The Definitive Guide to Import and Export Freight Services in Zhangye, Gansu, China

I. City Overview

(I) Geographical Location

(II) Economic Characteristics

(III) Administrative Regions and Freight Relevance

• Ganzhou District: As the economic and administrative center of Zhangye, Ganzhou District is a hub for various economic activities. It exports a wide range of products, including agricultural products, textiles, and some machinery parts. It imports high-tech products, advanced agricultural machinery, and consumer goods to support local industries and meet the needs of the local population.
• Sunan Yugur Autonomous County: This county has a unique ethnic culture and a certain scale of animal husbandry and mining industries. It exports animal husbandry products, some mineral products, and ethnic handicrafts. It imports necessary daily necessities, mining equipment, and some cultural and educational supplies to support local development.
• Minle County: Minle County is mainly an agricultural area, with a focus on the production of grains, vegetables, and traditional Chinese medicine materials. It exports these agricultural products, while importing agricultural machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides to enhance agricultural productivity.
• Linze County: Linze County has a strong agricultural base and also some development in the manufacturing of building materials. It exports agricultural products, building materials, and some handicrafts. It imports raw materials for the building materials industry, consumer goods, and some modern technologies.
• Gaotai County: Gaotai County has a diverse economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, and trade. It exports agricultural products, industrial products such as textiles, and some local specialties. It imports raw materials for manufacturing, consumer goods, and educational and medical supplies.
• Shandan County: Shandan County has a certain scale of the agricultural and manufacturing industries. It exports agricultural products, some machinery parts, and handicrafts. It imports agricultural machinery, industrial raw materials, and consumer goods to support local industries.

II. Key Freight Nodes

(I) Ports

(II) Airports

(III) Inland Transportation

1. Road Transportation: Zhangye has a relatively well-developed road network. Expressways and provincial roads connect different administrative regions and neighboring cities. Road transportation is suitable for short-distance and small-to-medium batch cargo transportation, offering “door-to-door” services. There are numerous logistics companies operating in the area, providing reliable road transportation services for local businesses. However, the harsh weather conditions in the region, such as sandstorms and extreme temperature variations, may sometimes affect the efficiency of road transportation.
2. Railway Transportation: The railway network is a vital means of transporting large batches of goods in Zhangye. Existing railway lines enable the efficient transportation of industrial products, agricultural products, and raw materials. Railway transportation is characterized by high efficiency, low cost, and relatively high punctuality, and it plays a key role in connecting Zhangye with other regions and ports for seamless freight transfer. The continuous improvement of the railway infrastructure is further enhancing Zhangye’s freight transportation capabilities.

III. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

(I) Cost-related

1. FCL and LCL (Sea Freight)
   Sea freight costs for goods from Zhangye are influenced by multiple factors. The long distance from the coastal ports is a major cost factor. Shipping from Zhangye (via a nearby port) to a European port will be much more expensive compared to shipping to a nearby Asian port. Cargo weight and volume also have a direct impact on freight charges; heavier and bulkier cargo will result in higher costs. The bunker adjustment factor, which reflects fuel prices, and market fluctuations in the shipping industry also affect the final sea freight price. During periods of high fuel prices or high demand for shipping space, sea freight costs will increase significantly. Moreover, the cost of inland transportation from Zhangye to the port also contributes to the overall sea freight cost.

(II) Service-related

1. Import to Zhangye
   The import process to Zhangye involves several steps. First, goods arrive at the port (either a sea port or a port in a neighboring region). At the port, customs declaration and inspection procedures are carried out. After passing customs, the goods are transported to Zhangye via road or railway. It is crucial to comply with relevant import regulations, such as product quality standards, safety regulations, and import duty requirements. The unique geographical conditions during inland transportation may require special handling to ensure the safe arrival of goods.
2. FBA Amazon
   For FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) services related to Zhangye-based products, specific procedures need to be followed. Products must meet Amazon’s requirements for preparation, including proper labeling, packaging, and quality control. Shipping arrangements should be made to ensure timely delivery to Amazon’s distribution centers. Warehousing in Amazon’s facilities also has specific rules and fees. The relatively remote location of Zhangye may pose challenges in terms of transportation time and cost to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, which need to be carefully considered in the shipping plan.
3. Project Cargo Transportation
   Project cargo transportation, such as the transportation of large industrial equipment or construction materials for major projects in Zhangye, requires special handling. Specialized transportation companies need to develop customized transportation plans, taking into account factors such as the size, weight, and fragility of the cargo. Permits may be necessary for transporting oversized or overweight cargo on roads and railways. The complex terrain in Zhangye may complicate the transportation of project cargo, and additional safety measures may be required.
4. Cold Chain Export
   Cold chain export is crucial for products such as fresh agricultural products, some pharmaceuticals, and certain food products in Zhangye. It requires strict temperature-controlled transportation and storage facilities, including refrigerated trucks, containers, and warehouses. Monitoring systems are in place to ensure that the products maintain the appropriate temperature throughout the transportation process to guarantee product quality and safety. The development of cold chain infrastructure in Zhangye may face challenges due to the relatively high cost and the need for specialized technology, but local efforts are being made to improve the cold chain capabilities to meet the export needs.
5. Warehousing / Storage
   There are various types of warehousing services available in Zhangye. General warehousing is suitable for most non-perishable goods, providing storage space for inventory management. Cold storage is designed for perishable items, maintaining the required temperature to preserve product quality. Bonded warehousing is provided for goods that are in the process of import or export and need to be stored under customs supervision. Each type of warehousing has different service scopes and charges, depending on factors such as location, storage capacity, and additional services. The location of warehouses in Zhangye may be influenced by factors such as proximity to transportation hubs and industrial areas.
6. Pre-shipment Inspection / Quality Control
   Pre-shipment inspection is essential to ensure that exported products from Zhangye meet the quality standards and regulatory requirements of the destination market. Professional inspection agencies in Zhangye can conduct inspections on various aspects of the products, including quality, safety, and compliance with international standards. This helps to avoid potential issues during customs clearance and ensures customer satisfaction. Local businesses in Zhangye need to work closely with inspection agencies to ensure the quality of their products.
7. Labeling / Repackaging
   Proper labeling and repackaging may be required according to international trade regulations and the specific requirements of different customers. Labels need to include essential information such as product name, origin, ingredients, usage instructions, and safety warnings. Repackaging may be necessary to protect the product during transportation, meet the packaging standards of the destination market, or enhance the product’s marketability. Businesses in Zhangye need to be aware of the diverse packaging and labeling requirements of different countries and regions.
8. Pick-up and Distribution
   Logistics companies in Zhangye offer pick-up and distribution services to ensure the smooth flow of goods. They can pick up goods from factories, warehouses, or other sources and distribute them to various destinations, whether it is within Zhangye, to other domestic locations, or to ports for international shipping. The efficiency of these services depends on factors such as traffic conditions, the location of pick-up and delivery points, and the logistics company’s operational capabilities. The harsh weather and terrain in Zhangye may affect traffic conditions and the location of pick-up and delivery points, requiring logistics companies to optimize their routes and operations.
9. Insurance
   Cargo insurance is important to protect the interests of shippers and consignees in case of losses during transportation. Different types of insurance policies are available, such as all-risks insurance, which covers a wide range of potential losses, and specific-risks insurance, which focuses on particular risks. The insurance premium is calculated based on factors such as the value of the goods, the transportation route, the mode of transportation, and the type of insurance coverage. Businesses in Zhangye need to carefully assess their insurance needs and choose the appropriate insurance policy to safeguard their goods during transportation.
10. Export License / Certificate of Origin
    The application and issuance of export licenses and certificates of origin are important procedures for international trade. Export licenses are required for certain types of goods, especially those that are subject to export control or restricted. The certificate of origin indicates the country or region of origin of the goods and is often required for customs clearance and to determine the applicable tariff rates. The application process for these documents follows specific regulations and requires the submission of relevant documentation. Local businesses in Zhangye need to be familiar with the application procedures for export licenses and certificates of origin to ensure the legal and smooth export of their products.
11. DHL Express Costs Calculation
    DHL Express costs for shipping from Zhangye are calculated based on factors such as the weight and volume of the package, the destination, and the service type selected. The weight and volume of the package determine the basic freight charge. The destination affects the cost due to differences in transportation distance and service availability. Different service types, such as express delivery, standard delivery, and economy delivery, have different price ranges. The relatively remote location of Zhangye may result in higher DHL Express costs compared to more central locations, as the transportation distance to major DHL hubs may be longer.