2026 China to Romania Air Cargo Service Information

China has multiple airports offering air freight services to Romania, operated by different airlines, with significant differences in shipping time and price, and charter services are also available.

Airports for air cargo services from China to Romania

Freight flights departing from China usually take off from major aviation hubs such as Chengdu (CTU), Shanghai (PVG), Beijing (PEK), Guangzhou (CAN), etc., and reach Romanian airports via transit or direct flights (chartered flights).
Regarding air cargo services from China to Romania, the following major airports are mainly involved:

Airport	Code	City	Main freight characteristics
Shanghai Pudong International Airport	PVG	Shanghai	China's largest air cargo hub, with a route network covering the globe, is the main gateway to Europe (including Romania), with frequent freighter flights.
Beijing Capital International Airport	PEK	Beijing	The most important aviation hub in northern China, with well-developed freight facilities and numerous international freight routes.
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport	CAN	Guangzhou	The core air cargo hub in South China, connecting the manufacturing centers in the Pearl River Delta, with a huge cargo volume.
Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport	SZX	Shenzhen	Located in the core area of the Pearl River Delta and close to manufacturing bases, it is an important freight airport, especially for electronic products.
Hong Kong International Airport	HKG	Hong Kong	One of the world's busiest freight airports, as a free port, it has extremely high flight frequency and connectivity, and is an important transit hub.
Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport	CGO	Zhengzhou	One of China's important air cargo hubs, especially as a distribution center for cross-border e-commerce (such as NetEase Kaola, Tmall Global).
Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport	CKG	Chongqing	As the core hub of western China, it is the starting point of the "Yuxinou" international railway, and air transportation demand is also growing steadily.

All major international airports in Romania can receive goods from China, among which Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) is the largest international cargo airport.

Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest (code OTP): The largest and busiest airport in Romania, whether it is air cargo from China or from other countries, most of it first arrives here, equivalent to a "main hub", capable of handling all types of goods.
Cluj International Airport (Code: CLJ): The main airport in northwestern Romania. If your goods are mainly destined for northwestern Romania, choosing this airport is more convenient as there is no need to transfer through Bucharest.

Airlines for Air Cargo Services between China and Romania

The following are the major airlines that provide air cargo services from China to Romania, covering all-cargo airlines and the cargo departments of passenger airlines (belly hold of passenger aircraft).
Kazakhstan Alpha Sky Airlines is the only company operating regular cargo flights from China (Urumqi) to Romania (Bucharest). Other airlines usually need to transit through hubs in the Middle East (Dubai, Doha), Turkey (Istanbul), or Western Europe (Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Luxembourg).

Airline Name	Code	Remarks
China Cargo Airlines	CK	China's first professional cargo airline, operating Boeing 747 freighters, can transit through the Shanghai hub to Europe, including Romania.
Jinpeng Airlines	YZ	It owns Boeing 747 and 737 freighters, provides freight services from China to Europe, and can cover Romania through transit.
SF Express Airlines	O3	China's largest self-owned express logistics airline, with a large fleet of 737, 757, and 767 freighters, can provide efficient freight services from China to Europe, including Romania.
China Southern Freight	CZ	China Southern Airlines has a vast passenger aircraft network, and the belly holds of its passenger aircraft can transport cargo to major European hubs (such as Frankfurt and Amsterdam), and then transfer it to Romania (such as Bucharest OTP) via land transportation or feeder flights.
China International Freight	CA	Air China, relying on its extensive international route network, can transport goods to Europe via hubs such as Beijing and Shanghai, and then transship them to Romania.
Xiamen Airlines Cargo	MF	Xiamen Airlines' passenger aircraft network can transport goods to major European cities and then transfer them to Romania through partner logistics providers.
Kazakhstan Alpha Sky Airlines	5K	The airline operates regular cargo flights from Urumqi (URC) to Bucharest (OTP) and is currently the only airline clearly operating direct cargo flights from China to Romania.
Emirates SkyCargo	EK	Transferring via the Dubai hub, it connects major Chinese cities with Romania, featuring stable delivery time and serving as an important transfer option.
Qatar Airways Cargo	QR	Transiting through the Doha hub, we provide efficient freight services from China to Romania.
Turkey Freight	TK	Transiting through the Istanbul hub, with its advantageous geographical location, enables rapid connections between China and Romania.
Luxembourg Cargo	CV	A leading all-cargo airline in Europe, operating Boeing 747 freighters, frequently flies to China (such as Zhengzhou and Shanghai), and can transport goods from China to Luxembourg, then distribute them to Romania.
Lufthansa Cargo	LH	Connecting China and Romania through hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich, with mature customs clearance and ground services.

Time required for air freight from China to Romanian airports

The time required for air freight from China to Romanian airports usually ranges from 1 to 7 days, specifically depending on factors such as the departure location, flight route, flight frequency, and customs clearance. The pure air transportation time from the departure airport to the arrival at Bucharest Airport (OTP) in Romania is not long, but the entire "door-to-door" transportation time involves multiple stages.

Reference Table for Delivery Time of Air Freight from China to Romania

Airline	Flight Number	Destination Airport	Departure Airport	Transfer Route	Timeliness
Turkish Airlines	TK-235	OTP Bucharest	SZX Shenzhen	SZX-IST-OTP	3-5 days
Turkish Airlines	TK-235		CAN Guangzhou	CAN-IST-OTP	3-7 days
US Polar Airlines	PO-403		HKG Hong Kong	HKG-LEJ-OTP	3-7 days
Serbia Airlines	JU-115		CAN Guangzhou	CAN-BEG-OTP	2-5 days
Air China	CA-999		SZX Shenzhen	SZX-PEK-MUC-OTP	5-7 days
China Southern Airlines	CZ-784		CAN Guangzhou	CAN-PKX-AMS-OTP	5-7 days
China Southern Airlines	CZ-784		CAN Guangzhou	CAN-AMS-OTP	5-7 days
China Southern Airlines	CZ-784	TSR Timisoara	CAN Guangzhou	CAN-PKX-AMS-TSR	5-7 days
China Southern Airlines	CZ-784	TSR Timisoara	CAN Guangzhou	CAN-AMS-TSR	5-7 days

Detailed Explanation of Key Factors Affecting Timeliness

Flight:

Direct flights are extremely rare, and the vast majority require transfers. Common hubs include:
European Hubs: Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS), Vienna (VIE), Budapest (BUD)
Middle East Hubs: Istanbul (IST), Doha (DOH)
Different transit routes and flight frequencies directly affect flight time. For example, transiting through Istanbul (IST) usually leads to faster arrival in Eastern Europe than transiting through Western European hubs.

Customs clearance time:

Export Customs Declaration (China): Usually fast, can be completed within 1 day if all formalities are in order.
Import customs clearance (Romania): This is the biggest variable.
Document Preparation: If all documents (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, etc.) are accurate and complete, the customs clearance process will be fast.
Cargo Type: Special items (such as electrical products, food, chemicals) may require additional certifications or inspections, significantly extending the customs clearance time.
Customs Inspection: If randomly selected for inspection by customs or if there are issues with the declaration, the inspection may take an additional 1-3 days or even longer.

Last-mile delivery:

After the goods arrive at the European hub airport, truck land transportation needs to be arranged to Romania. The truck schedules and transportation time (for example, it takes about 10 - 12 hours to drive from Vienna to Bucharest) will also affect the overall delivery time.

Operating Time:

Operations such as the freight forwarder's receiving, packing, and booking of shipping space at the origin, as well as unpacking, sorting, etc. at the destination, all require time.

Chartered cargo flights from China to Romanian airports by air

Core Advantages of Cargo Charter Flights

Ultra-fast timeliness: Point-to-point direct flights, with the entire journey taking 2-4 days (more than 50% faster than commercial flights), completely avoiding the transit waiting and uncontrollable delays of commercial flights, and can be fully customized for departure time according to your needs.

Absolute Capacity Guarantee: Offers a variety of options from narrow-body to ultra-large wide-body freighters, with sufficient capacity to perfectly address the issues of bulk cargo transportation and shortage of space during peak seasons.

Wide adaptability of goods: Suitable for bulk goods (single batch over 10 tons), oversized/overweight goods (such as mechanical equipment, industrial production lines, new energy vehicles), high-value goods, and goods with special temperature control and timeliness requirements.

Convenient and efficient customs clearance: One-stop "door-to-door" service can be provided, with a professional team handling China's export customs declaration, Romania's European Union import customs clearance, tax (VAT) declaration, and destination truck delivery, ensuring seamless process integration.

1. Direct flights (preferred, advance booking required)

Operator	Route	Recommended Models	Estimated Flight Time
Turkish Cargo	Zhengzhou (CGO) - Bucharest (OTP)	A330-200F / B777F	Approximately 10-11 hours
China Central Longhao Airlines	Zhengzhou/Shenzhen (CGO/SZX) - Bucharest (OTP)	B757-200F / B777F	Approximately 11-12 hours

2. Stopover/Technical Transit Routes

Route	Stopover/Transfer Point	Operator	Remarks
Shanghai (PVG) - Budapest (BUD) - OTP	Budapest (Technical Stopover)	Hungary Airlines (Cargo Air)	Budapest is an important freight hub in Central and Eastern Europe, and trucks can reach the entire territory of Romania within 1-2 days after customs clearance.
Hong Kong (HKG) - Leipzig (LEJ) - OTP	Leipzig (Transfer)	Polar Air Cargo / Atlas Air	Utilizing the DHL hub in Leipzig, it has strong network coverage capabilities.
Beijing (PEK) - Istanbul (IST) - OTP	Istanbul (Transit)	Turkish Cargo	Utilizing IST's extensive European truck network, it offers high flexibility.

Precautions

Document Requirements (Critical):

Romanian EORI Number: The consignee must be registered with the Romanian customs and possess a valid EORI number, which is a prerequisite for all customs clearance operations.
Commercial Invoice & Packing List: Must be detailed, accurate, and comply with European Union customs requirements.
Certificate of Origin: According to the China-European Union trade agreement, providing a certificate of origin can enjoy tariff preferences.
Special Goods Certificate: For mechanical equipment, CE certification may need to be provided; for chemicals, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) etc. need to be provided.

Cost Composition:

Charter flight costs are usually quoted in "hourly rate" or "all-inclusive price", mainly including aircraft rental, fuel, crew, insurance, takeoff and landing fees, and air navigation fees.
Other costs that must be considered: Ground handling fees (loading, unloading, and palletizing) at the origin in China and the destination in Romania, customs clearance and inspection agency fees, possible truck transfer fees, and "door-to-door" service fees.

Reservation Process:

Advance Planning: It is recommended to contact a charter flight agent at least 2-4 weeks in advance to request a quote and make a reservation to ensure aircraft availability and the best price.
Payment Terms: Usually, a high deposit (e.g., 50%) is required to secure the aircraft, and the balance shall be paid in full before the flight is executed.

Reference for Air Freight Rates from China to Romanian Airports

The price of air freight from China to Romanian airports varies depending on factors such as the weight, volume, origin, and mode of transportation of the goods. The following is a reference for the relevant prices:
In addition, when the volumetric weight is greater than the actual weight, the charge will be calculated based on the volumetric weight, with the calculation formula being length (cm) × width (cm) × height (cm) ÷ 6000. Meanwhile, prices may also vary for different origin locations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, etc. Moreover, if the goods are sensitive items, the shipping prices and requirements will also differ, and it is recommended to consult the relevant airlines for specific prices.
Reference Prices for Major Routes
The cheapest option is Turkish Airlines (TK-235) departing from Shenzhen Airport (SZX), with a unit price as low as ¥35.50/KG and an estimated total price of only ¥6,288.50.

Airline	Channel/Flight Number	Destination Airport	Departure Airport	100KG+ Unit Price (¥/KG)	300KG+ Unit Price (¥/KG)	Estimated Total Price (¥)
Turkish Airlines	TK-235	OTP Bucharest	SZX Shenzhen	35.5	34.4	6,288.50
Turkish Airlines	TK-235	OTP Bucharest	CAN Guangzhou	38.84	37.3	6,808.00
US Polar Airlines	PO-403	OTP Bucharest	HKG Hong Kong	43.79	36.93	6,932.50
Serbian Airlines	JU-115	OTP Bucharest	CAN Guangzhou	42	38.84	7,032.00
Air China	CA-999	OTP Bucharest	SZX Shenzhen	50.4	39.34	12,018.50
China Southern Airlines	CZ-784	OTP Bucharest	CAN Guangzhou	57.44	45.96	13,517.50
China Southern Airlines	CZ-784	OTP Bucharest	CAN Guangzhou	62.14	50.86	14,235.90

China Southern Airlines	CZ-784	TSR Timisoara	CAN Guangzhou	57.44	45.96	13,517.50
China Southern Airlines	CZ-784	TSR Timisoara	CAN Guangzhou	62.14	50.86	14,235.90

Key factors influencing the final price

Cargo Type (Extremely Important): General Cargo: lowest price. Special Cargo: additional fees will apply, e.g., Lithium Batteries +¥5 - ¥15/KG, Magnetic Goods: +¥3 - ¥5/KG, Liquids/Powders +¥4 - ¥10/KG, Dangerous Goods (DG): price to be confirmed separately, with a complex process.

Seasonality and Market Demand: Peak Season (e.g., before Q4 Christmas, before Chinese New Year): Prices increase significantly, with the increase ranging from 20% - 50% or even higher, and space is tight. Off-Peak Season (e.g., after Chinese New Year to Q2): Prices are lower, and space is abundant.

Cargo Density: For air freight, the chargeable weight is the greater of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Volumetric weight (KG) = Length (CM) × Width (CM) × Height (CM) / 6000. If the cargo has a large volume but light weight (bulky cargo), it will be charged based on the volumetric weight, resulting in a de facto increase in the unit price.

Best Advice:Before shipment, please ensure that you have prepared accurate information on product name, weight, and volume, obtain quotes from at least 2-3 freight forwarders for comparison, and get the latest all-inclusive price that includes all possible additional charges to make the most cost-effective and reliable choice.

Air freight prices from some Chinese airports to Romania in September 2025

Air freight rates from Shenzhen to Romania are approximately between $2.50 and $4.00 per kilogram.

The air freight price from Hong Kong to Romania is approximately between $2.00 and $4.50 per kilogram.

Air freight prices from Guangzhou to Romania are approximately between $2.00 and $3.90 per kilogram.

The air freight price from Zhengzhou to Romania is approximately between $3.50 and $4.50 per kilogram.

The air freight price from Beijing to Romania is approximately between $2.20 and $3.50 per kilogram.

Air freight prices from Shanghai toRomaniaare approximately between $2.00 and $3.50 per kilogram.

The air freight price from Chongqing to Romania is approximately between $2.00 and $3.50 per kilogram.