Ship cargo from China to Iran by air, sea, or DDP. Get the best shipping option, cost estimate, customs support, and safe delivery for your business.
For China-to-Iran cargo, air freight is usually the fastest option, taking 3–5 business days on direct routes and costing about $5.00–$6.50/kg for general goods. Sea freight is usually better for heavy cargo, bulk orders, and containers, with estimated 2026 rates around $1,050–$1,650 for a 20ft container and typical transit times of 20–45 days, depending on the origin port, Iranian destination port, season, and cargo type.
If you want fewer steps to manage, DDP shipping from China to Iran can include supplier pickup, export formalities, international freight, customs clearance in Iran, and final door-to-door delivery. The final shipping cost depends on weight, CBM, product type, route, urgency, and whether you need customs and delivery handled for you.
Compare China to Iran shipping methods by speed, cost and shipment type. Choose the right option based on your cargo weight, CBM, delivery deadline, customs needs and final Iran address.
Want the best China to Iran shipping cost? Let us find the right shipping option for your cargo.
Get My Shipping CostWhen you want to find a shipping agent in China to ship any type of goods to Iran, it is essential to work with a freight forwarder that has proven experience in shipping from China to Iran.
DDPCHAIN, with more than 7 years of experience in shipping from China to Iran by different methods such as air freight and sea freight, is ready to act as your shipping agent in China.
DDPCHAIN is one of the few shipping companies in China that can offer DDP (Door-to-Door) shipping service to Iran, which means we can handle customs clearance for your shipment from China to Iran and deliver your package to any address in Iran.
In this guide, we explain in detail the shipping methods from China to Iran, cost factors, transit times, Iranian seaports, DDP door-to-door service, and the necessary documents you need for a smooth shipping and customs clearance process.
Get the Free 2026 Guide to Shipping from China to Iran
There are three main ways to ship cargo from China to Iran through DDPCHAIN or any other freight forwarder:
Below we look at each option in more detail.
If you want to ship your package from China to Iran using the fastest shipping method, air freight is the best option.
At DDPCHAIN, we offer daily air freight / air cargo from China to major cities in Iran such as Tehran, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Mashhad, using major airlines that provide service to Iran, including Mahan Air and Iran Air, with competitive prices in the market.
Most of our customers from Iran, during their first contact with our sales team, ask about the air freight cost from China to Iran.
However, air freight cost depends on several factors, including:
For example:
As a reference, below is a sample list of air freight costs from China to Iran in 2025 for a shipment of around 100 kg (general goods).
Approximate prices in USD per kilogram for ~100 kg general cargo
| From / To | Tehran | Mashhad | Isfahan | Shiraz | Tabriz |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | $6.2 | $6.4 | $6.0 | $6.1 | $5.8 |
| Shenzhen | $6.0 | $6.3 | $6.1 | $6.2 | $5.9 |
| Guangzhou | $5.8 | $6.1 | $5.9 | $6.0 | $5.7 |
| Beijing | $6.3 | $6.5 | $6.2 | $6.4 | $6.1 |
| Ningbo | $5.9 | $6.2 | $6.0 | $6.1 | $5.8 |
| Qingdao | $5.7 | $6.0 | $5.8 | $6.0 | $5.6 |
Direct air routes to Iran usually save more than time, they also reduce the risk of extra handling and missed connections.
Transit time for air freight from China to Iran depends on several factors, such as:
Based on our experience:
DDPCHAIN offers air freight services from China to most major cities in Iran, including:
You only need to contact the DDPCHAIN team, and we will help you ship your cargo from any city in China to any city in Iran.
Iran has many international airports, but not all of them can accept shipments directly from China.
Based on our experience, we recommend:
This is the main airport in Iran, located in Tehran, and about 99% of shipments from China use this airport as their entry point.
Sea freight (ocean freight) from China is one of the most attractive and cost-effective shipping services from China to Iran.
If you plan to ship heavy products to Iran and you are looking for the cheapest shipping method, then sea freight or ocean freight is usually the best option.
However, due to sanctions, sea shipping for FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (Less than Container Load) is not as easy as before, and you must work with a professional shipping agent in China to manage this process.
In this section, we explain:
If you plan to ship any products from China to Iran by sea, cost is one of the main factors that can influence your decision.
As a professional trader in Iran, understanding the details of sea freight costs helps you choose the best solution for your shipments.
The main factors affecting sea freight cost from China to Iran include:
Type of container
The freight rate depends on whether you use a 20ft (20 GP) or 40ft high-cube (40 HQ) container.
Before starting the shipping process, you should decide which container size you need.
Type of products
The cost for general cargo is different from products that:
Contain battery or magnet
Require special conditions such as temperature control
Destination seaport in Iran
Both price and transit time vary depending on the Iranian port.
For example, the price from Shanghai Port in China to Bandar Abbas is different from Shanghai to Bushehr.
We recommend checking our rates to different Iranian seaports before booking.
Based on these factors, here is an estimated sea freight cost from China to Iran in 2026 (for general goods only):
| Origin Port | Destination Port | 20 GP (USD) | 40 HQ (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | BND | 1,050 | 1,450 |
| Ningbo | BND | 1,050 | 1,400 |
| Qingdao | BND | 1,100 | 1,450 |
| Guangzhou (Nansha) | BND | 1,050 | 1,500 |
| Tianjin | BND | 1,400 | 1,650 |
| Xiamen | BND | 1,150 | 1,750 |
| Origin Port | Destination Port | 20 GP (USD) | 40 HQ (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | BOOSHEHR | 1,155 | 1,595 |
| Ningbo | BOOSHEHR | 1,155 | 1,540 |
| Qingdao | BOOSHEHR | 1,210 | 1,595 |
| Guangzhou (Nansha) | BOOSHEHR | 1,155 | 1,650 |
| Tianjin | BOOSHEHR | 1,540 | 1,815 |
| Xiamen | BOOSHEHR | 1,265 | 1,925 |
These prices are estimated, depend on the size and type of container, and are valid only for general goods, not for special products.
In sea freight to Iran, delays often happen after arrival, not only during the voyage, which is why port choice and document readiness matter so much.
Sea cargo shipping from China to Iran is significantly slower than air freight.
Based on DDPCHAIN’s experience:
Note: These transit times apply to containers booked by IRISL with direct service, not for switch BL containers that move via third countries like the UAE.
Iran has several important seaports in the south, and selecting the best one depends on your business strategy and logistics plan.
Below is a list of the main southern Iranian seaports that you can choose as destination ports for containers from China:
Bandar Abbas Port (Shahid Rajaee Port) – بندرعباس / بندر شهید رجایی
Location: Southern Iran, north of the Strait of Hormuz
Province: Hormozgan Province
Main cargo types:
Container cargo (largest container port in Iran)
General cargo
Bulk cargo (dry & liquid)
Automobiles (Ro-Ro)
Chabahar Port – بندر چابهار
Location: Gulf of Oman, near the Indian Ocean
Province: Sistan and Baluchestan Province
Main cargo types:
Bulk cargo
Transit cargo for Afghanistan & CIS countries
Project cargo
Container cargo (growing capacity)
Bushehr Port – بندر بوشهر
Location: Coast of the Persian Gulf
Province: Bushehr Province
Main cargo types:
General cargo
Refrigerated goods (reefers)
Food products
Some container cargo
Import of household goods & commercial items
Bandar Imam Khomeini Port (BIK) – بندر امام خمینی
Location: Northwest of the Persian Gulf, near the Khorramshahr–Mahshahr region
Province: Khuzestan Province
Main cargo types:
Bulk cargo (especially grain, minerals, raw materials)
Petrochemical cargo
Containers (limited)
Heavy & industrial cargo
Once you know the main seaports, you still need to consider several practical factors before choosing the final destination.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing an Iranian Seaport
FCL vs. LCL
Some seaports in Iran have limitations in accepting LCL shipments.
Before choosing your final destination seaport, make sure to check if LCL is possible if you are not using a full container.
Customs Clearance Challenges
Once your shipment arrives at any Iranian seaport, it must go through the customs clearance process.
Based on our experience, this process may be easier in some customs offices and ports than in others.
It is recommended to get advice from a customs broker in Iran before shipping any container from China.
Extra Costs at Destination Port
Regardless of whether you use LCL or FCL, when your shipment arrives at an Iranian seaport you will need to pay some extra local costs at Iranian customs, such as:
| Type of Cost | شرح فارسی هزینه |
|---|---|
| DO Issue (Document Release + Storage & Data Upload Fee) | صدور ترخیصیه و قبض انبار و بارگذاری اطلاعات |
| Strip (Container Stripping / De-stuffing) | استریپ و جابجایی کانتینر مشترک یا غیر |
| Handling (Cargo Handling Fee) | هزینه هندلینگ |
| Split (Bill Split Fee) | هزینه تفکیکی |
| THC (Terminal Handling Charge) | هزینه تی اچ سی طبق تعرفه سازمان بنادر |
| LO/LO Charge (Lift On / Lift Off) | هزینه تخلیه و بارگیری کانتینر |
| THC Wage (THC Labor Cost) | خدمات کارگزاری تی اچ سی |
For this reason, it is better to check these destination costs with the DDPCHAIN team in China as your shipping agent before you finalize the destination port.
Many importers choose DDP for Iran not just for convenience, but because one managed process can reduce mistakes in documents, customs, and final delivery.
If you are looking for the easiest shipping solution from China to Iran, DDP shipping (Delivered Duty Paid) is the ideal choice.
Many importers in Iran prefer that a single logistics partner handles everything, from pickup at the factory in China to final delivery to their address in Iran. This is exactly what DDPCHAIN offers with its DDP Door to Door service.
What Is DDP Shipping?
DDP shipping is a service in which the shipping company handles the entire process from A to Z, including:
In DDP shipping, it doesn’t matter whether the shipping method is air or sea DDPCHAIN manages all parts of the process, so you don’t need to worry about the biggest concerns in shipping from China to Iran.
One of the main challenges in the shipping process is the preparation of documents.
If you plan to ship any container from China to Iran, you must first prepare all required documents and provide them to DDPCHAIN and to your customs broker.
If you are not sure which documents you need, the following list will help.
| Document Name (EN) | Persian Name (FA) | Who Must Provide |
|---|---|---|
| COMMERCIAL ID | کارت بازرگانی | Importer (YOU) |
| DELIVERY ORDER | ترخیصیه | Shipping Line / Carrier |
| WAREHOUSE RECEIPT | قبض انبار | Customs |
| BILL OF LADING | بارنامه | Shipping Line / Carrier |
| PACKING LIST | لیست بستهبندی | Seller |
| PROFORMA INVOICE | پیشفاکتور | Seller |
| CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN | گواهی مبدا | Seller |
| STANDARD CERTIFICATE | گواهی استاندارد | Importer (YOU) |
If you do not have these documents ready, your shipping process or even the customs clearance process may face significant delays or even more serious problems. Therefore, it is always better to arrange all documents before starting the shipping process from China.
To summarize:
You have several options for shipping from China to Iran:
Air freight – fastest solution
Sea freight – most economical for heavy cargo
DDP Door to Door – easiest and most convenient service
DDPCHAIN, with more than 7 years of experience, can:
Arrange daily air freight from China to major Iranian cities
Handle sea freight containers to key Iranian seaports such as Bandar Abbas and Bushehr
Provide complete DDP shipping and manage everything from pickup in China to delivery in Iran
Assist you with cost estimation, port selection, and document preparation
If you are planning to ship any type of goods from China to Iran and want a reliable shipping agent in China, DDPCHAIN is ready to support you at every step of the process.
Only during business.
Air freight is the fastest method, usually taking 3–5 business days with direct airlines.
Transit time for sea freight is usually 20–25 days, and in peak seasons up to 35–45 days.
Essential documents include Commercial ID, Bill of Lading, Packing List, Invoice, Certificate of Origin, and Delivery Order.
DDP shipping means Door-to-Door service where DDPCHAIN handles pickup, documents, customs clearance, and final delivery.
Air freight cost depends on weight, product type, brand status, and departure city—rates usually start from around USD 5.7–6.5 per kg.
Major cities include Tehran, Mashhad, Shiraz, Isfahan, and Tabriz.
Sea freight is the most cost-effective option, especially for heavy shipments or full containers (FCL).
Bandar Abbas (Shahid Rajaee Port) is the main and fastest port for most China-to-Iran shipments.
Common extra fees include DO Issue, THC, Handling, LO/LO, Stripping, and warehouse charges.
Yes. In DDP shipping, DDPCHAIN completes the entire customs clearance process on your behalf.
One of the best shipping companies for freight from China to Iran is DDPCHAIN, offering air freight, sea freight and full DDP Door to Door services. With over seven years of experience shipping to cities like Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan and Shiraz, DDPCHAIN manages pickup, customs clearance and delivery, making the entire China-to-Iran logistics process smooth and reliable for importers.
You can track a shipment from China to Iran online using the tracking number provided by your freight forwarder or courier. With services like DDPCHAIN, tracking updates are available throughout air freight, sea freight or DDP shipping, allowing you to monitor the shipment’s status from pickup in China to arrival in Iran.
You can book a container shipment from China to Iran by sending your cargo details (volume, weight, product type and origin port) to a freight forwarder like DDPCHAIN. They arrange the space with carriers, prepare documents, handle export steps and ship your FCL or LCL container to ports like Bandar Abbas or Bushehr.
