Sea container freight to Russia
Sea freight is the most economical way to move large volumes. Full containers and groupage from Europe and Asia arrive at Russian ports and are cleared on arrival. LCL via our Rotterdam warehouse starts from €200 per place (€500 per euro pallet), 20–35 days; FCL from €1,800 for a 20′ and €2,600 for a 40′.
When sea freight makes sense
Sea is the right choice when the volume of the order justifies the time in transit. For complete lots we use FCL — a full 20′ or 40′ container. For smaller volumes there is LCL groupage, where your buyer pays only for the space the goods occupy. We work through the Baltic (St Petersburg), the Black Sea (Novorossiysk) and the Far East (Vladivostok, Vostochny).
For European suppliers the key point is our own consolidation warehouse in Rotterdam. We collect your goods anywhere in the EU, receive them against the packing list, and lodge the EX1 on your behalf — €150 when the goods travel with us, from €450 when filed remotely. You receive the MRN and the electronic exit confirmation for zero-rating the VAT on your export sale.
LCL or FCL
LCL groupage
For roughly 1–15 m³. Your goods share a container with other exporters’ cargo, consolidated at our Rotterdam warehouse. From €200 per place or €500 per euro pallet, 20–35 days door to door.
FCL full container
A 20′ or 40′ container for your order alone, on a direct routing. From €1,800 (20′) or €2,600 (40′), 22–32 days.
Main sea routes to Russia
| From | Port of entry | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Rotterdam / Europe | St Petersburg | 20–35 days door to door |
| Turkey / Mediterranean | Novorossiysk | 7–14 days |
| China / Korea / Japan | Vladivostok, Vostochny | 10–30 days |
| China (via Suez) | Novorossiysk / St Petersburg | 35–50 days |
Times are indicative and depend on sailing schedules and port clearance.
Typical sea cargo
- ✓Containerised general cargo
- ✓Machinery and machine tools
- ✓Building materials
- ✓Consumer goods
- ✓Chemicals (with safety data sheets)
- ✓Out-of-gauge cargo
How an LCL shipment via Rotterdam runs
- 1Quote and screening
Send the packing list and HS codes; we check sanctions and quote within 2 hours. - 2Collection
We collect from your premises anywhere in the EU, or you deliver to our Rotterdam warehouse. - 3EX1 and stuffing
We lodge the EX1, check marks and packaging, and stuff and lash the container ourselves. - 4Sailing
Weekly departures from Rotterdam to Russia. - 5Clearance and delivery
Customs clearance on arrival and delivery to your buyer’s warehouse.
Frequently asked questions
How much does sea freight to Russia cost?
LCL via Rotterdam starts from €200 per place or €500 per euro pallet; FCL from €1,800 for a 20′ and €2,600 for a 40′ container. EX1, customs clearance in Russia and insurance (from 0.3% of the invoice value) are separate lines. The minimum service fee is €200.
How long does sea freight from Europe take?
LCL via Rotterdam takes 20–35 days door to door, FCL 22–32 days. If the goods are needed sooner, road freight from Europe takes 3–14 days depending on the country.
Who lodges the EX1 for sea shipments?
We do, on your behalf: €150 when the goods travel with us via our Rotterdam warehouse, from €450 when filed remotely. You receive the MRN and the exit confirmation for your VAT records.
When is LCL better than FCL?
For roughly 1–15 m³ LCL is usually better value, because your buyer pays only for the space used. Above that, or when you want the container to yourself, FCL becomes cheaper per cubic metre.
Which Russian ports do you use?
St Petersburg in the Baltic for European cargo, Novorossiysk on the Black Sea for Turkey and the Mediterranean, and Vladivostok and Vostochny for China, Korea and Japan.
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