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Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to Europe?


  • Access the continent’s four mega-hubs. Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, and Valencia together handled well over 30 million TEU in 2024, led by Rotterdam’s first volume increase in three years and Antwerp-Bruges’ 8 % surge. (portofrotterdam.com, linkedin.com)
  • One dashboard, every gateway. Instant FCL and LCL pricing to 80-plus European seaports plus free-zone feeders (e.g., Las Palmas, Gioia Tauro) with 24/7 tracking and multilingual support.
  • Paperwork done right. We pre-file the EU’s ICS2 Entry Summary Declaration and flag national VAT rates (19 % DE, 20 % FR, 21 % ES, etc.), so clearance is seamless. (taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu)
  • Speed when it matters. Upgrade to air freight via Frankfurt (FRA), Amsterdam (AMS) or Liège (LGG); FRA alone moves >2 million t of cargo each year.

Our Container Shipping Services to Europe


Full Container Load (FCL)


High-volume shippers land sealed 20', 40', 40'HC (and reefers) into North-Europe gateways—Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Felixstowe/London Gateway—or into the Med hubs of Valencia, Barcelona and Algeciras. Ideal for machinery, auto parts, chemicals and retail replenishment.


Less-than-Container Load (LCL)


SMEs and e-commerce brands move < 15 m³ on weekly LCL consolidations that devan in bonded depots at Rotterdam, Hamburg, Valencia and Le Havre—typically 40–60 % cheaper than paying for unused FCL space.


Popular mode: FCL dominates heavy industry & automotive; LCL is booming for Amazon-EU and Shopify sellers.

Major ports / airports served: Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Valencia, Barcelona, Felixstowe/London Gateway; urgent air via FRA, AMS, CDG, LGG.

Typical cargo: Machinery, vehicles & parts, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, wine & spirits.

Transit-time snapshots:
Shanghai → Rotterdam: ≈ 51–66 days FCL range
New York → Rotterdam: ≈ 30–43 days FCL range.
Regional challenge: New ICS2 security filings now mandatory pre-loading—submit data 24 h before departure to avoid roll-overs. (taxation-customs.ec.europa.eu)
Alternative option: Air freight trims door-to-door to 3–7 days for pharma, fashion launches and AOG spares.

Container shipping rates to Europe

How much does it cost to ship a container to Europe?

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Container to Europe?


  • East Asia → North-Europe: ~50–65 days ocean (direct & slow-steam loops).
  • U.S. East Coast → North-Europe: ~10–15 days ocean.
  • Mediterranean short-sea feeders: 1–5 days between EU hubs.
    Air freight door-to-door: 3–7 days via FRA / AMS / CDG.

Popular Routes and Ports for Shipping to Europe


  • Asia–North Europe loops (e.g., AE5/AE6) call Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges and Hamburg weekly.
  • Trans-Atlantic services link New York, Savannah and Charleston to Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges and Felixstowe.
  • Inland barge & rail corridors move boxes from North-Sea hubs to the Rhine-Ruhr, Paris Basin and Alpine region in ≤ 48 h; Med ports feed Iberia and North Africa.

Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers


  1. Quote — Enter origin, destination and cargo specs for an instant rate.
  2. Documents — Upload commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes (ICS2 auto-filed).
  3. Book & Pay — Confirm sailing and pay securely online.
  4. Track — Follow vessel, rail and customs milestones in real time.
  5. Clear — Pay EU duty (most goods 0–5 %) plus national VAT—DIY or via our broker.
  6. Deliver — Arrange last-mile truck, rail or barge to warehouse, FTZ or Amazon EU fulfilment center.

What Can You Ship in a Container to Europe?


Common commodities


  • Machinery
  • Vehicles & parts
  • Electronics
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Wine & spirits
  • Apparel

Restricted / Prohibited
Counterfeit brands, sanctioned dual-use items, hazardous waste without Basel permits.

FAQs About Shipping Containers to Europe

How are EU duty & VAT calculated?

Most goods clear at 0–5 % customs duty plus VAT (17–27 % depending on country); our quote tool estimates both.

Is LCL cost-effective for small loads?

Yes—below 15 m³ it typically saves 40–60 % versus FCL.

Do I need cargo insurance?

Not mandatory, but strongly advised—add door-to-door cover at checkout.

How early should I book before the November–December peak?

Reserve space 6–8 weeks ahead to avoid roll-overs and rate surcharges.

Ready to connect your supply chain to Europe?

Get your instant iContainers quote now and lock in space.

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iContainers is a digital freight forwarder based in Barcelona that assists thousands of companies and families around the globe in moving their merchandise internationally.


Our online freight quoting platform has the latest technology in the sector and simplifies ocean freight, quoting and managing your bookings from the same user area.


We work side by side with Shipa Freight to fully cover the demands of our customers.

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