Brand shoes exported by sea from Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shenzhen to Croatia, FCL booking, customs clearance, tax included, double clearance, door-to-door freight forwarding service
Description: Andaxun specializes in shipping shoes from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan to Croatia by sea! Flexible FCL shipment, professional operation of sports shoes, leather shoes, children's shoes, etc. Croatia is a member state of the European Union, and shoe exports must comply with REACH regulations. Children's shoes must comply with EN 14605 safety standards. Double clear and tax inclusive direct delivery to Rijeka and Split ports, door-to-door delivery to Zagreb and Dubrovnik. Strictly control moisture-proof and pressure resistant packaging. Croatia's import tariffs range from 0% to 17%, with a value-added tax of 25% (one of the highest in the EU). Goods with a value ≤ 150 euros are exempt from tariffs, while those with a value ≤ 22 euros are exempt from value-added tax. Starting from July 1, 2026, the European Union will cancel the tariff exemption for packages below 150 euros, and impose a fixed tariff of 3 euros on low value packages based on the declared product name. Importers must hold an EORI number (declaration value ≥ 22 euros must provide the recipient's EORI code). The price is negotiable and the delivery time is 30-45 days.
Croatia is located on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea, and there is a direct shipping route from Shenzhen Shekou to Rijeka Port. The journey takes about 25 days, saving nearly a week of time compared to circumnavigating Nordic ports. Since joining the Schengen Area in 2023, the country's position as a gateway for Chinese goods to enter the Balkan and Central European markets has become more prominent.
However, the export of branded shoes to Croatia is fundamentally different from ordinary goods - footwear products must comply with REACH regulations under EU regulations. Excessive levels of phthalates are one of the most common reported reasons for children's shoe exports to the European Union, accounting for 81.5% of the total reported cases. In addition, Croatia's 25% value-added tax is one of the highest levels in the European Union. Starting from July 1, 2026, the European Union officially cancels the tariff exemption policy for packages below 150 euros. Andaxun International Logistics has been deeply involved in the export of sensitive goods for many years, providing one-stop services such as FCL/LCL, double clearance with tax included, and door-to-door service.
1、 Shenzhen to Croatia brand shoes sea freight price and delivery time: Rijeka Express, one ticket, one negotiation
There are COSCO/EMC/MSC direct shipping routes from Shenzhen Shekou to Rijeka Port, which take about 25 days at sea; Transit through Piraeus, Greece takes about 30 days. The whole process from door to door takes about 30-45 days. It is recommended to book shipping 3-4 weeks in advance during the peak season (June September).
One fixed price package: ocean freight+domestic trailer customs clearance+Croatian import customs clearance+customs duties (exempted for goods with a value ≤ 150 euros)+25% value-added tax+final delivery. Footwear HS codes are classified under Chapter 64, with tariff rates ranging from 0% to 17%.
|FCL direct delivery | 30-42 days | Shenzhen to Rijeka direct flight, customs clearance+land transportation to Zagreb takes about 5-8 days|
|LCL | 35-45 days | Rijeka unpacking and distribution, land transportation to Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik|
|DDP Door to Door | 38-50 Days | Coverage throughout Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Rijeka|
Tax core points:
-Tariffs: Exemption for goods with a value of ≤ 150 euros, and taxation based on HS code for goods with a value exceeding 150 euros
-VAT: 25% (one of the highest in the European Union), exempt from taxes up to 22 euros, can be deferred with a Croatian tax number, and can be deducted quarterly
-Starting from July 1, 2026, the European Union will cancel the 150 euro tariff exemption. During the transition period (July 20268.7), low value goods will be subject to a fixed tariff of 3 euros per declared product name. Multiple charges will be triggered for multiple categories of goods in the same package
2、 Shenzhen to Croatia brand shoes sea freight customs clearance requirements: REACH testing+EORI number dual essential
Brand shoes exported to Croatia must have complete customs clearance documents and strict customs inspections.
1. REACH Compliance - EU Footwear Entry Threshold
Footwear products must comply with the requirements of REACH Appendix 17, with different materials corresponding to different testing priorities:
-Leather shoes: Hexavalent chromium (≤ 3mg/kg), azo dyes (≤ 30mg/kg), formaldehyde
-Synthetic shoes: Phthalates (≤ 0.1%), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (≤ 0.0001%)
-Shoes with metal accessories: Nickel release (≤ 0.5 μ g/cm ²/week)
It is recommended to complete REACH testing 2-3 months before shipment to ensure that the report comes from a qualified laboratory.
2. Children's shoe export (if applicable): Children's shoes under 14 years old must comply with EN 14605 standard, covering dual testing of chemical safety (heavy metals ≤ 90mg/kg, phthalates, formaldehyde infant shoes ≤ 20mg/kg) and physical safety (small accessory tensile strength ≥ 70N, no free end of rope).
EORI Number - Essential for Customs Clearance: Croatian importers must hold a valid EORI number, declare a value ≥ 22 euros, and provide the recipient's EORI code in the invoice. Without a number, customs clearance is not possible.
3. Core document list (pre reviewed by our company):
-Commercial invoice (in English, including 10 digit HS code, CIF value, brand name, material description, and EORI number of both parties)
-Packing list, certificate of origin (FORM A eligible for tariff benefits), original bill of lading
-REACH Compliance Declaration and Testing Report (including phthalates, nickel release, azo dyes, hexavalent chromium, etc.)
-Children's Shoe Inspection Report (EN 14605, if applicable)
-Croatian/English product labels
4. Customs clearance process (handled by Rijeka cooperative bank):
-Complete REACH testing and apply for EORI before departure
-Complete ICS2 declaration (ENS) 24 hours before departure
-After arrival at the port, it will be officially declared through the Croatian Customs electronic system
-Payment of customs duties and 25% VAT (deferred with assistance), 1-3 days for release
-DPD/Croatia Post delivers to the entire region
3、 Shipping packaging requirements for shoes from Shenzhen to Croatia: Three layer protection to cope with multiple transfers
Brand shoes are high-value products that are prone to damage due to rough shipping and multiple loading and unloading. They must be shock resistant, pressure resistant, and moisture resistant.
|Inner layer | After being wrapped in a dust-proof bag, put it into a shoe box. Brand shoe boxes are an important component of product value and must be intact and undamaged|
|Middle layer | Place shoe supports or fill paper balls inside the shoe box to maintain the shape of the shoes; Sufficient cushioning materials (foam, bubble film) shall be filled in the box|
|Outer layer | Five layer double anti corrugated cardboard box, sealed with "work" letter, tape ≥ 5cm; labeled with "fragile", "upward" and "Keep Dry" in both Chinese and English|
Wooden packaging must have IPPC fumigation label (ISPM 15), and if it is unclear or damaged, it should be returned directly. Single box ≤ 25kg; shoe box and outer box labeled "Made in China"; The model, size, and quantity correspond exactly to the invoice.
4、 Six compliance red lines for shipping shoes from Shenzhen to Croatia
1. REACH testing cannot be skipped: testing for phthalates, nickel release, azo dyes, hexavalent chromium, etc. is indispensable. It is recommended to complete the certification 2-3 months in advance.
2. Children's shoes must comply with EN 14605: Phthalates exceeding the standard account for 81.5% of children's shoe notifications, and must meet both chemical and physical safety testing.
3. EORI number is essential for customs clearance: Croatian importers must hold a valid EORI number, and for amounts ≥ 22 euros, the recipient's EORI code must be provided in the invoice.
4. 25% VAT - the highest level in the European Union: holders of tax numbers can apply for deferred payment, but not actually paid during customs clearance, quarterly deduction, effectively releasing cash flow.
5. Starting from July 1, 2026, tariff exemptions will be cancelled: low value goods will be subject to a fixed tariff of 3 euros per declared product name, and multi category packages will be taxed multiple times. Suggest switching to full container DDP mode in advance.
6. Peak season and climate: Booking 3-4 weeks in advance for the peak shipment period from June to September; Rijeka Port operates year-round; Shipping humidity is high, it is recommended to purchase cargo transportation insurance.
5、 Shenzhen to Croatia brand shoes sea freight Andaxun operation process
① Compliance consultation (providing material, brand, children's/adult shoe information, assisting REACH testing) → ② One ticket one price (including VAT deferred evaluation+ICS2 declaration) → ③ Guangzhou Shenzhen Dongguan warehouse temporary storage for 5 days → ④ Export customs declaration+ICS2 pre declaration (24 hours before departure) → ⑤ Shipping to Rijeka/Split Port → ⑥ Double clearance+25% VAT payment → ⑦ Delivery throughout the country
Andaxun International Logistics provides one-stop services for shipping branded shoes from Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shenzhen to Croatia, including taxes, double clearance, and door-to-door service - Croatia experts in exporting branded shoes, REACH compliance assistance, children's shoe safety guidance, 25% VAT deferred application, and Rijeka dedicated line.
Shenzhen Andaxun International Logistics Co., Ltd
- ☎ Phone: 0755-2968 6566
- 📍 Address: Xintian Avenue, Fuhai, Bao'an District, Shenzhen
- 🚢 Main business: international sea freight, air freight, FBA dedicated line, export of sensitive goods, double clearance and tax included
*(Note: REACH testing must be completed in advance (2-3 months), and children's shoes must comply with EN 14605; Croatia VAT 25%, with a minimum tariff of 150 euros; Starting from July 1, 2026, the 150 euro tariff exemption will be cancelled. Booking during peak season 3-4 weeks in advance. )*

