Shipping from Surabaya to Rotterdam
Tanjung Perak feeds Bali, Sulawesi and the rest of eastern Indonesia's inter-island trade, and its newer Teluk Lamong terminal runs the country's first automated stacking cranes — shipping from Surabaya to Rotterdam is tracked weekly with Cargoplot's live carrier benchmarks and pricing data.
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Port of SurabayatoPort of Rotterdam
Shipping from Surabaya to Rotterdam usually loads at Tanjung Perak, East Java's main container gateway and the primary hub for eastern Indonesia's inter-island trade, feeding Bali, Sulawesi and beyond. Terminal Petikemas Surabaya handled 1.58 million TEU in 2024, while the newer Teluk Lamong terminal runs Indonesia's first automated stacking cranes.
At Rotterdam, deep-sea berths run to 20 metres, and according to Cargoplot's data, average import clearance on this lane is 3.57 days, though the median is just 1.35 days — a tiny sample where one 10.5-day shipment pulls the average up against a cluster of much faster ones. Every consignee needs an EORI number to clear customs.
East Java's diversified manufacturing base — from footwear to processed foods — feeds sea freight from this origin, though a freight forwarder handling Surabaya should expect more transit time variability here than on higher-volume Indonesian lanes.
Historical Rate Trends & Transit Metrics
Multi-year sea freight pricing fluctuation alongside average transit times and port delay performance for Surabaya to Rotterdam. Currently the average shipping price is $4,900/FEU.
Historical sea freight prices for this route
Operations & Route Performance Review
Analyze weekly port congestion, container type availability, shipment mode breakdowns, and historical transit duration trends to optimize logistics planning.
Weekly Delay & Congestion
FCL vs LCL
According to Cargoplot's data, 88.9% of Surabaya shipments move FCL, with 11.1% LCL. The one shipment with usable container-type data ran entirely on 20' standard containers. FCL usually wins past roughly 20 CBM, though the right point still depends on your goods and current container pricing. Cargoplot's platform tracks this lane's numbers as more volume comes through, rather than guessing ahead of the data.
Container Types & Cargo Restrictions
Seafood and frozen food are the cargo types that matter most for Surabaya, a category East Java's fishing industry supports well: EU import rules require a health certificate, IUU catch certification for wild-caught product, and an EU-approved exporting establishment before customs will release it. Get any of these wrong and it typically means a hold at the border inspection post, not a quick clearance.
Monthly Transit time Trend
Compare top ocean carriers on speed, schedule reliability, and average freight costs to select the best partner for your lane. For Surabaya to Rotterdam
Average price by carrier
Incoterms & Documentation
Surabaya cargo can load at either Tanjung Perak's established terminal or the newer, automated Teluk Lamong facility, so confirm with your supplier which one applies — it affects free time and cutoff schedules more than the Incoterm you book under. FOB remains Cargoplot's recommendation on this lane: it keeps the ocean leg, and the carrier choice, in your hands once cargo is loaded at Tanjung Perak. Book it through Cargoplot and your quote breaks out freight, terminal handling, customs and inland transport as separate lines, not one number set by the supplier.
Standard EU import documents apply: Bill of Lading or Telex Release, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, EORI number and HS codes. If your cargo is seafood or frozen food, also carry the EU health certificate and, for wild-caught product, an IUU catch certificate — missing either holds cargo at the border inspection post.
Cash doesn't have to sit tied up at the border — with an Article 23 permit, Dutch importers can defer this VAT to their periodic return instead. Our Article 23 guide walks through how to apply.
Cargoplot's platform automatically forwards, shares and requests your shipment documents with the responsible party, keeping the paperwork moving so nothing sits idle before departure.
Rates calculator
Get a real-time benchmark for this lane. Rates pull from contracted carrier tariffs plus current spot indices.
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FAQs
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What is the average transit time from Surabaya to Rotterdam?
What does a 40' container on this route cost right now?
What documents do you need specifically for a shipment from Surabaya?
Start with the standard set: BL/Telex, invoice, packing list, EORI, HS codes (full list here). if you're shipping seafood or frozen food from Surabaya, also carry the EU health certificate and, for wild-caught product, an IUU catch certificate — missing either holds cargo at the border inspection post.
Should my cargo load at Tanjung Perak or the newer Teluk Lamong terminal in Surabaya?
Ask before you book, since it affects free time and cutoff schedules more than anything else: Teluk Lamong is the newer of the two, running Indonesia's first automated stacking cranes, while Tanjung Perak remains the established gateway for East Java's inter-island and export trade. Neither changes which Incoterm applies, but knowing which terminal your cargo actually loads from avoids missed cutoffs.
My shipment is seafood or frozen food from Surabaya — what do I need?
An EU health certificate from an accredited lab, an IUU catch certificate if wild-caught, and confirmation your exporting facility is on the EU-approved list via TRACES-NT. Cold-chain needs to hold end-to-end into an approved EU border inspection post.
How significant is Surabaya as a container gateway compared to the rest of East Java?
Terminal Petikemas Surabaya handled 1.58 million TEU in 2024, and Tanjung Perak is the main hub feeding Bali, Sulawesi and the rest of eastern Indonesia's inter-island trade — well beyond just export cargo to Rotterdam. That inter-island role is a big part of why East Java's manufacturing base, from footwear to processed foods, funnels through this port even though it's smaller than Jakarta's gateway.
How does customs clearance work on arrival in Rotterdam?
Cargoplot’s customs agent files your import declaration in the Netherlands via Direct Representation. Once approved, you get a TTW releasing the container to your transport partner. Full process in our import guide; duties and VAT thresholds here.
What is the Article 23 permit and do I need one?
Article 23 is a Dutch permit that lets you defer import VAT to your periodic return instead of paying at customs clearance — meaningful cash flow if you import regularly. You’ll need a Dutch VAT/EORI registration. Full explanation in our Article 23 guide.
