Ship container to Europe — Get Instant Quotes
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
- Quote — Enter origin, destination and cargo specs for an instant rate.
- Documents — Upload commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes (ICS2 auto-filed).
- Book & Pay — Confirm sailing and pay securely online.
- Track — Follow vessel, rail and customs milestones in real time.
- Clear — Pay EU duty (most goods 0–5 %) plus national VAT—DIY or via our broker.
- 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
Most goods clear at 0–5 % customs duty plus VAT (17–27 % depending on country); our quote tool estimates both.
Yes—below 15 m³ it typically saves 40–60 % versus FCL.
Not mandatory, but strongly advised—add door-to-door cover at checkout.
Reserve space 6–8 weeks ahead to avoid roll-overs and rate surcharges.