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Most importers treat port rankings as a static list. The common assumption is simple: “Shanghai is the biggest, so I should just ship from Shanghai.”
In 2025, that assumption is costing you money.
According to the newly released 2025 Official Port Data, the center of gravity for China’s supply chain is shifting. While Shanghai remains the global volume leader with 49.15 million TEUs, its growth has effectively flatlined at a mere 0.03%.
In stark contrast, the industrial north and the emerging southwest are exploding. Qingdao Port surged by 11.9%, and Beibu Gulf (the gateway to ASEAN) grew by a massive 15.8%.
What does this data mean for your business? It means the “Factory of the World” is migrating. Manufacturing for heavy industry, textiles, and machinery is moving north to Shandong and Henan. Electronics assembly is diversifying west.
If you are still routing every shipment through the traditional Yangtze River Delta ports while your supplier has moved to these new industrial clusters, you are paying for hundreds of kilometers of unnecessary inland trucking fees.
This guide is not just a ranking list. It is a Strategic Sourcing Map. We will break down the top ports not just by volume, but by industry fit, hidden costs, and logistical advantages, ensuring you match your factory location with the optimal gateway.
Top 10 Ports in China Ranked
To help you make the best routing decision, we have ranked the Top 10 Ports in China based on Container Throughput (TEU) from high to low.
While “Total Cargo Tonnage” includes bulk commodities like iron ore and coal, TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) represents the volume of shipping containers. For Amazon sellers and B2B importers handling manufactured goods, TEU is the primary metric for assessing a port’s capacity and relevance.
Below is the detailed data for China’s Top 10 ports based on the full-year 2025 official statistics.
1. Shanghai Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 5,506 (10k TEU) | 6.9% |
| Cargo Throughput | 81,153 (10k tons) | 2.8% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 47,761 (10k tons) | 6.9% |
2. Ningbo-Zhoushan Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 4,387 (10k TEU) | 11.6% |
| Cargo Throughput | 143,192 (10k tons) | 4.0% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 66,076 (10k tons) | 4.2% |
Ningbo is the standout performer of 2025 with double-digit container growth (11.6%). In terms of sheer physical weight (Total Cargo Throughput), it is actually nearly double the size of Shanghai (143,192 vs 81,153), proving its dominance in both industrial raw materials and finished goods from the Yiwu/Zhejiang manufacturing hub.
3. Shenzhen Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 3,541 (10k TEU) | 6.0% |
| Cargo Throughput | 33,402 (10k tons) | 5.1% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 26,658 (10k tons) | 6.2% |
4. Qingdao Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 3,289 (10k TEU) | 6.5% |
| Cargo Throughput | 74,130 (10k tons) | 4.1% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 53,290 (10k tons) | 6.3% |
Qingdao firmly holds the #4 spot. It is the critical interface for Northern China’s industrial output. The balanced growth between container volume (6.5%) and foreign trade tonnage (6.3%) shows a healthy, diversified export economy driven by tires, machinery, and textiles.
5. Guangzhou Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 2,768 (10k TEU) | 6.2% |
| Cargo Throughput | 66,961 (10k tons) | 1.8% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 19,609 (10k tons) | 11.5% |
6. Tianjin Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 2,403 (10k TEU) | 3.2% |
| Cargo Throughput | 59,485 (10k tons) | 2.7% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 36,806 (10k tons) | 4.3% |
Tianjin shows modest, stable growth. It serves as the primary maritime outlet for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. While its growth is slower than the southern ports, it remains essential for heavy industry and chemical exports.
7. Xiamen Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 1,251 (10k TEU) | 2.1% |
| Cargo Throughput | 21,129 (10k tons) | 0.3% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 11,639 (10k tons) | 1.3% |
Xiamen has the slowest growth among the top 10 (2.1% container, 0.3% total cargo). This indicates a mature, saturated market focused on specific niches like stone and footwear, rather than broad expansion.
8. Suzhou Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 1,021 (10k TEU) | 5.7% |
| Cargo Throughput | 61,262 (10k tons) | 2.5% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 22,130 (10k tons) | 6.4% |
9. Beibu Gulf Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 1,006 (10k TEU) | 11.6% |
| Cargo Throughput | 48,553 (10k tons) | 8.2% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 22,950 (10k tons) | 10.1% |
Tied with Ningbo for the highest container growth (11.6%) and boasting 10.1% in foreign trade cargo. Beibu Gulf is the core of the “China+1” strategy, serving as the critical logistics node connecting Western China with Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
10. Rizhao Port
| Metric Category | Data (Cumulative) | YoY Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Container Throughput | 737 (10k TEU) | 9.8% |
| Cargo Throughput | 64,452 (10k tons) | 3.5% |
| Foreign Trade Throughput | 38,181 (10k tons) | 1.5% |
Appendix: Full 2025 China Port Data
While the Top 10 rankings cover the major gateways, we understand that professional logistics planners often need granular data on specific regional ports (such as Lianyungang, Dalian, or inland river ports like Foshan and Nanjing).
The official data originates from the Ministry of Transport of the People’s Republic of China.
To assist global importers, the ZggShip Team has translated the complete dataset into English, covering all coastal and inland ports listed in the official report.
How to Choose the Right Port for Your Shipment?
Scenario A: Your Factory is in the Yangtze River Delta (Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui)
This region is the global heartland of manufacturing. The choice here is often a trade-off between speed and cost. While Shanghai and Ningbo are geographically close, they serve very different logistical strategies. Shanghai is the premium express lane, while Ningbo is the cost-effective workhorse for bulkier goods.
Choose Shanghai Port (Speed & Tech):
- Best For: High-value electronics, fashion, and urgent Amazon FBA restocks via the Matson CLX service.
- Warning: Be aware of the April Fog at Yangshan terminal, which can close the bridge and delay shipments by 3-5 days.
- Data Insight: With 6.9% growth in container volume, it remains the premium gateway for stability.
Choose Ningbo-Zhoushan Port (Cost & Bulk):
- Best For: Hardware, auto parts, heavy machinery, and general merchandise from the Yiwu Market.
- Warning: Inland trucking is cheaper here, but sailing schedules are slightly less frequent than Shanghai for US West Coast express routes.
- Data Insight: The massive 11.6% growth in 2025 proves that cost-conscious exporters are aggressively shifting volume here.
Scenario B: Your Factory is in the Pearl River Delta (Guangdong)
For suppliers in Dongguan, Foshan, or Zhongshan, the choice is no longer automatic. The rise of cross-border e-commerce has disrupted the traditional dominance of Shenzhen. You now have a choice between the mature, compliance-heavy environment of Shenzhen and the subsidized, e-commerce-friendly environment of Guangzhou Nansha.
Choose Shenzhen Port (Electronics Hub):
- Best For: Consumer electronics, batteries, drones, and mature supply chains in Dongguan and Huizhou.
- Warning: Shenzhen has the strictest customs inspections for dangerous goods (batteries). Ensure your MSDS documentation is flawless.
- Data Insight: Steady growth at 6.0% reflects its status as the mature tech gateway.
Choose Guangzhou / Nansha Port (E-commerce Star):
- Best For: Cross-border e-commerce (Shein/Temu models), clothing, and Southeast Asian trade.
- Warning: Nansha is on the west bank of the Pearl River. If your factory is in the east (Shenzhen side), trucking costs will be higher.
- Data Insight: Foreign Trade Cargo exploded by 11.5%, driven by government subsidies for cross-border e-commerce.
Scenario C: Your Factory is in Northern China (Shandong, Hebei, Henan)
Manufacturing is rapidly migrating north. If your supplier is located in Shandong, Hebei, or Henan, trucking your goods 800km south to Shanghai is a massive waste of money and time.
These northern ports are specialized for Heavy Industry and Bulk Commodities. Unlike the consumer-goods focus of the south, the infrastructure here is optimized for weight-intensive cargo, often offering better Heavy Container allowances than their Yangtze River counterparts.
Choose Qingdao Port (The Northern Giant):
- Best For: Tires, heavy machinery, glass, and textiles from the Shandong industrial belt.
- Warning: Peak season space can be tight for heavy containers due to weight restrictions on trans-pacific vessels.
- Data Insight: Solid 6.5% growth confirms it as the primary interface for Northern China’s industrial output.
Choose Tianjin Port (The Beijing Gateway):
- Best For: Steel, chemicals, bicycles, and furniture from the Hebei and Beijing region.
- Warning: Tianjin has extremely strict controls on Hazardous Materials (DG Cargo). Always verify acceptance with your forwarder before booking.
- Data Insight: Moderate growth of 3.2% indicates it serves a stable, specific industrial base.
Hidden Logistics Costs & Operational Risks
The "First Mile" Trap: Inland Trucking Costs
Many importers focus obsessively on the Ocean Freight rate (e.g., Shanghai to LA) but ignore the Inland Trucking fee. This is a mistake.
In China, the “100km Rule” generally applies: For every 100km of distance between your factory and the port, your trucking cost increases significantly. Furthermore, “Cross-Province” trucking incurs higher tolls and administrative fees.
- The Cost Trap: If your factory is in Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province), trucking to Shanghai (Shanghai Municipality) involves crossing a provincial border and a longer distance. Trucking to Ningbo (Zhejiang Province) keeps the shipment within the same province.
- The Saving: Choosing Ningbo over Shanghai for a Hangzhou factory can save approximately $100-$150 per container in drayage fees, regardless of the ocean freight rate.
Weather Disruptions: Fog vs. Typhoons
Different ports in China have distinct “Blackout Periods” due to local weather patterns. Knowing these can help you avoid unexpected delays.
- Shanghai & Ningbo (The April Fog): The Yangshan Deep Water Port is connected to the mainland by a 32.5km bridge. In April and May, heavy seasonal fog often forces the bridge to close for safety. This can lead to containers missing their cutoff times even if they are just miles away.
- Shenzhen & Guangzhou (The Typhoon Season): Southern ports are frequently hit by typhoons between July and September. When a Typhoon Signal No. 8 is hoisted, terminals stop all gate-in and lifting operations (TYPHOON-8). This usually causes a backlog that takes 3-5 days to clear.
The Barging Alternative: Using River Ports (The Suzhou Model)
You might have noticed Suzhou Port ranked #8 on our leaderboard with 10.21 million TEUs and 5.7% growth. Yet, you rarely see “Suzhou” as a departure option on ocean schedules. Why?
Suzhou is a classic “Feeder Port” or River Port. It does not handle large ocean vessels directly. Instead, it uses the “Water-Water Transit” model:
- Cargo is loaded onto a barge in Suzhou.
- The barge travels down the Yangtze River to Shanghai.
- Cargo is transferred to a mother vessel at Shanghai Yangshan.
When to use this?
If inland trucking prices skyrocket (like during pre-CNY peak season), using a river barge from Suzhou (or Nanjing/Foshan) is a slower but much cheaper alternative. It typically saves 20-30% on inland transport costs but adds 3-5 days to the total transit time.
Future Sourcing Trends: Where is the Market Going?
The "China + 1" Gateway (Beibu Gulf)
If your supply chain involves sourcing components in China and assembling them in Vietnam or Thailand, Beibu Gulf Port is your new strategic hub. Factories are migrating to Southwest China and Southeast Asia to lower labor costs, and Beibu Gulf is the connector.
Why it matters:
- Strategic Move: If you have suppliers in Guangxi or are moving goods to Vietnam for final assembly, ask your forwarder about Beibu Gulf. Using this port instead of trucking to Shenzhen can save significant transit time.
- Data Insight: This port saw the highest growth rate of 15.8% among all coastal ports. It is no longer a peripheral player; it is the core engine for the ASEAN-China trade corridor.
Automation is the New Reliability
While ports in the US and Europe often face congestion due to labor shortages or strikes, China’s top ports are doubling down on automation. Qingdao and Shanghai (Yangshan Phase IV) are leading the world in fully automated terminals, operating 24/7 with high efficiency.
Why it matters:
- Strategic Move: For time-sensitive shipments where missing the vessel is not an option, prioritize ports with high automation levels. They offer predictable throughput even during peak seasons.
- Data Insight: Qingdao’s robust 6.5% growth is partly attributed to its ability to turn around vessels faster than its competitors.
The "Inland" Migration (River-Sea Transport)
As coastal manufacturing costs rise, factories are moving inland to provinces like Anhui, Jiangxi, and Hunan. Instead of trucking goods 500km to the coast, these factories are utilizing the Yangtze River and Pearl River networks.
Why it matters:
- Strategic Move: Ask your supplier if they can load from a local river port (like Wuhu, Nanjing, or Foshan). It adds 3-5 days to transit time but can reduce your First Mile trucking costs by 20-30%.
- Data Insight: Suzhou Port’s presence in the Top 10 with 10.21 million TEUs proves that the Barge-to-Mother-Vessel model is now a mainstream logistics solution.
Conclusion
In 2026, the cheapest ocean freight rate doesn’t guarantee the lowest landed cost.
If you save $50 on the sea freight but pay $200 extra for inland trucking because you chose the wrong port, you are losing money. If you choose a port with frequent congestion just to save a few dollars, the cost of delayed inventory will wipe out your savings.
The ZggShip Advantage:
We don’t just give you a price list. We analyze your Factory Location, Cargo Type (Heavy/Light/DG), and Timeline to engineer the optimal route.
- Need speed? We route you through Shanghai Matson.
- Need cost savings? We route you through Ningbo or Nansha.
- Need heavy industry support? We route you through Qingdao.
Ready to stop guessing?
Contact our team today for a Free Port Optimization Analysis. Send us your supplier’s address, and we will calculate the most efficient gateway for your 2026 shipments.