Home Shipping from China to Malta LCL sea freight from China to Malta (Valletta) — 2026 reference rates

LCL sea freight from China to Malta (Valletta) — 2026 reference rates

Malta is the smallest EU market we serve and one of the cheapest to reach: the Guangzhou lane lands at just USD 20 per CBM, direct, in 23 days. Valletta is the main port, though most Maltese consolidations are discharged at the Malta Freeport at Marsaxlokk.

The table shows two clear pairs — a cheap direct option from Guangzhou or Zhongshan, and a more expensive Valletta routing from Shantou or Zhongshan that tranships at Malta itself. The gap between them is instructive.

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 Malta

Guangzhou to Malta — USD 20 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; direct consolidation; carrier COSCO; cut-off/ETD Closed Tue / ETD Mon; transit time about 23 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Zhongshan to Malta — USD 48 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; direct consolidation; carrier COSCO; cut-off/ETD Closed Tue / ETD Mon; transit time about 23 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 500 kg.
Shantou to Valletta — USD 70 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Malta; carrier COSCO; cut-off/ETD Closed Tue / ETD Mon; transit time about 25 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 1000 kg.
Zhongshan to Valletta — USD 100 per CBM, volume range 0~15 CBM; minimum 1 CBM; transhipment via Malta; carrier COSCO; cut-off/ETD Closed Tue / ETD Mon; transit time about 25 days; chargeable ratio 1 CBM = 500 kg.

Guangzhou direct is the obvious choice. USD 20 per CBM on a 1 CBM = 1,000 kg conversion, direct in 23 days. It is the cheapest Malta rate by a wide margin and one of the lowest per-CBM rates in this entire batch of pages.

Zhongshan uses 1:500. Its direct rate is USD 48 per CBM against Guangzhou's USD 20, and its Valletta rate is USD 100. The 1:500 conversion is favourable for dense cargo but does not close a 140 per cent price gap.

ENS applies. A USD 25 ENS filing per bill of lading is charged on all Malta services under EU pre-arrival security rules.

Malta or Valletta?

In practice cargo lands at the Malta Freeport in Marsaxlokk and either clears there or is trucked the short distance to Valletta. Both names appear in carrier tariffs as the destination port, but the discharge facility is normally the Freeport. Ask your consignee which one their broker clears at, and make sure the bill of lading matches.

Why the two Zhongshan rates differ so much

Zhongshan to Malta direct is USD 48 per CBM; Zhongshan to Valletta via Malta is USD 100. The difference is the additional feeder leg and the fact that the Valletta service is effectively a second consignment after the transhipment. Where a direct option exists, taking it is generally both cheaper and simpler.

FAQ — LCL shipping from China to Malta