General Import and Export Freight Service Guide for Chengdu, Sichuan, China

I. City Introduction

1.1 Geographical Location

Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan Province, is located in the fertile Sichuan Basin. It serves as a major transportation hub in southwestern China, with a vast network of highways, railways, and aviation routes. This central location not only connects it to all parts of Sichuan but also provides access to major domestic and international markets, making it crucial for import and export activities.

1.2 Economic Characteristics

Chengdu has a diverse and vibrant economy. It is a key center for high – tech industries, including electronics, software development, and aerospace. The automotive manufacturing industry is also booming, with several major auto – making plants based here. In addition, the city has a strong agricultural base, with surrounding areas producing a variety of agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, and grains. The service sector, including finance, logistics, and tourism, is also a significant contributor to the local economy. These industries generate a high demand for import and export freight services, from transporting high – tech components to agricultural products.

1.3 Administrative Divisions and Freight – related Areas

Chengdu has 12 districts, 5 counties, and 5 county – level cities under its jurisdiction. Each area has its own economic focus and freight – related activities. For example, the central urban areas like Jinjiang District, Qingyang District, Jinniu District, Wuhou District, and Chenghua District are centers for commercial and financial activities, often handling high – value goods and e – commerce – related freight. Suburban areas such as Longquanyi District, Qingbaijiang District, Xindu District, Wenjiang District, Shuangliu District, and Pidu District are more involved in industrial production and logistics. Longquanyi, for instance, is known for its automotive manufacturing, which requires the import of auto parts and the export of finished vehicles. Qingbaijiang has a large – scale international railway port, playing a crucial role in international freight transportation.

II. Port and Airport Information

2.1 Ports

Although Chengdu is an inland city, it has established an efficient connection with ports through multimodal transportation. For sea freight, it mainly relies on ports in coastal areas such as Shanghai Port, Ningbo – Zhoushan Port, and Shenzhen Port. These ports are among the largest in the world, equipped with advanced container handling equipment, large – scale storage yards, and a wide range of shipping routes covering all major international destinations. Goods from Chengdu are transported to these ports by railway or highway for further international shipping. Additionally, Chengdu has its own inland port, the Chengdu International Railway Port in Qingbaijiang District. It serves as a key node for the China – Europe freight trains (Chengdu), enabling direct access to European markets.

2.2 Airports

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport are two major aviation hubs in the city. Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport has a long – established network of freight routes, reaching major domestic and international cities. It is well – equipped to handle high – value, time – sensitive goods such as high – tech products, fresh agricultural products, and luxury goods. Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, a newly – built airport, has even more advanced facilities and a broader range of international routes. It can handle a large volume of cargo, further enhancing Chengdu’s air freight capacity.

2.3 Inland Transportation

Road transportation is the most common mode for short – distance and small – batch cargo transportation within Chengdu and its surrounding areas. The city has an extensive network of expressways, national roads, and urban roads, allowing trucks to provide door – to – door services. For long – distance and large – volume cargo, railway transportation is preferred. Chengdu is an important railway hub, with multiple trunk lines passing through, such as the Baoji – Chengdu Railway, the Chengdu – Kunming Railway, and the Chengdu – Chongqing Railway. These railways connect Chengdu to other major cities in China and are also crucial for the transportation of goods to coastal ports. In addition, the development of high – speed railways has further improved the transportation efficiency of high – value and time – sensitive goods.

III. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

3.1 Cost – related

3.1.1 FCL (Full Container Load)

When exporting by FCL from Chengdu, the basic ocean freight is determined by the destination port. Shipping to ports in Southeast Asia is relatively more cost – effective than to ports in Europe or America. Port handling fees vary according to the container type and size. For example, a 40 – foot high – cube container may have a higher handling fee than a standard 20 – foot container. Documentation fees cover the preparation of essential shipping documents like bills of lading, commercial invoices, and packing lists. Surcharges such as the bunker adjustment factor (BAF) and currency adjustment factor (CAF) can significantly impact the total cost. The BAF fluctuates with oil prices, and the CAF is affected by exchange rate changes.

3.1.2 LCL (Less than Container Load)

The cost of LCL sea freight is calculated based on the volume or weight of the goods for the basic freight. LCL service fees include the cost of cargo consolidation and de – consolidation at the origin and destination ports. Storage fees are charged when the goods are stored in the warehouse for consolidation or de – consolidation. The longer the storage time, the higher the storage fees. Different freight forwarders may have different charging standards, so it is essential to compare and choose the most suitable one.

3.2 Process – related

3.2.1 Export Process

Exporters in Chengdu first sign a trade contract with foreign customers, clearly specifying the product specifications, quantity, price, and delivery time. Then, they prepare relevant documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, and customs declaration forms. Next, the goods are transported to the designated port, either an inland port like the Chengdu International Railway Port or a coastal port. At the port, they undergo customs declaration and inspection procedures. Once the customs inspection is passed, the goods can be loaded onto the ship or train. After loading, the exporter should promptly send a shipping notice to the customer and provide the bill of lading and other relevant documents to ensure smooth delivery at the destination port.

3.2.2 Import Process

For imports, the enterprise first signs a purchase contract with the foreign supplier and arranges payment. Before the goods arrive at the port, the enterprise needs to declare to the customs and submit relevant documents, such as the import customs declaration form, bill of lading, commercial invoice, and packing list. The customs will inspect the goods and levy relevant duties and taxes. After the enterprise pays the taxes, it can pick up the goods. If the goods need to go through inspection and quarantine procedures, these must be completed before pickup to ensure compliance with domestic standards.

3.3 Customs Clearance – related

The customs clearance of import and export goods in Chengdu is carried out by the Chengdu Customs. Enterprises must truthfully declare the information of the goods, including the name, quantity, value, and place of origin. They also need to prepare relevant certificates, such as certificates of origin and quality inspection certificates, to cooperate with the customs inspection. For special goods, such as animal and plant products and hazardous chemicals, additional approval procedures are required. For example, animal and plant products need to provide quarantine certificates, and hazardous chemicals need to have relevant safety permits and approvals.