Best international logistics cost from China to Malta
Summary:With the increasing trade and people-to-people exchanges between China and Malta, international transportation services play an increasingly important role in promoting economic ties between the two countries. This article reviews the main transportation methods from China to Malta, including sea freight, air freight, and international express services, and elaborates on the transit time, cost, and characteristics of each method, so that customers can choose the appropriate logistics service according to their own needs.
Sea Freight
As a relatively common mode of transportation from China to Malta, sea freight is favored for its low cost and large capacity. Malta has major ports such as Marsaxlokk and Valletta. Full container load (FCL) shipments usually arrive at Marsaxlokk, while less than container load (LCL) shipments often go to Valletta. The transit time for sea freight is about 30-40 days after the ship departs, making it suitable for large-volume goods. Some service providers also offer door-to-door services including customs clearance and taxation, ensuring a worry-free experience.
Air Freight
Although sea freight is cost-effective, air freight meets the needs of customers who require fast delivery with its speed and efficiency. Air freight prices fluctuate with the weight of the goods and the season, but overall, air freight is a more suitable choice for high-value or time-sensitive items.
International Express Services
In addition to sea and air freight, international express services such as FedEx, DHL, and UPS also provide solutions for fast logistics from China to Malta. These services are known for their door-to-door convenience and fast transit times, especially FedEx's priority and economy services, which meet the different needs of customers in terms of time and cost. Express services can usually deliver goods to Malta within a few days and have strong customs clearance capabilities, making them suitable for transporting high-value or urgent goods.
Sea Freight from China to Malta
Malta, an archipelago located in the heart of the Mediterranean, primarily relies on sea transportation for trade with other countries, including China.
Major Shipping Ports
China: Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Foshan, and other ports, mainly concentrated in Guangdong province, are the primary departure points for shipments to Malta.
Malta: Valletta and Marsaxlokk are the main ports of arrival. Valletta, with a history of over 500 years, is the capital city and the largest port in Malta, handpng a significant volume of international trade. Marsaxlokk, a natural deep-water harbor, is another crucial port for Malta and serves as a transhipment hub in the Mediterranean.
| Origin Port | Destination Port | 20GP（EUR） | 40GP（EUR） | 40HC (EUR） |
Transit Time | Shipping Line | Rate Validity |
| Shekou | Marsaxlokk | 2,858 | 3,826 | 3,826 | 27 | MSC | 3.6-3.30 |
| Nansha | Marsaxlokk | 2858 | 3826 | 3826 | 26 | MSC | 3.6-3.30 |
| Huangpu | Marsaxlokk | 2,996 | 4,057 | 4,057 | 18 | MSC | 3.6-3.30 |
| Foshan | Marsaxlokk | 2996 | 4057 | 4057 | 18 | MSC | 3.6-3.30 |
According to the above table：
It costs at least 2858 euros to transport a 20GP container from China to Malta.
It costs at least 3826 euros to transport a 40GP container from China to Malta.
The whole container transportation from Huangpu Port to Marsaxlokk Port can arrive in as quickly
as 18 days.
The above rates are valid from March 6, 2024 to March 30, 2024, subject to the sailing date.
Sea Freight Consolidation (LCL) from China to Malta
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LCL (Less-than-Container Load) Shipping refers to the consolidation of shipments from multiple shippers into a single container for ocean transportation. When a shipper's cargo is not enough to fill an entire container, the carrier (or agent) will classify and consolidate the goods based on their nature and destination.
| Fee Item | Unit Price | Unit |
| Ocean Freight | RT | |
| Customs Declaration Fee | CNY320 | Per shipment |
| Document Fee | CNY300 | Per shipment |
| LCL Charge | CNY40 | RT |
| Destination | USD/RT (0-5 RT) | USD/RT (5-15 RT) | Estimated Voyage | Shipping Line |
| Malta | 45 | 50 | 23 | EMC |
For LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping from China to Malta, the cost for
one cubic meter is a sea freight of 45 USD, document fees of 320 CNY, customs declaration fees
of 300 CNY, and a consolidation fee of 40 CNY multiplied by 1 cubic meter, totaling 137 USD,
approximately equal to 126 euros.
Shipping goods from China to Malta via LCL sea freight is expected to take 23
days for the voyage, with the goods departing from Shenzhen Port to Malta Port.
Products We Can Ship by Ocean Freight
Our company can ship a wide variety of products by ocean freight, including:
General Products:
Furniture, Appliances, Building materials, Clothing, Bags and luggage, Shoes, Auto parts,
Cookware, Books, Toys, Phones, Electronics, Computers, Machinery and equipment
Food:
Fruits, Snacks, Tea, Vegetables
Battery-powered Products:
Power banks
Solar lights
Chemicals and Cosmetics:
Fertilizers, Paint, Toothpaste, Body wash, Shampoo, Face masks
Please note:
We reserve the right to refuse to ship any products that are prohibited by Chinese or
destination country laws and regulations.
Please declare the true name and brand of your products when shipping.
Air Freight from China to Malta Airport
Air freight is the fastest way to ship goods from China to Malta, with a typical delivery
time of 1-5 days. This mode of transportation is suitable for time-sensitive
shipments or perishable items.
Malta Airport: Malta International Airport (MLA) Major Export Airports
in China: Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN); Shenzhen Bao'an
International Airport (SZX); Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), etc.
| Departure Airport | Arrival Airport | +45（EUR/KG） | +100（EUR/KG） | +300（EUR/KG） | +500（EUR/KG） | +1000（EUR/KG） | ||
| CAN | MLA | 7 | 6 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5 | ||
Estimated transit time from Guangzhou Baiyun Airport to Malta International
Airport is 3-5 days.
Service carrier: Emirates Airline (EK)
Service weight range: 45KG to 1000KG
For shipments weighing more than 45kg, the rate is €7 per kilogram.
For shipments weighing more than 100kg, the rate is €6 per kilogram.
For shipments weighing more than 300kg, the rate is €5.7 per kilogram.
For shipments weighing more than 500kg, the rate is €5.3 per kilogram.
For shipments weighing more than 1000kg, the rate is €5 per kilogram.
Maximum dimensions per piece: L80*W80*H80 cm
Note: The above rates are for reference only and do not represent actual costs. The actual cost of air freight may vary due to factors such as the nature of the goods, flight distance, fuel price fluctuations, and airline pricing strategies.
Volumetric weight calculation formula for air freight:
1 cubic meter = 167kg
(Length * Width * Height) / 6000 = kgs (Length, width, and height in centimeters)
This is a standard volumetric weight calculation formula used by all airlines worldwide.
Example: If your shipment is 120cm x 100cm x 100cm and weighs 90kg, the
logistics company will not charge you based on the actual weight (90kg). Due to the size
and space occupied by the package, the chargeable weight of the cargo needs to be
measured.
Volumetric weight (express) = 120cm x 100cm x 100cm / 5000 = 240kgs
Volumetric weight (air freight) = 120cm x 100cm x 100cm / 6000 = 200kgs
Since 200kgs > 90kg, the volumetric weight will be charged.
Detailed Address for Shipping to Malta from China
International Courier Services: DHL, UPS, FedEx
These international couriers offer fast and reliable shipping options to Malta, typically delivering within 5-7 days. However, costs can be higher, especially for smaller items.
Goods Classification
Before shipping, it's important to classify your items as either general goods or sensitive
goods.
General goods include items like unbranded clothing, household items, and
ordinary accessories.
Sensitive goods include liquids, pharmaceuticals, food, and branded
clothing. Different types of goods require different shipping channels, and sensitive goods
may incur additional fees.
DHL Hong Kong to Malta Price List
Note: Prices are in EUR and may vary based on specific circumstances.
| Weight (KG) | Price (EUR) |
| 31.0 -49.0 | 5.0 |
| 50.0 -69.0 | 5.0 |
| 70.0 -99.0 | 5.0 |
| 100.0 -199.0 | 5.0 |
| 200.0 -299.0 | 5.9 |
| 300.0 -499.0 | 6.4 |
| 500.0 or above | 6.4 |
DHL Hong Kong to Malta Dimensional Weight Restrictions:
Packages with a single side exceeding 120cm incur an oversize fee.
Packages exceeding 70kg (actual or volumetric weight) incur an overweight handpng fee.
Fuel surcharges may apply.
DHL Hong Kong Prohibited Items:
Single shipment weight exceeding 300kg
Total shipment weight exceeding 3000kg
Single side exceeding 300cm
Items must be properly packaged.
Estimated DHL Depvery Time from China to Malta: 3-5 days
| Weight (KG) | Price (EUR) |
| 21-44 | 6.9 |
| 45-70 | 6.8 |
| 71-99 | 6.8 |
| 100-299 | 6.7 |
| 300-499 | 6.6 |
| 500-999 | 6.5 |
| 1000 or more | 6.4 |
FedEx Shipping Restrictions:
Maximum weight per piece: 67KG
Maximum dimension per side: 274CM
Maximum dimensional weight: Length + 2Width + 2Height ≤ 330CM
Estimated delivery time from China to Malta: 5-7 business days
| Weight | Price (MVR) |
| 21-44 | 22.8 |
| 45-70 | 22.8 |
| 71-99 | 20.2 |
| 100-299 | 20.2 |
| 300-499 | 19.9 |
| 500-999 | 19.9 |
| Above 1000 | 19.9 |
UPS Shipping Restrictions:
Maximum length: 270cm
Maximum girth (2width + 2height) + length: 400cm
Maximum chargeable weight: 70kg
Note: Any package exceeding the above limits will incur an additional
fee of 2070 RMB per piece.
Dimensional Weight Calculation:
Dimensional weight is calculated as: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / 5000 = Weight in
kg
The chargeable weight is the greater of the actual weight or the dimensional weight.
Example: If you have three packages to Malta, weighing 10.2kg, 20.3kg,
and 30.4kg respectively, with dimensions resulting in dimensional weights of 8.2kg,
15.1kg, and 40.5kg, the chargeable weight would be 10.5kg + 20.5kg + 40.5kg = 71.5kg.
Summary:
DHL is the cheapest courier service among the three.
DHL is also the fastest courier service among the three.