The Definitive Guide to Import and Export Freight Services into/from Yangzhou, Jiangsu：Enabling Global Business Growth
2. City Introduction
2.1 Geographical Location
Yangzhou, located in Jiangsu Province, East China, is strategically positioned in the central – eastern part of the province. It lies along the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, boasting remarkable water – borne transportation advantages. The Yangtze River provides direct access to the sea, while the Grand Canal links Yangzhou to numerous inland areas. Additionally, Yangzhou is well – integrated into the national transportation network through a network of expressways and railways. Expressways connect Yangzhou to major cities in Jiangsu and neighboring provinces, facilitating the quick movement of goods. Railways, on the other hand, ensure the efficient long – distance transportation of various cargos. Despite not being a coastal city, Yangzhou has established smooth connections with nearby seaports, making it an important link in the regional and international trade logistics chain.
2.2 Economic Characteristics
Yangzhou has a diverse and dynamic economic structure. The manufacturing industry is a significant cornerstone of its economy. It encompasses a wide range of manufacturing sectors, including the production of mechanical and electrical products, high – end equipment, and new – energy – related products. The mechanical and electrical manufacturing industry produces a variety of products such as precision machinery, electrical appliances, and industrial automation equipment, which are exported to different regions both at home and abroad. The high – end equipment manufacturing industry focuses on the production of advanced manufacturing equipment, aerospace – related components, and some high – precision instruments. The new – energy – related manufacturing industry is involved in the production of solar – power equipment, wind – power equipment components, and energy – storage products, taking advantage of the global trend towards clean energy.
Moreover, Yangzhou has a vibrant light – industrial and handicraft sector. The traditional handicraft industry, with a long – standing reputation, produces high – quality products such as jade carvings, lacquerware, and silk products. These handicrafts are not only popular in the domestic market but also highly sought – after in international markets. In addition, the light – industrial manufacturing industry produces daily – use chemicals, textiles, and clothing products.
Yangzhou also has a prosperous agricultural – product processing industry. The fertile land in the region yields abundant grains, vegetables, fruits, and livestock products. These agricultural products are processed into various food products, including processed grains, canned food, and dairy products, which are exported to meet the demands of different markets. In recent years, emerging industries such as e – commerce, modern logistics, and high – tech have started to develop rapidly, further fueling the demand for import and export freight services.
2.3 Administrative Regions and Freight – Related Areas
Yangzhou administers several regions, each contributing uniquely to the freight business:
- Guangling District: As the historical and cultural center of Yangzhou, it also serves as an important commercial area. The district has a diverse range of enterprises, including those in the handicraft, light – industrial, and e – commerce sectors. It exports traditional handicrafts like jade carvings and lacquerware, light – industrial products such as daily – use chemicals and textiles, and some high – value – added products through e – commerce platforms. The district also has some emerging high – tech start – ups that contribute to the export of high – value – added products, such as software – related services and some high – tech components.
- Hanjiang District: It has a relatively developed industrial base, mainly in the fields of mechanical and electrical manufacturing, high – end equipment manufacturing, and new – energy – related manufacturing. There are factories producing precision machinery, industrial automation equipment, high – end manufacturing equipment, and new – energy – related components. These products are exported to different regions, both domestically and internationally. The district also imports some advanced production equipment, high – quality raw materials, and technologies to support local industries.
- Jiangdu District: Focuses on the manufacturing and agricultural – product processing industries. The district has manufacturing plants producing construction machinery, auto parts, and some light – industrial products. It also has large – scale agricultural – product processing enterprises that process grains, vegetables, and fruits into various food products. These industrial and agricultural – processed products are exported to different markets. In addition, Jiangdu has some logistics parks that play a crucial role in coordinating the transportation of goods.
- Baoying County: As an important agricultural county, it is a major source of agricultural products. The county produces a large amount of grains, oilseeds, and livestock products. It also has some processing industries for agricultural products, such as food processing, feed production, and agricultural – by – product processing. These processed products are exported to various regions, both domestically and internationally. The county also has some light – industrial manufacturing, contributing to the export of products like textiles and daily – use chemicals.
- Yizheng City: It has a diverse economic structure, with a focus on the manufacturing, chemical, and tourism – related industries. The manufacturing industry in Yizheng produces industrial products such as machinery, chemical products, and some high – tech products. The city is also known for its chemical industry, which exports some chemical products. In addition, Yizheng has a growing tourism industry, and tourism – related products such as souvenirs and handicrafts are also part of its exports.
- Gaoyou City: Known for its agricultural and light – industrial products, it exports a large amount of agricultural products, such as high – quality grains, duck eggs, and aquatic products. The city also has some light – industrial manufacturing, contributing to the export of products like clothing, daily – use chemicals, and handicrafts. It also has some food – processing industries that produce products like processed grains, canned food, and salted duck eggs.
3. Port and Airport Information
3.1 Port / Sea Freight
3.1.1 Port Selection
Yangzhou has access to several ports for international trade. The main ports it relies on include Nanjing Port and Taizhou Port. Yangzhou has established convenient transportation links to these ports through a combination of road, railway, and water – borne transportation. Road transportation offers flexibility for small – to – medium – scale cargo shipments, allowing for door – to – door service. Railway transportation, on the other hand, is more suitable for large – volume and long – distance transportation. Inland waterway transportation along the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal is an important mode for transporting bulk goods to the ports.
3.1.2 Port Information
- Nanjing Port: A major port on the Yangtze River, with modern berths and advanced cargo – handling equipment. It can handle large – scale cargo shipments and has established connections with major international ports through feeder vessels and ocean – going ships. The port has a complete set of logistics support facilities, including storage, transportation, and customs – clearance services.
- Taizhou Port: It has modern berths and efficient cargo – handling systems. The port is equipped with state – of – the – art cargo – handling equipment, enabling high – speed loading and unloading of various types of goods. It has advanced storage facilities and a well – organized logistics management system. Taizhou Port also has strong connections with the inland transportation network, facilitating the transfer of goods between the port and the factories in Yangzhou.
3.1.3 International Routes
- Asia: Regular shipping services from Nanjing Port and Taizhou Port connect to major Asian ports such as Busan in South Korea, Tokyo in Japan, and Singapore. Yangzhou’s exports to Asia mainly include industrial products, agricultural products, and some light – industrial products. For example, Yangzhou exports mechanical products, agricultural products, and handicrafts to South Korea and imports some high – tech components from Japan.
- Europe: Regular container ships ply from these ports to European ports such as Rotterdam and Hamburg. High – value – added products from Yangzhou’s emerging industries, such as high – tech equipment and some high – end manufacturing products, are exported to Europe.
- North America: The ports have established shipping connections with North – American ports such as Vancouver and Los Angeles. Goods such as industrial products, agricultural products, and light – industrial consumer goods from Yangzhou are transported to North America.
3.2 Air Freight
Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport provides air – freight services for the city. Although it is a regional airport, it offers a range of air – freight services, including express freight, general cargo transportation, and special – cargo handling.
- Fast and Efficient: Air freight can quickly transport high – value, time – sensitive goods from Yangzhou to major international destinations within a few hours to a day or two. This is especially suitable for products like high – tech components, precision instruments, and some fresh agricultural products with short shelf – lives.
- Cargo Types: Predominantly transports high – tech products (such as components for the new – energy and high – tech industries), high – value – added agricultural products (such as premium – grade grains and fresh fruits), and some high – value – added industrial products (such as high – precision machinery parts).
- Logistics Services: The airport cooperates with local logistics companies in Yangzhou to provide “door – to – door” services. Goods can be directly transported from factories or warehouses in Yangzhou to the airport and then swiftly delivered to the destination by air. It also offers value – added services such as cargo tracking, warehousing, and distribution.
3.3 Inland Transportation Modes
Yangzhou has a diverse set of inland transportation modes:
- Road Transportation: Ideal for short – distance and small – to – medium – batch cargo transportation. The road network in Yangzhou is well – developed, with expressways, national highways, and urban roads connecting different regions. Professional logistics companies offer “door – to – door” services, ensuring the quick transportation of goods from factories or warehouses to the port or airport.
- Railway Transportation: Yangzhou has a relatively complete railway network, with several railway lines passing through the city. Railway transportation is suitable for large – batch and long – distance cargo transportation. It is characterized by high efficiency, low cost, and high punctuality. Through railway transportation, goods can be transported to domestic destinations and can be seamlessly connected with sea freight. The railway network can handle various types of cargo, including industrial products, minerals, and agricultural products.
- Inland Waterway Transportation: Along the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal, there are well – developed inland waterway transportation routes. These routes are mainly used for the transportation of bulk goods such as building materials, industrial raw materials, and some agricultural products. The inland waterway transportation also plays a role in connecting Yangzhou with other inland areas and in international trade through the connection to the sea.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
4.1 Cost – related
4.1.1 FCL and LCL (Sea Freight)
Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) are two common transportation modes in sea freight, and they have different cost structures:
- FCL Transportation Cost: The cost of FCL mainly includes basic ocean freight, which is determined by factors such as the distance of transportation, the type of goods, and the size of the container. Port handling charges cover the loading and unloading operations at the origin (Nanjing Port, Taizhou Port, or other relevant ports) and destination ports. There are also document fees for handling necessary shipping documents, such as bills of lading and packing lists. Additionally, factors like bunker adjustment factor (BAF) and currency adjustment factor (CAF) may affect the overall cost, as they are adjusted according to international oil prices and exchange rate fluctuations.
- LCL Transportation Cost: LCL costs are more complex. In addition to a proportionate share of the basic ocean freight, it includes LCL service fees. These fees cover the costs of consolidating and distributing goods in the container. Since multiple shippers’ goods are combined in one container, there are additional charges for storage, sorting, and repackaging in the warehouse. LCL is usually charged based on the larger of the weight or volume of the goods, that is, “charging by the larger measure”. At the destination port, there may also be additional fees for unpacking and delivering the goods to the consignee.