Nanjing port shipping covers China's largest inland port, about 185 nautical miles up the Yangtze River from Shanghai. The port handled 4.01 million TEU in 2025, and seagoing ships reach it through a 12.5 m deep-water channel. This guide explains the Longtan container terminal, ship size limits, the cargo Nanjing handles and both directions: shipping from Nanjing to Dubai, the main flow, and shipping from Dubai to Nanjing.
Nanjing port at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, on the lower Yangtze, about 185 nm upriver from Shanghai |
| Port type | Inland river port open to seagoing ships |
| UN/LOCODE | CNNJG (some schedule sites use CNNKG) |
| Container volume 2025 | 4,013,300 TEU, up 8.2% |
| Container volume 2024 | 3.71 million TEU |
| Main container terminal | Longtan Container Terminal, Nanjing Port Longtan Container Co., Ltd. |
| Channel to the sea | 12.5 m deep, 431 km from Nanjing to the Yangtze estuary, open since May 2018 |
| Largest container ships | About 50,000 dwt at 13.0 m berth depth (Shipping Guides port data) |
| Shoreline under the port | 208 km on both banks of the river |
| Local customs office | Xinshengwei Customs, Nanjing Customs District |
| Nearest airport | Nanjing Lukou International Airport |
| UAE ports, both directions | Mostly Jebel Ali; Khalifa or Sharjah on some services |
What is the Port of Nanjing and where is it?
The Port of Nanjing sits on the lower Yangtze, just above the Yangtze River Delta. Wikipedia describes it as the largest inland port in the world, depending on how the delta ports are counted. The port's authority covers 208 km of river shoreline, 110 km on the north bank and 98 km on the south bank. The port has worked as a trading port since the year 229.
Nanjing is not a coastal port. Every ship that calls has come up the Yangtze from the sea or down the river from inland. That one fact shapes ship size, routing and transit time for cargo bound for Dubai.
Who ships through Nanjing?
The port's hinterland is Nanjing itself, western Jiangsu and Anhui along the river. Logistics providers list machinery and electrical equipment as key cargo. Nanjing also has a large petrochemical and chemical industry, served by the port's tanker and chemical berths. Recent export cargoes reported by the Nanjing and Jiangsu governments include photovoltaic products, chemicals, glassware, home appliances and electronics.
The port also has rail links. cargo-partner describes Nanjing as a multimodal hub with rail access to China's main railway lines, which matters when cargo comes from further inland.
Should you load at Nanjing, Taicang or Shanghai?
The right load port depends on where your supplier is and how much cargo you have. Our existing Shanghai guide covers the coastal option, and Taicang sits halfway between.
| Supplier location | Usual load port | When to compare |
|---|---|---|
| Nanjing city, Jiangning, Jiangbei | Nanjing | When Shanghai has a much faster mainline sailing |
| Anhui river cities | Nanjing, or a river feeder | Compare barge, rail and road to the port |
| Zhenjiang, Yangzhou, Changzhou | Nanjing or Taicang | Compare trucking to both |
| Suzhou, Wuxi | Taicang or Shanghai | Rarely Nanjing; it is further upriver |
| Shanghai or Zhejiang | Shanghai or Ningbo | Almost never Nanjing |
Fluent Cargo lists Zhangjiagang (161 km) and Taicang (241 km) as the nearest alternative seaports to Nanjing. Distance by road is only part of the answer. A river feeder from Nanjing can cost less than a long truck run.
How do seagoing ships reach Nanjing?
For years the Yangtze below Nanjing averaged about 10.5 m deep, which held seagoing ships to about 30,000 tonnes. Dredging started in 2012. In May 2018 a 12.5 m channel opened over 431 km from Nanjing to the estuary. China Daily reported that ships over 50,000 tonnes can now pass, and vessels of up to 100,000 tonnes can use the waterway.
Port data from Shipping Guides lists these limits at Nanjing's berths.
| Cargo | Maximum vessel size | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Containers | 50,000 dwt | 13.0 m |
| Breakbulk | 80,000 dwt | 14.5 m |
| Ro-ro | 30,000 dwt | 14.5 m |
| Dry bulk | 80,000 dwt | 15.8 m |
| Tankers | 70,000 dwt | 15.0 m |
| Gas | 47,500 dwt | 10.0 m |
ShipNext also notes a draught limit of 10.5 m fresh water at the mouth of the Yangtze for some calls, a maximum length of 225 m and a 42 m air draught. The result for container cargo: the large ships that run Asia to Gulf mainline services do not come up to Nanjing. Nanjing's own services use smaller ships, and long-haul cargo often transships.
Longtan and the other port areas
The port is split into several port areas along both banks. In 2010 Wikipedia counted six public ports and three industrial ports. For a container shipper, one name matters most.
The Longtan container terminal
Longtan Container Terminal is operated by Nanjing Port Longtan Container Co., Ltd. It is the departure point of Nanjing's new direct routes, including the Santos service in 2024 and the Philippines service in 2026. Lloyd's List reports that the Longtan Port Area Phase VII project was approved in March 2025 and will add a 70,000-tonne berth.
Your booking names the terminal and the cut-off. Check the truck time from the factory to Longtan against the cut-off before you fix the loading date.
Bulk, liquid and ro-ro berths
Nanjing also has berths for dry bulk, oil, chemicals, gas and vehicles. Shipping Guides notes the port is linked to the national oil pipeline network and has a graving dock for ships of up to 200,000 dwt. For a bulk or liquid shipment the carrier or charterer confirms the berth.
| Port area use | Typical cargo | What it means for UAE-bound cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Container terminal (Longtan) | Machinery, electronics, chemicals in drums, PV | FCL and LCL, direct near-sea or feeder routing |
| Tanker and chemical berths | Oil products, liquid chemicals | Parcel tanker or ISO tank planning |
| Bulk berths | Ore, coal, grain, steel | Charter or bulk parcel |
| Ro-ro berths | Cars and new energy vehicles | Ro-ro sailing or containers |
| General cargo berths | Steel products, project pieces | Breakbulk tonnage |
What routes does Nanjing port have?
Nanjing's container volume grew from about 3.1 million TEU in 2021 to 4.01 million TEU in 2025. Most of its services are still regional. The Nanjing government reported in December 2024 that Nanjing services either sailed direct to Northeast and Southeast Asia, or moved cargo by river feeder to Shanghai or Ningbo for a long-haul ship.
- December 2024: COSCO Shipping's first direct Nanjing to Santos route, about 40 days, saving up to 15 days against transshipment.
- August 2026: Jiangsu Ocean Shipping's Nanjing and Taicang to Philippines route, from the Longtan port area.
- Regional services to Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia, run by carriers such as Sinotrans and Sinokor according to Fluent Cargo.
Cogoport's trade data shows Nanjing's busiest outbound port pairs are in India and Malaysia, including Nhava Sheva, Mundra and Penang. That fits the regional pattern.
We have not found a carrier-published direct Nanjing to Jebel Ali container service. Cargo for Dubai usually feeds down the river to Shanghai or Ningbo, or transships at a hub on the way. Each quote should name the feeder, the transshipment port and the mainline vessel.
Timeline of a Nanjing to Dubai shipment
| Stage | Where | What can delay it |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo ready and packed | Supplier's factory | Production delays, weak export packing |
| Trucking and gate-in | Factory to Longtan | Late truck, wrong terminal on the order |
| Export clearance | Xinshengwei Customs | Missing data, DG packaging results not ready |
| River feeder | Nanjing to Shanghai or Ningbo | Feeder schedule, missed connection |
| Mainline sailing | Transshipment port to Jebel Ali | Rolled bookings in peak season |
| Import clearance and delivery | Dubai Customs, Jebel Ali to your site | Late declaration, missing UAE permit |
[AMIR-FACT: our real transit time from Nanjing (Longtan) to Jebel Ali, including the feeder leg, and the carriers we usually book for Nanjing cargo]
Shipping from Nanjing to Dubai: FCL and LCL
Most cargo from Nanjing to Dubai moves in containers.
- FCL (full container load). A whole 20ft or 40ft container, stuffed at the factory and gated in at Longtan. It suits machinery, chemicals in drums and larger orders.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cartons share a container. Ask whether consolidation happens in Nanjing or in Shanghai. If the cartons are trucked to Shanghai first, the cut-off and the trucking cost change.
When the feeder runs on a through bill of lading, the carrier takes the box from Nanjing to Jebel Ali under one contract. When it does not, you have two legs and two sets of charges. Ask which one you are quoted. Our article on FCL vs LCL costs helps you choose, and our sea freight service covers container types and booking.
Chemicals and dangerous goods from Nanjing
Nanjing's chemical industry means many shipments from the port are dangerous goods. Paints, resins, solvents, lithium batteries and many industrial chemicals need extra steps.
China export inspection
China Customs inspects packaging used for exported dangerous goods. Performance appraisal checks the packaging design, and use identification checks how the goods are actually packed, with an on-site check. Since July 2024 a nationwide pilot lets qualified exporters ship several lots of the same batch after one on-site check. Class 6.2 and Class 7 goods are excluded.
What the carriers ask for
- UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- Safety Data Sheet for each product.
- China Customs packaging inspection results.
- A signed DG declaration and a container packing certificate.
- Labels on the packages and placards on the container.
Sea DG moves under the IMDG Code. The 2024 edition with Amendment 42-24 has been mandatory since 1 January 2026. A Nanjing DG box often uses a river feeder and then a mainline ship. Both carriers, and the transshipment port, must accept it. Get that acceptance before the supplier packs. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks papers and routing, and our article on IMDG segregation in containers explains which classes can share a box.
Liquid chemicals in bulk
Larger volumes of liquid chemicals can move in ISO tanks on container services or as parcels on chemical tankers from Nanjing's liquid berths. The choice depends on volume, product and the receiving facility in the UAE. Our bulk cargo service covers dry and liquid bulk planning.
Machinery and project cargo from Nanjing
Machinery and electrical equipment are among Nanjing's key exports. Port data lists breakbulk ships of up to 80,000 dwt at the general cargo berths.
- Pieces slightly over height or width go on flat racks or open tops. Check that both the feeder and the mainline carrier accept out-of-gauge boxes.
- Larger pieces move as breakbulk. A ship that loads at Nanjing avoids an extra lift in Shanghai.
- Heavy pieces may be cheaper to barge down to a coastal port if no suitable ship calls Nanjing.
Send drawings, weights and the centre of gravity for each piece first. We then compare a Nanjing loading with a coastal one and plan the UAE discharge. Our break bulk and project cargo service covers the UAE end, and our heavy-lift shipping guide explains lifting and securing.
Customs and documents for Nanjing port shipping
China's export rules are the same in Nanjing as at the coast. The consignor, usually your supplier, files the export declaration with China Customs, either directly or through a customs broker. It is made after the goods reach the customs area and 24 hours before loading. The exporter must be recorded as a foreign trade operator.
What is local is the customs office. Departures from Longtan are supervised by Xinshengwei Customs under the Nanjing Customs District. The Nanjing government reported in 2024 that officers encourage the advance declaration mode to shorten clearance, and that the port aims for zero waiting at berth.
| Document | Prepared by | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Supplier | China export declaration and Dubai Customs |
| Packing list | Supplier | Both customs authorities and the terminal |
| China export declaration | Supplier or its broker | Export clearance at Nanjing |
| Bill of lading | Carrier or forwarder | Title to the goods, release in Dubai |
| Certificate of origin | Issuing body in China | Dubai Customs declaration |
| DG papers, if any | Supplier | Acceptance by each carrier on the route |
| UAE permit, if restricted | Consignee | Release of restricted goods in Dubai |
Clearing Nanjing cargo in Dubai
Dubai Customs charges 5% duty on the CIF value for most goods, 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes, and 5% import VAT applies. The declarant needs a Dubai Customs business code, or a licensed clearing agent files with the owner's authorisation. Restricted goods need approval from the relevant UAE authority. For chemicals, our guide to dangerous goods customs clearance in the UAE explains the extra steps. Our Jebel Ali port guide covers the Dubai end.
How to ship from Nanjing to Dubai
Shipping from Nanjing to Dubai is the main flow on this lane. These are the steps for an import into the UAE.
- Agree the Incoterm with your supplier. FOB Nanjing keeps the Chinese export side with the supplier.
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, supplier address, ready date and any DG.
- We book space with the carrier, including origin pickup from the factory to Longtan where needed, and confirm the feeder or direct leg, the transshipment port and the UAE port of arrival.
- For DG, vehicles or out-of-gauge cargo we get acceptance from each carrier on the route.
- The shipper, or its origin agent, prepares the Chinese export documents and files the export declaration before loading.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list, and make sure any UAE permit is in place.
- We file the UAE customs declaration before arrival. Duty, VAT and local charges are paid when the cargo lands.
- The delivery order is issued and we deliver the cargo to your site in the UAE.
Our Dubai freight forwarding team runs the UAE end and works with your supplier in Nanjing.
How to ship from Dubai to Nanjing
Cargo also moves the other way: re-exports from UAE free zones, machinery returned for repair, samples and project materials. Shipping from Dubai to Nanjing usually means loading at Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah and transshipping onto a regional ship or feeder into Nanjing, usually through Shanghai or Ningbo and a river feeder. Ask for a bill of lading that shows Nanjing as the port of discharge or place of delivery, so the container is not left at the transshipment port.
- Send us the cargo details, the consignee in Nanjing and the Incoterm.
- We book space with a carrier that delivers to Nanjing, by direct call or feeder, and confirm the discharge terminal.
- We arrange pickup and trucking in the UAE, and stuffing or delivery of LCL cargo to the consolidator.
- We prepare the UAE export declaration with Dubai Customs, or the free zone exit procedure for re-exports, and the export documents.
- For DG, we get acceptance from every carrier on the route and check packaging and labels before loading.
- We send the consignee the bill of lading, invoice, packing list and certificate of origin before the ship arrives.
- The consignee, or its customs broker in China, files the import declaration with China Customs and pays duty and import VAT.
- The consignee or its agent collects the cargo from the terminal at Nanjing.
China's import duty and VAT depend on the HS code and origin, so ask the consignee's broker to confirm them before shipping. Restricted or regulated goods may need a licence or inspection in China. We do not clear cargo in China ourselves; we work with the consignee's broker.
What affects the cost of shipping between Nanjing and Dubai?
| Cost part | What moves it |
|---|---|
| Origin trucking | Distance from the factory to Longtan |
| Origin charges | Terminal handling, export declaration |
| River feeder | Through bill of lading or separate leg |
| Ocean freight | Container type, season, carrier, surcharges |
| DG and out-of-gauge | Surcharges on each leg, packaging inspection |
| Dubai charges, duty and VAT | Terminal handling, delivery order, CIF value |
| Delays | Demurrage and detention after free time |
Ask every forwarder to quote the same scope, from the same Incoterm to the same delivery point in the UAE.
Checklist for Nanjing port shipping
- Incoterm agreed and written in the contract.
- Load terminal at Nanjing confirmed on the booking.
- Feeder, transshipment port and mainline vessel named in the quote.
- HS code confirmed and the UAE duty rate checked.
- Invoice, packing list and draft bill of lading agree.
- Certificate of origin requested.
- UAE permits applied for if needed.
- For chemicals: SDS, packaging inspection results, DG declaration and acceptance on every leg.
- For machinery: drawings, weights and a UAE road plan.
Common mistakes when shipping from Nanjing
- Assuming a direct sailing to Dubai. Most Gulf cargo feeds down the river first.
- DG accepted by the mainline carrier but not by the feeder.
- Out-of-gauge cargo booked on a feeder that cannot carry flat racks.
- Not asking whether the feeder is on a through bill of lading.
- Choosing Nanjing for a supplier near Suzhou, where Taicang or Shanghai is closer.
- Late UAE permits, which leave the cargo waiting in Jebel Ali.
- Bill of lading for Dubai to Nanjing cargo ending at Shanghai, so nobody books the river feeder.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nanjing a seaport?
Nanjing is an inland river port on the Yangtze, about 185 nautical miles upriver from Shanghai. Seagoing ships reach it through a 12.5 m channel that opened in May 2018.
How big is Nanjing port?
Nanjing handled 4,013,300 TEU of containers in 2025, up 8.2% from 3.71 million TEU in 2024, according to Lloyd's List.
What size ships can reach Nanjing?
Port data lists container ships up to about 50,000 dwt and breakbulk and bulk ships up to about 80,000 dwt. China Daily reported that the channel takes ships over 50,000 tonnes, and up to 100,000 tonnes.
Is there a direct ship from Nanjing to Dubai?
We have not found a carrier-published direct Nanjing to Jebel Ali container service. Gulf cargo usually feeds to Shanghai or Ningbo, or transships at a hub on the way.
How does shipping from Dubai to Nanjing work?
Book FCL or LCL from Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah with a carrier that delivers to Nanjing, usually by transshipment and a feeder. We file the UAE export declaration, and the consignee or its broker in China clears the import with China Customs.
What is the main container terminal in Nanjing?
Longtan Container Terminal, operated by Nanjing Port Longtan Container Co., Ltd. Nanjing's new long-haul and Philippines routes leave from Longtan.
Can I ship chemicals from Nanjing to the UAE?
Yes, as dangerous goods under the IMDG Code. You need an SDS, China Customs packaging inspection results, a DG declaration and acceptance by every carrier on the route.
Which customs office clears exports at Nanjing?
Departures from Longtan are supervised by Xinshengwei Customs under the Nanjing Customs District. The supplier or its broker files the declaration 24 hours before loading.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Nanjing port?
Wikipedia and Cogoport give CNNJG. Some schedule sites list Nanjing as CNNKG, so check which code your carrier uses.
Get a quote for Nanjing port shipping
Send us your supplier's address, cargo details and ready date, and we will come back with a routing and price from Nanjing to Dubai. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a chemical or project shipment first.
Sources
- Lloyd's List: 57 Nanjing (2025 and 2024 throughput, Longtan Phase VII)
- China Daily: Deeper Yangtze opens to large vessels (May 2018)
- Dredgewire: Deeper Yangtze River opens to large vessels
- Nanjing Municipal Government: Nanjing to Santos route, Longtan and Xinshengwei Customs (December 2024)
- Jiangsu Provincial Government: Nanjing to Philippines container route (September 2026)
- Shipping Guides: Port of Nanjing (vessel size and depth, location)
- ShipNext: Nanjing port restrictions
- Wikipedia: Port of Nanjing (shoreline, history, UN/LOCODE)
- cargo-partner: Nanjing, home of the world's largest inland port (2021 figures, rail)
- Fluent Cargo: Nanjing (carriers, alternative ports)
- Cogoport: Port of Nanjing (CNNJG, port pairs)
- DNA Supply Chain: Nanjing (key cargo)
- Shanghai Municipal Government: Customs registration and declaration
- CIRS: China customs batch inspection pilot for DG packaging (July 2024)
- IMO: IMDG Code 2024 edition (Amendment 42-24)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (duty, business code, clearing agents)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (5% standard rate, VAT on imports)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026