Zhanjiang Freight Forwarders: Powering International Trade with Seamless Import and Export Freight
General Import and Export Freight Service Guide for Zhanjiang
I. City Introduction
1.1 Geographical Location
Zhanjiang is located in the southwestern part of Guangdong Province, facing the South China Sea. It is an important coastal city and a key transportation hub in the region. The city is connected by multiple expressways, such as the Guangdong-Hainan Expressway, and railways, facilitating the movement of goods both within the province and to other regions. Its coastal location gives it a natural advantage in maritime transportation, with Zhanjiang Port being a major port for international trade, connecting Zhanjiang to ports around the world.
1.2 Economic Characteristics
Zhanjiang has a diverse economic structure. The marine economy is a significant pillar, with industries such as fishing, marine product processing, and offshore oil and gas exploitation. The city is also known for its agricultural production, including the cultivation of sugarcane, tropical fruits, and rice. The agricultural product processing industry, such as sugar production and fruit canning, has a certain scale. In addition, the manufacturing industry is developing, covering sectors like machinery manufacturing, petrochemicals, and the production of building materials. With the growth of e-commerce and international trade, the demand for import and export freight services in Zhanjiang has been on the rise.
1.3 Administrative Districts and Freight-related Areas
- Chikan District: As one of the urban centers of Zhanjiang, Chikan District is a hub for commercial activities, e-commerce, and service industries. It houses many trading companies, e-commerce platforms, and financial institutions. The district mainly exports high-value-added products in the service and high-tech sectors, such as software development services for the marine and agricultural industries, and some high-tech electronic products. It also plays a key role in the distribution and marketing of goods processed in the city, including marine products and agricultural products.
- Xiashan District: Xiashan District has a strong industrial base, focusing on industries such as petrochemicals, machinery manufacturing, and the processing of marine products. The district exports a variety of products, including petrochemical products, machinery parts, and processed marine products like dried fish and canned seafood. It imports advanced manufacturing technologies, high-quality raw materials for the petrochemical and manufacturing industries, and modern production equipment.
- Potou District: Potou District is an important area for industrial development and port operations. It emphasizes the development of the petrochemical industry, the production of building materials, and the marine product processing industry. The district exports petrochemical products, building materials, and processed marine products. It imports advanced processing technologies, high-quality raw materials for the building materials industry, and fishing equipment for the marine industry.
- Mazhang District: Mazhang District focuses on the development of the agricultural product processing, the manufacturing of building materials, and the logistics industry. The district exports processed agricultural products, building materials like bricks and tiles, and some logistics-related services. It imports advanced agricultural processing technologies, high-quality raw materials for the building materials industry, and modern logistics equipment.
- Suixi County: Suixi County is known for its agricultural production and processing. It focuses on the cultivation of sugarcane, rice, and other crops, as well as the production of traditional handicrafts. The county exports processed agricultural products such as sugar, rice products, and handicrafts. It imports advanced agricultural technologies, high-quality seeds, and fertilizers for agriculture.
- Xuwen County: Xuwen County is located at the southernmost tip of the Chinese mainland and has a strong connection with Hainan Island. It focuses on the development of the agricultural product processing, the fishing industry, and the production of building materials. The county exports processed agricultural products, marine products, and building materials. It imports advanced fishing equipment, high-quality raw materials for the building materials industry, and agricultural processing equipment.
- Lianjiang City: Lianjiang City has a diversified economic structure, with a focus on industries such as the manufacturing of machinery, the processing of agricultural products, and the production of building materials. The city exports machinery products, processed agricultural products like fruits and vegetables, and building materials. It imports advanced manufacturing technologies, high-quality raw materials for the manufacturing and agricultural processing industries, and modern production equipment.
- Leizhou City: Leizhou City is rich in cultural heritage and has a certain scale of agricultural and marine product processing industries. It exports processed agricultural products, marine products, and some cultural and tourism-related products like handicrafts. It imports advanced agricultural and marine product processing technologies, high-quality raw materials for handicrafts, and tourism development facilities.
- Wuchuan City: Wuchuan City focuses on the development of the manufacturing industry, the agricultural product processing industry, and the service industry. The city exports manufacturing products such as electrical appliances, machinery parts, and processed agricultural products. It imports advanced manufacturing technologies, high-quality raw materials for the manufacturing and agricultural processing industries, and professional services for the development of the service industry.
II. Port and Airport Information
2.1 Ports / Sea Freight
2.1.1 Port Selection
Zhanjiang Port is the main port for Zhanjiang’s international trade. It is a comprehensive port with multiple berths and advanced facilities, capable of handling various types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and liquid cargo. In addition, for some specific trade needs, Zhanjiang may also make use of ports in neighboring regions such as Guangzhou Port and Shenzhen Port.
2.1.2 Port Information
- Zhanjiang Port: Zhanjiang Port is one of the major ports in southern China. It has deep-water berths, advanced container handling equipment, and a well-developed logistics support system. The port can handle a large volume of cargo, with a wide range of international shipping routes. It has a relatively efficient customs clearance process and comprehensive port services, including cargo storage, loading, and unloading.
- Guangzhou Port: As a major port in southern China, Guangzhou Port offers a comprehensive range of shipping services. It has a large number of berths and is well-connected to the international shipping network. It can handle various types of cargo and is an important port for Zhanjiang’s trade with different parts of the world, especially for the import and export of large-volume goods.
- Shenzhen Port: Shenzhen Port is a leading port in China, with advanced facilities and a large number of international shipping routes. It can handle different types of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and liquid cargo. It provides a wide range of logistics services and is a key port for Zhanjiang’s international trade, especially for high-value and time-sensitive goods.
2.1.3 International Routes
- Asia: Zhanjiang Port has regular shipping services to major Asian ports such as Busan in South Korea, Tokyo in Japan, and Singapore. The city exports marine products, agricultural products, and some manufacturing products to these ports. It imports high-tech components, advanced production equipment, and high-quality consumer goods from Asia.
- Europe: Regular liner services reach ports like Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Hamburg in Germany. Zhanjiang exports high-value-added products from the manufacturing and agricultural product processing industries, such as high-quality machinery products and processed agricultural products.
- North America: Shipping connections have been established with ports such as Vancouver in Canada and Los Angeles in the United States. The transported products cover a wide range, including industrial products, agricultural products, and some emerging high-tech products.
2.2 Air Freight
Zhanjiang Wuchuan Airport provides domestic and some limited international flight services. However, for large-scale international air freight, it mainly relies on Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport. These airports have stronger air freight capacities, with modern cargo handling facilities. They can handle high-value and time-sensitive goods such as high-tech products, fresh agricultural products, and high-value marine products. Local logistics companies cooperate with these airports to provide door-to-door air freight services for Zhanjiang.
2.3 Inland Transportation Modes
- Road Transportation: The road network in Zhanjiang is well-developed, with expressways, national highways, and provincial roads crisscrossing the city. It is suitable for short-distance and small-batch cargo transportation. Logistics enterprises can provide door-to-door services, which is very convenient for the distribution of consumer goods and small-scale industrial products within the city and to neighboring areas.
- Railway Transportation: Zhanjiang is connected to the national railway network, and railway transportation can be used for large-batch and long-distance cargo transportation. It can be seamlessly connected with sea freight, facilitating the transportation of large-scale industrial products and raw materials to and from ports.
- Inland Waterway Transportation: Zhanjiang has some inland waterways that can be used for the transportation of bulk goods such as building materials and agricultural products. Inland waterway transportation plays a certain role in reducing transportation costs for large-volume goods and promoting regional trade.
III. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
3.1 Cost-related
(See the original content for 3.1.1 FCL and LCL (sea freight) details)
FCL Transport Costs: The cost of full-container-load (FCL) shipments from Zhanjiang is influenced by multiple factors. The basic ocean freight depends on the destination port. For example, shipping a 40-foot container of petrochemical products to a European port will have a different base cost compared to shipping to a port in Southeast Asia. The type of goods also affects the cost; for instance, transporting hazardous petrochemical products may require special handling and additional safety measures, increasing the cost. Port handling fees vary among different ports. At Zhanjiang Port, the handling fee for a standard FCL includes charges for container loading, unloading, and short-term storage. Documentation fees cover the preparation of essential shipping documents such as the bill of lading, commercial invoice, and packing list. Surcharges like the bunker adjustment factor (BAF) due to oil price fluctuations and currency adjustment factor (CAF) due to exchange rate changes can significantly impact the overall cost.
LCL Transport Costs: In less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments from Zhanjiang, the basic ocean freight is shared among multiple shippers based on their cargo volume or weight. LCL service fees include the cost of consolidating and de-consolidating goods at the origin and destination ports. Before consolidation, the goods are stored in a warehouse, sorted, and sometimes repackaged, incurring additional costs. These fees are charged based on the greater of weight or volume. At the destination port, there may be extra charges for de-stuffing the container and delivering the goods to the consignee. The overall LCL cost also depends on the origin and destination ports, as well as the type of goods being shipped.