Ocean freight is a cost-effective way to ship cargo from China to Iran. If you have flexibility in your schedule, it is a practical option for importing goods from China.
World Green Line International Transport Company has extensive experience in ocean freight between China and Iran and has become an established provider on this route. We build our work on trust and customer satisfaction and believe that sound advice comes first.
Our ocean freight specialists understand shipping routes and the loading, unloading and customs processes at ports in China and Iran. That expertise helps us move your shipment smoothly and on schedule.
To find out the ocean freight rate from China to Iran, contact us or fill out the freight quote form. Our sales team will get back to you as soon as possible.
This guide introduces World Green Line’s ocean freight services from China to Iran and covers technical points for traders and managers. It also gives readers who are new to ocean freight from China the background they need. If you have comments after reading, please share them at the bottom of the page.
- Request an Ocean Freight Quote from China
- How Much Does Ocean Freight from China to Iran Cost?
- How Are Ocean Freight Costs from China Calculated?
- How Long Does Ocean Freight from China to Iran Take?
- What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Ocean Freight from China to Iran?
- What Role Does Ocean Freight from China Play in Iran’s Trade?
- What Ocean Freight Options Are Available from China to Iran?
- Which Chinese Ports Are Suitable for Ocean Freight to Iran?
- Ocean Freight from China to Iran with World Green Line International Transport Company
- Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Freight from China to Iran
Request an Ocean Freight Quote from China
How Much Does Ocean Freight from China to Iran Cost?
- Origin charges: domestic pickup in China, port and customs charges at origin, and ocean freight.
- Destination charges: delivery order and warehouse receipt in Iran, and customs clearance.
- Origin charges: ocean freight only, with Chinese customs and port costs covered by the seller.
- Destination charges: delivery order and warehouse receipt in Iran, and customs clearance.
How Are Ocean Freight Costs from China Calculated?
Ocean freight costs from China are usually calculated using the cargo volume in cubic metres (CBM). Air freight can be based on weight, whereas volume is the main factor in ocean freight. Start by calculating the total volume of your shipment in cubic metres.
The main factors in calculating ocean freight costs from China are listed below.
1. Cargo volume: Enter the dimensions and number of packages in our ocean freight volume calculator to calculate the total volume in cubic metres.
2. Service type (FCL or LCL)
- FCL (Full Container Load): book an entire 20-foot or 40-foot container at a fixed rate.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): ship a partial load and pay based on cargo volume.
3. Exact origin and destination: the port of departure in China (such as Shanghai, Guangzhou or Ningbo) and the destination port in Iran (Bandar Abbas or Bandar Imam Khomeini).
4. Freight rate: the rate quoted by the carrier or freight forwarder, which varies with the season, demand and market conditions.
5. Additional services: container stuffing and unstuffing, storage, cargo insurance, customs clearance and inland transport from the port to the final destination in Iran, among others.
6. Documents and customs: some document fees and origin and destination customs charges also affect the total cost.
Ocean Freight Volume Calculator (CBM)
How Long Does Ocean Freight from China to Iran Take?
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Ocean Freight from China to Iran?
Advantages
Disadvantages
What Role Does Ocean Freight from China Play in Iran’s Trade?
Several factors have contributed to increased trade between Iran and China over the past decades. A main factor has been China’s ability to manufacture affordable products of acceptable and improving quality. Restrictions on Iran’s commercial and political relations with other countries have also made China an important trade partner, and China has continued to expand those ties.
With several Iranian and foreign shipping lines operating on the route, ocean freight from China to Iran plays a major role in bilateral trade. According to the Chinese customs figures cited on the Persian page, bilateral trade in 2022 totaled USD 15.79 billion, including USD 6.35 billion in imports from Iran and USD 9.44 billion in exports to Iran. The trade balance exceeded USD 3 billion in China’s favor.
What Ocean Freight Options Are Available from China to Iran?
Four main ocean freight options are available from China to Iran.
- Full Container Load (FCL)
If your shipment can fit in a 20-foot or 40-foot container, including general-purpose, high-cube, open-top or flat-rack equipment, we ship it as a full container load. See our container shipping page for a detailed breakdown of costs and rates from China to Iran.
Smaller shipments can travel as LCL from a Chinese port, provided their weight and dimensions are suitable for consolidation.
The applicable trade term determines who pays and arranges transport. The container is collected from the origin depot and delivered to the seller for loading. It is then taken to the agreed departure port for shipment. When it arrives, the shipping line’s agent releases the container and notifies the consignee by email.
- Less than Container Load (LCL) or ocean consolidation
If your cargo is smaller or lighter than a full 20-foot or 40-foot container and does not justify paying for exclusive use of one, we use LCL shipping from China to Iran.
The applicable trade term determines who pays and arranges transport. In LCL shipping, the origin forwarder collects the goods from the seller’s factory and moves them to the co-loader’s warehouse. Several shipments are combined in one container. At destination, the shipping line’s agent separates the consignments using the origin manifest and issues the warehouse receipt and bill of lading for each shipment to its owner.
The applicable trade term determines who pays and arranges transport. The container is collected from the origin depot and delivered to the seller for loading. It is then taken to the agreed departure port for shipment. When it arrives, the shipping line’s agent releases the container and notifies the consignee by email.
- Breakbulk shipping
For shipments that exceed container weight or size limits, or whose packaging prevents containerization, we use breakbulk shipping and load the cargo in the ship’s holds or on deck.
- Bulk shipping
We use bulk shipping when goods are unpackaged or packaging would be uneconomical for the seller. Commodities such as wheat, cement and minerals can be loaded loose into the ship’s holds using the appropriate equipment.
Which Chinese Ports Are Suitable for Ocean Freight to Iran?
When entering an international contract with a Chinese company, check where the shipment will be loaded so you can choose the right port for ocean freight to Iran. The following overview of major Chinese ports can help you decide.
Northern Chinese Ports for Ocean Freight to Iran
Tianjin and Qingdao are among the main ports in northern China used for ocean freight.
- Tianjin
The Port of Tianjin, formerly known as Tanggu, is the largest in northern China and, in the reference ranking, the seventh-largest of China’s 34 major ports. It lies about 140 km southeast of Beijing and is the city’s main ocean freight gateway.
The Port of Tianjin moves an average of 500 million tonnes of cargo annually, according to the reference figures. It has expanded significantly to handle substantial inbound and outbound volumes and continues to develop to increase capacity.
Tianjin is known for moving liquid bulk cargo and oil. Liquid propylene is also commonly shipped there. The source also mentions roll-on/roll-off terminals and facilities for grain and edible oils.
- Qingdao
The Port of Qingdao in northern China is described in the reference as one of the world’s ten busiest ports. It is on the Yellow Sea, across the water from South Korea.
In 2011, Qingdao in Shandong joined three other Chinese ports in a strategic partnership with the Republic of Korea’s largest port. Qingdao, Yantai, Rizhao, Weihai and Busan formed the partnership to develop a maritime and logistics hub in northeast Asia.
Qingdao has extensive iron ore handling facilities, making it a major terminal for this cargo. Its operations are divided into four separately managed areas. Dagang and Qianwan handle freight and containers. The reference describes Qingdao as an international terminal and Qianwan as primarily handling domestic containers.
Central Chinese Ports for Ocean Freight to Iran
This section covers Shanghai–Taicang and Ningbo as departure ports for ocean freight from China to Iran.
- Shanghai–Taicang
Located in the middle of mainland China’s eastern coast, the Port of Shanghai encompasses the Yangtze River, known as China’s Golden Waterway. This route is important for ocean freight from Shanghai because it links China’s northern and southern waterways to the world’s oceans through the Yangtze.
In January 2003, the Shanghai Port Authority was reorganized, creating Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. (SIPG), the public terminal operator at the port. The Persian reference describes Shanghai as the world’s busiest port and cites a throughput figure of about 519 million tonnes. It handles goods ranging from vehicles and industrial cargo to advanced technology products made in China.
Shanghai’s strategic location combines favorable natural conditions with a strong inland economy. Roads and railways connect the port to central China. Established cargo collection and distribution networks support ocean freight services from China.
- Ningbo
The Port of Ningbo has a substantial port area along 220 km of coastline in central eastern China. The reference lists more than 200 deep-water berths for vessels above 1,000 deadweight tonnes, including 115 large and very large deep-water berths for ships above 50,000 deadweight tonnes, across 19 port areas.
Ningbo–Zhoushan accounts for many of mainland China’s large and very large deep-water facilities. Its central location makes it a practical gateway for Ningbo and nearby cities in Zhejiang Province.
Cargo volumes at Ningbo–Zhoushan have grown sharply since 2005. Container throughput reached 27.535 million TEU in 2019, ranking third globally. The Persian reference cites total cargo throughput of 1.12 billion tonnes and a run of 11 years at the top of the global cargo ranking.
In January 2003, the Shanghai Port Authority was reorganized, creating Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. (SIPG), the public terminal operator at the port. The Persian reference describes Shanghai as the world’s busiest port and cites a throughput figure of about 519 million tonnes. It handles goods ranging from vehicles and industrial cargo to advanced technology products made in China.
Shanghai’s strategic location combines favorable natural conditions with a strong inland economy. Roads and railways connect the port to central China. Established cargo collection and distribution networks support ocean freight services from China.
Southern Chinese Ports for Ocean Freight to Iran
This section covers ports on the southern stretch of the eastern coast, including Xiamen, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
- Xiamen
The deep-water Port of Xiamen is described in the Persian reference as lying along the Jiulong River, which gives local ports access to international waters. The reference ranks it 17th globally and notes its capacity to serve very large vessels, including sixth-generation container ships.
In 2010, Xiamen merged with the Port of Zhangzhou, becoming one of the world’s largest ports and, according to the reference, the largest in southeastern China. The port has 74 berths in 12 operational areas working around the clock. Nine areas are designed for container shipping.
- Shenzhen
Shenzhen is a modern metropolis linking Hong Kong with mainland China. The Persian reference describes it as China’s second-busiest port, in the southern Pearl River Delta, with eastern and western areas separated by the Kowloon Peninsula.
Shenzhen is a major international trade center and a gateway for ocean freight from China to the rest of the world. Its port complex includes facilities along 260 km of coastline and is home to about 40 shipping company headquarters. The reference lists 230 international container routes connecting Shenzhen with more than 300 ports in over 100 countries.
Shenzhen’s development plan is described as two wings, six areas and three main ports. The wings are the eastern and western port groups. The areas include Yantian and Dapeng in the east and the Nanshan, Dachan Bay, Dachan Island, Xiaochan Island and Bao’an facilities in the west. The main ports are Yantian, Nanshan and Dachan Bay, which focus on container transport and support Shenzhen’s competitiveness as a freight gateway.
Ningbo–Zhoushan accounts for many of mainland China’s large and very large deep-water facilities. Its central location makes it a practical gateway for Ningbo and nearby cities in Zhejiang Province.
Cargo volumes at Ningbo–Zhoushan have grown sharply since 2005. Container throughput reached 27.535 million TEU in 2019, ranking third globally. The Persian reference cites total cargo throughput of 1.12 billion tonnes and a run of 11 years at the top of the global cargo ranking.
In January 2003, the Shanghai Port Authority was reorganized, creating Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG). The Persian reference describes Shanghai as the world’s busiest port and cites a throughput figure of about 519 million tonnes. It handles goods ranging from vehicles and industrial cargo to advanced technology products made in China.
Shanghai’s strategic location combines favorable natural conditions with a strong inland economy. Roads and railways connect the port to central China. Established cargo collection and distribution networks support ocean freight services from China.
- Guangzhou
Guangzhou, northwest of Hong Kong, is a strategically important city. Its main port is on the Pearl River in Guangdong Province.
The port is the main ocean freight hub for Guangzhou and nearby cities. It sits in southern China where major river routes converge, with links to railways, highways and air transport that support freight from Guangzhou and the surrounding area.
- Hong Kong
On the South China Sea, Hong Kong is one of the busiest gateways for ocean freight from China. It is a major economic center in southern China and an important link to global trade. Container shipping is its primary activity, followed by bulk and passenger services.
The deep-water Victoria Harbour plays an important role in Hong Kong’s economy and can accommodate a range of vessels.
Hong Kong was ranked the world’s busiest cargo port in 1987–1989, 1992–1997 and 1999–2004. The Persian reference attributes easier shipping than from mainland China to its free-port status and mentions branded goods, dangerous goods and items that require more complex customs formalities among cargo routed through Hong Kong.
In 2016, the Persian reference reports that 25,869 container ships, with a cited net registered tonnage figure of 386,853 tonnes, passed through Hong Kong’s container port. It also describes 11 sites used for midstream operations, covering 27.5 hectares and 3,197 metres of waterfront.
Ocean Freight from China to Iran with World Green Line International Transport Company
If your shipment is flexible and you want to reduce freight costs from China to Iran, ocean freight is a practical option.
World Green Line International Transport Company handles small shipments as well as bulky and heavy cargo. We aim to offer dependable service at a competitive price. For a freight quote, call 021 86030397 or 021 86030308.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Freight from China to Iran
A commercial invoice, bill of lading, pro forma invoice, packing list and customs documents are among the documents used for ocean freight from China to Iran. Contact World Green Line’s team for guidance on your shipment.
Yes. World Green Line takes care to deliver your shipment safely, and we also recommend cargo insurance.
Ocean freight is a secure, economical way to ship a range of cargo, from small consignments to bulky and heavy goods.
Yes. Ocean freight from China to Iran can require a customs declaration, preparing and submitting documents, paying customs charges and other clearance services. Contact World Green Line for details.
Yes. Restrictions can depend on the type of goods, customs requirements, transport rules and import and export laws. Contact World Green Line for details on your shipment.
Depending on the goods and Chinese and Iranian customs requirements, special certificates such as health, quality or conformity certificates may be required. Contact World Green Line for details.
Consultation and Freight Quote
World Green Line’s specialist team can help with international freight quotes.
