Wenzhou

Importing from Wenzhou to the UK

Wenzhou Port, nestled in Zhejiang Province, is a natural estuary and deep-water international seaport that interfaces with the East China Sea. It serves several major factory districts that are integral to the city's industrial landscape. The key districts include:

Wenzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone (WETDZ): Known for its diverse industrial base, including sectors like footwear and clothing and high-tech industries such as biopharmaceuticals, electronics, IT, and new materials.

Wenzhou National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone: This zone focuses on advanced technologies such as optical communication, photoelectric energy, laser tech and semiconductor lighting.

What are FOB and EXW terms?

UK importers receiving shipments from Wenzhou Port should be well-versed in two crucial incoterms: FOB and EXW.

FOB (Free on Board)
In FOB terms, the seller must deliver the goods to the nearest port and handle all expenses and risks until the goods are loaded onto the shipping vessel. Once loaded, responsibility shifts to the buyer, who then must manage all costs related to importing, including customs clearance fees and transportation from the original port to the final destination.

EXW (Ex Works)
Under the EXW incoterm, the seller is only required to provide the goods at their premises, such as a warehouse or factory. Here, the buyer takes on minimal responsibility from the seller and is responsible for overseeing all export and import processes, such as customs clearance, insurance, loading the goods, and transportation.

Sea Freight service options from Wenzhou to the UK

Importers moving goods from Wenzhou port to the UK can choose between two shipping options based on their product volume.

Full Container Load (FCL): Importers can reserve an entire container solely for their cargo, guaranteeing exclusive use of the container.

Less-than-Container Load (LCL): Importers with smaller cargo volumes can select this option, sharing container space with other shippers as their goods do not fill an entire container.

Do you need an export licence?

The Ministry of Commerce (MoC) categorises products into three groups: authorised goods, controlled goods, and prohibited goods. Export permits from the MoC contain details about the seller(s), buyer(s), shipment, price, and transportation method. These permits are crucial for exporting controlled goods. Chinese Foreign Trade Companies (FTC) exporting to UK branches must also secure a permit.

However, trading with foreign vendors in foreign countries (FOBs) does not necessitate a permit.

What documents should I present to clear customs?