Karachi to Hamburg: sea freight from Pakistan
Sea freight from Karachi to Hamburg for textiles, leather, sports goods and other Pakistani exports. We coordinate inland collection, ocean freight, German customs and delivery.
The lane in short
Typical values, not a quote. Dates and routing change with the carrier.
- Typical transit
- 28 to 40 days port to port. Many services from Karachi change ships on the way, which is why the range is wider than on other lanes. Routing around the Cape of Good Hope adds roughly 10 to 14 days.
- Origin ports
- Karachi (code PKKHI) and Port Qasim near Karachi.
- Destination
- Port of Hamburg (DEHAM), with onward delivery by truck to Germany and the EU.
- Typical cargo
- Textiles and home textiles, garments, leather goods, sports goods, surgical instruments and food products.
- Equipment
- 20GP, 40GP and 40HC for FCL, or LCL from a consolidation warehouse in Karachi.
How a shipment moves on this lane
Booking and inland collection
We book the sailing. Cargo from Lahore, Faisalabad or Sialkot moves overland to Karachi first, and we plan that leg with your supplier.
Export clearance in Pakistan
The exporter files the Pakistani export declaration and prepares the origin papers. Everything must be at the port before the cut-off.
Ocean transit
The carrier issues the bill of lading. Because many services transship, we check the actual routing and tell you if the arrival date moves.
Hamburg arrival and delivery
We file the German import declaration before arrival and arrange delivery by truck to your address.
What to know on this lane
Pakistan has benefited from the EU’s GSP+ trade scheme, which can reduce or remove duty on many products if the origin rules are met. The exporter must be registered to issue the origin statement. Check what applies to your goods with your customs broker.
Allow extra time for inland collection and for transhipment. Ask for the routing and the planned transhipment port when you book.
Textile and garment shipments need exact fibre composition and consistent descriptions on the invoice, packing list and labels.
Sports goods and surgical instruments from Sialkot are often small, valuable consignments. Insure them for their full value, because the carrier’s liability is limited by law.
Customs and costs in Germany
Every importer needs an EORI number. The import declaration is based on the commodity code, the customs value and the origin. Import duty depends on the code, and German import VAT is 19 percent at the standard rate and 7 percent at the reduced rate. A VAT-registered business can normally reclaim import VAT.
Your price is made up of ocean freight, origin charges, terminal and handling charges in Hamburg, customs clearance, and delivery. We list each of them separately in the quote. Read more about customs clearance and sea freight, or run the numbers with the CBM calculator and the container loading calculator.
Questions about shipping from Karachi
How long does it take to ship from Karachi to Hamburg?
Typically 28 to 40 days port to port. Many services transship, so the actual time depends on the routing. We confirm the expected transit when we quote.
Can you collect from Lahore or Faisalabad?
Yes. Cargo moves overland to Karachi before loading. Tell us the supplier’s location and Incoterm and we quote the inland leg with the sea freight.
What is GSP+ and does it apply to my goods?
GSP+ is an EU scheme that can lower or remove import duty on many products from Pakistan, provided the origin rules are met and the exporter issues a valid origin statement. Whether it applies depends on your product, so check with your customs broker.
What documents do I need?
A commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, and where needed an origin statement. See customs clearance in Germany for what the import declaration needs.
Other lanes
Shanghai to Hamburg, Shenzhen to Hamburg, Nhava Sheva to Hamburg. See all trade lanes.
Get a quote for Karachi to Hamburg
Send us the origin, cargo volume and weight, and the Incoterm. You will have an itemised quote within 24 business hours.