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Why Road Transport on the China–Germany Corridor Can Be a Smart Alternative to Air Freight

Discover Road Transport as an Efficient Alternative or Complement to Air Freight Between China and Germany

In today’s globally connected economy, companies are constantly looking for reliable and cost-efficient ways to transport goods between Asia and Europe. With China being Germany’s second most important trading partner, the transport corridor between China and Germany plays a crucial role in supporting the German economy. While air freight between China and Germany is often perceived as the fastest solution, road transport via Full Truck Load (FTL) presents a compelling alternative.

Flexibility, efficiency, and competitive transit times make road freight a strong and reliable option.

This hellmannPEDIA article offers an expert perspective on transport between China and Germany, focusing exclusively on air and road transport – both for imports from China and exports to China.

Luftfracht

Why Road Transport Is an Attractive Alternative and Complement to Air Freight for China Shipments

Air freight is known for its speed – but road transport offers a compelling combination of surprisingly comparable transit times, significant cost savings, and greater flexibility, especially on continental routes.

The demand for efficient transport solutions as an alternative or complement to costly air freight has driven the development of this overland option. Thanks to the direct continental connection between Europe and Asia, attractive road corridors have emerged – and continue to be further developed and expanded.

Advantages of Road Transport Over Air Freight for Shipments Between China and Germany

Cost Efficiency

Perhaps the most compelling advantage of shipping via FTL road freight compared to air freight is the significant cost savings. A complete truck transport from China to Germany is generally much more cost-effective than the corresponding air shipment. This is primarily due to the lower operating costs associated with road transport. For companies importing large volumes of goods from China or requiring frequent, fast deliveries, the savings can be substantial. For a detailed cost comparison of freight options from China, please refer to our FAQ section below.

Capacity and Flexibility

Road transport by Full Truck Load (FTL) offers the highest level of flexibility in terms of capacity and shipment planning. While air freight is subject to strict limitations on volume and weight, road freight enables the transport of larger and heavier shipments – a major advantage when moving bulky or heavy industrial goods. In comparison, air freight involves significantly more handling and transshipment steps, which lead to multiple handover points and documentation requirements. With direct truck transport, these interfaces are eliminated – reducing complexity and minimizing the risk of delays or errors. In addition, road transport allows for more flexible route planning to various destinations in Europe and provides the ability to quickly adapt to changes in the supply chain or customer requirements. Moreover, FTL truck shipments offer true door-to-door service – eliminating the need for pre- and post-carriage to and from airports.

Environmental Impact

Road transport has a significantly lower CO₂ footprint compared to air freight. In light of growing environmental awareness and increasing regulatory requirements regarding sustainability, this factor is becoming increasingly important for many companies. By choosing more environmentally friendly transport modes for shipments from China to Germany, businesses can actively contribute to reducing environmental impact and achieving their sustainability goals.

Safety and Reliability

Road transport offers a high degree of reliability, especially when it comes to individual loading time windows and well-structured routing. Modern GPS tracking systems and well-coordinated logistics processes allow for precise monitoring and control of cargo over long distances. Transshipment can often be avoided, which reduces the risk of cargo damage. Unlike air freight, frequent handling is not required in road transport – and typical interfaces and transfer points are eliminated altogether. In addition, the risk of delays due to weather conditions or technical issues with aircraft is statistically lower compared to air freight. If necessary, trucks can reroute quickly in case of road closures or adverse weather, providing greater flexibility and resilience in the transport chain.

Political and Economic Stability

The use of road transport routes, particularly via the Middle Corridor, helps to avoid geopolitical risk areas that could compromise supply chain integrity. This aspect is becoming increasingly important in light of rising political tensions in regions traditionally used for air and sea freight. In addition, the deployment of overland routes supports economic cooperation and development along key transport corridors — contributing to regional stability and long-term logistical resilience.

Reduction of Transit Times

While air freight may be faster, road transport – particularly through direct truck connections – offers competitive transit times that are more than sufficient for many types of cargo. Ongoing infrastructure improvements and streamlined border crossing procedures continue to contribute to further reductions in overall transit times. For more information on specific transit durations, please refer to our FAQ section below.
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The Disadvantages of Air Freight from China to Germany

Air freight is often valued for its speed and efficiency over long distances. However, there are certain disadvantages—particularly in the context of transport from China to Germany—that can be effectively offset by alternative road freight solutions.

In many cases, a combined transport strategy can provide a compelling alternative: part of the goods are shipped by air, while others are delivered via road freight. This intermodal approach ensures optimal market supply, combining speed, cost-efficiency, and flexibility in one integrated solution.

1. High Costs

One of the major drawbacks of air freight is its significantly higher cost compared to other transport modes such as sea or road freight. The high delivery costs result from expenses related to aviation fuel, airport handling fees, and strict security measures. For companies transporting large volumes or dealing with price-sensitive goods, air freight costs can seriously reduce profit margins.

2. Limited Capacity and Weight Restrictions

Air freight is subject to strict limitations in terms of weight and volume. Large or heavy cargo often cannot be transported via standard cargo aircraft or only at a very high cost. This limitation poses a challenge for businesses shipping bulky or heavy goods.

3. Restrictions on Certain Products

Air freight is subject to restrictions on specific product categories. These include toxic or corrosive substances (e.g., batteries), magnetic materials (e.g., loudspeakers), gases (e.g., light bulbs), flammable items (e.g., Samsung Galaxy Note 7), biochemical goods (e.g., certain pharmaceuticals), and products considered public health hazards.

4. Environmental Impact

Air transport contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions, making it less attractive for environmentally conscious companies. Although measures such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and carbon offsetting through certified climate protection projects exist, these are still not standard. With growing global awareness of climate change, the high environmental footprint of air freight becomes a critical concern for many businesses.

5. Susceptibility to Weather Conditions and Technical Disruptions

Air freight schedules are highly vulnerable to weather conditions, strikes, or technical issues. Delays and flight cancellations can disrupt supply chains and lead to unexpected costs. Unlike trucking, where a defective tractor unit can be quickly replaced, rerouting an aircraft is considerably more complex and time-consuming.

6. Security and Theft Risks

Despite strict airport security protocols, air freight remains vulnerable to safety and theft risks. The multiple handling points – from pickup by truck, to airport transfer, to final delivery – increase the risk of damage or loss of control over cargo. Transporting high-value or hazardous goods requires additional safety measures, which add complexity and cost. Furthermore, not all trucking service providers are qualified for airport freight handling, leading to the need for specialized carriers – again driving up costs compared to standard road freight.

7. Dependence on Airport Infrastructure

Air freight efficiency heavily depends on available airport infrastructure and handling capacity. Bottlenecks at major logistics hubs – especially during peak demand periods – as well as strikes, can result in significant delays and additional costs.
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Insights into the Logistics Expertise of Hellmann East Europe

With over 35 years of experience in international transportation between Europe and Asia, Hellmann East Europe understands the specific requirements involved in transit operations and destination country logistics. For all related challenges in road transport by Full Truck Load (FTL), our team provides customized solutions – tailored to your needs.

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Customs Clearance Expertise

Hellmann East Europe stands out for its exceptional know-how in customs clearance. Our expertise helps minimize delays and complications that often arise during international transport operations involving customs procedures. As a logistics provider operating in specialized niche markets, we offer specific knowledge and experienced staff for complex and challenging trade lanes.

Why You Should Consider Switching to Road Transport

Choosing the right mode of transport – or a smart combination of transport modes – is a key factor for supply chain success. By integrating road transport solutions into your logistics strategy, you can not only reduce costs, but also increase your efficiency and improve your environmental footprint.

Hellmann East Europe is ready to show you how road transport can meet – and often exceed – your expectations. With comprehensive services and deep market expertise, we are your ideal partner for the next step in logistics optimization.

Why Hellmann East Europe Is the Right Partner for Your Transport Inquiry

Hellmann East Europe is your expert for truck transport, offering innovative solutions and expert consulting for imports and exports between Asia and Europe – especially from China to Germany.

Businesses rely on the full-service expertise of Hellmann East Europe to leverage the advantages of Full Truck Load (FTL) road transport from China to Germany. Road freight is a competitive and attractive alternative – or complement – to air freight and container transport by sea or rail.

We can execute your shipments via the Middle Corridor or the Northern Route – depending on your requirements. Companies looking for reliable, cost-efficient, and sanction-free transport routes can benefit significantly from the road transport solutions offered by Hellmann East Europe.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, the delivery time for standard air freight from China to Germany is approximately 8–11 days. The weight and size of the shipment also influence the transit time. Express shipments can arrive in Germany within as little as 3 days.

The base air freight rate from China to Germany is approximately USD 4.70 per kilogram, which equals USD 4,700 per metric ton, excluding additional charges.

Please note that this rate does not include pre-carriage to the departure airport or final delivery from the arrival airport to the customer’s location. These additional transport and handling costs must be factored in separately.

Shipping costs from China to Germany vary depending on the mode of transport:

  • By truck: approximately EUR 16,000 (USD 17,200) for a full truckload with a payload of around 21.5 tons
  • By air freight: approximately USD 4,700 per ton of chargeable weight
  • By rail freight: approximately EUR 9,000 (USD 9,700) for a 20-ton shipment

For more details on how chargeable weight is calculated, please refer to our explanation below.

Source: 1) This was reported by the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis) on May 17, 2024.

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