Container shipping Hamburg to Barcelona
Are you interested in a way to ship a container from Hamburg to Barcelona (ESBCN)? Sea freight is very practical: it’s perfect for heavy and bulky items, it is great for bulk goods and it is eco-friendly. Transporting a container by sea with ro-ro or semi-finished goods can be outsourced to e.g. Evergreen Marine Corporation. When you are exporting, you can choose from many different sizes and types of shipping containers. Shipping lines offer the choice between a full container just for your freight (FCL) and a shared container (LCL). Via our transport specialists you will receive lots of practical information about international transport Barcelona (ES BCN). We share knowledge and comprehensive information about the different types and ways of sea freight. For this we offer a step-by-step import plan. Send you shipping details and we get you a quote with an attractive price and fast transit time.
- Ocean shipping is a very popular, trouble-free and relatively cheap way to export or import international containers.
- When you compare it with air shipments, there are fewer restrictions and lower emissions.
- Sea freight is suitable for international removals and the transportation of vegetables or cars.
- The Port of Barcelona offers excellent transit options in Spain.
- Popular container types are: standaard 20 ft, 40 ft and 40 HC and Insulated, Dry Van, Flat Rack, Open-Top, Tank, Refrigerated containers.
Main themes
Shipping to Barcelona (ESBCN) from Hamburg (DEHAM)
Ocean freight shipping is a reliable way of large-volume transportation. Your goods are wrapped up in shipping containers. The freight forwarder (intermediary) will book a container. A shipping vessel will be ready for your goods at the departure port Barcelona (ES BCN), and will be shipped over the ocean to the terminal at the POD (port of destination). They can get you services like port-to-door, port-to-port, door-to-door, door-to-port. In the table below we share important information about the arrival port.
| Port of departure | Port of Hamburg (DEHAM) |
| Country of departure | Germany |
| Port of destination | Port of Barcelona |
| Country of destination | Spain |
| Port Code | ESBCN |
| Transport Time | +/- 8 days |
| Shipping prices | $ |
| Local address | World Trade Center Barcelona wharf Barcelona 08039 Spain |
| E-mail address | sau@portdebarcelona.cat |
| Website | sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es |
| Phone number | 34932986000 |
Freight Forwarder Hamburg – port of Barcelona
- Details of your shipment
Enter the port of departure and the port of destination. Choose how you want to transport: Full Container Load (FCL) or partial shipments (LCL). You can choose from a small or large container (20ft, 40ft of 40ft HC).
- Pack you load
To begin, ensure the freight is properly packaged. To transport the cargo in good condition, it is a good idea to use pallets. Don’t forget to label the cargo!
- Customs document
When you transport goods to Barcelona (ESBCN), you must send required export documents (to the national customs): certificates of origin, commercial invoice, packing declaration, packing list, export/import customs declaration. The definition of a Bill of Lading is a document issued by a Carrier to a Shipper, to confirm that the shipment is received in good order and noticing that the cargo is well packed for transport.
- Selecting the best Incoterms
Incoterms are important to define responsibility and liability for shipment of the goods. The agreed Incoterm determines who assumes the risk of, for example, export/import documents, insurances and transport. Widely used incoterms are Free On Board (FOB), Ex Works (EXW), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF).
- Track and Trace shipment
Use cargo tracking to check where your load is right now. You can see in realtime when the load is loaded at the POL (port of origin), arrived at Port of delivery (POD) and when the cargo was transported to the ultimate recipient.
Sea freight from Barcelona (ESBCN) to Hamburg (DEHAM): select your container type
You need to ship a container from port of Barcelona – (ES BCN) to port of Hamburg – (DE HAM)? Make sure you rent a suitable container. They come in different sizes (20 ft, 40 ft) and multiple transport options (LCL shipment or FCL shipping). Some main shipping lines are APL, CMA CGM, Evergreen, FESCO, Hamburg Sud, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, K Line, Maersk, MOL, MSC, NYK, OOCL, ZIM. From the port, many freights are transported to cities such as El Prat de Llobregat, Barcelona, Cornellá, Sant Just Desvern, Viladecáns, Gavá, Badalona, Sant Cugat del Vallès, Castelldefels, Ripollet, La Llagosta, Rubí, Mollet del Vallès, Sabadell, Premiá de Mar, Montornés del Vallés, Martorell, Terrassa, Sitges, Granollers. In the section below you will find extensive information and advice about the most popular types in the maritime industry. We are happy to provide you with more information about Open-Top Container.
Important specifications of the twenty foot container
20. ft. containers (some people call it dry van) are one of the most used container types. They are easy to load, access, and handle, which give you lower handling and shipping costs. Very suitable for the transport of personal items and removals. Good to know: The term “TEU” stands for twenty-foot equivalent unit.
- One of the most rented boxes for the shipment of goods in ocean freight.
- A 20-foot container has a surface area of: 5898 (l) x 2390 (h) x 2350 (w) mm.
- A 20 foot holds 11 pallets in one tier.
- A lot can be loaded in terms of goods weight: +/- 27.600 kg.
Information and benefits of 40ft container
The 40-foot container is identical to the 20-foot container, but once the size. They are very suitable for e.g. industrial goods and retail products. This makes it a popular choice for shipping large volumes of cargo. Finally, there exist a bigger and higher ‘high cube’ deal. It has an exterior height of 9’6” (1 foot taller than normal). Ideal if you have high cargo.
- They are ideal for big shipments.
- The dimensions are standard: 12 x 2,3 x 2,4 m.
- The Forty Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) can hold 20-24 pallets.
- Maximum load is about +/- 28.900 kg.
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Use a Full Container (FCL)
When you want to ship large quantities of goods, then it is usually better to book a full container. The abbreviation FCL stands for Full Container Load. You don’t need to share your container with anyone else. The advantages are great: It allows for a faster transit time, less likely to damage your goods (as the container just contains your goods) and it’s more cost-effective. There are also disadvantages: you need large volume to be viable and the financial risk is much greater. Sending the sea freight from another port? Also see Antwerp to Barcelona (ESBCN) or Rotterdam to Barcelona (ESBCN).
- FCL Means that means that you temporarily own a complete container.
- Load directly from factory or storage.
- If you’re shipping more than 14 m3.
- Available at: e.g. Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, CMA CGM, Maersk, MSC.
When is a LCL container a good choice?
If a large full container is unnecessary, then your cargo will be combined with other cargo. You choose a LCL (Less Than Container Load) contract. The goal of LCL is that you pay per m3 or per metric ton for space inside a complete container. The advantages of this option include: freight costs are typically based on cargo volume, you spend less on inventory space and more flexible during intense shipping season. Remark: once you have more than half a container worth of goods, then FCL is a better choice. LCL cost is calculated by volume and weight.
- The premise of LCL is that you transport your cargo via a partial container.
- A good solution for shipping volumes between 2 m3 & 13,5 m3.
- Cost-effective for freight forwarders with smaller shipment volumes.
- Wide availability in all months of the year.
- Available at: e.g. POL, Yang Ming, HMM, Evergreen, Wan Hai.
Alternative container types
The range of boxes is very diverse for shipping your cargo. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The most common type is the Dry van. Special boxes are also being used for oils, fruit, vegetables, meat, fish or very exclusive stuff. Our expert has laid out a list below. You can also check more information about shipping to Shibushi (JPSBS), port of Dakar (SNDKR), San Antonio Oeste (AROES) harbor and terminal Lagos (PTLOS).
- Bulk Containers: used to ship a broad range of dry cargo like wheat and other grain crops.
- Flat Rack Containers: internationally used when the cargo cannot fit inside a standard box.
- Hard-Top Containers: the walls are generally made of corrugated steel.
- High-Cube Containers: perfect for carrying larger sized cargo and storing bigger items.
- Insulated Containers: maintains the initial temperature and protects the interior from exterior conditions.
- Open-Top Containers: also have end doors, like closed containers, to give flexibility for loading and unloading.
- Palletwide Containers: are non-standard, uncommon containers with varying dimensions.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers can hold cargo above or below freezing point.
- Tank Containers: a cylindrical-shaped container primarily made of stainless steel.
- Ventilated Containers: for cargoes that require ventilation in transit.
Main types of ocean freight: What do you want to ship?
Importing cargo by sea from Hamburg (DEHAM) to Barcelona (ESBCN) has a lot of pluses: low cost, very safe and secure and it’s better for the environment than air freight. The most important ocean cargo imported via sea shipping includes: neo bulk, break bulk, dry bulk, roll on/roll off, containerized. You will find all the information in the box below.
- Car shipping: your vehicle will be shipped safely and insured internationally.
- House Moving: solid help and assistance for relocation.
- Removals (Household Goods): all your household effects shipped inexpensive and insured.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. petroleum, hydrogen, biofuels, gasoline, diesel, kerosene.
- Dry Bulk: iron ore, grain, coal and cement, salt, sugar, rods.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): vessel has facilities to enable road or rail vehicles to roll on and roll off.
- Breakbulk: small containers of freight are unloaded from pallets and packed into the ship’s hold.
- Retail & other: items like toys, medical/pharmacy, art and antiques, electronic goods, sports equipment or furniture, shoes, machines, fashion, food.
FAQ: everything you need to know about international transport
Shipping a container from Hamburg (DE) to Barcelona takes around 8 days. The distance between the two ports is about 1750 nautical miles. 1 NM is about 1.85 km. The total distance is 3241 km. If you ship something by sea, there are 2 important values, ETD and ETA. ETD means the date and time the vessel will leave the dock. ETA is the date and time at which the vessel is expected to arrive at the dock. The precise shipping time depends on vessel speed, weather and type and weight of cargo.
Shipping rates from Hamburg (Germany) to Barcelona (Spain) are relatively cheap. The total cost is subject to various features such as cargo type, season and currency. Contact us for a price proposal and transit times.
When shipping goods to Barcelona, then customs clearance is an important step. The following documents are important: Certificate of Origin, Commercial Invoice, Insurance Certificate, Packing List, Import/export Licenses, Letter of Credit. If you are not sure whether you will be charged extra or not, please contact the customs of Spain or view the website of the port/government (sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es).
The Incoterms decide which party will cover insurance fees for the shipment. Common sea freight incoterms are CIF and FOB. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the exporting party covers transportation and insurance to the port of destination specified by the buyer. Terms of Free on Board (FOB): the seller is responsible for the cargo till the moment that it’s all loaded into the vessel. Optionally one can also select one of the other Incoterms 2000 such as Ex Works (EXW), Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Carriage Paid To (CPT), Free Alongside Ship (FAS) & Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Delivered At Place (DAP), Cost and Freight (CFR).