CN Prefix and Three-Character Location Code
A China UN/LOCODE combines the country prefix CN with a three-character location identifier. Examples in this database include CNSHA for Shanghai, CNYTN for Yantian and CNNSA for Nansha.
Seaports in China: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026)
China has 475 ports and terminals indexed in the Ecer Freight database and remains the world's leading maritime manufacturing, export and container-shipping market.
Explore China port codes, principal gateway clusters, indicative 2025 throughput and shipping options for international cargo.
China Seaport Overview
China's coastal and river-connected port system supports containerized manufacturing exports, energy imports, bulk commodities, automotive logistics and regional distribution. Indexed coverage and national port statistics are separate measures: the first is the Ecer Freight database count, while the latter reflects official national reporting.
475
China ports & terminals indexed in our database
Ecer Freight database · Nov 2026
17.1B
Approx. port cargo handled in 2025, tonnes; about +3.5% YoY
MOT 2025 annual bulletin
336M
Approx. container throughput in 2025, TEU; about +6.0% YoY
MOT 2025 annual bulletin
22,000+
Approx. registered coastal and inland berths in 2025; broadly stable YoY
MOT 2025 transport statistics
How many seaports does China have?
China has 475 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in its Nov 2026 database snapshot; the figure is an indexed coverage count, not a claim about every statutory port facility.
Which are China's busiest container gateways?
Shanghai Port, represented in the sample by CNSHA, is the leading container gateway, followed by major hubs including Ningbo at CNNGB and Shenzhen at CNSZX.
Where are China's main freight regions?
The principal clusters are the Yangtze River Delta around Shanghai and Ningbo, the Pearl River Delta around Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the Bohai Rim around Qingdao and Tianjin, and the southeast coast around Xiamen.
Top China Container and Cargo Ports
The table below combines widely reported 2025 container throughput figures with indicative global container-port rankings. Port rankings can vary by source and methodology; figures remain subject to final authority confirmation.
Selected China gateways by 2025 container throughput
| World rank | Port | UN-LOCODE | 2025 throughput (M TEU) | YoY change | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shanghai | CNSHA | 55.06 | +6.9% | Yangtze River Delta |
| 3 | Ningbo | CNNGB | 43.87 | +11.6% | Yangtze River Delta |
| 4 | Shenzhen | CNSZX | 33.38 | +9.6% | Pearl River Delta |
| 5 | Qingdao | CNTAO | 30.33 | +8.8% | Bohai Rim |
| 6 | Guangzhou | CNCAN | 26.45 | +4.7% | Pearl River Delta |
| 8 | Tianjin | CNTNJ | 24.03 | +5.0% | Bohai Rim |
| 14 | Xiamen | CNXMN | 12.25 | +6.7% | Southeast Coast |
| — | Lianyungang | CNLYG | — | — | Yellow Sea Coast |
China Port Regions and Cargo Roles
China's port network is organized around manufacturing belts, river systems and deep-water gateway clusters. The following sample is limited to ports and codes present in the Ecer Freight China database.
Yangtze River Delta
A high-density export and import cluster serving Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and inland Yangtze River markets.
Selected Yangtze River Delta facilities
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | CNSHA | Shanghai / Shanghaishi | Global container gateway and transshipment |
| Yangshan | CNYGS | Shanghai / Shanghaishi | Deep-water container operations |
| Yangshan | CNYAN | Shanghai / | Container terminal and feeder activity |
| Ningbo | CNNGB | Ningboshi / Zhejiangsheng | Deep-water containers, bulk and regional exports |
| Beilun | CNBEI | Ningboshi / Zhejiangsheng | Container, ore and industrial cargo |
| Suzhou | CNSZH | Suzhoushi / Jiangsusheng | River-linked manufacturing and project cargo |
Pearl River Delta
A manufacturing-intensive gateway system connecting South China factories with global liner services and regional feeder networks.
Selected Pearl River Delta facilities
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shenzhen | CNSZX | Shenzhenshi / Guangdongsheng | Export containers and electronics supply chains |
| Yantian | CNYTN | Shenzhenshi / Guangdongsheng | Deep-water container gateway |
| Chiwan | CNCWN | Shenzhenshi / Guangdongsheng | Containers, project and general cargo |
| Shekou | CNSHK | Shenzhenshi / Guangdongsheng | Container, ro-ro and regional distribution |
| Nansha | CNNSA | Guangzhoushi / Guangdongsheng | Container gateway for Guangzhou and inland South China |
| Huangpu | CNHUA | Guangzhoushi / Guangdongsheng | General cargo, containers and industrial trade |
| Dongguan | CNDGG | Dongguanshi / Guangdongsheng | Manufacturing-linked feeder and general cargo |
| Zhongshan | CNZSN | Zhongshan / Guangdongsheng | Regional manufacturing and container cargo |
Bohai Rim
Northern China's principal maritime cluster, supporting Northeast and North China manufacturing, energy, automobiles and containerized trade.
Selected Bohai Rim facilities
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qingdao | CNTAO | Qingdaoshi / Shandongsheng | Container, crude oil, ore and automobile cargo |
| Tianjin | CNTNJ | Tianjin / Tianjinshi | North China container, ro-ro and bulk gateway |
| Xingang, Tianjin | CNTXG | Tianjin / Tianjinshi | Deep-water containers and general cargo |
| Binhai | CNXGG | Tianjin / | Industrial, bulk and port logistics |
| Lianyungang | CNLYG | Lianyungangshi / Jiangsusheng | Container, bulk and Central Asia corridor cargo |
Southeast Coast
Fujian and adjacent coastal gateways serve regional manufacturing, consumer goods, agricultural products and cross-Strait trade flows.
Selected Southeast Coast facilities
| Port | UN-LOCODE | City / Province | Main cargo role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiamen | CNXMN | Shamenshi / Fujiansheng | Container gateway and regional distribution |
| Haicang | CNFHC | Shamenshi / Fujiansheng | Deep-water containers and logistics |
| Fuzhou | CNFOC | Fuzhoushi / Fujiansheng | Container, ro-ro and general cargo |
| Jiangyin, Fuzhou | CNJGY | Fuzhoushi / Fujiansheng | Container and industrial cargo |
| Mawei | CNMAW | Fuzhoushi / Fujiansheng | River-connected general and container cargo |
| Quanzhou | CNQZJ | Quanzhoushi / Fujiansheng | Manufacturing exports and general cargo |
China Port Codes and UN-LOCODEs
UN/LOCODE identifiers help carriers, forwarders, customs systems and transport platforms distinguish locations. China entries use the CN country prefix in the Ecer Freight sample.
City-Level and Terminal-Level Codes
A code may identify a broad port or city gateway, while another code may identify a specific terminal, district or operating location. Shipment instructions should match the carrier booking, bill of lading and customs filing requirements.
How to Verify a Port Code
Compare the code with the UNECE UN/LOCODE reference and the Ecer Freight port directory. Confirm the terminal name, city and carrier routing before cargo dispatch.
Shipping from China: Main Trade Lanes
Transit times are indicative port-to-port ranges and depend on sailing schedules, transshipment, seasonal congestion, equipment availability and destination customs procedures.
China to North America West Coast
A high-volume transpacific lane for consumer goods, electronics, machinery and retail replenishment.
China to North Europe
A strategic Asia–Europe service corridor for manufactured exports, industrial components and project cargo.
China to Mediterranean
Services connect China's manufacturing centers with Mediterranean distribution and consumer markets.
China to Southeast Asia
Short-sea and regional services support electronics, machinery, intermediate goods and consumer products.
Data Sources and Methodology
Port names and codes are taken from the Ecer Freight database snapshot. Throughput and national transport indicators are presented as reported or compiled public figures and may be revised by the responsible authority.
- Ecer Freight Ports Database — first-party indexed coverage of 475 China ports and terminals, snapshot reviewed in Nov 2026.
- UNECE — UN/LOCODE structure and location-code reference.
- China Ministry of Transport — national port cargo, container throughput and transport-statistics releases.
- National Bureau of Statistics of China — supporting national economic and transport indicators.
- National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — maritime location and port-reference context.
China Port FAQ
How many seaports does China have?
China has 475 seaports and terminals indexed by Ecer Freight in the Nov 2026 database snapshot. This is an indexed coverage figure rather than a universal statutory count.
What is the largest container port in China?
Shanghai is generally China's largest container port and is represented in the Ecer Freight sample by CNSHA. Its 2025 container throughput was widely reported at approximately 55.06 million TEU.
What does a China port code look like?
A China UN/LOCODE normally begins with CN and is followed by three location characters, such as CNSHA for Shanghai or CNXMN for Xiamen.
Which regions handle most China sea freight?
The Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Bohai Rim and Southeast Coast are the principal clusters. Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Tianjin, Guangzhou and Xiamen are important gateways within these regions.
How current are the China port statistics?
The indexed port sample is reviewed against a Nov 2026 snapshot. The latest complete statistical year used for the main comparison is 2025, while official figures may be revised after publication.
How can shippers request China sea freight rates?
Shippers can compare indicative FCL sea freight rates or LCL sea freight rates. Final pricing depends on origin, destination, commodity, equipment, weight, sailing schedule and local charges.
Editorial note: This China port guide combines Ecer Freight's first-party indexed port and terminal records with publicly reported transport and port statistics. Port-code coverage is reviewed with database updates, while throughput and national indicators are checked quarterly and remain subject to official revisions.
Ecer Freight · Seaports in China: Port Codes, Throughput & Regional Guide (2026) · Data reviewed quarterly · Port Codes · Ports by Country · Contact