The Definitive Guide to Import and Export Freight Services into/from Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture: Enabling Global Business Growth
2. City Introduction
2.1 Geographical Location
Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, located in the southwestern part of Gansu Province, China, is a unique region at the junction of the Tibetan Plateau and the Loess Plateau. It serves as a crucial transportation and cultural hub, connecting major cities and regions. The prefecture is bordered by Sichuan Province to the south, Qinghai Province to the west, and other parts of Gansu Province to the north and east. This strategic location makes Gannan a key node for trade and cultural exchange between the Tibetan Plateau and the Chinese mainland.
2.2 Economic Characteristics
Gannan is known for its rich natural resources and unique cultural heritage. The economy is driven by several key sectors:
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Agriculture and Animal Husbandry: Gannan is a major producer of livestock products, including yak and sheep, and is famous for its high-altitude agricultural products such as Tibetan medicinal herbs and highland barley.
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Tourism: The region is a popular destination for tourists due to its stunning natural landscapes and rich Tibetan cultural heritage. Major attractions include the Labrang Monastery in Xiahe County and the natural beauty of the Ruoergai Grassland.
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Industry: Gannan is also developing its industrial base, with a focus on green and sustainable practices. The prefecture is known for its mineral resources and emerging industries in renewable energy.
2.3 Administrative Regions and Freight-Related Areas
Gannan administers several counties and cities, each contributing to the freight business in different ways:
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Hezuo City: The capital of Gannan, Hezuo is a major economic and cultural center. It is a hub for trade and transportation, with significant industrial and agricultural activities.
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Linxian County: Known for its rich agricultural production and emerging tourism industry.
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Zhuoni County: A significant agricultural area with a focus on highland crops and livestock.
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Zhouqu County: An important area for agricultural production and emerging industries.
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Diebu County: Famous for its natural beauty and cultural heritage, it is a key destination for tourism.
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Maqu County: Known for its vast grasslands and livestock production.
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Luqu County: An important area for agricultural production and emerging industries.
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Xiahe 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 Gannan, the closest international maritime hub port is Lianyungang Port. Its proximity to Gannan, accessible via railway and highway, makes it convenient for the concentration and transportation of goods from Gannan 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
Gannan’s air freight transportation services mainly rely on Lanzhou Zhongchuan International 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: Gannan has a well-developed road network, with major highways such as the Lanzhou-Chengdu Expressway (G75) running through the region. 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: Gannan is an important railway hub in Gansu Province, with major railway lines such as the Lanzhou-Chengdu Railway passing through the region. 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 Gannan (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 Gannan
Importing goods to Gannan 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
Gannan 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 Gannan to major ports or airports.
4.2.5 Warehousing / Storage
Gannan 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, protecting against potential losses or damages.
4.2.10 Export License / Certificate of Origin
Assistance is provided in obtaining export licenses and certificates of origin to facilitate international trade.
4.2.11 DHL Express Costs Calculation
DHL Express offers fast and reliable services for high-value, time-sensitive goods. Costs are calculated based on weight, volume, and destination.
If you have any specific questions or need further details about any of these services, please feel free to contact us.