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.
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.
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.
ChinaMakersHub connects global buyers with verified manufacturers across China's Greater Bay Area. Submit an inquiry to get introduced to vetted factories in your category.