Home Shipping from China to Estonia LCL sea freight from China to Estonia (Tallinn) — 2026 reference rates

LCL sea freight from China to Estonia (Tallinn) — 2026 reference rates

Rate rangeUSD 39–59 per CBM

Transit time38–60 days

Minimum1 CBM

Gateway portKlaipėda, Lithuania

Estonia is a small but steady destination on our North Europe service. Every consolidation we hold routes through Klaipėda, Lithuania and then feeds Tallinn by short-sea leg or road — there is no direct China–Estonia vessel, which is why transit time varies so much between origins (38 days from Zhongshan, up to 60 days on the slow Ningbo loop).

The table below shows the five origins we quote from. Shanghai is the outlier: it prices on both a volume and a weight basis, so light cargo pays the USD 39 per CBM figure while dense cargo is billed at USD 44 per tonne — whichever produces the larger chargeable amount is the one invoiced.

How to read these rates: figures are indicative reference levels for port-to-port LCL ocean freight, updated for October 2026. They exclude origin haulage, warehouse and customs charges, destination port charges and any surcharges. Space, cut-off times and rates must be re-confirmed at booking.

LCL rates from China to Estonia — Tallinn

Port of departure	Port of destination	Volume range (CBM)	Rate (USD/CBM)	MIN (CBM)	Transit port	Cut-off / ETD	Carrier	Transit time (days)	Volume ratio
Zhongshan	Tallinn	0~15	57	1	Klaipėda	Closed Fri / ETD Mon	YML	38	1:1000
Zhuhai	Tallinn	0~15	58	1	Klaipėda	Closed Fri / ETD Mon	YML	38	1:1000
Shanghai	Tallinn	0~15	39	1	Klaipėda	Closed Thu / ETD Mon	MSK / CMA	45	1:1000 volume · 1:1000 weight at USD 44
Ningbo	Tallinn	0~15	59	1	Klaipėda	Closed Fri / ETD Thu · Closed Mon / ETD Sun	EMC / YML	45–60	1:1000
Tianjin	Tallinn	0~15	56	1	Klaipėda	Closed Fri / ETD Mon	YML	38	1:1000

Zhongshan to Tallinn — USD 57 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Klaipėda; carrier YML; cut-off/ETD Closed Fri / ETD Mon; transit time about 38 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Zhuhai to Tallinn — USD 58 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Klaipėda; carrier YML; cut-off/ETD Closed Fri / ETD Mon; transit time about 38 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Shanghai to Tallinn — USD 39 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Klaipėda; carrier MSK / CMA; cut-off/ETD Closed Thu / ETD Mon; transit time about 45 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 weight at USD 44 kg.
Ningbo to Tallinn — USD 59 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Klaipėda; carrier EMC / YML; cut-off/ETD Closed Fri / ETD Thu · Closed Mon / ETD Sun; transit time about 45–60 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Tianjin to Tallinn — USD 56 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Klaipėda; carrier YML; cut-off/ETD Closed Fri / ETD Mon; transit time about 38 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.

Klaipėda is mandatory. All of our Estonia consolidations tranship at Klaipėda in Lithuania; the Tallinn leg is a feeder or road move from there. This adds a fixed handling cost but keeps Estonia reachable without a dedicated direct service.

Shanghai prices two ways. Shanghai quotes USD 39 per CBM and USD 44 per tonne. Cargo below 1 CBM is still billed at the 1 CBM floor, i.e. USD 39. The conversion is 1 CBM = 1,000 kg, and the larger of the two chargeable amounts is invoiced.

How chargeable volume is calculated

Every origin in the table uses the standard 1 CBM = 1,000 kg conversion. Take the greater of the actual cubic volume and the weight-derived volume, then multiply by the per-CBM rate. A shipment of 1.5 CBM weighing 1,200 kg converts to 1.2 CBM, so it is billed on the actual 1.5 CBM. A shipment of 1.5 CBM weighing 1,800 kg converts to 1.8 CBM and is billed on 1.8 CBM.

Booking paperwork

Once you accept the quotation we issue a booking confirmation showing the agreed rate, the booking reference, vessel and voyage, and the collection contact, place and date. Because the per-CBM rate moves with fuel and space, it is worth reconfirming before you fix a selling price to your Estonian buyer.

FAQ — LCL shipping from China to Estonia

Is there a direct LCL service from China to Estonia?

No. All cargo tranships at Klaipėda, Lithuania, and continues to Tallinn by feeder or road. Plan for the transit band shown in the table rather than assuming a direct sailing.

Which origin is cheapest for Estonia?

Shanghai at USD 39 per CBM, closely followed by Tianjin at USD 56 and Zhongshan at USD 57. Shanghai is also the only origin that publishes a separate weight rate (USD 44 per tonne), which suits dense cargo.

What is the minimum shipment?

1 CBM from every origin. Cargo below 1 CBM is billed as 1 CBM.

Why does Ningbo take up to 60 days?

Ningbo runs on two different loops with different cut-offs (Friday/Thursday and Monday/Sunday). The slower of the two adds roughly two weeks, mainly through the Klaipėda feeder connection.

Are destination charges included?

No. The rates are port-to-port ocean freight. Tallinn destination charges, customs clearance and any onward delivery are billed locally by the destination agent.