Port of Zhapu
The Port of Zhapu is a seaport located in Zhapu, Pinghu, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, on the northern shore of Hangzhou Bay. It serves Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, Zhejiang, the Yangtze River Delta, nearby manufacturing zones, importers, exporters, industrial shippers, agricultural businesses, and international trade lanes connected to East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Oceania, and wider global shipping networks. The port’s UN/LOCODE is CNZPU.
Zhapu is closely connected with Jiaxing Port and the wider Zhejiang port and logistics network. It supports containerized freight, general cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, breakbulk cargo, industrial cargo, chemicals, steel products, timber, construction materials, food products, agricultural goods, machinery, project cargo, and commercial freight.
The port is especially important for businesses connected to northern Zhejiang, the Hangzhou Bay industrial belt, the Yangtze River Delta manufacturing base, inland waterways, expressway corridors, and regional supply chains between Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Jiaxing, and surrounding industrial areas.
Port of Zhapu Overview
| Port Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Port name | Port of Zhapu |
| Also known as | Zhapu Port / Zhapu Pt / Jiaxing Zhapu Port Area |
| Country | China |
| Province | Zhejiang |
| City / Area | Zhapu, Pinghu, Jiaxing |
| Region | Hangzhou Bay / Yangtze River Delta / East China |
| UN/LOCODE | CNZPU |
| Port type | Seaport / multipurpose port / regional container and bulk cargo gateway |
| Main port system | Jiaxing Port / Zhapu Port Area |
| Main terminal areas | Zhapu port area, container terminal facilities, bulk cargo facilities, general cargo berths, logistics and warehousing areas |
| Main cargo focus | Containers, general cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, chemicals, steel, timber, construction materials, machinery, food products, industrial cargo |
| Main terminal types | Container terminal, general cargo terminal, dry bulk terminal, liquid bulk terminal, breakbulk facilities, warehousing and logistics facilities |
| Cargo types | Containers, machinery, chemicals, steel products, timber, cement, grain, food products, construction materials, liquid cargo, project cargo |
| Suitable for | Importers, exporters, freight forwarders, manufacturers, retailers, industrial shippers, agricultural shippers, chemical cargo shippers, project cargo shippers |
Why Ship Through the Port of Zhapu?
Zhapu is strategically located on Hangzhou Bay in northern Zhejiang, close to Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, Ningbo, and the broader Yangtze River Delta. This location makes it useful for shippers moving cargo between local industrial areas, inland logistics corridors, regional manufacturing zones, and international shipping networks.
For importers, Zhapu provides access to Zhejiang, Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, Hangzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Suzhou, Shanghai-area logistics zones, factories, warehouses, industrial parks, and consumer markets across eastern China. For exporters, the port supports cargo moving from Zhejiang manufacturers, chemical producers, machinery suppliers, building material companies, agricultural exporters, food processors, and commercial shippers to international destinations.
The port is especially relevant for businesses shipping containers, chemicals, steel products, timber, machinery, construction materials, food products, grain, industrial inputs, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and project cargo.
Container Shipping Through Zhapu
The Port of Zhapu supports containerized import, export, regional, and connecting cargo flows. While larger global services may also use major nearby gateways such as Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan, Zhapu can be useful for cargo linked to Jiaxing, northern Zhejiang, and nearby industrial zones.
Businesses use Zhapu for:
- Import containers into China
- Export containers from China
- Full container load shipments
- Less than container load shipments
- Regional container services connected to East China and nearby Asian markets
- Cargo moving to or from Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, Hangzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing, Suzhou, Shanghai, and northern Zhejiang
- Industrial cargo movements for factories, logistics parks, bonded zones, and manufacturing clusters
- Machinery, chemicals, steel products, timber, packaging, construction materials, consumer goods, food products, and commercial freight
- Reefer containers for frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, meat, fruit, vegetables, food products, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive cargo when available
- Shipments connected to East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and wider global trade lanes
- Cargo connecting through nearby regional and international hubs such as Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Taicang, Suzhou, Busan, Kaohsiung, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Felixstowe, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Vancouver, and other container hubs
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.
Zhapu Freight Rates
Freight Shipping Cost from & to Zhapu for a 20-foot Container
Port Capacity and Terminal Infrastructure
The Port of Zhapu has container, general cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, breakbulk, warehousing, customs, storage, and inland logistics infrastructure. Its facilities support regional container flows, industrial imports, manufacturing exports, bulk commodities, chemical cargo, construction materials, and general commercial freight.
The port’s infrastructure supports:
- Container handling
- Import and export container flows
- FCL and LCL cargo
- General cargo handling
- Breakbulk cargo operations
- Dry bulk cargo
- Liquid bulk cargo
- Chemicals and regulated industrial cargo
- Steel products and construction materials
- Timber and forest products
- Cement and building materials
- Grain and agricultural cargo
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Food products and refrigerated cargo, subject to service availability
- Project cargo
- Yard and gate operations
- Storage and warehousing
- Customs clearance and inspection processes
- Trucking and inland delivery
- Connections with Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, Ningbo, and the Yangtze River Delta logistics network
This infrastructure makes Zhapu suitable for regional containerized freight, industrial imports, manufacturing exports, chemical cargo, bulk cargo, general cargo, and project cargo connected to northern Zhejiang and the wider Yangtze River Delta.
Main Cargo Handled Through Zhapu
The Port of Zhapu handles a mix of containerized cargo, chemicals, steel products, timber, cement, grain, construction materials, machinery, industrial cargo, food products, general cargo, breakbulk cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and project cargo.
| Cargo Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Containerized imports | Machinery, consumer goods, industrial inputs, spare parts, chemicals, packaging, construction materials |
| Containerized exports | Machinery, manufactured goods, chemicals, steel products, timber products, consumer goods, commercial freight |
| Chemical cargo | Packaged chemicals, industrial chemicals, plastics, resin, regulated cargo when permitted |
| Steel and metal cargo | Steel products, coils, plates, pipes, fabricated metal products, construction steel |
| Timber and forest products | Logs, lumber, plywood, wood products, construction timber |
| Construction materials | Cement, building materials, industrial materials, packaged construction goods |
| Dry bulk cargo | Grain, minerals, cement, construction materials, industrial raw materials |
| Liquid bulk cargo | Fuels, oils, chemicals, industrial liquids, regulated liquid cargo when permitted |
| Machinery cargo | Factory equipment, industrial equipment, tools, spare parts, production machinery |
| Food and agricultural cargo | Grain, processed food, beverages, agricultural products, packaged food products |
| Refrigerated cargo | Frozen goods, chilled goods, seafood, meat, fruit, pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive products when available |
| Project cargo | Heavy equipment, industrial cargo, construction project cargo, specialized freight |
Zhapu is especially relevant for shippers that need access to Jiaxing, northern Zhejiang, Hangzhou Bay industrial zones, Yangtze River Delta manufacturing clusters, chemical supply chains, construction material flows, and regional inland logistics connections.
Shipping to Zhapu China
Importers ship cargo to Zhapu from East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and other global trade regions.
Common imports to Zhapu and northern Zhejiang include:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial equipment
- Chemicals and raw materials
- Plastic materials and resin
- Steel products
- Timber and wood products
- Cement and construction materials
- Packaging materials
- Consumer goods and retail inventory
- Food products and beverages
- Refrigerated cargo, subject to service availability
- Agricultural products
- Medical and healthcare products
- Manufacturing inputs
- General cargo
- Project cargo and oversized equipment
When shipping to Zhapu, 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 import duty, value-added tax, consumption tax where applicable, terminal handling, customs broker fees, documentation fees, storage, demurrage, detention, trucking, inland delivery, inspection fees, and cargo insurance.
Use the iContainers ocean freight calculator to estimate shipping costs and compare available freight options.
Shipping From Zhapu China
Exporters use Zhapu for cargo moving from Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, Hangzhou, northern Zhejiang, Yangtze River Delta industrial parks, chemical production areas, warehouses, factories, inland logistics corridors, and manufacturing clusters to East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and other international markets.
Common export cargo from Zhapu includes:
- Machinery and spare parts
- Industrial products
- Chemicals
- Steel products
- Timber and wood products
- Construction materials
- Plastic products
- Food products
- Agricultural goods
- Consumer goods
- Furniture and home goods
- Packaged commercial goods
- Manufactured goods
- Project cargo
- Breakbulk cargo
- Containerized freight
- General commercial cargo
For exporters, the best shipping option depends on cargo volume, product type, destination, Incoterm, sailing schedule, terminal choice, equipment availability, customs documentation, inland pickup location, temperature-control needs, export licensing requirements, 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.
FCL vs LCL Shipping Through Zhapu 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 Zhapu, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Busan, Singapore, or another hub |
| Reefer container | Seafood, meat, fruit, vegetables, frozen goods, chilled goods, pharmaceuticals | Keeps cargo at controlled temperature | Requires equipment availability, plug capacity, temperature settings, and correct documentation |
| General cargo shipping | Machinery, consumer goods, packaged cargo, industrial inputs, mixed commercial freight | Flexible for non-specialized commercial cargo | Requires correct handling, packing, and documentation |
| Manufacturing export cargo | Machinery, chemicals, steel products, timber, construction materials, consumer goods | Supports northern Zhejiang and Yangtze River Delta supply chains | Requires accurate export documentation, product classification, origin details, and buyer documentation |
| Dry bulk shipping | Grain, cement, minerals, construction materials, industrial raw materials | Suitable for large-volume non-containerized cargo | Requires bulk terminal suitability and cargo-specific handling |
| Liquid bulk shipping | Fuels, oils, chemicals, industrial liquids | Supports energy, chemical, and industrial supply chains | Requires correct classification, permits, tank compatibility, and safety documentation |
| Breakbulk shipping | Steel, timber, machinery, oversized cargo, project materials | Supports cargo that may not fit standard containers | Requires lifting plans, cargo-specific handling, and terminal coordination |
| Project cargo | Heavy or complex industrial shipments | Supports construction, infrastructure, and industrial projects | Needs coordination with carrier, terminal, customs broker, and inland transport |
For shippers comparing route options, iContainers’ transit time calculator can help estimate shipping times before booking.
Customs Clearance at Zhapu and China
Cargo imported or exported through Zhapu must comply with China customs requirements. Importers and exporters should prepare accurate shipment data before cargo arrival or departure, including product descriptions, HS codes, customs value, country of origin, consignee details, shipper details, importer information, exporter information, business registration details, and supporting documentation.
Commercial shipments through Zhapu may require documents such as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or sea waybill, customs declaration, certificate of origin, import license or export license when applicable, insurance certificate, inspection certificate, sales contract when required, and product-specific regulatory documents.
Regulated goods such as food products, agricultural goods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, batteries, hazardous cargo, timber products, plants, animals, textiles, petroleum products, dual-use goods, and restricted items may require additional permits, inspection, testing, sanitary approval, phytosanitary approval, 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 Zhapu China
Most commercial ocean freight shipments to or from Zhapu require:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading or sea waybill
- Customs declaration
- HS code and product description
- Importer of record details, when importing into China
- Exporter details, when exporting from China
- Business registration details, when applicable
- Import/export registration details, when applicable
- 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
- Insurance certificate, when applicable
- Dangerous goods declaration, when applicable
- Safety data sheet, for regulated chemicals or hazardous cargo
- Product conformity documents, when applicable
- China Compulsory Certification documents, when applicable
- Phytosanitary certificate, when applicable
- Veterinary certificate, when applicable
- Food safety or agricultural documents, when applicable
- Plant quarantine documents, when applicable
- Textile, timber, chemical, petroleum, electronics, battery, or vehicle documentation, when applicable
- Project cargo permits, 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, inland waterway, inland port, or another inland mode
Documentation should be complete and consistent before cargo arrival or departure. Incorrect HS codes, incomplete cargo descriptions, missing permits, inaccurate invoices, inconsistent consignee details, missing inspection documents, missing customs data, or late filings can delay customs clearance and increase costs.
Common Shipping Routes for Zhapu China
Zhapu connects northern Zhejiang and the Yangtze River Delta with East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, the Middle East, Europe, North America, Oceania, Africa, and wider global trade lanes through regional services, feeder services, trucking, inland waterways, and transshipment networks.
| Trade Lane | Common Cargo |
|---|---|
| East Asia to Zhapu | Machinery, chemicals, industrial inputs, components, consumer goods, food products |
| Southeast Asia to Zhapu | Consumer goods, food products, machinery, chemicals, packaging, industrial inputs |
| Indian Subcontinent to Zhapu | Textiles, food products, machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods |
| Middle East to Zhapu | Chemicals, plastics, petroleum products, industrial materials, machinery, general cargo |
| Europe to Zhapu | Machinery, chemicals, specialist products, food products, industrial cargo |
| North America to Zhapu | Machinery, medical goods, technology products, food products, industrial inputs |
| Oceania to Zhapu | Food products, agricultural cargo, refrigerated goods, raw materials |
| Zhapu to East Asia | Machinery, chemicals, steel products, timber products, consumer goods |
| Zhapu to Southeast Asia | Machinery, chemicals, construction materials, consumer goods, commercial cargo |
| Zhapu to Europe | Machinery, chemicals, manufactured goods, steel products, commercial freight |
| Zhapu to North America | Machinery, consumer goods, industrial products, commercial freight |
| Zhapu to Oceania | Consumer goods, machinery, building materials, general freight |
| Zhapu to Yangtze River Delta inland markets | Industrial cargo, machinery, chemicals, food products, construction materials, containerized freight |
Routing may involve regional services, feeder services, trucking, inland waterways, or transshipment through Zhapu, Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Taicang, Suzhou, Busan, Kaohsiung, Singapore, Port Klang, Tanjung Pelepas, Colombo, Jebel Ali, Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, Hamburg, Felixstowe, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Vancouver, and other hubs depending on carrier schedule, cargo type, and final destination.
When Should You Use Zhapu Instead of Another Chinese Port?
Zhapu can be suitable when:
- The cargo origin or destination is in Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, northern Zhejiang, Hangzhou Bay, or the Yangtze River Delta
- The shipment is connected to Zhejiang manufacturing, chemical production, construction materials, steel, timber, machinery, food products, agricultural cargo, or industrial supply chains
- The cargo is containerized and suitable for FCL or LCL shipping
- The shipment involves chemicals, machinery, steel products, timber, cement, construction materials, dry bulk, liquid bulk, general cargo, or project cargo
- Inland delivery distance is shorter through Zhapu than through Shanghai, Ningbo-Zhoushan, Taicang, Qingdao, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, or another Chinese port
- The shipper needs access to container, dry bulk, liquid bulk, general cargo, warehousing, trucking, inland waterway, or industrial cargo capability
- The shipment benefits from proximity to Jiaxing, Hangzhou Bay, northern Zhejiang industrial zones, or Yangtze River Delta logistics corridors
Another Chinese port may be more suitable when cargo requires a larger direct long-haul service network or is closer to another major gateway. Shanghai and Ningbo-Zhoushan may be more suitable for many large-volume international container routes, while Taicang, Suzhou, or other inland and coastal gateways may be more practical depending on supplier location, carrier service, inland transport cost, and final destination.
The right port choice should be based on total landed cost, sailing schedule, inland distance, customs requirements, cargo type, equipment availability, terminal capability, storage needs, bulk cargo handling, service frequency, and required delivery date.
How to Get an Ocean Freight Quote for Zhapu China
To get a freight quote to or from Zhapu, 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, vehicles, trailers, or containers
- FCL, LCL, reefer, breakbulk, general cargo, hazardous, dry bulk, liquid bulk, manufacturing export cargo, industrial cargo, agricultural cargo, or project cargo preference
- Commodity description and HS code, if available
- Cargo ready date
- Incoterm
- Customs clearance requirements
- Export licensing or import licensing requirements, if applicable
- Final pickup or delivery address, if needed
- Inland movement requirement, such as trucking, warehouse delivery, factory pickup, port warehouse movement, refrigerated delivery, distribution center delivery, inland waterway transfer, or project cargo delivery
- Special handling requirements, such as reefer cargo, hazardous cargo, chemicals, batteries, temperature control, oversized cargo, heavy lifting, customs inspection, plant quarantine inspection, product inspection, or high-value cargo
- Preferred carrier, terminal, trucking provider, customs broker, bonded warehouse, inland hub, feeder service, inland waterway service, 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 Zhapu
The Port of Zhapu is located in Zhapu, Pinghu, Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, on the northern shore of Hangzhou Bay.
The UN/LOCODE for Zhapu Port is CNZPU.
Common cargo includes containers, chemicals, steel products, timber, cement, grain, construction materials, machinery, industrial cargo, food products, general cargo, dry bulk, liquid bulk, breakbulk cargo, and project cargo.
Zhapu serves Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, northern Zhejiang, Hangzhou Bay, the Yangtze River Delta, and nearby logistics corridors connected to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and Ningbo.
Zhapu may be suitable when cargo is closer to Jiaxing, Pinghu, Haiyan, northern Zhejiang, or Hangzhou Bay industrial zones. Shanghai or Ningbo-Zhoushan may be more suitable when the shipment requires broader direct international service coverage, larger vessel networks, or better routing for a specific trade lane.