Nanhai

Importing from Nanhai to the UK

Nanhai Port, situated in the heart of the Pearl River Delta in Foshan, China, enjoys a prime location near Guangzhou, Panyu, and Shunde.

The port contributes significantly to the region's industrial output, including the Guangdong Financial High-Tech Zone.

This area within the Nanhai District is home to numerous high-end financial services and back-office operations, providing essential support to the manufacturing sectors in the region.It also serves Nanhai Park, which is part of the Foshan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone (FHIDZ).

As a major manufacturing hub, it focuses on traditional industries like automotive parts and electronics, as well as emerging sectors such as medical devices, biomedicine, new materials, and robotics.

What are FOB and EXW terms?

Businesses importing goods from China to the UK need to understand two crucial international trade terms that define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers: 'Free on Board' (FOB) and 'Ex Works' (EXW).

Free on Board (FOB)
Under FOB terms, the seller is responsible for all costs and risks until the goods are loaded onto the ship at the departure port in China. Once the goods are on board, the buyer takes over, handling all arrangements and expenses for import clearance, duties, and transport to the UK.

Ex Works (EXW)
For EXW terms, the seller's role is limited to making the goods available at their premises in China. The buyer then takes on the entire responsibility, managing the export processes, insurance, loading, customs clearance, and all transportation costs up to the final destination in the UK.

Sea Freight service options from Nanhai to the UK

When transporting goods by sea from Nanhai to the UK, shippers can opt for one of two main types of cargo shipping:

Full Container Load (FCL)
FCL allows the shipper to fill an entire container with their own goods, ensuring that the container is used exclusively by them.

Less than Container Load (LCL)
In LCL scenarios, a container is shared among various shippers, with each one contributing a portion of the goods to fill the container.

Do you need an export licence?

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) in China categorises exported items into three groups: automatically licensed goods, goods requiring a licence due to restrictions, and goods that are prohibited from export. Export licences issued by the MoC detail the exporter's and buyer's information, along with specifics about the cargo, its value, and its transportation method. For items under the restricted category, securing a licence is compulsory. Even Foreign Trade Companies (FTC) in China that export directly to their subsidiaries in the UK are required to obtain an export licence. However, when trading with a supplier under Free on Board (FOB) terms, the FTC does not need to secure a separate licence.

Import documents required by customs authorities

When exporting goods from the Nanhai port to the UK, ensure you have the necessary documents: