The Largest Port in Southern China

Shipping from China is a routine task. Hundreds of foreign buyers enter China to trade. Just look at the China export data and understand how significant exports are.

• China exports the products worth US$ 3,593,601 million to the global countries.
• The US is the most popular country trading with China. It imports products worth US$ 582,756 million from China. 

Source: Worldbank

Playing a crucial role in China is possible due to high shipping flows and easy access to the ports. One of the most attractive exporting regions is Southern China. It features the Pearl Delta River, a hub of manufacturing.

But which port in Southern China is the most massive one? Today, we will highlight all the ports in Southern China and the most popular and significant ones.

 

1. Southern China Port Basic

What are the largest ports in Southern China?

Southern China features many of the largest ports for trading around the globe. The proximity and excellent trading location make it one of the best regions.

Here is the list of ports famous as the largest ports in Southern China.

• Port of Guangzhou
• Port of Shenzhen
• Port of Hong Kong
• Port of Shanghai
• Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

Why are Southern China’s ports important for global trade?

You might have questions about the popularity of the ports in Southern China. Guess what? They stand out as one of the most powerful trading locations.

Here are various factors that make it a site for global trade.

• Manufacturing Hub

Southern China has the Pearl Delta River, which is a manufacturing hub. Shenzhen and Guangzhou ports handle almost all types of imports and exports. The products like the Electronics, textiles, and machinery are produced at this location and shipped globally.

These trading locations ensure consumers can ship products globally and streamline the supply chain.

• Better for China’s Economy

Since hundreds of manufacturers work in this region, Southern China ports are the perfect location for imports and exports. In the imports, Chinese suppliers order the raw materials and produce inventory flawlessly. In the exports, shipping occurs to North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

• Transshipment Ease

Southern China ports are one of the significant locations where transshipment occurs. Shipping companies can reroute their shipping packages and transit them to another shipping method. Such a facility makes it a perfect spot for the shipping companies to deal with the shipping.

• Infrastructure excellence

Remember the excellent infrastructure and advanced technology deployed at the Southern China ports. They feature deep water berths and excellent container shipping facilities.

Such advanced shipping facilities increase the efficiency of the goods shipping and allow the quick movement of the products. They further allow shipping companies to rush for imports and exports.

 

2. Major Southern China Ports for Exporters

Southern China features many top ports that handle imports and exports from other regions of the world. The trade opportunity makes it a perfect location for consumers and manufacturers.

Consider the following ports:

Port of Guangzhou   

Have you heard of the port of Guangzhou? Being famous and one of the busiest ports, it handles imports and exports from Southern China. Located near the Pearl Delta River, it facilitates the manufacturing hub to export products to more than 150 countries.

It has a container capacity of 23 million TEUs annually and delivers endless performance for the bulk inventory. The crucial products shipping include oil, coal, chemical fertilizer, steel, ore, cars, grain, machinery, food products, and containers.

Port of Shenzhen

The port of Shenzhen is located in Southern China on the Pearl Delta River. It connects to 500 ports in 130 countries.

The Port of Shenzhen is one of the most famous hubs globally. With a capacity of 28 million TEUs, it can handle bulk inventory. Plus, it links to Yantian, Shekou, and Chiwan, which focus on diverse shipping solutions.

The primary shipping products from the port of Shenzhen include chemical fertilizer, grain, feed, sugar, steel, and cement.

Port of Hong Kong

The Port of Hong Kong officially started trading in the 1840s and has a capacity of 16-18 million TEUs annually. It is located on the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island.

The Port of Hong Kong is connected to 500 ports with a primary connection to regions of Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and the rest of Asia.

Top products in shipping range from transshipment cargo to electronics, textiles, garments, and machinery.

Port of Shanghai

The Port of Shanghai is one of the busiest ports, with a container capacity of 47 million TEUs. It has consecutively been the most significant port since 2009. This port connects shipping companies and traders to over 500 ports in 200 countries.

At the heart of the Yangtze River, it connects China’s north and south coasts and the world ocean.

The key products shipping include containers, coal, metal ores, petroleum and its products, steel, mining construction materials, machinery, and construction equipment.

Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan

If you want to ship products from the Eastern coast of China, Ningbo Zhoushan is the ultimate port you need. With a capacity of 33 million TEUs annually, it ships products flawlessly in bulk and small quantities.

It is a historical port with thousands of years of history. The modern development started in 1980 and is one of the stylish and technically advanced ports.

It has links with 100+ countries and 600 ports around the globe. Oil, coal, iron ore, textiles, electronics, and machinery are the top products.

Port of Xiamen

Port of Xiamen is a well-known port in Southeastern China with an annual capacity of 12 million TEUs. Since its establishment in 1983, it has a capacity of 12 million TEUs.

It connects with 140 ports and 60 countries with a connection to Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. Top items include electronics, industrial goods, agricultural products, and machinery.

Port of Lianyungang

The Port of Lianyungang was established in 1933. Since then, it has deployed 5 million TEUs. Located in the Jiangsu province, it connects to 150 ports in 70+ countries.

The top connecting regions are Central Asia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. It engages with products of bulk commodities, chemicals, electronics, agricultural goods, and machinery.

Port	Location	Founded Date	Container Capacity (TEUs)	Connecting Regions & Number of Ports	Top Products Shipped
Port of Guangzhou	Pearl River, South China	Over 2,000 years old (modern development in 20th century)	23 million	300 ports in 100 countries (Southeast Asia, Europe, North America)	Electronics, automobiles, textiles, machinery, bulk commodities (coal, petroleum)
Port of Shenzhen	Pearl River Delta, Southern China	1980	28 million	500 ports in 130 countries (U.S., Europe, Asia)	Electronics (smartphones, computers), machinery, textiles, consumer goods
Port of Hong Kong	Kowloon Peninsula & Hong Kong Island	1840s	16-18 million	500 ports worldwide (Southeast Asia, Europe, North America)	Transshipment cargo, electronics, textiles, garments, machinery
Port of Shanghai	Yangtze River Delta, Eastern China	Late 19th century	47 million	500 ports in 214 countries (North America, Europe, Asia)	Industrial goods, electronics, machinery, textiles, chemicals
Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan	Zhejiang Province, Eastern China	1980 (modern development)	33 million	600 ports in 100+ countries (Europe, North America, Southeast Asia)	Oil, coal, iron ore, textiles, electronics, machinery
Port of Xiamen	Fujian Province, Southeastern China	1983 (historical trading port)	12 million	140 ports in 60 countries (Taiwan, Southeast Asia, East Asia)	Electronics, industrial goods, agricultural products, machinery
Port of Lianyungang	Jiangsu Province, Eastern China	1933	5 million	150 ports in 70+ countries (Central Asia, Europe, Southeast Asia)	Bulk commodities, chemicals, electronics, agricultural goods, machinery

 

 

 

3. Other Major Ports in China

There are various other ports in China. Keep an eye on:

Port of Dalian

The Port of Dalian lies along the Bohai River on the northeastern coast of China. Founded in 1899, this port deployed advanced facilities in the 20th and 21st centuries.

It features an annual container capacity of 9 million TEUs. It links to 300 ports in 150+ countries around the globe. The top products imported and exported revolve around Petrochemicals, grain, containers (industrial products), automobiles, machinery, and iron ore.

Port of Tianjin

Tianjin port also lies near to the Bohai Bay in Northern China. This modern port has had all the facilities since the 20th century.

With an excellent capacity of 20 million TEUs, the port of Tianjin connects 600 ports with 190+ countries. Whether you export products to America, Asia, or the Middle East, the Tianjin port has all the facilities.

The top products to know are electronics, machinery, vehicles, oil, coal, grain, and steel products.

Port of Yantai

The northeastern coast of the Shandong Peninsula features the port of Yantai. With over 3 million TEUs, this port has stood out as one of the top ones with its modern facilities and innovative approach.

It connects the 100 ports around the globe, connecting the major routes in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Grain, fruit, bulk chemicals, steel products, machinery, electronics and automobiles.

Port of Qingdao

The Yellow Sea coast features the port of Qingdao with its advanced export facilities. Established in the 19th century, this port has 23 million TEUs annual capacity.

Linked to 700 ports, it connects China to regions in North America, Europe, Japan, and South Korea.

Top items include crude oil, iron ore, grain, chemicals, automobiles, and machinery.

Port of Rizhao

The Port of Rizhao seems to be a new port working for 40+ years. It has a good container capacity, reaching 5 million TEUs while connecting 100 ports around the globe.

It has links with the 50+ countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. The primary products being shipped include coal, grain, iron ore, wood products, containers, machinery, electronics, and fertilizers.

Port	Location	Founded Date	Container Capacity (TEUs)	Connecting Regions & Number of Ports	Top Products Shipped
Port of Dalian	Liaoning Province, northeastern China	1899 (modern development in 20th century)	9 million	300 ports in 160 countries (Japan, South Korea, Russia, Southeast Asia)	Petrochemicals, grain, containers (industrial products), automobiles, machinery, iron ore
Port of Tianjin	Tianjin Municipality, northern China	1860	20 million	600 ports in 190 countries (East Asia, Europe, North America, Middle East)	Containers (electronics, machinery, vehicles), oil, coal, grain, steel products
Port of Yantai	Shandong Province, northeastern China	1861 (commercial port)	3 million	100 ports worldwide (East Asia, Southeast Asia)	Grain, fruit, bulk chemicals, steel products, containers (machinery, electronics), automobiles
Port of Qingdao	Shandong Province, Yellow Sea coast	1892	23 million	700 ports in 180 countries (North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea)	Crude oil, iron ore, grain, chemicals, automobiles, machinery
Port of Rizhao	Shandong Province, Yellow Sea coast	1986	5 million	100 ports in 50 countries (East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe)	Coal, grain, iron ore, wood products, containers (machinery, electronics), fertilizers

 

 

4. Comparison with Other Major Chinese Ports

 Southern vs. Northern China ports for imports

Southern and Northern ports feature a different range of applications and uses.

• Major southern ports include Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Xiamen.
• Major Northern ports include the ports of Tianjin, Dalian, and Qingdao.

Technically, both feature the two key differences.

• Shipping routes

Southern ports are all about the shipping to the Asian countries more than European regions. However, a significant portion also deals with the European regions. However, it ships products to Southeast Asia and the Pacific. On the other hand, Northern ports handle imports from Russia, Japan, and Korea.

• Goods

Southern ports primarily deal with exports and consumer-oriented trade. They are more involved in the B2B and B2C trades, which involve the major shipping options. At the same time, the Northern China ports talk about shipping raw materials for the manufacturing sector. Industrial imports are more common in Northern China.

Specialized export zones and their benefits

Specialized export zones with reduced tariffs and tax benefits.

The central regions include:

• Southern China

Shenzhen’s Free Trade Zone and Guangzhou’s Nansha Port Zone are the top regions in Southern China. They offer a stable and free export for the companies.

• Northern China

In Northern China, you can see Tianjin’s Binhai New Area and Qingdao’s Free Trade Zone. These offer reduced taxes and, sometimes, free support. It boosts their trade in this region.

Benefits of deploying the specialized export zones include:

• Cost efficiency. Exemption of the taxes allows better financial aid for the supply chain. It makes exports and production more cost-efficient.
• Efficient logistics. The proximity and relevance of the imports and exports with free trading urge more shipping companies to ship products.
• Attract foreign investment. Free trading zones attract multinational corporations to expand their businesses and export products.

Types of goods commonly exported

There is a different range of goods exports from Southern and Northern China.

Southern China

Southern China is often concerned with the following types of goods.

• Consumers electronics
• Textile
• Garments
• Furniture products

Northern China

Northern China focuses on the import of raw materials and shipping across the globe. It can feature the following list of products.

• Industrial goods and machinery
• Chemicals
• Agricultural products

Comparison of export volumes and specialties

Southern China has a different pattern of shipping products from the north. So, the specialties of products range from B2B to B2C in Southern China.

Here is a detailed comparison of the data.

Aspect	Southern China Ports	Northern China Ports
Major Ports	Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong	Tianjin, Qingdao, Dalian
Export Volume	Higher in terms of consumer goods and electronics	High volume of bulk commodities and industrial goods
Specialties	Electronics, textiles, machinery, garments	Industrial goods, heavy machinery, chemicals, agriculture
Top Export Destinations	U.S., Europe, Southeast Asia	Russia, Japan, Korea, Europe
Leading Industries	Consumer electronics, textiles, light manufacturing	Heavy industry, petrochemicals, machinery

 

 

5.Choosing the Right Port for Your Imports

The selection of the correct port is crucial for shipments from China. Before leaning toward a specific import location, consider all the possible pros, cons, and pricing factors. You can opt for.

Multiple factors are under the radar to consider. They range from picking the crucial ones such as pricing to the port congestion and ease of the shipping and clearance from a shipping port.

Uncover the following factors in your attempt to find the correct port.

• Location

What is the idea if your port is around the supplier? That is awesome as you have to travel less to ship products from the suppliers to the port and then to your country.

There is one more thing to consider— proximity to your destination. Southern China features almost twelve significant ports. You can check the location of each port and decide which one is closer to your destination. You can select the one closer to you and ensure faster shipping routes.

• Cost

Cost can be a decisive factor if you want to save some bucks. Each port has a different pricing system for terminal handling fees, customs charges, and local fees. For example, the costs for the Shenzhen port differ from those of the Hong Kong port.

As a top selector, you can opt for the port with affordable shipping and handling fees. Larger ports often have a lower price due to bulk volume shipping and the availability of multiple freight forwarders. On the other hand, smaller ports have fewer freight forwarders and come with competitive prices. However, shipping delays are less likely.

• Efficiency

You must recognize the efficiency of each shipping. It can define the flow of inventory passing through the ports. The high efficiency means faster shipping and, ultimately, the most minor delays. So, do you want your products on time? Pick the port that has the highest efficiency and quicker shipping facility.

• Port congestion and capacity

Larger ports have the most minor congestion. This is because of hundreds of freight forwarders and accessible shipping facilities. On the other hand, smaller ports with a smaller capacity feel the bottlenecks and face delays.

So, be decisive at this point. Choose the shipping company with the most minor port congestion and high capacity.

 

6.How to choose a reliable freight forwarder in southern China?

A reliable freight forwarder can ease your shipping hassles across borders. Let’s dive deep into the reliable freight forwarders.

Role of freight forwarders in the import process

Freight forwarders are intermediaries in all the deals. It comes with the following points:

• Freight forwarders’ primary role is coordinating transportfrom one port to another.
• Freight forwarders help in customs clearanceand speed up your customs clearance process.
• If you want to consolidate products, freight forwarders already offer this service.

 Working with Freight Forwarders and Agents

When working with a reliable freight forwarder, think of the following aspects.

• Check experience. Look for the experienced freight forwarders. Talk about their experience in this field. Know how they will handle the shipping at the ports.
• Communicate clearly. If you have any special instructions, don’t hesitate to speak about it. Talk in detail about your shipping terms.
• Ask about customs clearance. Does your freight forwarder offer customs clearance? Work with the freight forwarders who provide customs clearance.
• Settle at affordable prices. Negotiate prices and get cheap quotes. Better to talk to multiple suppliers for competitive prices.

Services offered by port agents

Port agents deal with the following services.

• Port and Vessel Management. Shipping agents help manage the port and handle the loading and unloading of the products.
• Cargo handling and documentation. Port agents ensure product safety through effective handling. Plus, they help prepare the necessary documents as well.
• Customs brokerage services. If you want customs clearance quickly, forget the hassles. Port agents already feature it.
• Warehousing and storage service. For the product warehousing, consumers can enjoy the storage services at the affordable prices.

7. FAQs

What are the main advantages of importing through southern China ports?

Importing through the Southern China ports can be a good idea for the consumers. It is because of:

• These ports are proximalto the manufacturing hubs and ensure an excellent shipping experience.
• Advanced infrastructureensures the high efficiency of the shipping and seamless supply chain.
• Connectivity with the global shippinglocations makes it an ideal location for product shipping.
• High-volume shippingallows competitive rates for consumers.

How do I track my shipment from a southern China port?

Tracking your shipment is the best way to know the real-time location. You can track your products depending on the company you are working with.

Two options often facilitate the whole shipping journey.

• Built-in tracking. If you are working with a good company, it offers real-time monitoring on the website.
• Third-party apps. You cantrack the orders through ParcelApp and OrderTracker by copying the tracking ID from the website.

What are the typical lead times for shipments from major southern China ports?

Depending on the shipping company and location, shipping times vary from one location to another. The primary Southern China ports offer the following leads for the given countries.

• It takes 14-20 days to travel by ocean freight to the US West Coast.
• Keep a lead time of 25-35 days for shipping to the European regions.
• Asian countries’ shipping is quick. Shipping takes a week or more.
• Air freight from the Southern China ports can typically be faster and take a maximum of a week.

How can I reduce costs when importing through southern China ports?

Importing from Southern China is technically cheaper. However, if it is expensive, try the following methods.

• Consolidate Shipmentsfor the reduced prices for multiple shipping packages.
• Use economical shipping routes.
• Work with reliable and affordable shipping partners.
• Fill your containers and ensure there is no space left. That is how you can optimize space and ship multiple packages saving cost.
• Talk to your freight forwarder and get the shipping prices reduced.

What should I do if my shipment is delayed at a southern China port?

If your shipments are struck or feel delayed at the ports, don’t worry. You can track and get the shipping status immediately.

Here is what you should do.

• Contact your shipping company to know about the parcel delays.
• Track the real-time status and know if there is any obstruction.
• Consider the delayed customs clearance due to high shipping flows.
• Port congestion can delay shipping. So, consider them too.

Conclusion

Shopping from Chinese suppliers comes with the necessary shipping. That is where the consumers feel confused about whom they should choose as their shipping partners. Are you the one struck with the same questions?

It is simple. Work with the one-stop solutions, such as JustChinaIt. We have all the facilities, such as:

• Sourceproducts at wholesale prices.
• Warehouse
• Consolidate
• Shipthem to your destination location.

With our experts, you can save on shipping costs and enjoy guaranteed timely shipping to your location. Talk to our experts now!