Shenzhen port shipping covers one of China's largest container port systems, split between Yantian in the east and the Shekou, Chiwan and Mawan terminals in the west. It handled about 30 million TEU in 2022 and is the natural load port for factories in Shenzhen, Dongguan and much of Guangdong. This guide explains the port areas, what each one suits, Chinese export rules and how to ship from Shenzhen to Dubai. We ship both ways: from Shenzhen to Dubai, and from Dubai to Shenzhen.
Shenzhen port guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Guangdong province, next to Hong Kong, on the Pearl River Delta |
| Port areas | Eastern: Yantian and Dapeng. Western: Shekou, Chiwan, Mawan, Dachan Bay and other Nanshan and Bao'an areas |
| Container throughput, whole port (2022) | 30.04 million TEU |
| Rank in China | Third-largest port system, behind Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan |
| Yantian operator | Hutchison Ports Yantian, part of HPH Trust, with Shenzhen Yantian Port Group |
| Yantian berths and quay | 20 container berths, 9,078 m of berth in use |
| Yantian depth alongside | 14 to 17.6 m |
| Yantian equipment | 85 quay cranes, 252 rubber-tyred gantry cranes, 417 ha site |
| Yantian network | More than 40 shipping lines, about 100 weekly services |
| Western Shenzhen operator | China Merchants Port (Shekou, Chiwan and Mawan container terminals) |
| Western Shenzhen volume (CMPort) | 15.17 million TEU in 2025; 12.0 million TEU January to September 2026, up 5.4% |
| Export customs | China Customs (GACC); export declared 24 hours before loading |
| Shipping Dubai to Shenzhen | Export or re-export declaration with Dubai Customs; China import declaration by the consignee or its broker within 14 days of arrival |
| Usual UAE discharge port | Jebel Ali, Dubai |
Where is Shenzhen port and why does it matter for Dubai buyers?
Shenzhen sits on the coast of Guangdong, directly north of Hong Kong. The port is split in two by Hong Kong's New Territories and Kowloon. The eastern port, around Yantian, faces Mirs Bay (Dapeng Bay). The western port, around Shekou and Chiwan, sits on the Pearl River Estuary and connects to the wider Pearl River region, including Guangzhou.
The Pearl River Delta is one of the main sources of goods that Dubai importers buy from China: electronics, phones and accessories, lighting, furniture, toys, apparel, building materials and machinery. If your supplier is in Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou or nearby, Shenzhen is usually the cheapest and fastest load port to reach by truck.
A simple rule: if the factory is east of the Pearl River, start with Yantian or Shekou. If it is in Foshan, Zhongshan or west Guangzhou, compare Nansha in Guangzhou as well. If it is in the Yangtze River Delta, ship from Shanghai or Ningbo instead.
Which terminals does Shenzhen port have?
Shenzhen is a port system, not a single terminal. Your booking names the terminal, and the truck must go there before the cut-off. A container booked on a Yantian vessel cannot be delivered to Shekou.
Yantian (eastern Shenzhen)
Yantian is the deep-water container port in eastern Shenzhen. HPH Trust describes it as a preferred port of call for mega container vessels in South China. It started operations in mid-1994 and is made up of Phases I and II, Phase III, Phase III Expansion and West Port. In June 2021 a joint venture with Shenzhen Yantian Port Group was signed to build East Port Phase I, designed with three automated berths and 3 million TEU of annual capacity.
For a Dubai buyer, Yantian matters because many long-haul mainline services call there. More than 40 shipping lines run about 100 weekly services through the port.
Shekou, Chiwan and Mawan (western Shenzhen)
The western port area on the Nanshan peninsula is run by China Merchants Port. Its Western Shenzhen figures cover the Shekou, Chiwan and Mawan container terminals and two smaller operations. Together they handled 15.17 million TEU in 2025 and 12.0 million TEU in the first nine months of 2026, up 5.4% on the same period of 2025.
Shekou also has a cruise and ferry terminal, opened in November 2016, so check that your trucking order names the container terminal. For cargo, the western terminals suit factories in Nanshan, Bao'an and the west side of Shenzhen.
| Port area | Side of Shenzhen | Operator | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yantian | East, facing Mirs Bay | Hutchison Ports Yantian with Shenzhen Yantian Port Group | Mainline services, factories in eastern Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou |
| Shekou | West, Nanshan peninsula | China Merchants Port | Factories in western Shenzhen, mainline and regional services |
| Chiwan | West, Nanshan peninsula | China Merchants Port | As Shekou; check the terminal on the booking |
| Mawan | West, Nanshan | China Merchants Port | As Shekou; check the terminal on the booking |
| Dachan Bay | West, Bao'an and Nanshan | Check with the carrier | Specific services only |
Choosing between Shenzhen, Nansha and Hong Kong
| Supplier location | Usual load port | When to compare another port |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou | Yantian | If a western Shenzhen service has a better date |
| Nanshan, Bao'an, western Shenzhen | Shekou or Chiwan | If your carrier only calls Yantian |
| Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan | Nansha (Guangzhou) or Shekou | Compare trucking cost to both |
| Fujian | Xiamen | Shenzhen rarely saves money |
| Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang | Shanghai or Ningbo | Shenzhen rarely saves money |
Hong Kong is sometimes used for special services or sea-air moves. For most containers to Dubai, a mainland Shenzhen terminal is simpler because the cargo does not cross a second customs border.
Which factories ship through Shenzhen port?
Shenzhen's terminals draw cargo from the manufacturing cities around them. Knowing which side of the delta your supplier is on tells you which terminal to ask for and how long the truck leg will be.
| Manufacturing area | Typical products | Terminal to ask for first |
|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen (Bao'an, Longhua, Nanshan) | Electronics, phones, accessories, lighting | Shekou or Chiwan for western districts, Yantian for eastern districts |
| Dongguan | Furniture, electronics, toys, textiles | Yantian, compare Shekou |
| Huizhou | Electronics, batteries, chemicals | Yantian |
| Foshan and Zhongshan | Furniture, ceramics, appliances, lighting | Compare Shekou with Nansha in Guangzhou |
Many exporters in these areas also use export warehouses near the port to collect, label and consolidate cargo before it is stuffed. If you buy from several of them, one warehouse pickup plan saves trucking and keeps a single packing list.
Booking ahead in peak season
Space out of Shenzhen gets tight in the busy months before Western holiday seasons and before Chinese New Year, when factories close and cargo rushes to ship first. In those periods, book as soon as the cargo ready date is firm and confirm the vessel again a week before loading. A booking that is rolled to the next vessel can push your arrival in Dubai back by a full sailing cycle.
What cargo moves through Shenzhen port?
Shenzhen is above all a container port. Electronics, consumer goods, apparel, furniture, toys and automotive parts make up much of what it ships.
| Cargo type | How it usually moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics and consumer goods | FCL or LCL containers | Correct HS codes, battery content, terminal cut-off |
| Furniture and light bulky goods | 40ft high cube FCL | Volume, packing, damage protection |
| Lithium batteries, power banks, e-bikes | DG containers under the IMDG Code | UN number, packaging inspection, carrier acceptance |
| Paints, adhesives, chemicals | DG containers | SDS, DG packaging results, DG declaration |
| Machinery and equipment | Containers, flat racks or open tops | Dimensions, weights, lashing, carrier acceptance |
| Chilled and frozen goods | Reefer containers | Set temperature, UAE food permits |
Shipping from Shenzhen to Dubai: FCL and LCL
Most cargo from Shenzhen to Dubai moves in containers into Jebel Ali.
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft, 40ft or 40ft high cube box, stuffed at the factory or a warehouse. It suits larger orders and goods you want sealed at origin.
- 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 and first shipments from a new supplier.
Shenzhen is a common place to consolidate orders from several Guangdong suppliers into one container. You pay for one FCL instead of several LCL lots, and you clear one shipment in Dubai. Make sure each supplier's cartons are marked and listed on one combined packing list. Our article on FCL vs LCL costs shows how to compare the options, and our sea freight service covers booking and container types.
Carrier schedules from Shenzhen change by season. On every quote, ask for the load terminal, the vessel, the transit time and whether the service calls Jebel Ali directly or transships on the way.
[AMIR-FACT: our real transit time from Yantian and Shekou to Jebel Ali and the carriers we usually book for Shenzhen cargo]
What a Shenzhen 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 Yantian or the western terminals | Wrong terminal, late truck, cut-off missed |
| Export clearance | China Customs | Missing data, inspection, DG packaging results not ready |
| Sailing | Shenzhen 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 |
Dangerous goods from Shenzhen port
Guangdong exports a lot of products that are dangerous goods for transport: lithium batteries, power banks, e-bikes and scooters, aerosols, paints, adhesives and cleaning chemicals. Many buyers only find out when the carrier rejects the booking. Treat any product with a battery or a chemical as possible DG until the supplier's Safety Data Sheet says otherwise.
China export rules for DG packaging
China Customs inspects packaging used for exported dangerous goods. Performance appraisal confirms the packaging design meets the standard, based on test reports. 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, which lets qualified exporters ship several lots of the same batch after one on-site check. Class 6.2 and Class 7 are excluded.
What the carrier and the UAE side need
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 amendment.
- China Customs packaging inspection results.
- A signed DG declaration, a container packing certificate, and labels and placards.
- Any UAE permit the product needs, applied for before arrival.
At Jebel Ali, port safety rules limit how long some DG classes can stay in the port. Class 8 import containers, for example, must be cleared within 3 working days. Our dangerous goods shipping team checks the papers and the carrier's acceptance before you commit to a sailing, and our guide to IMDG segregation in containers explains which classes cannot travel together.
Machinery and out-of-gauge cargo from Shenzhen
Shenzhen ships a lot of machinery, production lines, generators and steel parts. Most fit standard containers. Larger pieces need special equipment.
- Pieces slightly over height go in open-top containers. Pieces over width or height go on flat racks. Both travel on container ships, which give the most sailings.
- Pieces too large or heavy for a flat rack need breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage. Ask the carrier which berth in the Pearl River Delta the vessel will load at, as it may not be a Shenzhen container terminal.
- For every out-of-gauge piece, get drawings, dimensions, weights and lifting points from the supplier before you ask for a price.
Our guide to flat rack, open top and breakbulk cargo explains the equipment, and our break bulk and project cargo service covers discharge and delivery in the UAE.
Export customs at Shenzhen port
Exports through Shenzhen are cleared by China Customs (GACC). The national rules, as published by the Shanghai municipal government, apply in the same way here.
- 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 the right HS codes, values and origin, and make sure the supplier's export value matches the invoice you will give Dubai Customs. Under EXW terms, someone in China still has to act as exporter, which is why most Dubai buyers find FOB Shenzhen easier. Our Incoterms guide compares the terms.
Documents for a Shenzhen 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 | Release of the cargo 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 Shenzhen 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 risk-assessed before clearance or hold. The declarant needs a Dubai Customs business code, or a licensed clearing agent files 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%, and a VAT-registered importer that has registered its customs number with the FTA can defer it to the VAT return. Our Jebel Ali port guide covers the terminals, trucking and declaration types at the Dubai end.
Air cargo from Shenzhen to Dubai
For urgent orders, samples and high-value electronics, air cargo leaves from Shenzhen Bao'an or nearby airports in the delta. It is charged on the higher of actual and volumetric weight. Lithium batteries, power banks and many chemicals are dangerous goods by air and need a DG declaration and airline acceptance,. A good 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.
How to ship from Shenzhen to Dubai: step by step
- Agree the Incoterm with your supplier. FOB Shenzhen (Yantian or Shekou) is usually simplest.
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, supplier address, ready date and any batteries or chemicals.
- Get a quote and routing. We confirm the load 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 and seal the container. For LCL, the supplier delivers cartons to the consolidation warehouse before its cut-off.
- The supplier or its broker files the export declaration, and the truck gates in at the right terminal 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 Shenzhen side.
How to ship from Dubai to Shenzhen
We also handle the reverse lane: shipping from Dubai to Shenzhen, loading at Jebel Ali or another UAE port and discharging at Yantian, Shekou or Chiwan. We book the space, run the UAE export side and send the documents to the consignee in China. The Chinese import clearance stays with the consignee or its customs broker.
The UAE export side
- Export or re-export declaration. We file it with Dubai Customs: export for goods made in the UAE, re-export for goods that came in from abroad. Dubai Customs asks for the invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and a permit for restricted goods.
- Certificate of origin. Dubai Chambers issues certificates of origin for exported and re-exported goods. The fee is AED 100, and a complete request is approved within two hours.
- DG and batteries. Dangerous goods need the UN number, an SDS, a DG declaration and carrier acceptance under the IMDG Code before we confirm the booking.
The China import side
- Who declares. The consignee declares the goods to China Customs itself, or through a registered customs broker under a written agreement.
- Deadline. Under China's Customs Law, the import declaration is due within 14 days of the vessel's arrival.
- Documents. GACC rules list the contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, power of attorney for the declaration and any import licence. Send them to the broker as soon as the vessel sails.
- Duty and VAT. Duty depends on the HS code. Import VAT is collected by customs, at 13% for most goods and 9% for some categories under the rates set in April 2019.
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weight, volume, pickup address in the UAE and the consignee in China.
- The consignee confirms its customs broker and any licence the goods need in China.
- We book space from Jebel Ali to the Shenzhen terminal the consignee prefers.
- We arrange pickup, stuffing and the seal, or LCL delivery to the consolidation warehouse.
- We file the export or re-export declaration with Dubai Customs and gate in before the cut-off.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list and release it.
- We send the document set to the consignee's broker, who declares within 14 days of arrival and pays duty and VAT.
- The broker collects the release, the consignee's trucker delivers the box and returns the empty within free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Jebel Ali to Shenzhen (Yantian/Shekou/Chiwan) and our real transit days in this direction]
What affects the cost of shipping from Shenzhen?
| Cost part | What moves it |
|---|---|
| Origin trucking | Distance from the factory, Yantian or the western terminals, 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.
Checklist before you ship from Shenzhen
- Incoterm agreed and written in the contract.
- Load terminal confirmed: Yantian, Shekou, Chiwan or Mawan.
- HS code confirmed and the UAE duty rate checked.
- Battery and chemical content checked against the SDS.
- 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 consolidations: one combined packing list and clear carton marks per supplier.
- Free time agreed and cargo insurance arranged.
Common mistakes when shipping through Shenzhen
- Wrong terminal. A truck sent to Shekou for a Yantian booking misses the vessel.
- Batteries booked as general cargo. Power banks, e-bikes and devices with batteries can be rejected or fined.
- Missing DG packaging inspection. Without it the cargo cannot be exported as DG.
- Export value and Dubai invoice do not match.
- Consolidation without a combined packing list. Dubai Customs and the warehouse cannot match cartons to suppliers.
- Choosing Hong Kong without need. It adds a border crossing for most Dubai-bound containers.
- Late UAE permits. Applying after arrival runs up container charges.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yantian the same as Shenzhen port?
Yantian is one part of the Port of Shenzhen, in the east of the city. The western part includes Shekou, Chiwan and Mawan. Bookings name the terminal, so check which one your vessel uses.
How big is Shenzhen port?
The Port of Shenzhen handled about 30 million TEU in 2022 and is China's third-largest port system. Yantian alone has 20 container berths and the western terminals of China Merchants Port handled 15.17 million TEU in 2025.
Who operates the terminals at Shenzhen port?
Yantian is operated by Hutchison Ports Yantian, part of HPH Trust, with Shenzhen Yantian Port Group. The Shekou, Chiwan and Mawan container terminals in western Shenzhen are run by China Merchants Port.
How do I ship from Shenzhen 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.
Should I ship from Yantian or Shekou?
Use the terminal nearest the factory that has a suitable service to Jebel Ali. Eastern Shenzhen and Dongguan suppliers usually use Yantian, and western Shenzhen suppliers often use Shekou or Chiwan.
Can I ship lithium batteries from Shenzhen to Dubai?
Yes, as dangerous goods. You need the UN number, an SDS, China Customs packaging inspection results, a DG declaration and carrier acceptance under the current IMDG Code.
Can you ship from Dubai to Shenzhen?
Yes. We book the space from Jebel Ali, file the Dubai Customs export or re-export declaration and send the documents to China. The consignee or its registered customs broker declares the goods within 14 days of arrival and pays the duty and import VAT, which is 13% for most goods.
Can I consolidate several suppliers in Shenzhen into one container?
Yes. Cargo from several Guangdong suppliers can be collected at a warehouse and loaded into one container, with one combined packing list for Dubai Customs.
Can cargo from Shenzhen go through Hong Kong?
Yes, some shippers route cargo through Hong Kong for special services or sea-air moves. For most containers to Dubai a mainland Shenzhen terminal is simpler, because the cargo does not cross a second customs border.
Which port in Dubai does Shenzhen cargo arrive at?
Most containers from Shenzhen discharge at Jebel Ali. Check the discharge port on your booking, as some services call other UAE ports.
Get a quote for Shenzhen port shipping
Send us your supplier's location, cargo details and ready date, and we will come back with a routing and price from Shenzhen to Dubai. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a battery, DG or out-of-gauge shipment first.
Sources
- HPH Trust: Yantian portfolio (berths, quay, depth, cranes, area, services, East Port Phase I)
- HPH Trust: Portfolio overview (Yantian phases, start of operations)
- Hutchison Ports: Chinese Mainland ports (Hutchison Ports Yantian)
- China Merchants Port: Operation data, September 2026 (Western Shenzhen throughput; PDF text extracted locally)
- Wikipedia: Port of Shenzhen (port areas, location, 2022 throughput, rank, Shekou Cruise Center)
- Wikipedia: Yantian International Container Terminals (operators)
- iContainers: Port of Shenzhen (terminal areas, main cargo, alternative ports)
- Shanghai Municipal Government: Customs registration and declaration rules
- 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
- Dubai Chambers: Issuing a certificate of origin (exported and re-exported goods, AED 100, two hours)
- GACC: Customs requirements for the time of declaration (14 days for imports)
- GACC Decree No. 103: declaration rules and documents attached to the declaration form
- GACC: Customs broker responsibilities (written agreement with the client)
- Chinese government: VAT reform measures, import VAT 13% and 9% from 1 April 2019
Reviewed: 10 November 2026