria is the next quickest shipping method after express freight. There are also options to get goods delivered faster but at higher costs.
Factors that affect the transit times of air freight cargo are the types of goods being transported, their charge weight, and their monetary value.
Generally, Bulgaria shipping by air freight takes 4 to 6 working days.
What is the cost of Air freight shipping from China to Bulgaria?
Air freight costs from China to Bulgaria depend on the type of goods shipped, their weight, and the airline used. Standard air freight is the least expensive option for 150 and 500-kg shipments.
Air freight costs do not have a flat shipping rate—the heavier the goods, the lesser the weight per kg, as seen in the table below.
| Chargeable Weight | Air Freight Cost per KG |
| 45 - 99 kg | $7.85 |
| 100 - 299 kg | $ 5. 15 |
| 300 - 500 kg | $ 4. 95 |
| 500 - 1000 kg | $ 4. 75 |
| > 1000 KG > | $ 4. 55 |
How does Air Freight Calculate Chargeable Weight Ship From China To Bulgaria?
Air freight costs can be calculated using either volumetric or gross weight-based calculations. Air freight carriers calculate their fees both ways, choosing the heavier weight as the chargeable weight to maximize revenue.
For instance, if your parcel measures 100x100x60 cm and weighs 80 kg in total, the airline will divide the total volume of the parcel dimensions by 6000, i.e., 600,000 cubic centimeters. In this case, since volumetric weight > gross weight, the airline will charge for the volumetric weight of 100kg instead of 80kg.
On the flip side, if the package dimensions are 300,000 cubic centimeters, the volumetric weight would be 50 kg. In this case, the airline would charge for the gross weight because it is greater than the volumetric weight.
Airports Guide China to Bulgaria.
The leading Chinese airports that transport freight to Bulgaria are:
Beijing Capital International Airport
Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
Shanghai Pudong International Airport
Xian Xianyang International Airport
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport
Main Airports in Bulgaria.
The major international airports in Bulgaria that receive air cargo are:
Sofia International Airport
Varna International Airport
Burgas International Airport
Sea freight from China to Bulgaria.
Sea shipping from china to Bulgaria is the most popular method of transporting goods, primarily due to its adaptability and reliability.
The main drawback of ocean freight is how long it takes; other shipping methods can deliver cargo in a matter of days, but ocean freight takes weeks, depending on the type of cargo being shipped and the specific arrival and departure ports.
Sea freight uses containers and operates under two different container systems, which are explained below.
LCL shipping from China to Bulgaria
LCL shipping stands for less than container load. It is done by combining goods from different importers in a container, with each importer paying only for the space their goods occupy. It works best for cargo between 1 and 15 cubic meters.
FCL shipping from China to Bulgaria
Shipping containers from China to Bulgaria can also be done with FCL shipments, known as "full container loads." In FCL sea shipping, an importer purchases an entire container and fills it with goods.
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How long does Sea freight take from China to Bulgaria?
Sea freight is the slowest way of shipping products from China to Bulgaria. It depends on the cargo type, the carrier used, and the specific arrival and departure ports.
How much does Sea freight cost from China to Bulgaria?
Sea freight is a very cheap shipping method for Bulgaria shipping.
| Chinese Seaport | Bulgarian Seaport | LCL cost per cbm | 20FT Cost
Container cost |
40FT Container Cost |
| Qingdao | Varna | $70 - $105 | $1400 - $1800 | $2500 - $3200 |
| Qingdao | Bulgas | $90 - $120 | $1600 - $2200 | $2800 - $3500 |
| Shanghai | Varna | $80 - $100 | $1400 - $1800 | $2600 - $3200 |
| Shanghai | Bulgas | $80 - $100 | $1600 - $2000 | $2800 - $3500 |
| Shenzhen | Varnas | $70 - $105 | $1400 - $1800 | $2500 - $3200 |
| Shenzhen | Bulgas | $70 - $95 | $1400 - $1800 | $2500 - $2800 |
Main Cargo Ports in Bulgaria
The main Bulgarian seaports that receive freight from China lie on the Black Sea. They are:
Varna
Burgas
Who pays customs clearance costs while shipping from China to Bulgaria?
This depends on the incoterm an importer agrees with the supplier. For instance, the importer pays all customs clearance costs in a FOB incoterm. However, the supplier handles customs clearance costs for a DDP incoterm.
In the end, the importer indirectly pays for it because the supplier includes customs clearance costs in their invoice.
Import tax and duties in Bulgaria
You must pay import taxes on all items shipped into Bulgaria. The origin country, HS codes, and the type of goods will determine how much duty must be paid.
Bulgaria calculates customs clearance charges based on the CIF value of the goods. The CIF value of goods adds the product's price and shipping cost together.
Since Bulgaria is a part of the European Union, its import tax follows EU regulations. The standard range of import tax for goods shipped into Bulgaria from outside the EU varies from 4% to 45%.
Generally, the average price for import tax imposed on a shipment is 20% of the total cost of your goods.
It is best to allow your freight forwarder to help sort out your import duties. This can be done if you choose the Door to door delivery.
Should I choose a freight forwarding company to ship from China to Bulgaria?
Freight forwarders have the requisite experience shipping from China to Bulgaria. It's always advisable to work with reliable freight forwarders like DFH to guarantee a smooth shipping process and the security of your goods.
How to reduce shipping costs from China to Bulgaria.
There are ways to reduce shipping costs from China to Bulgaria. They include:
- Use a local freight forwarder.
- Try to optimize container space by packing goods tightly to save container costs.
- Make reservations as far as possible to save money and ease any potential stress from delays.
- Consider using rail shipping or multimodal transport if you want goods faster.
- Get cheaper shipping rates by shipping during less busy periods and off-peak seasons.
- Have all required documentation prepared for quick customs clearance.
- Plan ahead to cover customs taxes and levies.
- Check different suppliers and freight forwarders for quotes before selecting one.
- Be aware of your Incoterms and your shipping method to avoid unforeseen costs.
- Get insurance for all your shipments.
Documents Required for shipping from China to Bulgaria?
The importer is responsible for ensuring that all necessary documents for customs clearance are provided when shipping cargo from China to Bulgaria.
The documents are submitted by the importer or freight forwarder. They include:
- Packing List
- Commercial Invoice
- Bill of Lading
- Arrival Notice
- Import License
- Certificates of Origin
- Single administrative document and CMR
Why DFH is the best freight forwarder for Shipping from China to Bulgaria.
DFH is one of the most reputable freight forwarders in China. To save time and money, it is necessary to choose freight forwarders with the required expertise and knowledge in shipping goods from China to Europe more efficiently.
We have office locations in Jiangxi, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Zhejiang. We provide free pickup within three hours of pickup authorization if your supplier's factory is located anywhere in mainland China, regardless of the city.
Using DFH gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on the essentials of running your business.
We distinguish ourselves from our rivals thanks to our:
- 24/7 customer support.
- Low-cost insurance premiums
- Free of charge packing and repacking
- Free-of-charge warehousing
- Renowned logistics expertise
- A strong network of forwarders and customs brokers in Bulgaria
- Low shipping costs as a result of our good relationship with carriers
- Free quality inspection services.
- Knowledge of the right routes for shipping your products to the destination port.
No matter the request or unusual shipment, we'll try to satisfy your needs.
To get a quote on DFH, you Can send an Inquiry directly or call us. We'll help organize shipping and start working on your products immediately, ensuring a timely and secure delivery!
FAQs about shipping from China to Bulgaria.
How much does it cost to ship A 40 feet container from China to Bulgaria?
It costs about $2500 - $4000 to ship a 40 ft container from China to Bulgaria.
How long does shipping take from China to Bulgaria?
This depends on the method of shipping chosen. It ranges from 3-5 days with express shipping 4-6 days with air shipping and 30-40 days with ocean freight.
Can I ship from China to Bulgaria if I don't have an import license?
No. It is necessary to have an import license before shipping goods from China to Bulgaria. DFH can arrange the shipping for you if you do not have a shipping license.
Which shipping method Is the cheapest to ship from China to Bulgaria?
Ocean freight services are the least expensive shipping method from China to Bulgaria. However, this also depends on the size of the goods being transported. For example, air freight shipping can lower shipping costs for goods less than 100kg.
Do I have to pay duty on items shipped from China to Bulgaria?
Yes, every importer pays duties and levies on items shipped from China to Bulgaria, except it's an item that is free of tax.
Is sea freight from China to Bulgaria Cost-Effective?
Yes! sea freight from China to Bulgaria is cost-effective when shipping bulky cargo. For much smaller goods, it is better to explore another shipping solution.
Have any further questions about shipping from China to Bulgaria? Contact us to get a quick reply within 2 Mins.