Port of Zhongshan

Importing from Zhongshan to the UK


Zhongshan Port serves several major factory districts in Zhongshan, a city known for its industrial diversity.

Key factory districts include Guzhen, which is known as a significant hub for LED manufacturing and lighting products. It serves Dongfeng, one of China's main areas for electrical household appliance production.

Zhongshan port also serves the districts of Dachong and Shaxi, renowned for its mahogany furniture. The port also has ties with Xiaolan, an area specialising in hardware, locks, and electronic acoustic products.

Additionally, Zhongshan's Torch Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone (HIDZ) includes significant industrial bases for packing, printing, healthcare technology, and equipment manufacturing.

What are FOB and EXW terms?

For UK importers receiving goods from Zhongshan Port, FOB and EXW are the two most important Incoterms.

FOB (Free on Board)


When goods are sold FOB, all costs and obligations of the seller are applicable up until the point at which the goods are loaded onto a vessel and shipped to the closest port.
Following loading, the item becomes the client's property, and they bear the entire cost of importation, including shipping from the point of origin to the destination and customs clearance charges.


EXW (Ex Works)


The seller's only duty under the EXW incoterm is to deliver the goods to the designated location, which may be a factory or warehouse.
Here, the buyer assumes most of the seller's duties and manages the entire export and import procedure, including customs clearance, packing, shipping, and insurance.
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Sea Freight service options from Zhongshan to the UK

Depending on the volume of their goods, importers exporting from Zhongshan port to the UK have a choice between two shipping methods.

Less-than-Container Load (LCL):


Lower-volume importers whose goods don't fill the entire container might share container capacity with other shippers through less-than-container load (LCL) shipping.

Full Container Load (FCL):


Importers have the option to reserve the full container to ensure that it is exclusively used for their products.

Do you need an export licence?

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Three categories are used by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) to classify products:

  • Permitted goods

  • Restricted goods

  • Prohibited goods


The MoC's export permits provide details about the buyer(s), seller(s), shipment, price, and mode of transportation. These permissions are required for the export of goods that are restricted.
Authorisation is also required for Chinese Foreign Trade Companies (FTC) to export to UK branches. Conversely, trade with foreign suppliers in other countries does not require an export licence (FOB).

Clearing customs: Documents you’ll need

Shippers need to make sure that the necessary paperwork is in order for UK customs to clear imported products.

A bill of lading (BL), commercial invoice, packing list, EORI number, and import licence (if applicable) are some examples of the required documentation.

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