The Definitive Guide to Import and Export Freight Services into/from Longnan City: Enabling Global Business Growth
2. City Introduction
2.1 Geographical Location
Longnan is located in the southern part of Gansu Province, China. It lies at the junction of the Qinling Mountains, the Daba Mountains, and the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The city is strategically positioned as a crucial transportation hub in Northwest China, connecting major cities and regions. Longnan is bordered by Tianshui and Dingxi to the north, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture to the west, Sichuan Province to the south, and Shaanxi Province to the east. This strategic location makes Longnan a key node on the Eurasian Continental Bridge and an important part of the Lanzhou-Xinjiang economic belt.
2.2 Economic Characteristics
Longnan is an important agricultural and industrial city in Gansu Province. Its economy is driven by several key sectors:
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Agriculture: Longnan is known for its fertile plains and is a major producer of grain, fruits, vegetables, and livestock. The region is particularly famous for its olive oil production, earning it the title of “China’s Olive Oil Hometown”.
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Industry: The city has a well-developed industrial base, with key industries including manufacturing, mining, and energy. Major industrial projects such as the Xiongwei Wanli Circular Eco-New Materials and the Baohui Zinc Resource Comprehensive Utilization have been built and put into production.
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Logistics: Longnan’s strategic location and well-developed transportation infrastructure make it a significant logistics hub in the region.
2.3 Administrative Regions and Freight-Related Areas
Longnan administers several regions, each contributing to the freight business in different ways:
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Wudu District: The political, economic, and cultural center of Longnan, with its developed industrial parks and commercial centers, is a major source of industrial goods for shipment.
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Cheng County: Known for its agricultural production and emerging logistics industry, it is a significant source of agricultural products.
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Wen County: Located in the southern part of Longnan, it is known for its agricultural production and emerging industries.
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Dangchang County: An important area for agricultural production and emerging industries, with a focus on resource development and ethnic cultural heritage.
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Kang County: Famous for its cultural heritage and tourism, it also plays an important role in the transportation of cultural and agricultural products.
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Xihé County: Known for its agricultural production and emerging industries.
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Lixian County: An important area for agricultural production and emerging industries.
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Huixian County: Known for its agricultural production and emerging industries.
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Liángdāng County: Famous for its cultural heritage and tourism, it also plays an important role in the transportation of cultural and agricultural products.
3. Port and Airport Information
3.1 Port / Sea Freight
3.1.1 Port Selection
For Longnan, the closest international maritime hub port is Lianyungang Port. Its proximity to Longnan, accessible via railway and highway, makes it convenient for the concentration and transportation of goods from Longnan to international destinations.
3.1.2 Port Information
Lianyungang Port is an important comprehensive port on the eastern coast of China. With a long-established history and well-developed infrastructure, the port covers a vast area and is equipped with modern berths, storage facilities, and advanced cargo-handling equipment. It operates a highly efficient logistics system that can handle large-volume cargo shipments with speed and accuracy.
3.1.3 International Routes
Lianyungang Port’s international routes cover many important regions around the world:
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Asia: Regular shipping services connect to major ports in Asia, including Busan, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.
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Africa: The port is linked to key African ports like Durban and Mombasa.
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Middle East: Strong shipping connections have been established with Middle-East ports like Dubai and Jeddah.
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Europe: Regular container and bulk-cargo ships ply from Lianyungang Port to European ports such as Rotterdam and Hamburg.
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Latin America: Shipping routes to major Latin-American ports like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.
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North America: Lianyungang Port is connected to North-American ports such as Los Angeles and Vancouver.
3.1.4 Main Port Terminals and Functions
Lianyungang Port has multiple professional terminals:
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Container Terminal: Specializes in the loading, unloading, and storage of containerized goods, equipped with state-of-the-art quay-side cranes, automated container-handling systems, and large-scale container yards.
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Bulk Cargo Terminal: Focuses on handling bulk commodities such as coal, iron ore, and grain.
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Liquid Chemical Terminal: Deals with the loading and unloading of crude oil, refined oil products, and chemical liquids.
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Ro-Ro Terminal: Mainly used for loading and unloading large-scale equipment such as automobiles, construction machinery, and heavy-duty trucks.
3.2 Air Freight
Longnan’s air freight transportation services mainly rely on Tianshui Maijishan Airport, a key regional air cargo hub. The airport is equipped with modern cargo-handling facilities, including large-capacity cargo warehouses, advanced loading and unloading equipment, and efficient customs-clearance procedures. It offers a variety of air-freight services, such as express freight, general cargo transportation, and special-cargo handling.
3.3 Inland Transportation Modes
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Road Transportation: Longnan has a well-developed road network, with major highways such as the Lanzhou-Chongqing Expressway (G75) running through the city. This makes road transportation ideal for short-distance and small-to-medium-batch cargo transportation, offering “door-to-door” services for the quick transportation of goods from factories or warehouses to the port or airport.
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Railway Transportation: Longnan is an important railway hub in Gansu Province, with major railway lines such as the Lanzhou-Chongqing Railway passing through the city. Railway transportation is suitable for large-batch and long-distance cargo transportation, characterized by high efficiency, low cost, and high punctuality.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
4.1 Cost-related
4.1.1 FCL and LCL (Sea Freight)
Sea freight costs are determined by multiple factors such as transportation distance, cargo weight and volume, bunker adjustment factor, and market fluctuations. Longer distances generally result in higher costs; for example, shipping from Longnan (via Lianyungang Port) to a European port will be more expensive than shipping to an Asian port. Heavier and bulkier cargo also incur higher freight charges, and the bunker adjustment factor, reflecting fuel costs, along with market fluctuations, impact the final price.
4.2 Service-related
4.2.1 Import to Longnan
Importing goods to Longnan typically involves transportation via railway or road from major ports. Customs clearance is handled at the port or border crossings.
4.2.2 FBA Amazon
Longnan offers FBA services for Amazon sellers, with logistics providers specializing in air and sea freight. Services include pick-up, customs clearance, and delivery to Amazon warehouses.
4.2.3 Project Cargo Transportation
Specialized logistics companies handle large-scale equipment and project cargo, ensuring safe and efficient transportation.
4.2.4 Cold Chain Export
Cold chain logistics are available for perishable goods, ensuring temperature-controlled transportation from Longnan to major ports or airports.
4.2.5 Warehousing / Storage
Longnan has multiple warehousing facilities, including those in industrial zones and logistics parks.
4.2.6 Pre-shipment Inspection / Quality Control
Pre-shipment inspection services are available to ensure the quality and compliance of goods before export.
4.2.7 Labeling / Repackaging
Labeling and repackaging services are provided to meet international standards and requirements.
4.2.8 Pick-up and Distribution
Logistics providers offer pick-up services from factories or warehouses and distribute goods to the port or airport.
4.2.9 Insurance
Insurance services are available to cover goods during transportation,