The Definitive Guide to Import and Export Freight Services into/from Zhenjiang, Jiangsu：Enabling Global Business Growth
2. City Introduction
2.1 Geographical Location
Zhenjiang, located in Jiangsu Province, East China, is strategically positioned in the southern part of the province. It lies along the Yangtze River, enjoying excellent water – borne transportation advantages. The Yangtze River provides direct access to the sea, enabling seamless connection to international shipping routes. Moreover, Zhenjiang is well – integrated into the national transportation network. Expressways and railways traverse the city, connecting it to major cities in Jiangsu and neighboring areas. The expressways facilitate the quick movement of goods within the region, while the railways ensure efficient long – distance transportation. Despite not being a large – scale port city on its own, Zhenjiang’s proximity to major ports and its well – developed inland transportation make it an important link in the regional and international trade logistics chain.
2.2 Economic Characteristics
Zhenjiang has a diverse economic structure. The manufacturing industry is a significant part of its economy. It encompasses various manufacturing sectors, with a focus on the production of machinery, chemical products, and new – materials. The machinery manufacturing industry produces a wide range of products, including industrial machinery, construction machinery, and some precision – manufacturing equipment, which are exported to different regions both at home and abroad. The chemical industry in Zhenjiang is well – developed, producing basic chemical raw materials, fine – chemical products, and some chemical – based building materials. These chemical products are not only supplied to the domestic market but also exported to international markets. The new – materials industry is emerging, focusing on the research, development, and production of high – performance materials such as advanced composite materials, new – energy materials, and high – tech materials.
In addition, Zhenjiang has a certain scale of light – industrial and food – processing industries. The light – industrial manufacturing industry produces daily – use products, textiles, and some handicrafts. The food – processing industry takes advantage of the local agricultural products to produce processed grains, beverages, and some specialty food products. These products are sold both in the domestic market and exported to meet the demands of international consumers. In recent years, emerging industries such as e – commerce, modern logistics, and high – tech services have started to develop, further fueling the demand for import and export freight services.
2.3 Administrative Regions and Freight – Related Areas
Zhenjiang administers several regions, each contributing uniquely to the freight business:
- Jingkou District: As the core urban area of Zhenjiang, it serves as an important commercial and service center. The district has a large number of trading companies, business service providers, and commercial complexes. It is a major source of consumer goods for both the local market and export, especially high – end consumer electronics, fashion products, and luxury goods. The district also has some emerging e – commerce enterprises that contribute to the export of various products through online platforms. In addition, there are some high – tech start – ups in the district, focusing on software development, high – tech services, and some high – tech product manufacturing, which contribute to the export of high – value – added products.
- Runzhou District: It has a relatively developed industrial base, mainly in the fields of machinery manufacturing, chemical industry, and new – materials. There are factories producing industrial machinery, chemical products, and new – materials products. These products are exported to different regions, both domestically and internationally. The district also imports some advanced production equipment, high – quality raw materials, and technologies to support local industries. For example, the machinery – manufacturing plants import high – precision machine tools and advanced automation systems, while the chemical industry imports high – purity chemical raw materials.
- Dantu District: Focuses on the manufacturing and agricultural – product processing industries. The district has manufacturing plants producing building materials, auto parts, and some light – industrial products. It also has large – scale agricultural – product processing enterprises that process grains, vegetables, and fruits into various food products. These industrial and agricultural – processed products are exported to different markets. In addition, Dantu has some logistics parks that play a crucial role in coordinating the transportation of goods, ensuring the smooth flow of products from factories to ports or airports.
- Danyang City: Known for its manufacturing and trade industries, it is a major exporter of industrial products. The city has a well – developed manufacturing base, especially in the fields of optical – electronics, machinery, and automobiles. It exports optical – products such as glasses, lenses, and optical instruments, as well as machinery products and auto parts. Danyang also has a vibrant trade industry, importing some high – tech components and raw materials to support its manufacturing industries. For example, the optical – electronics industry imports high – quality optical materials and advanced manufacturing equipment.
- Yangzhong City: It has a strong focus on the manufacturing and new – energy industries. The city is known for its production of electrical equipment, especially low – voltage electrical appliances. It exports a large amount of electrical equipment products to different regions. In addition, Yangzhong has been actively developing the new – energy industry, focusing on the production of solar – power equipment and some energy – storage products. These new – energy products are also part of its exports. The city imports some advanced technologies and components for its new – energy and manufacturing industries.
- Jurong City: It has a diverse economic structure, with a focus on the manufacturing, agricultural, and tourism – related industries. The manufacturing industry in Jurong produces industrial products such as machinery, building materials, and some light – industrial products. The city is also an important agricultural area, producing high – quality grains, fruits, and vegetables. These agricultural products are processed and exported. In addition, Jurong has a growing tourism industry, and tourism – related products such as souvenirs and handicrafts are also part of its exports.
3. Port and Airport Information
3.1 Port / Sea Freight
3.1.1 Port Selection
Zhenjiang has its own Zhenjiang Port, which is an important port on the Yangtze River. In addition, it also has access to nearby major ports such as Nanjing Port and Shanghai Port. Zhenjiang Port mainly handles the transportation of bulk goods, containers, and some ro – ro cargo. The connection to Nanjing Port and Shanghai Port through road, railway, and water – borne transportation provides more options for Zhenjiang’s international trade. Road transportation offers flexibility for small – to – medium – scale cargo shipments, allowing for door – to – door service. Railway transportation is more suitable for large – volume and long – distance transportation. Inland waterway transportation along the Yangtze River is an important mode for transporting bulk goods to the ports.
3.1.2 Port Information
- Zhenjiang Port: It has modern berths, including deep – water berths that can accommodate large – scale vessels such as bulk carriers and container ships. The port is equipped with advanced cargo – handling equipment, such as high – efficiency gantry cranes, automated container – handling systems, and specialized equipment for handling different types of goods. It has large – scale storage facilities, including warehouses and container yards, to ensure the proper storage and management of goods. The port also has efficient customs – clearance facilities, which can handle the customs procedures for import and export goods quickly and smoothly.
- Nanjing Port: A major port on the Yangtze River, with modern berths and advanced cargo – handling equipment. It can handle large – scale cargo shipments and has established connections with major international ports through feeder vessels and ocean – going ships. The port has a complete set of logistics support facilities, including storage, transportation, and customs – clearance services.
- Shanghai Port: One of the largest ports in the world, it offers a wide range of shipping services to all major international ports. It has a large number of deep – water berths, advanced cargo – handling equipment, and comprehensive logistics support services. Shanghai Port can handle various types of cargo, from high – value – added industrial products to bulk commodities. The port has a high – efficiency customs – clearance system, which ensures the smooth flow of goods in international trade.
3.1.3 International Routes
- Asia: Regular shipping services from Zhenjiang Port, Nanjing Port, and Shanghai Port connect to major Asian ports such as Busan in South Korea, Tokyo in Japan, and Singapore. Zhenjiang’s exports to Asia mainly include industrial products, agricultural products, and some light – industrial products. For example, Zhenjiang exports machinery products, agricultural products, and handicrafts to South Korea and imports some high – tech components from Japan.
- Europe: Regular container ships ply from these ports to European ports such as Rotterdam and Hamburg. High – value – added products from Zhenjiang’s emerging industries, such as high – tech equipment and some high – end manufacturing products, are exported to Europe.
- North America: The ports have established shipping connections with North – American ports such as Vancouver and Los Angeles. Goods such as industrial products, agricultural products, and light – industrial consumer goods from Zhenjiang are transported to North America.
3.2 Air Freight
Zhenjiang does not have a dedicated international airport. However, it is in close proximity to Nanjing Lukou International Airport and Changzhou Benniu International Airport. These two airports serve as major air – freight hubs for the region.
- Fast and Efficient: Air freight can quickly transport high – value, time – sensitive goods from Zhenjiang to major international destinations within a few hours to a day or two. This is especially suitable for products like high – tech components, precision instruments, and some fresh agricultural products with short shelf – lives.
- Cargo Types: Predominantly transports high – tech products (such as components for the new – energy and high – tech industries), high – value – added agricultural products (such as premium – grade grains and fresh fruits), and some high – value – added industrial products (such as high – precision machinery parts).
- Logistics Services: Local logistics companies in Zhenjiang cooperate with the airports to provide “door – to – door” services. Goods can be directly transported from factories or warehouses in Zhenjiang to the airport and then swiftly delivered to the destination by air. The airports also offer value – added services such as cargo tracking, warehousing, and distribution.
3.3 Inland Transportation Modes
Zhenjiang has a diverse set of inland transportation modes:
- Road Transportation: Ideal for short – distance and small – to – medium – batch cargo transportation. The road network in Zhenjiang is well – developed, with expressways, national highways, and urban roads connecting different regions. Professional logistics companies offer “door – to – door” services, ensuring the quick transportation of goods from factories or warehouses to the port or airport.
- Railway Transportation: Zhenjiang has a relatively complete railway network, with several railway lines passing through the city. Railway transportation is suitable for large – batch and long – distance cargo transportation. It is characterized by high efficiency, low cost, and high punctuality. Through railway transportation, goods can be transported to domestic destinations and can be seamlessly connected with sea freight. The railway network can handle various types of cargo, including industrial products, minerals, and agricultural products.
- Inland Waterway Transportation: Along the Yangtze River, there are well – developed inland waterway transportation routes. These routes are mainly used for the transportation of bulk goods such as building materials, industrial raw materials, and some agricultural products. The inland waterway transportation also plays a role in connecting Zhenjiang with other inland areas and in international trade through the connection to the sea.
4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
4.1 Cost – related
4.1.1 FCL and LCL (Sea Freight)
Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL) are two common transportation modes in sea freight, and they have different cost structures:
- FCL Transportation Cost: The cost of FCL mainly includes basic ocean freight, which is determined by factors such as the distance of transportation, the type of goods, and the size of the container. Port handling charges cover the loading and unloading operations at the origin (Zhenjiang Port, Nanjing Port, or other relevant ports) and destination ports. There are also document fees for handling necessary shipping documents, such as bills of lading and packing lists. Additionally, factors like bunker adjustment factor (BAF) and currency adjustment factor (CAF) may affect the overall cost, as they are adjusted according to international oil prices and exchange rate fluctuations.
- LCL Transportation Cost: LCL costs are more complex. In addition to a proportionate share of the basic ocean freight, it includes LCL service fees. These fees cover the costs of consolidating and distributing goods in the container. Since multiple shippers’ goods are combined in one container, there are additional charges for storage, sorting, and repackaging in the warehouse. LCL is usually charged based on the larger of the weight or volume of the goods, that is, “charging by the larger measure”. At the destination port, there may also be additional fees for unpacking and delivering the goods to the consignee.