China is Cambodia’s largest trading partner and largest source of foreign investment.

When shipping from China to Cambodia, sea freight and air freight are popular. Each mode has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on various factors such as the size and weight of the shipment, delivery time, and cost.

China-Cambodia Free Trade Agreement

The bilateral free trade agreement signed between China and Cambodia came into effect on January 1, 2022. This is the first bilateral free trade agreement signed by Cambodia.

As for Cambodia, 90% of all tariff items are subject to zero tariffs, providing extensive tariff reductions for Chinese exports to Cambodia.

Contact CFC to issue your own Certificate of Origin to benefit from the FTA.

Sea Freight from China to Cambodia

Sea freight to Cambodia is the most cost-effective mode of shipping. It is suitable for bulk shipping and is divided into two categories: LCL (Less than Container Load) and FCL (Full Container Load).

LCL sea freight is a shipping method for smaller shipments that do not fill an entire container. It is shipped along with other parcels or pallets. However, LCL shipping has some disadvantages. These include longer transit times, higher costs per unit, and a higher chance of damage due to the need for consolidation and deconsolidation of goods at the origin and destination ports.

FCL sea freight is cost-effective, has a faster transit time, and a lower potential for damage compared to LCL (Less than Container Load) shipping. With FCL, your goods fill an entire container, either 20’ or 40’ long. Shipping FCL saves time and money if you are shipping at a high volume. Yet FCL pricing is a flat rate, regardless of whether your container is completely full.

Top Container Ports in Cambodia

Sihanoukville is the only deep-water seaport in Cambodia, with two berths, 240 meters and 160 meters long respectively, and a front water depth of 9 meters. The port’s shipping routes can reach the United States, the European Union, China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries and regions (mostly transiting through Singapore).

Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway, as the first expressway in Cambodia, connects Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and Sihanoukville, the largest deep-water seaport, with a total length of 187.05 kilometers.

Cambodia’s inland water system mainly includes the Mekong River, Tonle Sap River and Bassac River, with a total length of about 1,750 kilometers in the rainy season and reduced to 580 kilometers in the dry season. There are seven major river ports in the country, including Phnom Penh Port, Kampong Cham Port, Kratie Port, Stung Treng Port, Nara Port, Kampong Chhnang Port and Chong Nei Port.

Sea Freight Cost from China to Cambodia

Shipping costs from China are influenced by various factors, including the mode of transportation, shipment size and weight, port of arrival, handling requirements, fuel costs, and market demand. By considering these factors, we can make informed decisions to manage and optimize shipping costs.

For example, the port-to-port container rate from Shanghai China to Sihanoukville Cambodia is $500 for 1x20ft container, $900 for 1x40ft container.

Sea Freight Transit Time from China to Cambodia

Transit time is impacted by the shipment’s specific location, size, and seasonal factors. The shipping carrier and service you choose can significantly impact transit time.

Normally ocean transit takes 6-10 days.

Air Freight from China to Cambodia

Due to the Cambodian government’s implementation of an open aviation policy, the number of airlines opening routes to Cambodia has steadily increased in recent years, with about 50 domestic and foreign airlines operating in Cambodia.

There are 92 round-trip flights between China and Cambodia every week:

• Air China, 4 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Beijing.
• China Southern Airlines, 21 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Guangzhou, 3 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Shenzhen.
• China Eastern Airlines, 7 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Shanghai, 7 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Kunming, 3 flights per week between Siem Reap and Kunming.
• Xiamen Airlines, 7 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Xiamen.
• Shenzhen Airlines, 7 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Shenzhen.
• Spring Airlines, 3 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Shanghai, 2 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Shenzhen.
• Cambodia Airlines, 2 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Beijing, 4 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Shenzhen.
• Cambodia National Airlines, 14 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Guangzhou, 3 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Zhengzhou, 2 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Haikou, 3 flights per week between Phnom Penh and Shanghai.

Top Airports in Cambodia

Cambodia has three international airports: Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.

Air Freight Cost from China to Cambodia

Air freight is generally more expensive than sea freight, but it is faster. Fuel costs for air freight are also higher than those for sea freight. Air rate calculated per kilogram. In some cases, the chargeable weight is determined by the volumetric weight instead of the actual weight.

An exact quote is based on the shipment details, including the quantity, weight, and dimensions of the goods.

Air Freight Transit Time from China to Cambodia

Air freight transportation from China to Cambodia usually takes around 1-3 days, depending on the airline, flight availability, and customs procedures.

Working with CFC

Due to our attractive pricing & dedication, many customers trust our services and we appreciated. Stop to overpay the services and save money with our tailored supply chain solutions will all type of shipment, from small volume to full container, let us find the best and cost-effective option for your shipments from China to Cambodia.

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