Port of Xiamen
The Port of Xiamen is one of China’s major container gateways and a key seaport for Fujian Province, Southeast China, and international trade across East Asia, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, and other global markets. The port serves Xiamen, Fujian manufacturing zones, inland distribution points, export factories, bonded logistics areas, and cargo moving through the Taiwan Strait and wider Asia-Pacific shipping network.
The main UN/LOCODE used for Xiamen Port is CNXMG, while Xiamen city is also listed separately as CNXAM in the UN/LOCODE directory. Shippers should always confirm the exact port code, terminal code, and carrier booking details before arranging cargo.
Xiamen is especially relevant for businesses shipping electronics, machinery, consumer goods, furniture, textiles, footwear, garments, stone products, building materials, food products, chemicals, plastics, industrial components, eCommerce inventory, refrigerated cargo, and general commercial freight.
Port of Xiamen Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Xiamen |
| Country | China |
| Province | Fujian |
| Region | Southeast China / Taiwan Strait / Asia-Pacific |
| UN/LOCODE | CNXMG for Xiamen Port / CNXAM for Xiamen city |
| Port type | Seaport / deep-water port / container port / international trade gateway |
| Main port authority | Xiamen port authorities and terminal operators |
| Main terminal areas | Dongdu, Haicang, Songyu, Haitian, Haitong, Xiamen International Container Terminal, Xiamen Songyu Container Terminal, and related Xiamen port areas |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, consumer goods, electronics, machinery, textiles, furniture, food products, stone products, chemicals, plastics, refrigerated cargo, industrial goods |
| Main terminal types | Container terminal, bulk terminal, general cargo terminal, reefer facilities, logistics and warehousing facilities |
| Cargo types | Containers, machinery, electronics, garments, footwear, furniture, tiles, stone products, building materials, food products, chemicals, plastics, refrigerated cargo, eCommerce goods |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, manufacturers, retailers, eCommerce businesses, industrial shippers, consumer goods shippers, China sourcing companies |
Why Ship Through the Port of Xiamen?
Xiamen is strategically located on China’s southeast coast in Fujian Province, with access to manufacturing and export zones in Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Fuzhou, Putian, Longyan, and other parts of Fujian and inland China. Its location on the Taiwan Strait makes it a practical gateway for containerized cargo moving between China and global markets.
For exporters, Xiamen supports cargo moving from factories, trading companies, industrial zones, bonded logistics facilities, and regional distribution centers to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. For importers, the port supports inbound cargo into Fujian and nearby markets, including raw materials, machinery, food products, industrial inputs, chemicals, consumer goods, and components.
The port is especially useful for businesses connected to China sourcing, factory exports, consumer goods supply chains, eCommerce inventory, building materials, stone and tile exports, footwear, garments, electronics, machinery, and general containerized freight.
Container Shipping Through Xiamen
The Port of Xiamen supports containerized import, export, feeder, transshipment, and international long-haul cargo flows. Major Xiamen port areas include Dongdu, Haicang, and Songyu, with container terminal operations supporting large vessel calls and regional cargo movements. Xiamen’s container network is also connected to Silk Road Maritime services, with Fujian authorities reporting Xiamen as a core hub and departure port for named container routes reaching ports across multiple countries and regions.
Businesses use Xiamen for:
- Export containers from China to global markets
- Import containers into Fujian and Southeast China
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Factory-to-port export movements
- Port-to-door and door-to-port shipping
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Electronics, machinery, parts, and industrial components
- Furniture, tiles, stone products, construction materials, and building products
- Garments, textiles, footwear, bags, and accessories
- Food products, packaged goods, seafood, and refrigerated cargo
- eCommerce inventory and marketplace seller cargo
- Cargo moving to or from Xiamen, Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, Fuzhou, Putian, Jinjiang, Longyan, and wider Fujian Province
- Shipments connected to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, South America, Africa, and other international trade lanes
- Cargo connecting through regional hubs such as Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Yantian, Nansha, Hong Kong, Busan, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, and Valencia
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.
Xiamen Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Xiamen for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Xiamen includes container, bulk, general cargo, reefer, logistics, warehousing, gate, yard, customs, trucking, and inland distribution infrastructure. Terminal areas such as Haicang and Songyu are important for container handling, while Dongdu and other Xiamen port areas support broader cargo and logistics operations.
Xiamen Songyu Container Terminal, an APM Terminals joint venture, is located in Haicang District and operates as part of Xiamen’s container terminal network.
The port’s infrastructure supports:
- Container handling
- Import and export container flows
- FCL and LCL cargo
- Large container vessel calls
- Transshipment cargo handling
- Feeder services
- Reefer container operations
- General cargo handling
- Bulk cargo handling
- Consumer goods exports
- Electronics and machinery cargo
- Furniture, tiles, stone products, and building materials
- Garments, footwear, textiles, and retail goods
- Food products and refrigerated cargo
- Chemicals, plastics, and industrial inputs
- Warehousing and logistics services
- Bonded logistics movements
- Yard and gate operations
- Customs and inspection procedures
- Trucking connections to Fujian manufacturing areas
- Inland cargo movement to Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Fuzhou, Putian, Longyan, and surrounding regions
This infrastructure makes Xiamen suitable for containerized freight, factory exports, China sourcing shipments, eCommerce supply chains, consumer goods cargo, refrigerated cargo, industrial freight, and commercial imports or exports connected to Fujian and Southeast China.
Main Cargo Handled Through Xiamen
The Port of Xiamen handles a broad range of containerized cargo, consumer goods, machinery, electronics, textiles, garments, footwear, furniture, tiles, stone products, food products, chemicals, plastics, refrigerated cargo, industrial components, and general commercial freight.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized exports | Consumer goods, electronics, machinery, textiles, footwear, furniture, tiles, stone products, retail inventory |
| Containerized imports | Raw materials, machinery, industrial components, food products, chemicals, consumer goods, manufacturing inputs |
| Electronics cargo | Consumer electronics, components, small appliances, parts, accessories, devices |
| Machinery cargo | Factory equipment, spare parts, industrial machinery, tools, production equipment |
| Furniture and home goods | Furniture, lighting, household goods, décor, kitchenware, lifestyle products |
| Textile and apparel cargo | Garments, fabrics, footwear, bags, accessories, retail clothing |
| Building materials | Tiles, stone products, ceramics, construction materials, fixtures, fittings |
| Food and beverage cargo | Packaged food, seafood, agricultural products, beverages, frozen and chilled goods |
| Refrigerated cargo | Seafood, frozen food, chilled products, temperature-sensitive goods |
| Chemical and plastic cargo | Packaged chemicals, plastic products, resin, industrial inputs, non-hazardous chemical cargo where permitted |
| eCommerce cargo | Marketplace inventory, parcels consolidated into freight shipments, consumer product stock |
| General commercial freight | Mixed cargo, samples, pallets, cartons, finished goods, trading company exports |
Xiamen is especially relevant for shippers that need access to Fujian manufacturing, consumer goods exports, factory-direct shipments, building materials, stone products, eCommerce inventory, electronics, machinery, textiles, footwear, furniture, and China-to-global container shipping routes.
Shipping to Xiamen China
Importers ship cargo to Xiamen from East Asia, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, South America, Africa, and other global trade regions.
Common imports to Xiamen and Fujian include:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Raw materials
- Manufacturing inputs
- Chemicals and plastic materials
- Food products and beverages
- Seafood and refrigerated goods
- Agricultural products
- Consumer goods
- Electronics and components
- Packaging materials
- Construction materials
- Retail inventory
- General cargo
- Project-related industrial freight
- Components for factories and assembly operations
When shipping to Xiamen, importers should compare total landed cost rather than only the ocean freight rate. Total landed cost may include origin charges, sea freight, destination charges, China customs duty, import VAT, terminal handling, customs declaration fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, inspection fees, quarantine inspection when applicable, inland delivery, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Xiamen China
Exporters use Xiamen for cargo moving from Fujian factories, trading companies, bonded logistics areas, warehouses, industrial zones, and inland distribution points to North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Latin America, Africa, and other international markets.
Common export cargo from Xiamen includes:
- Electronics and components
- Consumer goods
- Furniture and home goods
- Machinery and spare parts
- Tiles, stone products, and building materials
- Garments and textiles
- Footwear and bags
- Kitchenware and household products
- Lighting and décor
- Plastic goods
- Packaged food products
- Seafood and refrigerated cargo
- Industrial products
- eCommerce inventory
- Retail merchandise
- General containerized freight
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, commodity type, destination, Incoterm, sailing schedule, terminal choice, equipment availability, customs documentation, export license requirements, inspection requirements, inland pickup location, and required transit time.
FCL is usually more efficient for larger factory shipments, while LCL can work well for samples, smaller commercial orders, cartons, pallets, and partial container loads.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Xiamen 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 Xiamen, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Shanghai, Singapore, Busan, or another hub |
| Reefer container | Seafood, frozen food, chilled goods, temperature-sensitive cargo | Maintains controlled temperature during transit | Requires reefer equipment, plug availability, temperature settings, and correct documents |
| General cargo shipping | Consumer goods, machinery, electronics, furniture, textiles, building materials | Flexible for standard commercial cargo | Requires accurate packing, labeling, documentation, and cargo details |
| Factory export cargo | Goods moving from Fujian factories to international buyers | Strong fit for China sourcing and export supply chains | Requires coordination between supplier, forwarder, customs broker, and carrier |
| eCommerce inventory | Marketplace sellers, online retailers, retail replenishment cargo | Supports bulk movement of inventory from China to destination markets | Requires clear product descriptions, commercial invoices, and destination customs planning |
| Building materials | Tiles, stone products, ceramics, fixtures, construction materials | Common export category from Fujian and nearby manufacturing areas | Requires weight planning, strong packaging, and container loading control |
| Refrigerated cargo | Seafood, food products, frozen or chilled goods | Suitable for temperature-sensitive shipments | Requires correct temperature control, food safety documents, and inspection compliance |
| Transshipment cargo | Cargo connecting through regional Asian hubs | Routing flexibility and carrier connectivity | Requires accurate schedule planning and connection management |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Xiamen and China
Cargo imported or exported through Xiamen must comply with China customs requirements. Importers, exporters, 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, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through China may require standard documents such as a bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, customs declaration, insurance policy, and sales contract. Depending on the product, additional documents may be required, such as import licenses, export licenses, inspection certificates, quarantine documents, quality certificates, safety documents, or other product-specific approvals.
Regulated goods such as food products, chemicals, batteries, electronics, medical devices, cosmetics, agricultural goods, timber products, plants, animals, textiles, hazardous cargo, dual-use goods, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, product registration, safety documentation, or agency authorization under Chinese rules.
For more general guidance, read iContainers’ guide to customs clearance.
Documents Needed for Shipping Through Xiamen China
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Xiamen 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
- Sales contract, when required
- Certificate of origin, when required
- Preferential origin certificate, when claiming preferential duty treatment
- Import license or export license, when applicable
- Inspection certificate, when applicable
- Quarantine certificate, when applicable
- Food safety documents, when applicable
- Health certificate, when applicable
- Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Battery documentation, when applicable
- Export commodity inspection documents, when applicable
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Delivery order or cargo release documents
- Customs broker authorization, when using a customs broker
- Inland transport documents, when cargo moves by truck, warehouse transfer, bonded logistics area, factory pickup, or inland 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 Xiamen China
Xiamen connects Fujian and Southeast China with East Asia, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, South America, Africa, and other international trade regions through direct services, feeder services, trucking, inland logistics, and transshipment networks.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| Xiamen to North America | Electronics, furniture, machinery, consumer goods, tiles, stone products, textiles, eCommerce inventory |
| Xiamen to Europe | Furniture, machinery, consumer goods, building materials, garments, footwear, electronics, retail goods |
| Xiamen to Southeast Asia | Consumer goods, machinery, components, food products, industrial cargo, retail inventory |
| Xiamen to the Middle East | Building materials, furniture, consumer goods, machinery, electronics, textiles, general cargo |
| Xiamen to Oceania | Furniture, household goods, construction materials, machinery, consumer goods, retail cargo |
| Xiamen to South America | Machinery, consumer goods, electronics, textiles, building materials, commercial freight |
| Xiamen to Africa | Consumer goods, machinery, building materials, textiles, footwear, household goods |
| East Asia to Xiamen | Components, machinery, raw materials, electronics, industrial inputs |
| Southeast Asia to Xiamen | Food products, raw materials, consumer goods, machinery, packaging, industrial inputs |
| Europe to Xiamen | Machinery, technology products, industrial goods, food products, chemicals, automotive parts |
| North America to Xiamen | Machinery, food products, components, chemicals, industrial inputs, consumer goods |
| Xiamen transshipment routes | Containers moving through regional Asian hubs, feeder networks, and long-haul container services |
Routing may involve direct ocean services, feeder services, trucking, rail, inland delivery, or transshipment through Xiamen, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shenzhen, Yantian, Nansha, Hong Kong, Busan, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Valencia, and other hubs depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, and final destination.
When Should You Use Xiamen Instead of Another Chinese Port?
Xiamen can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Xiamen, Fujian Province, or nearby Southeast China
- The shipment is connected to factories in Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Quanzhou, Jinjiang, Fuzhou, Putian, Longyan, or nearby manufacturing areas
- The cargo is containerized and suitable for FCL or LCL shipping
- The shipment involves consumer goods, electronics, machinery, furniture, textiles, footwear, tiles, stone products, food products, or eCommerce inventory
- The shipper wants a port option close to Fujian suppliers
- The shipment benefits from Xiamen’s container terminals, customs infrastructure, warehousing, and trucking access
- Inland pickup distance is shorter or more efficient through Xiamen than through Shenzhen, Yantian, Nansha, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Shanghai, Fuzhou, or another Chinese port
- The carrier schedule, equipment availability, cut-off time, and landed cost are better through Xiamen
Another Chinese port may be more suitable when cargo is closer to a different manufacturing region or when a specific carrier service gives a better landed cost. Shenzhen or Yantian may be better for Guangdong and Pearl River Delta cargo. Ningbo-Zhoushan or Shanghai may be better for Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Yangtze River Delta cargo. Qingdao may be better for Shandong and northern China cargo. Nansha may be better for cargo in western Pearl River Delta locations.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, supplier location, inland distance, sailing schedule, equipment availability, cargo type, customs requirements, terminal capability, storage needs, service frequency, transshipment needs, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Xiamen China
To get a freight quote to or from Xiamen, 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, or containers
- FCL, LCL, reefer, general cargo, hazardous cargo, factory export cargo, eCommerce inventory, refrigerated cargo, or transshipment cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Supplier or factory pickup address, if exporting from China
- Final delivery address, if importing to China or arranging door delivery
- Customs clearance requirements
- Import license or export license requirements, if applicable
- Product inspection or quarantine requirements, if applicable
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, lithium batteries, food products, temperature control, oversized cargo, customs inspection, product testing, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, customs broker, warehouse, bonded logistics area, 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 Xiamen
The Port of Xiamen is located in Xiamen, Fujian Province, on China’s southeast coast along the Taiwan Strait.
The UN/LOCODE commonly used for Xiamen Port is CNXMG. Xiamen city is also listed as CNXAM. Shippers should confirm the correct port and terminal code with the carrier, freight forwarder, and booking documentation.
Common cargo includes electronics, machinery, consumer goods, furniture, garments, textiles, footwear, tiles, stone products, building materials, food products, chemicals, plastics, refrigerated cargo, eCommerce inventory, and general commercial freight.
Yes. Xiamen is one of China’s major container ports and serves as an important gateway for Fujian Province and Southeast China.
Xiamen may be more suitable when the supplier or cargo origin is in Fujian or nearby Southeast China. Shenzhen may be better for Pearl River Delta cargo, while Ningbo may be better for Zhejiang and Yangtze River Delta cargo depending on inland distance, schedule, and landed cost.
Yes. Xiamen is widely used for factory exports from Fujian and nearby regions, especially for consumer goods, furniture, machinery, electronics, textiles, footwear, tiles, stone products, and eCommerce inventory.