Port of Dalian
The Port of Dalian is a major seaport in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China. Located at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, with access to the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and Northeast Asian trade lanes, Dalian serves importers, exporters, manufacturers, energy companies, agricultural traders, freight forwarders, customs brokers, logistics providers, and inland distribution networks across Liaoning and Northeast China.
Dalian is especially important for containerized freight, oil and liquefied chemicals, bulk cargo, grain, coal, minerals, steel, vehicles, machinery, chemicals, industrial inputs, agricultural products, food products, refrigerated cargo, and general commercial freight. The port also supports regional cargo flows connected to Shenyang, Anshan, Changchun, Harbin, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Korea, Japan, and wider Northeast Asia.
The port’s commonly used UN/LOCODE is CNDLC. Dalian is also listed in some location-code references as CNDAL. Shippers should confirm the exact port code, terminal, carrier service, customs office, cargo handling facility, and booking details before arranging cargo.
Port of Dalian Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Dalian |
| Country | China |
| Province / city | Liaoning / Dalian |
| Region | Liaodong Peninsula / Bohai Sea / Yellow Sea / Northeast China |
| Common UN/LOCODE | CNDLC |
| Related code | CNDAL also appears in some port-code references |
| Port type | Seaport / container port / bulk port / liquid bulk port / multipurpose gateway port |
| Main port group | Liaoning Port Group / Dalian Port operations |
| Main terminal areas | Dayaowan port area, Dalian Bay port area, Xingang oil terminal areas, container terminal areas, bulk terminals, grain terminals, RoRo facilities, logistics and warehousing zones |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, oil and liquefied chemicals, grain, coal, minerals, steel, vehicles, machinery, chemicals, refrigerated cargo, industrial goods, general cargo |
| Main terminal types | Container terminals, bulk terminals, liquid bulk terminals, multipurpose terminals, RoRo facilities, general cargo terminals, reefer facilities, warehousing and logistics areas |
| Cargo types | Containers, bulk cargo, liquid bulk, oil products, chemicals, grain, coal, minerals, vehicles, machinery, steel, refrigerated cargo, general cargo |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, manufacturers, agricultural traders, energy companies, freight forwarders, customs brokers, industrial shippers, Northeast China supply chains |
Why Ship Through the Port of Dalian?
Dalian is strategically located in Liaoning Province and functions as one of the main maritime gateways for Northeast China. Its position gives shippers access to Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, eastern Inner Mongolia, northern China, Korea, Japan, and other Northeast Asian trade lanes.
For importers, Dalian provides access to factories, energy facilities, bonded logistics zones, warehouses, steel producers, agricultural processors, automotive supply chains, inland logistics hubs, and industrial parks across Northeast China. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from manufacturers, machinery producers, agricultural suppliers, food processors, chemical companies, vehicle-related businesses, steel suppliers, and commercial shippers to regional and global markets.
Dalian is especially relevant for businesses that need access to:
- Liaoning and Northeast China supply chains
- Containerized import and export services
- Oil, liquefied chemical, bulk, grain, and industrial cargo handling
- Northeast Asia routes connected to Korea and Japan
- Inland rail and road connections
- Manufacturing, agricultural, and energy-related cargo flows
- Reefer cargo for food and temperature-sensitive products
- Regional and global services connected to Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, and other markets
Container Shipping Through Dalian
The Port of Dalian supports container shipping alongside its bulk, liquid bulk, RoRo, oil, chemical, and general cargo operations. Container services through Dalian can be used for import containers, export containers, regional cargo, industrial cargo, agricultural cargo, refrigerated cargo, and commercial freight connected to Liaoning and inland Northeast China.
Businesses use Dalian for:
- Import containers into China
- Export containers from China
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Industrial cargo and manufacturing inputs
- Machinery, spare parts, tools, components, and equipment
- Chemicals and plastics where permitted
- Steel products and construction-related materials
- Agricultural cargo and food products
- Retail and consumer goods cargo
- Refrigerated cargo moving in reefer containers
- Factory export cargo from Liaoning and nearby inland regions
- Cargo moving to or from Dalian, Shenyang, Anshan, Yingkou, Changchun, Harbin, Jilin, Qiqihar, Tongliao, Chifeng, and other inland logistics hubs
- Shipments connected to Busan, Incheon, Tokyo, Osaka, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Yingkou, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Jebel Ali, Colombo, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, and other international ports
For larger shipments, FCL shipping is usually suitable when cargo can fill a 20ft or 40ft container. For smaller shipments, LCL shipping allows businesses to move partial container loads without paying for a full container.
Dalian Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Dalian for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Dalian has container terminals, oil and liquefied chemical terminals, bulk terminals, grain handling facilities, RoRo areas, general cargo terminals, storage yards, bonded logistics facilities, warehousing, trucking access, railway connections, customs facilities, inspection areas, and inland distribution links.
Dalian’s terminal network supports a wide mix of cargo, including containers, oil and liquefied chemicals, grain, coal, minerals, steel, vehicles, machinery, industrial inputs, refrigerated cargo, and general commercial freight. Its location and infrastructure make it a practical gateway for Northeast China and Northeast Asia cargo flows.
The port’s infrastructure supports:
- Container handling
- Import and export container flows
- FCL and LCL cargo
- Bulk cargo operations
- Liquid bulk cargo operations
- Oil and liquefied chemical logistics
- Grain handling and storage
- General cargo handling
- RoRo and vehicle-related cargo
- Steel, coal, mineral, and industrial cargo
- Reefer container operations
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Chemicals, plastics, and manufacturing inputs
- Agricultural products and food cargo
- Yard and gate operations
- Customs and inspection procedures
- Warehousing and bonded logistics activity
- Rail and road connections across Liaoning and Northeast China
- Cargo connections with Dalian, Shenyang, Anshan, Yingkou, Changchun, Harbin, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, and wider northern China markets
This infrastructure makes Dalian suitable for containerized freight, industrial cargo, liquid bulk, agricultural trade, energy logistics, Northeast China supply chains, cold chain cargo, raw material logistics, and commercial shipments connected to China and global trade lanes.
Main Cargo Handled Through Dalian
The Port of Dalian handles a broad mix of containerized cargo, liquid bulk, oil-related cargo, liquefied chemicals, dry bulk, grain, coal, minerals, steel, vehicles, machinery, refrigerated cargo, chemicals, agricultural products, industrial inputs, and commercial freight.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Machinery, components, chemicals, plastic materials, consumer goods, industrial inputs |
| Containerized exports | Machinery, industrial goods, agricultural products, food products, general commercial cargo |
| Liquid bulk cargo | Oil products, liquefied chemicals, industrial liquids where permitted |
| Bulk cargo | Grain, coal, minerals, raw materials, construction materials, industrial commodities |
| Grain and agricultural cargo | Corn, soybeans, feed ingredients, food products, agricultural commodities |
| Steel and metals cargo | Steel products, metal materials, construction steel, industrial metal cargo |
| Vehicle and RoRo cargo | Vehicles, machinery units, wheeled equipment, project-related cargo |
| Refrigerated cargo | Frozen food, chilled cargo, seafood, meat, produce, temperature-sensitive goods |
| Machinery cargo | Industrial equipment, spare parts, factory machinery, tools, production equipment |
| Chemical and plastic cargo | Packaged chemicals, resins, plastic products, industrial chemicals where permitted |
| Industrial goods | Components, raw materials, parts, packaging, manufacturing supplies |
| General commercial freight | Cartons, pallets, mixed cargo, samples, finished goods, consolidated shipments |
Dalian is especially relevant for shippers that need access to Liaoning, Northeast China, container services, oil and chemical logistics, grain handling, agricultural distribution, industrial supply chains, inland rail connections, customs brokerage, and Northeast Asian trade routes.
Shipping to Dalian China
Importers ship cargo to Dalian from East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Oceania, and other global trade regions.
Common imports to Dalian and Liaoning include:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Raw materials and manufacturing inputs
- Chemicals and plastic materials
- Oil-related cargo where permitted
- Grain and agricultural commodities
- Coal and mineral cargo
- Vehicles and automotive parts
- Food products and beverages
- Frozen and chilled goods
- Steel-related cargo
- Packaging materials
- Construction materials
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- General cargo
- Commercial freight
When shipping to Dalian, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, Chinese customs duty, value-added tax, terminal handling, customs broker fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, rail freight, inspection fees, quarantine charges when applicable, inland delivery, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Dalian China
Exporters use Dalian for cargo moving from Dalian, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, and other inland production or distribution areas to East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, Africa, North America, South America, and other international markets.
Common export cargo from Dalian includes:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial products
- Chemicals and plastic products where permitted
- Agricultural products
- Food products
- Seafood and refrigerated cargo
- Steel products
- Vehicles and vehicle-related cargo
- Automotive parts
- Consumer goods
- Packaging materials
- Retail merchandise
- General containerized freight
- Bulk and breakbulk cargo
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, commodity type, destination, Incoterm, carrier service, terminal cut-off, equipment availability, export documentation, inland pickup location, inspection requirements, commodity restrictions, and required transit time.
FCL is usually more efficient for larger commercial volumes, while LCL can work well for smaller shipments, samples, cartons, pallets, and partial container loads moving through consolidation hubs.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Dalian China
| Shipping Option | Best For | Main Advantage | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCL shipping | Full 20ft or 40ft container loads | Dedicated container and fewer cargo touchpoints | Best when shipment volume justifies a full container |
| LCL shipping | Smaller shipments, cartons, pallets, samples, partial loads | Pay only for the space used | May involve consolidation or deconsolidation through Dalian, Busan, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, or another hub |
| Reefer container | Frozen food, chilled cargo, seafood, meat, produce, temperature-sensitive goods | Maintains controlled temperature during transit | Requires reefer equipment, plug capacity, temperature settings, and correct documentation |
| Bulk cargo shipping | Grain, coal, minerals, raw materials, construction materials | Suitable for large-volume commodities | Requires terminal compatibility, vessel planning, storage, and commodity-specific handling |
| Liquid bulk shipping | Oil products, liquefied chemicals, industrial liquids | Supports energy and industrial supply chains | Requires tank infrastructure, safety procedures, permits, and regulatory compliance |
| General cargo shipping | Machinery, steel, construction materials, packaged cargo | Flexible for standard commercial freight | Requires accurate packing, labeling, documentation, and cargo details |
| RoRo cargo | Vehicles, wheeled machinery, equipment units | Supports vehicle and machinery movement | Requires terminal availability, vehicle documentation, and handling arrangements |
| Industrial cargo | Machinery, chemicals, automotive parts, plastics, factory inputs | Suitable for manufacturing supply chains | Requires correct classification, safety documents, permits when applicable, and handling compatibility |
| Grain and agricultural cargo | Corn, soybeans, feed ingredients, food products | Supports agricultural import and processing flows | Requires quarantine, inspection, fumigation, food safety, and destination compliance documents where applicable |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Dalian and China
Cargo imported or exported through Dalian must comply with Chinese customs requirements. Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and logistics providers should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, shipper details, consignee details, importer information, exporter information, tax details, permits where applicable, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through China may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, customs declaration, certificate of origin when required, import license or export license when applicable, insurance certificate, and product-specific certificates or inspection documents.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, electronics, batteries, hazardous cargo, timber products, plants, animals, petroleum products, dual-use goods, waste materials, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, certification, product registration, quarantine clearance, safety documentation, or agency authorization under Chinese rules.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Dalian China
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Dalian require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Customs declaration
- HS code or product classification
- Importer details, when importing into China
- Exporter details, when exporting from China
- Consignee and shipper details
- Tax identification details, when applicable
- Importer or exporter registration details, when required
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Preferential origin certificate, when claiming preferential tariff treatment
- Import license or export license, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Food safety documents, when applicable
- Health certificate, when applicable
- Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Fumigation certificate, when applicable
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- Quarantine documents, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Battery documentation, when applicable
- Commodity inspection documents, when applicable
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck, rail, warehouse transfer, bonded logistics transfer, factory pickup, or final delivery
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete product descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, late customs filings, missing inspection documents, or unclear cargo values can delay customs clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Dalian China
Dalian connects Liaoning and Northeast China with East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, Africa, North America, South America, and other international trade regions through container services, liquid bulk shipping, bulk shipping, trucking, rail, inland logistics, and transshipment networks.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| East Asia to Dalian | Machinery, components, chemicals, industrial goods, consumer goods, refrigerated cargo |
| Southeast Asia to Dalian | Food products, consumer goods, raw materials, industrial inputs, agricultural cargo |
| Indian Subcontinent to Dalian | Minerals, raw materials, chemicals, machinery, textiles, agricultural cargo |
| Middle East to Dalian | Oil-related cargo, chemicals, plastics, industrial materials |
| Europe to Dalian | Machinery, industrial goods, chemicals, automotive parts, technology products |
| North America to Dalian | Grain, food products, machinery, chemicals, industrial inputs, consumer goods |
| South America to Dalian | Grain, agricultural commodities, food products, raw materials |
| Dalian to East Asia | Machinery, food products, industrial goods, chemicals, refrigerated cargo |
| Dalian to Southeast Asia | Machinery, chemicals, industrial cargo, food products, general freight |
| Dalian to Europe | Machinery, industrial goods, chemicals, refrigerated cargo, general commercial freight |
| Dalian to North America | Machinery, industrial goods, food products, consumer goods, general cargo |
| Dalian regional routes | Containers, bulk cargo, refrigerated cargo, industrial cargo, vehicles, and general cargo moving through China and Northeast Asia |
Routing may involve direct ocean services, feeder services, trucking, rail, inland delivery, or transshipment through Dalian, Yingkou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Busan, Incheon, Tokyo, Osaka, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Santos, Durban, and other hubs depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, terminal availability, and final destination.
When Should You Use Dalian Instead of Another Chinese Port?
Dalian can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Dalian, Shenyang, Anshan, Yingkou, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, or nearby Northeast China industrial areas
- The shipment involves containers, oil-related cargo, liquefied chemicals, grain, coal, minerals, vehicles, machinery, chemicals, refrigerated cargo, agricultural cargo, or industrial inputs
- The cargo benefits from Dalian’s container, liquid bulk, oil, chemical, grain, RoRo, or general cargo facilities
- Inland pickup or delivery is more efficient through Dalian than through Yingkou, Tianjin, Qingdao, Lianyungang, or another Chinese gateway
- The shipment needs access to Liaoning’s industrial base, Northeast China agriculture, seafood and refrigerated cargo flows, energy logistics, or regional Northeast Asia routes
- Carrier schedule, terminal availability, equipment availability, inland rail or trucking cost, and landed cost are better through Dalian
Another Chinese port may be more suitable when cargo is closer to a different gateway or when a specific carrier service, container schedule, terminal, or inland corridor provides a better total cost. Yingkou may be better for some central Liaoning and inland Northeast China cargo flows. Tianjin may be better for cargo connected to Beijing, Hebei, and northern China industrial areas. Qingdao may be better for Shandong cargo and certain container routes. Shanghai or Ningbo-Zhoushan may be more suitable for eastern China cargo with wider direct service options.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, cargo origin, inland distance, sailing schedule, terminal specialization, equipment availability, customs requirements, commodity type, service frequency, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Dalian China
To get a freight quote to or from Dalian, prepare the following details:
- Origin and destination
- Port-to-port, door-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-door requirement
- Cargo weight and dimensions
- Number of pallets, cartons, boxes, containers, tons, or bulk cargo volume
- FCL, LCL, reefer, bulk cargo, liquid bulk, oil-related cargo, chemical cargo, RoRo, general cargo, hazardous cargo, industrial cargo, machinery cargo, agricultural cargo, or refrigerated cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Supplier, warehouse, factory, industrial site, bonded logistics center, cold storage facility, or inland pickup address, if exporting
- Final delivery address, if importing or arranging door delivery
- Customs clearance requirements
- Import license, export license, commodity inspection, quarantine, or product permit requirements, if applicable
- Product inspection, testing, fumigation, quarantine, food safety, cold chain, or certification requirements, if applicable
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, bulk cargo, liquid bulk, hazardous cargo, chemicals, food products, agricultural cargo, timber, oversized cargo, customs inspection, product testing, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, rail provider, customs broker, warehouse, cold storage facility, bonded logistics facility, or transshipment hub, if already specified
With iContainers, businesses can compare ocean freight options online, review available rates, and manage international shipments through a digital booking process.
FAQ About the Port of Dalian
The Port of Dalian is located in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, at the southern end of the Liaodong Peninsula. It serves Northeast China and regional trade lanes connected to Korea, Japan, and wider Asia.
The commonly used UN/LOCODE for Dalian is CNDLC. Some references also list Dalian as CNDAL, so shippers should confirm the correct code with the carrier, terminal, or booking system.
Dalian is known for containers, oil and liquefied chemicals, grain, coal, minerals, machinery, vehicles, refrigerated cargo, agricultural products, industrial goods, and general commercial freight.
Dalian can serve Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, eastern Inner Mongolia, and other Northeast China regions depending on rail, truck, warehouse, customs, and final delivery arrangements.
Dalian may be more suitable for cargo connected to Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, and Northeast China. Tianjin may be better for cargo connected to Beijing, Hebei, and northern China industrial areas depending on inland distance, carrier service, and total landed cost.
Dalian is a multipurpose port. It handles containerized cargo, oil and liquefied chemicals, bulk cargo, grain, vehicles, refrigerated cargo, industrial cargo, and general commercial freight.