Shanghai port shipping covers the world's busiest container port, which handled 55.06 million TEU in 2025 under the operator Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG). Most containers move through the offshore Yangshan Deep-Water Port or the Waigaoqiao area near the city. This guide explains the terminals, the cargo the port handles, Chinese export rules and how to ship from Shanghai to Dubai. We ship both from Shanghai to Dubai and from Dubai to Shanghai.
Shanghai port guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operator | Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), exclusive operator of all public terminals |
| Main terminal areas | Yangshan Deep-Water Port, Waigaoqiao, Wusongkou, Luojing |
| Container throughput 2025 | 55.06 million TEU, up 6.9% |
| Container throughput 2024 | 51.51 million TEU, up 4.8% |
| Transshipment 2025 | 7.9 million TEU, up 10.6% |
| Yangshan share | Just over half of total container volume in 2025 |
| Total cargo 2024 | 1.120 billion tonnes |
| Ro-Ro vehicles 2024 | 3.63 million units, up 18.9% |
| Sea-rail volume 2025 | Over 1 million TEU for the first time |
| Rank | World's busiest container port since overtaking Singapore in 2010 |
| Export customs | China Customs (GACC); export declared 24 hours before loading |
| Usual UAE discharge port | Jebel Ali, Dubai |
| Dubai to Shanghai | Consignee or its broker files the China import declaration within 14 days of arrival; import VAT 13% on general goods |
Where is the Port of Shanghai and what does it serve?
The Port of Shanghai sits at the mouth of the Yangtze River on China's east coast. Its working areas run along the Huangpu River, the Yangtze River estuary and the Yangshan islands offshore. Yangshan is built on a group of islands in Hangzhou Bay and linked to the mainland by the Donghai Bridge.
Its main hinterland is the Yangtze River Delta: Shanghai itself, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui. Cargo also reaches the port by river barge and by rail. In 2025 the port's sea-rail intermodal network reached 45 cities across 10 provinces, according to a Shanghai Pudong government report.
A simple rule for buyers in Dubai: if your supplier is in the Yangtze River Delta, Shanghai or Ningbo is usually the right load port. If your supplier is in Guangdong, a South China port such as Shenzhen is usually cheaper and faster to reach.
Shanghai, Ningbo or a South China port?
Buyers often ask which Chinese port to use. The answer is almost always the port nearest the factory, unless that port has no suitable service for your cargo.
| Supplier location | Usual load port | When to compare another port |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai city and nearby Jiangsu | Shanghai | Rarely; trucking to Ningbo adds distance and cost |
| Southern Jiangsu, Anhui, river cities | Shanghai, often by barge or rail to the port | When a river or rail link is cheaper than road |
| Zhejiang (Ningbo, Hangzhou, Yiwu areas) | Ningbo or Shanghai | Compare sailings and trucking cost to both |
| Guangdong | Shenzhen or Guangzhou | Only if a special service is needed from Shanghai |
| Shandong, Hebei, Tianjin | Qingdao or Tianjin | Only for special services |
Compare the total cost to your door in Dubai, not only the sea freight. Inland trucking in China, the number of sailings and the transit time all count.
Which terminals does Shanghai port have?
SIPG operates all public terminals at the port. For container shippers, two areas matter most, and your booking will name one of them.
Yangshan deep-water port
Yangshan handles the largest container ships and most long-haul mainline services. In 2025 it handled just over half of the port's container volume, and its Phase III terminal passed 10 million TEU in a year for the first time. Phase IV is an automated terminal where cranes and automated guided vehicles work with little manual handling. SIPG reports its annual capacity was raised from 6.3 million to 8 million TEU, with a network of 28 major international trade routes.
Because Yangshan is offshore, trucks reach it over the Donghai Bridge. Factory-to-terminal trucking takes longer than to the city terminals, so plan gate-in times with the cut-off in mind.
Waigaoqiao
Waigaoqiao is on the Yangtze River estuary, closer to the city. It handles container services and suits cargo produced near Shanghai.
Wusongkou and Luojing
Wusongkou and Luojing are older port areas on the river side. They are named among SIPG's main terminal areas alongside general cargo and bulk facilities. For a specific breakbulk or bulk shipment, the carrier confirms the berth.
| Area | Location | What it means for your shipment |
|---|---|---|
| Yangshan | Offshore islands, reached by the Donghai Bridge | Large mainline vessels, longer truck leg from factories |
| Waigaoqiao | Yangtze estuary, near the city | Shorter trucking for cargo made near the city |
| Wusongkou | Huangpu and Yangtze river side | Check with the carrier for your service |
| Luojing | Yangtze river side | Check with the carrier for your service |
The terminal on your booking decides where the truck goes and when the cut-off falls. A wrong terminal on the trucking order means a missed vessel.
What cargo moves through Shanghai port?
Shanghai is mainly a container port, but it also handles vehicles, bulk and general cargo. Typical export cargo includes electronics, machinery, vehicles and parts, chemicals, textiles and consumer goods.
| Cargo type | How it usually moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods | FCL or LCL containers, mostly through Yangshan or Waigaoqiao | Terminal on the booking, cut-off times, trucking |
| Chilled and frozen goods | Reefer containers | Set temperature, UAE food permits |
| Vehicles | Ro-Ro vessels or containers | Vehicle documents, UAE import rules |
| Machinery and equipment | Flat rack, open top or breakbulk | Dimensions, weights, lashing, carrier acceptance |
| Chemicals, batteries, paints | DG containers under the IMDG Code | China packaging inspection, DG declaration, carrier acceptance |
| Bulk cargo | Bulk vessels | Charter terms, loading and receiving facilities |
Shipping from Shanghai to Dubai: FCL and LCL
Most cargo from Shanghai to Dubai moves in containers into Jebel Ali. You have two main choices.
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft box, stuffed at the factory or a warehouse in the Shanghai area. It suits larger orders and goods you do not want handled with others.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cartons go to a consolidation warehouse, share a box with other shippers and are unpacked in Dubai. It suits small orders, but adds handling and a consolidation cut-off.
If you buy from several suppliers in the Yangtze River Delta, ask us to consolidate their cargo into one container at a Shanghai warehouse. You pay for one FCL and clear one shipment in Dubai. Our article on FCL vs LCL costs shows how to compare. For container options and booking, see our sea freight service.
Reefer cargo from Shanghai
Chilled and frozen food, some pharmaceuticals and some chemicals move in reefer containers. Give the set temperature and ventilation at booking, pre-cool the cargo before stuffing, and make sure the UAE food or health permit is in place before the box sails. A reefer that waits in Dubai for a permit keeps running up plug-in and container charges.
What a Shanghai to Dubai shipment timeline includes
| Stage | Where | What can delay it |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo ready and packed | Supplier's factory | Production delays, packing not export standard |
| Trucking and gate-in | Factory to Yangshan or Waigaoqiao | Wrong terminal, late truck, bridge traffic to Yangshan |
| Export clearance | China Customs | Missing data, inspection, DG packaging results not ready |
| Sailing | Shanghai to Jebel Ali | Direct call or transshipment, rolled bookings in peak season |
| Import clearance | Dubai Customs | Late declaration, missing permit, mismatched documents |
| Delivery | Jebel Ali to your site | No truck slot, site not ready to unload |
Carrier schedules from Shanghai change with each season. Ask for the vessel, the terminal, the transit time and whether the service calls Jebel Ali directly or transships on the way.
[AMIR-FACT: our real transit time from Shanghai (Yangshan) to Jebel Ali and the carriers we usually book for Shanghai cargo]
Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo from Shanghai
The Yangtze River Delta produces a lot of machinery, steel structures, electrical equipment and plant parts. Much of it is too large for a standard container.
- Pieces slightly over height or width usually go on open tops or flat racks on container ships. Container services give more sailings.
- Pieces too large or heavy for a flat rack move as breakbulk on general cargo or heavy-lift vessels. The vessel date then drives the whole plan.
- A project with many pieces may mix containers and breakbulk. One master packing list keeps the Dubai clearance simple.
For project cargo from Shanghai we plan in this order:
- Get drawings, dimensions, weights and centre of gravity for each piece from the supplier.
- Choose flat rack, open top or breakbulk tonnage, and confirm the berth with the carrier.
- Agree lifting points, lashing and securing with the carrier and terminal.
- Prepare a piece-by-piece packing list that matches the invoice and bill of lading.
- Plan discharge, road permits and delivery in the UAE.
Our guide to flat rack, open top and breakbulk cargo explains the equipment choices, and our break bulk and project cargo service covers the UAE end.
Dangerous goods from Shanghai port
Chemicals, paints, adhesives, aerosols and lithium batteries are common exports from the Shanghai region. They are dangerous goods and need extra steps before a carrier will accept them.
China export rules for DG packaging
China Customs inspects the packaging used for exported dangerous goods. Performance appraisal confirms the packaging design meets the standard, and use identification checks how the actual goods are packed, including an on-site check. In July 2024 the customs inspection department started a nationwide pilot of batch inspection, so qualified exporters can ship several lots of the same batch after one on-site check. Class 6.2 infectious substances and Class 7 radioactive material are excluded.
What the carrier needs
Sea DG moves under the IMDG Code. The 2024 edition with Amendment 42-24 has been mandatory since 1 January 2026.
- UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- Safety Data Sheet for each product, in line with the current IMDG amendment.
- China Customs packaging inspection results.
- A signed DG declaration and a container packing certificate.
- Labels on packages and placards on the container.
At Jebel Ali, port safety rules limit how long some DG classes can stay in the port. For example, Class 8 import containers must be cleared within 3 working days. Prepare the Dubai declaration and any UAE permit before the vessel arrives. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks papers and carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing.
Export customs at Shanghai port
Exports through Shanghai are cleared by China Customs (GACC). The Shanghai municipal government sets out the main rules for exporters.
- The consignor, usually your supplier, files the export declaration on paper or electronically, either itself or through a customs broker.
- The declaration is made after the goods reach the customs supervision area and 24 hours before loading.
- The exporter needs market entity status and must be recorded as a foreign trade operator. Recordation can be done online through the China International Trade Single Window or the GACC website.
Customs checks the declaration against the commercial documents. Use correct HS codes, values and origin, and make sure the supplier's export declaration matches the invoice you will give Dubai Customs.
Documents for a Shanghai to Dubai shipment
| 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 customs broker | Export clearance before loading |
| 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 | Carrier acceptance and port rules |
| UAE permit, if restricted | Consignee | Release of restricted goods in Dubai |
What happens when Shanghai cargo arrives in Dubai?
Dubai Customs asks for an invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and a permit for restricted goods. Declarations are filed on Mirsal 2 through Dubai Trade, and each one is risk-assessed before clearance or hold. The declarant needs a Dubai Customs business code, or a licensed clearing agent can file with the owner's authorisation.
Duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%. A VAT-registered importer that has registered its customs number with the FTA can defer the VAT to its return. Read our Jebel Ali port guide for terminals, trucking and declaration types at the Dubai end.
How to ship from Shanghai to Dubai: step by step
- Agree the Incoterm with your supplier. FOB Shanghai is usually simplest, because the supplier handles the Chinese export side. Our Incoterms guide explains the options.
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, supplier address, ready date and any DG.
- Get a quote and routing. We confirm the terminal, the sailing and the service into Jebel Ali.
- Check UAE permits for restricted goods and apply before the cargo sails.
- Book space. For DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first.
- Release the empty, stuff the container and seal it. For LCL, the supplier delivers cartons to the consolidation warehouse.
- The supplier or its broker files the export declaration before loading, and the truck gates in before the cut-off.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the Dubai declaration before arrival, so clearance is ready when the vessel berths.
- Duty, VAT if due and local charges are paid, the delivery order is issued and the cargo is delivered.
Our Dubai freight forwarding team runs the UAE end and works with your supplier on the Shanghai side.
How to ship from Dubai to Shanghai
We also ship the other way: from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah to Shanghai, for re-exports, returned goods and cargo made in the UAE. We book the space and run the UAE export side. Chinese import clearance stays with the consignee or its customs broker in China.
The UAE export side
Dubai Customs handles export and re-export declarations through the same declaration service it uses for imports. It asks for an invoice, a packing list, a certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. We prepare these with you, file the declaration and gate the container in before the cut-off.
The China import side
- The consignee in China declares the goods to China Customs itself or through a customs broker it appoints. Both must first complete customs recordation, and the consignee must hold a Registration of Foreign Trade Operators.
- The import declaration is due within 14 days of the declaration of the vessel's arrival. Plan the documents so the broker can file on time.
- Import VAT is 13% for general goods under China's VAT Law, in force since 1 January 2026. Customs duty depends on the HS code, so the consignee's broker should confirm the rate before you ship.
- Send us the cargo details, the HS code, the UAE pickup point and the consignee's details in Shanghai.
- The consignee confirms its customs recordation and names its broker.
- We book space from Jebel Ali to Yangshan or Waigaoqiao and confirm the cut-off.
- We arrange UAE trucking and stuffing, and file the Dubai export declaration.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list before release.
- The documents go to the consignee and its broker before the vessel arrives.
- The consignee or its broker files the import declaration, pays duty and VAT, and collects the cargo.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Jebel Ali to Shanghai (Yangshan or Waigaoqiao) and our real port-to-port transit days in this direction]
Air cargo from Shanghai to Dubai
When sea is too slow, Shanghai Pudong is the usual airport for air cargo from the Shanghai area. Air suits samples, spare parts, electronics and urgent orders. It is charged on the higher of actual and volumetric weight, so light bulky cargo can cost far more than its weight suggests. Lithium batteries, aerosols and many chemicals are dangerous goods by air and need a DG declaration and airline acceptance. A useful rule: fly the part of the order you need now and send the rest by sea. See our air cargo service for what we book as an IATA-approved agent.
What affects the cost of shipping from Shanghai?
| Cost part | What moves it |
|---|---|
| Origin trucking | Distance from the factory, Yangshan or Waigaoqiao, truck type |
| Origin port and export charges | Terminal handling, export declaration, LCL consolidation |
| Ocean freight | Container type, season, carrier, surcharges, special equipment |
| DG and out-of-gauge | DG surcharges, packaging inspection, flat rack or breakbulk premiums |
| Dubai destination charges | Terminal handling, delivery order, LCL unpacking |
| Duty and VAT | CIF value and HS code |
| Delays | Demurrage and detention when free time runs out |
Ask every forwarder to quote the same scope, from the same Incoterm to the same delivery point.
Free time and charges at the Dubai end
Shipping lines give a number of free days for their containers. After that, demurrage applies in the port and detention outside it. Free days and daily rates vary by carrier and container type. File the Dubai declaration before arrival, have permits ready and book delivery early. Our article on demurrage and detention explains how these charges are worked out.
Checklist before you ship from Shanghai
- Incoterm agreed and written in the contract.
- Load terminal confirmed: Yangshan or Waigaoqiao.
- HS code confirmed and the UAE duty rate checked.
- Invoice, packing list and draft bill of lading match on weights, pieces and consignee.
- Supplier able to file the Chinese export declaration, or a broker appointed.
- Certificate of origin requested.
- UAE permits applied for if the goods are restricted.
- For DG: SDS, China packaging inspection results, DG declaration and carrier acceptance.
- For project cargo: drawings, lifting points and a UAE road plan.
- Free time agreed and cargo insurance arranged.
Common mistakes when shipping through Shanghai
- Wrong terminal. A truck sent to Waigaoqiao for a Yangshan booking misses the cut-off.
- Late gate-in at Yangshan. The bridge leg adds time, so leave a margin.
- Undeclared DG. Batteries or chemicals booked as general cargo can be rejected or fined.
- Missing DG packaging inspection. Without it the cargo cannot be exported as DG.
- Values that do not match. The Chinese export value and the Dubai invoice should agree.
- Wrong load port. Trucking from Guangdong to Shanghai usually costs more than shipping from a South China port.
- Late UAE permits. Applying after arrival runs up container charges.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates Shanghai port?
Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG) is the exclusive operator of all public terminals at the Port of Shanghai, including Yangshan and Waigaoqiao.
How big is Shanghai port?
Shanghai handled 55.06 million TEU of containers in 2025, up 6.9% on 2024. It has been the world's busiest container port since overtaking Singapore in 2010.
What is the difference between Yangshan and Waigaoqiao?
Yangshan is the offshore deep-water port on islands in Hangzhou Bay, reached by the Donghai Bridge, and handles the largest ships. Waigaoqiao is on the Yangtze estuary closer to the city and suits cargo made near Shanghai.
How do I ship from Shanghai to Dubai?
Book FCL or LCL with a forwarder, have your supplier file the Chinese export declaration 24 hours before loading, and clear the goods with Dubai Customs at Jebel Ali, paying 5% duty and 5% VAT where due.
Which port in Dubai does Shanghai cargo arrive at?
Most containers from Shanghai discharge at Jebel Ali. Some services also call other UAE ports, so check the discharge port on your booking.
Can I ship dangerous goods from Shanghai?
Yes. You need the UN number and class, an SDS, China Customs packaging inspection results, a DG declaration and carrier acceptance under the current IMDG Code.
Can Shanghai handle machinery that does not fit a container?
Yes. Pieces that fit a flat rack or open top move on container ships, and larger pieces move as breakbulk or heavy-lift cargo, planned from drawings and weights.
Who files the export declaration in Shanghai?
The consignor, usually the supplier, files it with China Customs either directly or through a customs broker. The goods must be in the customs area, and the declaration made 24 hours before loading.
Is it better to ship from Shanghai or Ningbo?
Use the port closest to your supplier. Shanghai suits Shanghai, Jiangsu and Anhui suppliers, while Ningbo can be closer for much of Zhejiang. Compare total cost to your door, not only the sea freight.
How do I ship from Dubai to Shanghai?
Book FCL or LCL from Jebel Ali with a forwarder, who files the Dubai export declaration. In China, the consignee or its customs broker files the import declaration within 14 days of the vessel's arrival declaration and pays the duty and the 13% import VAT on general goods.
Get a quote for Shanghai port shipping
Send us your supplier's location, cargo details and ready date, and we will come back with a routing and price from Shanghai to Dubai. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, breakbulk or project shipment first.
Sources
- Maritime Executive: Shanghai exceeds 55 million TEU in 2025 (SIPG figures, January 2026)
- PortNews: SIPG 2024 results (51.51 million TEU, Yangshan, Ro-Ro, SIPG as exclusive operator)
- Shanghai Pudong government: Shanghai Port record container throughput (Yangshan Phase IV, sea-rail network)
- Wikipedia: Port of Shanghai (location, Donghai Bridge, 2010 ranking, 2024 cargo tonnage)
- iContainers: Port of Shanghai (terminal areas, main 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: Submit customs declaration
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (duty, business code, clearing agents)
- Dubai Customs: Mirsal 2 declaration channels
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (import VAT)
- Trakhees circular EHS/PM/04/12: Class 8 cargo
- EY: China enacts VAT Law (in force 1 January 2026, 13% on general goods and imports)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026