Container shipping Rotterdam to Barcelona
You want to ship a container from Rotterdam to Barcelona (ESBCN)? Sea freight has many advantages: you can ship heavy cargo for a good price, it is efficient and it is trustworthy. Transporting containers with freight like roll on/roll off or personal goods can be facilitated by shippinglines like Wan Hai Lines. When you are exporting, you can choose from various types of containers. A big difference is being made between (FCL) full containers and partial shipments (LCL). Via containershippingservice.com we offer practical information regarding international transport Barcelona (ES BCN). We share knowledge and useful information about how to choose a suitable container for your freight. On this website you can read a step-by-step import plan. Mail us with your needs and we will prepare a quote with market prices.
- Ocean shipping is a fast, staunch and relatively cheap way to ship your goods to anywhere in the world.
- When we compare it to air transport, it has a better carbon footprint and it is cheaper.
- Sea freight is perfect for worldwide relocations and exporting breakbulk or vehicles.
- The Port of Barcelona is one of the biggest ports of Spain.
- Commonly container types are: 20 foot, 40 foot and Insulated, Hard-Top, Flat Rack, Ventilated, Open-Top, Tank containers.
Table of contents
Shipping to Barcelona (ESBCN) from Rotterdam (NLRTM)
Ocean freight shipping is one of the most economical forms of transporting goods internationally. Your products are stored in shipping containers. The freight forwarder (intermediary) will reserve a container for you. A shipping vessel will be ready for your goods at the port of origin (POO) Barcelona (ES BCN), and will be shipped overseas to the addressee at the port of destination. They provide you options like door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, door-to-port. In the schedule below we offer useful information about the port of discharge.
| Port of departure | Port of Rotterdam (NLRTM) |
| Country of departure | Netherlands |
| Port of destination | Port of Barcelona |
| Country of destination | Spain |
| Port Code | ESBCN |
| Transport Time | +/- 7 days |
| Shipping prices | $ |
| Office 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 Rotterdam – port of Barcelona
- Enter freight details
Enter the port of origin and the arrival port. Decide if you will ship a complete full container (FCL) or a partial filled container (LCL). Also select container size (twenty foot, forty foot or a high cube).
- Cargo preparations
To start with, ensure the cargo is packed appropriately for carriage. To transport the cargo in good condition, make sure everything is securely placed on pallets. You must also put a label on the freight.
- Customs document
When you transport goods to Barcelona (ESBCN), you must send various export documents (to the national customs): certificates of origin, packing list, packing declaration, commercial invoice, bill of lading. A Bill of Lading is a document released by a shipping agency or carrier to the shipper to acknowledge that they have received the goods and that the load is prepared for shipping.
- Find your incoterms
Incoterms are the terms used in international shipping to define responsibility and liability for shipment of the goods. The chosen Incoterm decides who takes care of, among other things, transport, insurance and duty related matters. For freight by sea, these are the most popular terms: Free On Board (FOB), Cost, Insurance Freight (CIF), Delivery Duty Paid (DDP).
- Online Container & Freight Tracking System
Use container track and trace to check where your shipment is right now. You will get a notification when the shipping is departed from POL (Port of loading), has been transferred to the POD (port of destination) and when the cargo was transported to the ultimate recipient.
Sea freight from Barcelona (ESBCN) to Rotterdam (NLRTM): select the container that suits the freight
You are going to ship a container from port of Barcelona – (ES BCN) to port of Rotterdam – (NL RTM)? It is crucial to ask an appropriate container. There are different sizes (20ft & 40ft) and different container agreements (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. Below we help you choose the right type and provide info about the most commonly seen options for sea freight. You can also click through to our page about 20-foot Container.
Details of a twenty foot container
20 FT containers (some people call it dry van) is the most popular container size. They are easy to stack, which give you lower handling and shipping costs. Widely used for transporting personal effects or international removals. Pro tip: TEU is equal to 1 20 Foot container.
- This box is widely used for the transportation of cargo via ocean shipments.
- A 20-foot container has a surface area of: 5,9 x 2,4 x 2,4 meter.
- It can hold between 9 and 11 pallets.
- In terms of weight load, the following applies: +/- 27.000 kg.
Advantages of a forty foot container
The 40 foot container is the big brother of the 20 foot model. They can carry far more cargo at once. This makes it an excellent choice for transporting large loads by sea. Moreover, people can also opt for the 40 foot container ‘high cube’ deal. You have more height at your disposal. This way cargo can be stacked high.
- Very popular with large and bulky goods.
- The dimensions are standard: L 12.19m x W 2.44m x H 2.59m.
- It allows the transport of up to 28 pallets.
- In terms of weight fits maximum: +/- 28.900 kg.
Ocean Freight Volume Calculator: get shipping rates
Get instant prices from several major shipping lines worldwide
Use a Full Container (FCL)
When you want to ship large quantities of goods, then renting a full container is the most interesting. Within the logistics sector this is called FCL (Full Container Load). You don’t need to share it with other merchandise. It is a popular transport method: optimal transit time, less risk of damage during the logistics process and and it costs less at the bottom of the line. Pay attention to the disadvantages: you need large volume to be viable and it is hard to book during peak season. Departing from another port? Also check out Antwerp to Barcelona (ESBCN) or Hamburg to Barcelona (ESBCN).
- The concept of FCL is that you have the entire container space to yourself.
- Ideal for cargo with tight delivery schedules.
- If you’re shipping more than 14 m3.
- Available at: e.g. COSCO, MSC, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM.
Details about Less than container (LCL)
If you want to transport a small cargo by sea, aks our freight forwarders to possibilities for a shared container. Transport specialists call this Less Than Container Load (LCL). LCL means that you pay per m3 or per metric ton for space inside a complete container. There are multiple advantages: freight costs are typically based on cargo volume, the handling and insurance costs are limited and more flexible during intense shipping season. Pay attention: once you have more than half a container worth of goods, then FCL is probably a more favorable choice. The shipping costs are calculated on the basis of volume, usually in cubic meters (CBM).
- The concept of LCL is that you transport your cargo via a partial container.
- For low-volume shipments of between 4 m3 and 16,5 m3.
- You only pay for the space you are using.
- There is always sufficient availability (every season).
- Available at: e.g. Wan Hai, ZIM, POL, Evergreen, HMM.
Other special types of containers
You can choose from many types of boxes for the shipment of your goods. There is a suitable solution for every type of cargo. The Dry van is the variant that most people will recognize. There are specially developed transport options for liquid bulk, onions, potatoes, vegetables or very exclusive stuff. You can read all about it in the section below. We also provide more information about sea transportation to Copenhagen (DKCPH), port of Colombo (LKCMB), Iwakuni (JPIWK) harbor and terminal Hamina (FIHMN).
- Bulk Containers: very suitable for dry bulk goods such as wheat and other grain crops.
- Flat Rack Containers: it is flat and cargo can be loaded either from the sides or from the top.
- Hard-Top Containers: with a hard steel roof that can be used or removed.
- High-Cube Containers: ideal for secure storage, particularly of valuable equipment or machinery.
- Insulated Containers: for shipping of products that need to be maintained at specific temperatures.
- Open-Top Containers: are able to accommodate much larger objects.
- Palletwide Containers: more popular and common in the European continent.
- Refrigerated Containers: reefers are ideal for the food and beverage industries.
- Tank Containers: if you want to transport a large quantity of liquid as bulk cargo.
- Ventilated Containers: specially for cargoes which have to be ventilated in transit.
Kind of load: what kind of stuff are you going to ship?
Importing cargo by sea from Rotterdam (NLRTM) to Barcelona (ESBCN) has lots of advantages: low rates, it is great for transporting bulky goods and eco-friendly. Popular types of ocean cargo that are transported by sea are: dry bulk, roll on/roll off, break bulk, containerized, liquid bulk. Below you can read more information about it.
- Car shipping: it saves money and time to to have your vehicle shipped.
- House Moving: fast and cheap way for international relocations.
- Removals (Household Goods): all your household effects shipped inexpensive and insured.
- Liquid Bulk: e.g. gasoline, diesel, hydrogen, chemicals, petroleum, biofuels.
- Dry Bulk: iron ore, coal, grain but also rods, lumber, salt, sand.
- Roll on Roll off (RORO): a combination of road and sea transport for wheeled cargo.
- Breakbulk: refers to goods that are stowed on board ship in individually counted units.
- Retail & other: items like medical/pharmacy, electronic goods, sports equipment, toys, art and antiques or drinks, fashion, shoes, food, machines.
FAQ: everything you need to know about international transport
Shipping a container from Rotterdam (NL) to Barcelona takes approximately 7 days. The total distance is approximately 1700 nautical miles (nmi). This is roughly equivalent to 3148 km. If you make a sea shipment, there are 2 important values, ETD and ETA. ETD means the Estimated Time Of Departure. ETA It is the date and time that the vessel has been scheduled to arrive into port. The exact shipping time has several factors: condition of the hull and the propeller, sea weather condition and berth availability.
Shipping rates from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to Barcelona (Spain) are relatively cheap. The actual costs are determined by various components as cargo volume and weight, the total distance to the delivery destination and other costs like stacking and siting. Contact us for a completely free, no-obligation quote today.
When you are exporting goods to Barcelona, then there are some important customs clearance documents. The following documents are needed for the customs handling procedure: Insurance Certificate, Certificate of Origin, Packing List, Import/export Licenses, Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading. For more detailed information you can contact the customs of Spain or navigate to the website of the port or the government (sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es).
Incoterms define who is responsible for each phase of shipping process. For transport by ship we usually use FOB and CIF. Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) means the selling party bears responsibility for transportation and insurance to the required port. Terms of Free on Board (FOB): the seller has the responsibility 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 Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), Free Carrier (FCA), Carriage Paid To (CPT), Ex Works (EXW) + Delivered At Place (DAP), Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU), Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP).