When a factory quotes "FOB China," that's incomplete — FOB requires a named loading port. The port you specify affects trucking cost, sailing frequency, transit time, and in some cases, the availability of direct services to your destination. For most buyers, the choice is between a small number of main GBA ports, but the implications are worth understanding.
FOB by Named Port at a Glance
"FOB" on its own is incomplete — Chinese factories quote it as FOB Yantian, FOB Shekou, FOB Nansha, and so on. The named port should normally be the one nearest your factory, because you pay the inland trucking to reach it. Use this table to match a factory location to its natural loading port:
| Named port (as quoted) | Port location | Natural for factories in |
|---|---|---|
| FOB Yantian | Eastern Shenzhen | Eastern Shenzhen, Dongguan, Huizhou |
| FOB Shekou | Western Shenzhen | Western Shenzhen, Zhongshan, parts of Foshan |
| FOB Nansha | Guangzhou | Guangzhou, Foshan, southern Guangdong |
| FOB Hong Kong | Kwai Tsing, Hong Kong | Any GBA factory with an established Hong Kong forwarder |
A few exact phrasings buyers use map onto these: FOB Foshan and FOB Guangzhou almost always load at Nansha; FOB Zhongshan typically routes through Shekou; and "FOB Shenzhen" resolves to either Yantian or Shekou depending on which side of the city the factory sits. Always confirm the exact terminal with your freight forwarder before comparing two factories' FOB quotes.
The Main GBA Ports
Yantian (Shenzhen)
Yantian International Container Terminals, operated in Shenzhen's Yantian district, is the primary port for factories in eastern Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Huizhou. It has direct services to North America, Europe, and Oceania, with some of the best frequency of any GBA port. For factories in eastern Shenzhen, Yantian typically offers lower inland trucking cost than Nansha or Hong Kong.
Shekou (Shenzhen)
Shekou port in western Shenzhen serves factories in western Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and parts of Foshan. It has slightly lower capacity than Yantian but competitive frequency to major trade lanes. Many buyers specifically request "FOB Shekou" for western GBA origin shipments.
Nansha (Guangzhou)
Nansha, Guangzhou's main deep-water port, is the natural choice for factories in Guangzhou, Foshan, and southern Guangdong. Nansha has invested heavily in capacity and now offers direct services on most major trade lanes. A purchase order quoting "FOB Foshan" will normally route through Nansha for this reason.
Hong Kong (Kwai Tsing)
Hong Kong remains a significant port for GBA-origin shipments, particularly for factories that have established freight relationships there. Road transport from Shenzhen and Guangzhou to Hong Kong adds cost and customs complexity (trucks cross at land border checkpoints), but some buyers prefer Hong Kong for its political stability and transparent regulatory environment.
How Port Choice Affects Your Quote
When you request an FOB quote, ask the factory to specify the port and include inland trucking in their calculation. Inland trucking from factory to port can range from $150 (nearby factory, Yantian) to $600+ (distant factory, Nansha or Hong Kong). If you're comparing quotes from different factories, ensure the FOB port is the same — a lower FOB price from a factory in a location requiring expensive inland trucking may not be cheaper in practice.
Booking the Vessel
Once you have an FOB price and departure port, your freight forwarder books space on the vessel. Lead times for container booking vary by trade lane and season — book at least 3–4 weeks before your planned ship date in normal conditions, 6–8 weeks during peak seasons (August–November pre-Christmas, and Chinese New Year run-up). Container shortages during peak periods can push this further.
What FOB Does Not Cover
Under FOB, the factory is responsible for delivering goods to the vessel at the named port and handling Chinese export customs. They are NOT responsible for port congestion delays, vessel schedule changes, or damage during loading. Ensure your marine insurance policy covers the period from when goods are loaded onto the vessel — under FOB, that's when your risk begins.
FOB by Port — FAQ
What does "FOB Foshan" mean?
Foshan has no deep-water container port, so factories around Foshan usually quote FOB Nansha or FOB Shekou — the nearest ports. "FOB Foshan" on a quote normally means the factory covers trucking to one of those ports plus Chinese export clearance; always confirm which port they mean.
What does "FOB Zhongshan" mean?
Zhongshan goods typically load at Shekou or Nansha rather than a Zhongshan sea port. Treat "FOB Zhongshan" as factory-covers-trucking-to-the-nearest-port, and ask the supplier to name the actual loading port so you can plan freight.
Is "FOB Shenzhen" specific enough?
No. Shenzhen has two main container ports — Yantian in the east and Shekou in the west — with different trucking costs and sailing schedules. Ask the factory to name the terminal, not just "Shenzhen".
What is FOB Nansha?
Nansha is Guangzhou's deep-water port in the south of the city. It is the natural load port for Guangzhou and Foshan factories, often with lower inland trucking than routing to Shenzhen.
FOB vs EXW — what is the difference?
Under EXW you arrange everything from the factory gate, including export clearance. Under FOB the factory delivers to the named port and handles Chinese export customs, and your cost and risk begin once the goods are loaded onto the vessel.
Does the port change my FOB price?
Yes. Trucking distance to the port and that port's handling fees both feed into the quote, so the same goods can carry different FOB prices at different ports.
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