Common Challenges When You Ship a 40HQ from Shenzhen(China) to Hamburg(Germany)—and How to Avoid Them

The Issue:

Such ports as Yantian and Shekou in Shenzhen and HHLA or Eurogate terminals in Hamburg are often congested, particularly at:

• Peak season (pre-Christmas and post-Chinese New Year)
• International supply chain failure (e.g., blockage of the Suez Canal)
• Strikes of labor or unfavorable weather (South China typhoon storms, European winter storms)

Delays occur as vessels become congested, causing rolled bookings and increased dwell times.

How to Avoid It:

• Book in advance: Reserve space on the vessel 2 to 3 weeks in advance, especially during high-volume periods.
• Adopt flexible routing: Consider using Guangzhou port or rail freight as alternatives.
• Collaboration with agile forwarders: Select logistics partners who have visibility at their port and contingency planning experience.

The Issue:

Freight quotes do not usually include origin/destination charges like:

• Terminal handling charges (THC)
• Export declaration & documentation charges
• Port security & cleaning of containers charges
• Hamburg harbour customs clearance fees

These may significantly increase your overall logistics costs.

How to Avoid It:

• Request inclusive DAP/DDP quotes to avoid unexpected pricing.
• Know every cost in and out, and request a dollar-per-line cost breakdown.
• Select consolidators or forwarders who package services and provide complete costs.

The Issue:

Germany's original customs inspections and EU products are strict. Issues include:

• Wrong or inaccurate codes according to the Harmonized System (HS)
• Lack of CE certification of electronics or machines
• Nonspecific country of origin declaration

Container hold, demurrage, and even a fine could occur as a result of delay.

How to Avoid It:

• Team up with a domestic German customs broker.
• Verify such documents as the EORI number or verify HS codes.
• Make sure that every single product is EU import compliant (e.g., REACH, CE marking, safety certifications).

The Issue:

The 40HQ is used to carry large volumes of lightweight cargo due to its increased cubic capacity (76.4 CBM vs. 67.6 CBM of the standard 40FT). Nevertheless, empty 40HQ units may not be as easily accessible in Shenzhen due to global imbalances or peak demand.

How to Avoid It:

• Book containers weeks in advance, particularly when your cargo requires a 40HQ.
• Consider cases where the cargo is older, where some of the cargo will fit inside two 20FT containers, or a combination of FCL and LCL.
• Use contract carriers or freight agents that have contracts and first-choice containers.

The Issue:

Incorrect loading of containers results in damaged cargo and unnecessary wasted space, leading to overweight fines. The increase in the possibility of damage is because of:

• Transporting in motion
• Improper bracing
• Humidity and changes in temperature

How to Avoid It:

• Cargo layout optimization is done through the use of load planners or container loading calculators.
• Use wooden pallets, wooden pallets that are ISPM-15 compliant, desiccants, and bracing.
• Order the on-site container loading inspection or employ professionals for packing.

The Issue:

To deal with capacity, shipping lines regularly cancel scheduled sailings (blank sailings). It can roll your booking to the following ship, creating a 7-14 day delay.

How to Avoid It:

• Select carriers having more than one weekly sailing to Hamburg.
• Contract with forwarders who can provide either space protection or slot guarantees.
• Request that it be routed with transshipment buffer alternatives (e.g., through Singapore or Rotterdam).

The Issue:

It usually takes 38-45 days of transit between Shenzhen and Hamburg on direct sailings, and the same may change because of:

• Trans-shipment-hub delays
• Customs delay in containers

The supply chain schedules can vary as the estimated date of arrival shifts severely.

How to Avoid It:

• Use carriers that have a time-tracking system and updated ETAs.
• Bulk stock and do not import on a time basis in this direction.
• Request carrier history of reliability: not all lines maintain schedules as well as others.

The Issue:

Failure to pick up containers or retake containers may lead to the imposition of a daily charge:

• Demurrage: A fee assessed by the port to containers that have not been picked up within free time.
• Detention: Fined by the carrier on late returns of empty containers.
• Depot / terminal storage charges.

These fees can range from thousands to hundreds of euros.

How to Avoid It:

• Monitor the arrival of the track container in real-time and organize a timely pickup.
• Be updated on the free time terms (usually 3-5 days) on both demurrage and detention.
• Collaborate with a forwarder that provides pre-clearing and last-mile trucking services.