Are you looking for a reliable way to get your goods from China to Mongolia?
This guide will explore the various shipping methods available, from the swiftness of air freight to the budget-friendly option of rail transport. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual shipper, this introduction equips you with the knowledge to choose the best option for your needs.
Key Takeaways
| Transport Mode | Transit Time | Price Range | Advantages / Ideal for |
| Air Freight | 1-5 days | $10 per kg | Suitable for urgent and high-value goods |
| Road Freight | 7-12 days | $500 – $1,500 per truckload | Viable for shipments close to the border, flexible |
| Rail Freight | 10-20 days | $1,000 – $2,000 per 20-foot container | Cost-effective for large shipments, slower than air |
| Express Freight | 2-5 days | $50 – $200+ for small parcels | Prices vary based on package size and weight |
| Sea Freight | Not directly available | It Depends | Goods shipped to Chinese ports, then transported by road or rail to Mongolia |
Please note that the rates shown are only estimates to provide an indication of pricing. Actual quotes will vary depending on the specific details of the shipment, such as the goods, weight, dimensions, delivery timeline, and other requirements. We work with each customer individually to develop customized shipping solutions tailored to your needs and budget. You can expect competitive pricing that aims to deliver great value.
Please contact us to discuss your shipping needs – Luckystar looks forward to putting together an unexpected price for you. We will offer you the cheapest way to ship your goods, we are your most trustworthy shipping company.
What is the Bilateral Trade Between China and Mongolia?
In the first 3 quarters of 2023, bilateral trade amounted to $13 billion, accounting for 72.3% of Mongolia’s total foreign trade. China was Mongolia’s top export destination (91.3% share) and top import supplier (40.5% share). In 2024, China has remained Mongolia’s largest trading partner.
Top Shipping Routes from China to Mongolia
There are three main methods for shipping goods from China to Mongolia: air freight, rail freight, and road freight.
However, due to limited air service facilities in Mongolia, air-land intermodal service solutions are the best solution recommended for volume-sensitive, oversized, or heavy air cargo, which involves air freight to Beijing and then truck carriage to Mongolia.
Rail Freight Route from China to Mongolia
The Trans-Mongolian Railway via the Erenhot-Zamyn-Üüd border crossing is the main China-Mongolia rail freight route. Tianjin port acts as a key gateway for rail cargo to Mongolia.
- Trans-Mongolian Railway:
The Trans-Mongolian Railway is a 2,215 km rail link connecting Ulan-Ude in Russia to Jining in China via the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar.
The railway runs from northwest to southeast, with major stations at Naushki/Sükhbaatar on the Russia-Mongolia border, Darkhan, Ulaanbaatar, Choir, Sainshand, and Zamyn-Üüd/Erenhot on the Mongolia-China border.
- Erenhot (Erlian) – Zamyn-Üüd Border Crossing:
The Erenhot (Erlian) – Zamyn-Üüd border crossing is the main rail freight route between China and Mongolia. Erenhot Railway Station is located in Erenhot, Inner Mongolia, China and connects to Zamyn-Üüd in Mongolia.
This new route will help shorten transportation time by up to 30% and increase freight volume.
- Tianjin Port to Mongolia:
Tianjin port serves as a major hub for goods destined for Mongolia. The total transportation time from Shantou/Nansha Port to Ulaanbaatar via Tianjin Port is about 10 days by sea to Tianjin, 1 day to switch to rail at Tianjin, and 5 days by rail from Tianjin to Ulaanbaatar.
Road Freight Route from China to Mongolia
Compared to rail freight, road freight provides more flexibility for specific needs.
- Erenhot (Erlian) – Zamyn-Üüd:
- This is the most heavily used and crucial border crossing for China-Mongolia trade.
- Located in Inner Mongolia, China, it connects to Zamyn-Üüd in Mongolia.
- This route caters to a wide variety of goods due to its established infrastructure.
- Altanbulag – Tsagaan Nuur:
- This northwestern route offers an alternative for shipments originating in Xinjiang province, China.
- It connects to Tsagaan Nuur in Mongolia, which is closer to the Russian border.
- This route might be suitable for shipments going to western Mongolia or Russia.
- Gashuun Sukhait – Sukhbaatar:
- This easternmost crossing connects Gashuun Sukhait in China to Sukhbaatar in Mongolia.
- This route might be used for shipments going to northeastern Mongolia or further east into Russia.
How Much Would it Cost to Ship from China to Mongolia?
| Mode of Transportation | Place of Departure | Place of Arrival | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Courier | Major cities in China | Major cities in Mongolia | $50 – $200+ |
| Air Freight | – Shenzhen – Guangzhou – Shanghai – Beijing – Xiamen – Hangzhou – Chengdu – Xi’an | – Chinggis Khaan International Airport – Mörön Airport – Binder Airport – Dalanzadgad Airport | $10+ per kg (Average: $12 per kg) |
| Rail Freight | – Jining – Erenhot (Erlian) – Shantou Port – Nansha Port – Tianjin Port | – Ulaanbaatar – Sükhbaatar – Darkhan – Choir – Sainshand – Zamyn-Üüd | $500 – $1,500 per truckload |
| Road Freight | – Kashgar – Erenhot (Erlian) – Ãœrümqi – Guang’an | – Ulaanbaatar – Sainshand – Choir – Darkhan – Sükhbaatar – Baruun-Urt – Choibalsan – Ulaangom – Khovd – Ölgii | $1,000 – $2,000 per 20-foot container |
| Sea Freight + Overland | Chinese ports (e.g., Tianjin, Qingdao, Dalian) | – Ulaanbaatar – Sükhbaatar – Darkhan – Choir – Sainshand – Zamyn-Üüd |
How Long Will Shipping Take from China to Mongolia?
| Mode of Transportation | Place of Departure | Place of Arrival | Transportation Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express Courier | – Beijing – Shanghai – Guangzhou – Shenzhen | – Ulaanbaatar – Darkhan – Erdenet – Choibalsan | 2-5 days |
| Air Freight | – Shenzhen Bao’an – Guangzhou Baiyun I – Shanghai Pudong – Xiamen Gaoqi – Hangzhou Xiaoshan – Xi’an Xianyang | – Chinggis Khaan – Mörön Airport – Binder Airport – Dalanzadgad Airport | 1-5 days |
| Rail Freight (Trans-Mongolian Railway) | – Jining – Erenhot (Erlian) | – Ulaanbaatar – Sükhbaatar – Darkhan – Choir – Sainshand – Zamyn-Üüd | 10-15 days |
| Rail Freight (via Tianjin Port) | – Shantou Port – Nansha Port – Tianjin Port | – Ulaanbaatar – Sükhbaatar – Darkhan – Choir – Sainshand – Zamyn-Üüd | 10 days (5 days by sea to Tianjin, 5 days by rail to destinations in Mongolia) |
| Road Freight (via Erenhot-Zamyn-Üüd) | – Kashgar – Erenhot (Erlian) | – Ulaanbaatar – Sainshand – Choir – Darkhan – Sükhbaatar | 2-3 days |
| Road Freight (via Takeshkan) | – Ãœrümqi – Takeshkan | – Baruun-Urt – Choibalsan | 7-10 days |
| Road Freight (via Erenhot) | – Guang’an – Erenhot (Erlian) | – Ulaangom – Khovd – Ölgii | 10-14 days |
| Sea Freight + Overland | – Tianjin Port – Qingdao Port – Dalian Port | – Ulaanbaatar – Sükhbaatar – Darkhan – Choir – Sainshand – Zamyn-Üüd | Several weeks (sea freight to Chinese port, then by road or rail to destinations in Mongolia) |
*As mentioned earlier, the transportation times are estimates and may vary based on various factors.
What is the Import Tax in Mongolia?
The price of shipping from China to Mongolia includes not only the transport costs but also other factors such as tax and customs clearance.
The import tax in Mongolia is relatively low at 5% for most goods, with some seasonal 15% rates for specific agricultural products. A few goods are duty-free, while VAT of 10% also applies to imports. Equipment for export-oriented businesses and foreign investors in priority sectors may be exempt from duties.
| Import Tax Rate | Applicable Goods |
|---|---|
| 0% – 5% | Most imported goods are subject to a 5% import tax. Some goods may have a 0% rate. |
| 15% | Certain agricultural products (potatoes, onions, cabbages, carrots, turnips) are subject to a 15% customs duty between August 1 and April 1 each year. For the rest of the year, the 5% rate applies. |
| 15% | Flour is subject to a 15% customs duty from July 1 to April 1 each year. |
| Exempt | Equipment, parts and spare parts for renewable energy manufacturing and research are exempt from customs tax. |
What are the Import Restrictions in Mongolia?
- Prohibited Imports:
- Drugs/narcotics and devices/equipment for using and manufacturing them
- Narcotic plants
- All types of spirits
- Scrap metal (ferrous and non-ferrous)
- Highly toxic chemicals
- Organs and donor blood for medical purposes
- Restricted Imports (require licenses/permits):
- Artifacts and cultural property
- Breeding animals, animal-originated raw materials, embryos and microorganism cultures
What Documents Do I Need to Ship from China to Mongolia?
- Commercial Invoice: A detailed commercial invoice is essential. It should include information like product descriptions, quantities, unit prices, total value, and the currency used.
- Packing List: This document should itemize the contents of your shipment, including descriptions, quantities, and weights (gross and net) for each item.
- Bill of Lading (Air Waybill): This document acts as a receipt for your goods from the carrier (shipping company/airline) and serves as a contract of carriage.
- Certificate of Origin (C/O): In some cases, a C/O might be required, especially for commercial shipments. This document verifies the country of origin of your goods. It can be issued by a chamber of commerce or a designated government agency.
- Export Declaration: This document, typically required by Chinese customs, provides details about your shipment for export clearance purposes.
- Import License (for Mongolia): For certain restricted goods (see previous response on import restrictions), a Mongolian import license might be necessary. Check with Mongolian customs or a freight forwarder to confirm if this applies to your shipment.
Can Alibaba ship to Mongolia?
Alibaba itself isn’t a shipping company, but it acts as a B2B (business-to-business) marketplace connecting buyers and sellers. While Alibaba doesn’t directly handle shipping, many sellers on the platform can arrange shipping process to Mongolia.
Why Choose Us? Luckystar Logistic
Established in 2022, Luckystar is an esteemed member of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and operates as a Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC). The company’s mission is to deliver superior service quality at reduced costs, primarily serving China, the USA, Canada, and Europe. With core team members boasting over 20 years of experience in logistics, Luckystar brings considerable expertise to the table. Since its inception, the company has been dedicated to offering global door to door transport and logistics solutions, emphasizing dependability, adaptability, and responsiveness.
We’re not just a company; we are experts in transportation! Offering industry-leading solutions, we take pride in providing premium shipping services at a fraction of the cost of other freight forwarders, both in China and across the globe. Here’s why partnering with us is the smart move:
Accuracy You Can Count On:
Say goodbye to delivery delays and hello to timely delivery, which is vital for businesses needing to deliver goods swiftly to their customers.
Your Passport to Global Reach:
Our wide network of delivery destinations virtually covers the entire globe, offering extraordinary opportunities for businesses aiming to expand their reach. You can be assured that your package will find its way to almost any corner of the world, taking your business global!
Track with Ease:
Say goodbye to guesswork. Our stringent procedures afford you a live tracking mechanism, making it easy for you to follow your shipment’s progress at every stage of its journey. Stay informed and enjoy peace of mind, knowing exactly where your shipment is anytime you need to know.
Personalized Service, Every Step of the Way:
One of our dedicated team members will personally oversee your shipment from start to finish. This, coupled with our commitment to transparency and constant communication, ensures you are kept updated on the progress of your cargo every step of the way.
When shipping hazardous materials, it’s crucial to work with experienced service providers to ensure that your shipment is handled safely and efficiently. By partnering with us, you can have peace of mind knowing that your shipment is in good hands.
Are you looking for an experienced freight forwarding to assist you in shipping? Contact us. We’re always ready to help. Offering the unbeatable cheapest shipping rates for international shipping, our services are more affordable than you’d believe. Don’t hesitate! Get in touch with us today.