Port of Tianjin shipping is how most of north China reaches the sea: Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and a long inland hinterland behind them. Its main area, Tianjin Xingang, handled about 24 million TEU in 2025 across container, bulk and Ro-Ro terminals. This guide explains the port areas, the terminals, inland links, winter conditions, export rules and how to ship from Tianjin to Dubai. We ship both ways: from Tianjin to Dubai, and from Dubai to Tianjin.
Port of Tianjin guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Western shore of Bohai Bay, about 170 km southeast of Beijing and 60 km east of Tianjin city |
| Operator | Tianjin Port Group; listed arms include Tianjin Port Holdings (Shanghai) and Tianjin Port Development (Hong Kong) |
| Other names | Tianjin Xingang, Tianjin New Port, Xingang |
| Port areas | Nine, with Beijiang, Nanjiang and Dongjiang as the core Xingang areas |
| Container throughput (2025) | 24,032,900 TEU, up 3.2% on 2024 |
| Container throughput (2024) | 23,290,000 TEU |
| World ranking | 8th in Lloyd's List One Hundred Container Ports 2026 |
| Main channel | 39.5 km long, dredged to -19.5 m in 2010 |
| Largest ships listed | 250,000 DWT at any tide, 300,000 DWT at high water |
| UN/LOCODE | CNTXG or CNTSN |
| Export customs | China Customs (GACC); declaration 24 hours before loading |
| Usual UAE discharge port | Jebel Ali, Dubai |
| Dubai to Tianjin (import into China) | Consignee or its customs broker declares within 14 days of the ship's arrival declaration |
Where is the Port of Tianjin and what does it serve?
The port sits where the Haihe River meets Bohai Bay, on land largely reclaimed from the sea. It is the closest major port to Beijing, which makes it the default load port for the capital region and much of north China.
For a Dubai buyer, Tianjin matters when your supplier is in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia or further inland in the north and west. A factory in those areas would face a long and costly truck to Shanghai or a South China port. If your supplier is in the Yangtze River Delta or Guangdong, ship from Shanghai, Ningbo or the Pearl River Delta instead. Our Shanghai guide covers the main alternative.
Which load port for a north China supplier?
| Supplier location | Load port to ask for first | When to compare another |
|---|---|---|
| Beijing, Tianjin | Tianjin Xingang | Rarely worth it |
| Hebei, Shanxi | Tianjin Xingang | Compare Qingdao for southern Hebei if the sailing is better |
| Inner Mongolia and the north-west | Tianjin, often by rail | Ask about rail to the port versus trucking |
| Shandong | Qingdao | Tianjin for northern Shandong suppliers |
| Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang | Shanghai or Ningbo | Tianjin rarely saves money |
| Guangdong | Shenzhen or Guangzhou (Nansha) | Tianjin rarely saves money |
Which port areas and terminals does Tianjin port have?
The Port of Tianjin is divided into nine port areas. Three of them, Beijiang, Nanjiang and Dongjiang, sit around the Xingang fairway and form the core of the port. Haihe, Beitang and Dagukou are working areas, and Hangu, Gaoshaling and Nangang have been under development.
| Port area | Main role | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Beijiang (north) | Most container terminals, general cargo, Ro-Ro | Where many container services load |
| Dongjiang (east) | Container terminal, general cargo, bonded port area | Check the terminal on the booking; bonded storage option |
| Nanjiang (south) | Bulk terminals for oil, ore and coal, LNG | Bulk and liquid bulk, not containers |
| Dagukou | Industrial port area south of the Haihe mouth | Industrial cargo for the Lingang industrial zone |
| Haihe and Beitang | River and smaller port areas | Smaller vessels and local cargo |
Container terminals in Beijiang
Beijiang has several container terminals, each run as a separate company, mostly joint ventures with Tianjin Port. The published list includes the Tianjin Port Container Terminal, Orient Container Terminal, Five Continents International Container Terminal, Alliance International Container Terminal, Euroasia International Container Terminal and Shenghua International Container Terminal. Their partners include DP World, PSA International, COSCO, China Merchants and APM Terminals in different combinations.
That list comes from older published layouts, and ownership changes over time. What matters for you is simple: the terminal on your booking is where the box must go, and it differs by carrier and service. A box delivered to the wrong Beijiang terminal misses the vessel.
The Dongjiang container terminal (PICT)
Dongjiang's container terminal is the Tianjin Port Pacific International Container Terminal.
| Item | Published figure |
|---|---|
| Operators | PSA International with Tianjin Port |
| Berths | 6 (D1 to D6) |
| Quay length | 2,300 m |
| Depth alongside | 16 m |
| Quay cranes | 23 |
| Area | 218 ha |
| Annual capacity | 4 million TEU |
Dongjiang also holds a 10 km² bonded port area inside a port area of about 33 km². Goods can be stored there under bond, which helps when a seller in north China wants to hold stock near the quay before final sale.
Ro-Ro and vehicles
Tianjin handles cars and rolling equipment through dedicated Ro-Ro berths. The Tianjin Port Ro-Ro Terminal in Beijiang is listed with 2 berths, 471 m of quay and capacity for 200,000 vehicles a year, run as a joint venture with car-carrier lines. A larger Ro-Ro terminal with a tilted wharf to deal with the tides was listed as under construction. Vehicles, tractors and wheeled machinery to the UAE can therefore move on Ro-Ro ships as well as in containers or on flat racks.
Bulk and liquid bulk in Nanjiang
Nanjiang is an artificial island of about 26 km² holding the large oil, ore and coal terminals. LNG terminals are also listed there. This area matters for bulk charters, not for container shipments to Dubai.
How deep is Tianjin port and which ships can call?
Tianjin is an artificial harbour on a shallow coast, so everything depends on the dredged channel. The main channel is 39.5 km long. It was dredged to -19.5 m with a 420 m bottom width in November 2010, and further deepening and widening was under way after that.
Port data lists a maximum draft of 15.5 m, with ships of up to 250,000 DWT able to enter at any tide and 300,000 DWT at high water. For container shippers this means the large mainline vessels can call, but schedules are tighter than at deep natural harbours because ships work around the tide.
Winter ice in Bohai Bay
Bohai Bay is one of the few places in China where the sea freezes. In January 2010 ice in Tianjin port waters reached a maximum of 20 cm, and in January 2011 16 tugboats stood by as sea ice repeatedly trapped ships. Ice does not close the port, but it can slow pilotage and berthing in hard winters.
A simple rule: for cargo leaving Tianjin in January or February, add some buffer to your delivery plan in Dubai, and confirm the vessel's ETA again close to sailing. This period also overlaps with Chinese New Year factory closures.
How does cargo reach Tianjin by rail and road?
Most containers reach Xingang by truck, but Tianjin has built a wide inland network. By October 2011 it had set up 21 dry ports, 8 of them fully working, in places such as Beijing, Shijiazhuang, Baoding, Zhengzhou, Xi'an, Baotou and Yinchuan. Dedicated container trains then linked the port to 15 Chinese cities, including Xi'an, Chengdu and Ürümqi.
| Inland leg | Usually suits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Truck to Xingang | Beijing, Tianjin and nearby Hebei suppliers | Terminal cut-off, gate appointment, road restrictions |
| Rail from a dry port | Suppliers far inland in the north and west | Rail cut-off, transfer time at the port |
| Customs at a dry port | Inland exporters | Whether export clearance can be done inland before the train |
If your supplier quotes FOB Tianjin but sends the box by rail from a dry port, the rail leg is still on their side. Make sure the contract says the goods are delivered on board at Xingang.
What cargo moves through Tianjin port?
Tianjin is a mixed port: containers, bulk, liquid bulk, Ro-Ro and general cargo all use it. For Dubai importers the common flows from north China look like this.
| Cargo | How it usually ships to Dubai | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| Steel products, pipes, profiles | 20ft FCL, flat racks or breakbulk | Weight limits, lashing, moisture protection |
| Machinery and equipment | Containers, open tops, flat racks | Dimensions, lifting points, carrier acceptance |
| Vehicles and wheeled machinery | Ro-Ro or containers | Ro-Ro sailing availability, UAE vehicle rules |
| Chemicals, paints, coatings | DG containers | SDS, DG packaging inspection, carrier acceptance |
| Consumer goods and furniture | FCL or LCL | Consolidation, HS codes, packing |
| Chilled and frozen food | Reefer containers | Set temperature, UAE food permits |
Shipping from Tianjin to Dubai: FCL and LCL
Most cargo from Tianjin to Dubai moves in containers from Xingang into Jebel Ali. FCL suits larger orders and goods you want sealed at the factory. LCL suits small orders and first shipments from a new supplier. Our article on FCL vs LCL costs shows how to compare them, and our sea freight service covers booking and container types.
Tianjin sits at the northern end of China's coast, so the sea leg to the Gulf is longer than from Shanghai or South China. Many services also call other Chinese ports or a transshipment hub on the way. On each quote, ask for the load terminal, the vessel, the transit time and whether the service calls Jebel Ali directly or transships.
[AMIR-FACT: our real transit time from Tianjin Xingang to Jebel Ali and the carriers we usually book for Tianjin cargo]
What a Tianjin to Dubai shipment timeline includes
| Stage | Where | What can delay it |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo ready and packed | Supplier in north China | Production delays, weak export packing |
| Truck or rail to Xingang | Factory or dry port to the terminal | Wrong terminal, rail transfer, missed cut-off |
| Export clearance | China Customs | Missing data, inspection, DG packaging results |
| Sailing | Xingang to Jebel Ali | Tide windows, winter ice, transshipment |
| Import clearance | Dubai Customs | Late declaration, missing permit |
| Delivery | Jebel Ali to your site | No truck slot, site not ready |
Dangerous goods through Tianjin port
North China exports a lot of chemicals, coatings and industrial products that are dangerous goods at sea. Tianjin also has a particular history here: in August 2015 a series of explosions hit a chemical storage facility in the Binhai area near the port. Expect DG bookings out of Tianjin to be checked closely by carriers and terminals, and start the paperwork early.
- Sea DG moves under the IMDG Code. The 2024 edition with Amendment 42-24 has been mandatory since 1 January 2026.
- China Customs inspects export DG packaging. Since July 2024 a nationwide batch inspection pilot lets qualified exporters ship several lots after one on-site check. Class 6.2 and Class 7 are excluded.
- Confirm carrier acceptance for the specific vessel before the supplier stuffs the container.
- Have the SDS, UN number, packaging inspection results and the signed DG declaration ready before the cut-off.
Our dangerous goods shipping team checks the papers and carrier acceptance before you commit, and our guide to IMDG segregation in containers explains which classes cannot travel together.
Breakbulk, heavy-lift and project cargo from Tianjin
Tianjin is a strong origin for heavy industrial cargo: steel structures, transformers, production lines and large machinery. Beijiang and Dongjiang have general cargo terminals, such as the Huicheng General Cargo Terminal in Dongjiang with 4 berths and 1,075 m of quay. Pieces that fit flat racks can sail on container ships. Larger pieces need breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage from a general cargo berth.
Ask for drawings, weights and lifting points first, and ask the carrier which berth the vessel will load at. Our guide to heavy-lift shipping explains the planning, and our break bulk and project cargo service handles discharge and delivery in the UAE.
Export customs at Tianjin port in short
Exports through Tianjin follow the same national China Customs rules as Shanghai and the South China ports.
- Your supplier, as consignor, files the export declaration itself or through a customs broker.
- The declaration is made once the goods reach the customs supervision area and 24 hours before loading.
- The exporter must be registered as a foreign trade operator, which can be done online through the China International Trade Single Window.
Under EXW someone in China still has to act as exporter, so most Dubai buyers find FOB Tianjin easier. Our Incoterms guide compares the terms.
Documents for a Tianjin to Dubai shipment
| Document | Prepared by | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Supplier | China export declaration and Dubai Customs |
| China export declaration | Supplier or its broker | Export clearance before loading |
| Rail document, if used | Rail operator | Moving the box from the dry port |
| 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 |
What happens when Tianjin cargo arrives in Dubai?
At Jebel Ali the declaration is filed with Dubai Customs by a holder of a customs business code, or by a licensed clearing agent with the owner's authorisation. Duty is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Restricted goods need a permit from the relevant UAE authority, so apply before the vessel sails. Our Jebel Ali port guide covers terminals, trucking and declarations at the Dubai end.
How to ship from Tianjin to Dubai: step by step
- Agree the Incoterm. FOB Tianjin (Xingang) is usually simplest. Write the load port in the contract.
- Send us the cargo details: commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, supplier address, ready date and any chemicals or batteries.
- Get a quote and routing. We confirm the terminal, the sailing and the service into Jebel Ali.
- Agree the inland leg with the supplier: truck or rail from a dry port.
- Check UAE permits for restricted goods and apply before the cargo sails.
- Book space. For DG, reefer, Ro-Ro or out-of-gauge cargo we get carrier acceptance first.
- The supplier stuffs and seals the container, or delivers LCL cartons to the warehouse before its cut-off.
- The supplier or its broker files the export declaration, and the box reaches 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, then arrange the delivery order and the truck from Jebel Ali.
Our Dubai freight forwarding team runs the UAE end and works with your supplier on the Tianjin side.
How to ship from Dubai to Tianjin
Cargo also moves the other way: re-exports from UAE free zones, machinery going back for repair, samples and project materials. Shipping from Dubai to Tianjin means loading at Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah and sailing to Xingang, often with a transshipment on the way. Ask for a bill of lading that shows Tianjin (Xingang) as the port of discharge, so the box is not left at a hub.
The UAE export side
We book the space, arrange pickup and trucking in the UAE, and prepare the UAE export declaration, or the free zone exit papers for a re-export. For DG cargo we get acceptance from every carrier on the route before the box is stuffed.
The China import side
- The import consignee files the declaration with China Customs itself or entrusts a customs broker.
- The declaration is due within 14 days from the date the ship's arrival is declared.
- The consignee must be registered as a foreign trade operator. A consignee may only entrust a broker that is registered with China Customs.
- Import duty and import VAT depend on the HS code and the origin of the goods, so the consignee's broker should confirm them before you ship.
- Send us the cargo details, the HS code, the consignee in Tianjin or north China and the Incoterm.
- We book space to Xingang, direct or by transshipment, and confirm the discharge terminal.
- We arrange pickup in the UAE, or delivery of LCL cargo to the consolidator before the cut-off.
- We file the UAE export declaration and check packing and labels on DG cargo.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We send the consignee the bill of lading, invoice, packing list and certificate of origin before the ship arrives.
- The consignee or its broker declares the cargo to China Customs and pays duty and import VAT.
- The consignee or its trucker collects the box at Xingang and returns the empty inside free time.
We do not clear cargo in China ourselves. We work with the consignee's customs broker in Tianjin.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah to Tianjin Xingang and our real transit days in this direction]
What affects the cost of shipping from Tianjin?
| Cost part | What moves it |
|---|---|
| Inland leg | Truck distance to Xingang, or rail from a dry port |
| Origin port and export charges | Terminal handling, export declaration, LCL consolidation |
| Ocean freight | Container type, season, carrier, direct or transshipment service |
| Special cargo | DG surcharges, Ro-Ro rates, flat rack or breakbulk premiums |
| Dubai destination charges | Terminal handling, delivery order, LCL unpacking |
| Duty | CIF value and HS code |
| Delays | Demurrage and detention once free time runs out |
Compare quotes on the same scope, from the same Incoterm to the same delivery point.
Checklist before you ship from Tianjin
- Load port written as Tianjin Xingang in the contract.
- Terminal confirmed on the booking.
- Inland leg agreed: truck or rail, and who pays for it.
- HS code and the UAE duty rate checked.
- Chemical and battery content checked against the SDS.
- Buffer added for January and February sailings.
- Invoice, packing list and draft bill of lading match.
- UAE permits applied for before sailing.
Common mistakes when shipping through Tianjin port
- Delivering the box to the wrong Beijiang terminal.
- Late DG paperwork. Tianjin DG bookings get close checks, so a missing SDS or packaging result stops the box.
- Planning a tight Dubai delivery date for a winter sailing.
- Choosing Tianjin for a supplier in South or East China because the price per container looked lower.
- Overweight 20ft containers of steel or machinery parts.
- Applying for UAE permits after arrival, which runs up container charges.
Frequently asked questions
Is Xingang the same as the Port of Tianjin?
Xingang, or Tianjin New Port, is the main seaport area of the Port of Tianjin. It covers the Beijiang, Nanjiang and Dongjiang port areas, where the container, bulk and Ro-Ro terminals are.
How big is the Port of Tianjin?
The port handled 24,032,900 TEU of containers in 2025, up 3.2% on 2024. Lloyd's List ranked it the 8th busiest container port in the world in its 2026 list.
What is the port code for Tianjin?
Bookings show CNTXG or CNTSN for Tianjin Xingang. Older codes CNTJP and CNTGU have also been used.
How far is Tianjin port from Beijing?
The port is about 170 km southeast of Beijing and about 60 km east of Tianjin city. It is the main sea gateway for the Beijing region.
How do I ship from Tianjin to Dubai?
Agree FOB Tianjin with your supplier, book FCL or LCL space to Jebel Ali, have the supplier file the China export declaration, then clear the cargo with Dubai Customs on arrival. Check DG content and UAE permits before you book.
How does shipping from Dubai to Tianjin work?
We book space from Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah to Xingang and file the UAE export declaration. In China, the consignee or its customs broker declares the cargo within 14 days of the ship's arrival declaration and pays duty and import VAT by HS code.
Does ice affect shipping from Tianjin?
In hard winters sea ice forms in Bohai Bay and can slow pilotage and berthing. Add a buffer to delivery plans for January and February sailings.
Can I ship vehicles from Tianjin to Dubai?
Yes. Tianjin has dedicated Ro-Ro berths, so vehicles and wheeled machinery can go on Ro-Ro ships, in containers or on flat racks, depending on size and sailing availability.
Can I ship dangerous goods from Tianjin?
Yes, if the carrier accepts the cargo and the papers are complete. You need the UN number, Safety Data Sheet, China Customs packaging inspection results and a DG declaration under the IMDG Code.
Which Dubai port does Tianjin cargo arrive at?
Most container services from Tianjin to Dubai discharge at Jebel Ali, often after a call at another port. Check the port of discharge on the booking.
Get a quote for Port of Tianjin shipping
Send us your cargo details and supplier location, and we will come back with a routing through Tianjin and a price to Dubai. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a DG, Ro-Ro or project shipment first.
Sources
- Lloyd's List: Tianjin, One Hundred Container Ports 2026 (2025 and 2024 TEU, growth)
- Lloyd's List: One Hundred Container Ports 2026 (ranking)
- Wikipedia: Port of Tianjin (location, distances, operator, port areas, codes, ice)
- Wikipedia: Layout of the Port of Tianjin (port areas, terminals, Ro-Ro, channel, bonded port)
- Wikipedia: Port of Tianjin operations and logistics (dry ports, container trains)
- Wikipedia: History of the Port of Tianjin (2015 explosions)
- Wikipedia: Tianjin Port Holdings
- Wikipedia: Tianjin Port Development
- ShipNext: Tianjin port restrictions (maximum draft and vessel size)
- iContainers: Port of Xingang (aliases, terminal areas, code)
- Shanghai Municipal Government: China customs registration and declaration rules (export 24 hours before loading; import within 14 days of arrival)
- CIRS: China customs batch inspection pilot for DG packaging (July 2024)
- IMO: IMDG Code 2024 edition (Amendment 42-24)
- General Administration of Customs of China: customs broker responsibilities and limits on entrusting declarations
- General Administration of Customs of China: registration of consignees and consignors of imported or exported goods
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (duty rates, business code, clearing agents)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026