International Shipping
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International Shipping
Customs & Trade Compliance

International Shipping

102. What are the main international transport modes for vehicle exports?

The mode is chosen according to vehicle quantity, value and destination. For large volumes of new or used vehicles, RO-RO is the first choice (lowest cost, least damage). For small volumes, high-value units or new-energy vehicles (which must be declared as dangerous goods), container shipping is used. For neighbouring countries such as Russia and Central Asia, the China-Europe Railway Express or overland transport is an option.

95. What is the difference between break-bulk shipping and RO-RO shipping for vehicles?

RO-RO: the bus is driven aboard under its own power, giving high loading and discharge efficiency. Break-bulk: the bus must be lifted by crane and requires securing and reinforcement; this is mostly used for destination ports without RO-RO facilities and carries relatively higher risk.

91. What port conditions must be confirmed in advance for RO-RO export of complete vehicles?

Confirm that the port has RO-RO terminal handling capability, and check the terminal's height limit, weight limit and turning/manoeuvring conditions for vehicles; confirm RO-RO space with the carrier and whether the vessel accepts buses.

76. When quoting RO-RO shipping, why must the overall vehicle dimensions be verified in detail?

Accurate vehicle dimensions are the prerequisite for both quotation and booking. When verifying length, width and height, you must confirm whether protruding parts such as mirrors, antennas and roof racks are included. Out-of-gauge dimensions may increase the space occupied on board and trigger over-dimension surcharges or additional handling charges, causing cost overruns. We recommend providing the actual measured dimensions including protruding parts before booking, so that cost risk is eliminated up front.

70. For electric buses, choose Ro-Ro or break-bulk vessel?

Large quantities, vehicles intact and able to drive normally → prioritize Ro-Ro vessels: high efficiency and low cargo-damage risk. Non-self-propelled, small single units, severely oversized → choose a break-bulk heavy-lift vessel.

53. What is MAFI plate transport in Ro-Ro?

A MAFI plate (also called Mafi plate / Roll Trailer) is a wheeled, non-self-propelled heavy-duty steel flatbed trailer used in Ro-Ro transport, specifically to move oversized, overweight, over-wide or over-high cargo that cannot drive itself onto the ship. A terminal tractor (Tugmaster / MAFI head) pushes or tows it up the ramp into the ship, where it is secured on deck.

45. What should be noted when shipping electric buses by break-bulk vessel?

First, the break-bulk vessel must hold a Class 9 dangerous-goods fitness certificate (or explicitly permit carrying lithium-battery vehicles in its lashing manual), and the terminal must also have the Class 9 dangerous-goods operation annex certificate. Second, a dangerous-goods transport appraisal for the electric buses must be provided, and maritime declaration must be made before loading.

34. Does cargo shipped to Djibouti by break-bulk vessel require an ECTN?

Both Shenzhen Beidou and Guangzhou Fanghua replied: cargo transported by break-bulk vessel does not require ECTN; the system only supports ECTN for container shipments.

30. What requirements do Ro-Ro vessels impose on electric buses?

1. Battery charge must not exceed 50%. 2. Dashboard mileage must not exceed 100 km. 3. The vehicle must be marked with shipping marks.

24. Beyond case packing: anti-loss & accountability measures for heavy machinery shipments?

The core risk-control measure during transport is installing one-time anti-counterfeit security seals. After the cargo is packed and sealed, uniformly install dedicated one-time anti-counterfeit seals, and record the seal numbers into the traceability system at the same time; after the cargo arrives at destination, first verify seal integrity and condition. If any anomaly such as breakage or tampering is found, the transport-stage problem can be immediately pinpointed and responsibility precisely traced.

5. How to arrange shipments to Jebel Ali amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea region?

Three options are available: 1)Direct service via Volta Shipping Line (Iranian carrier, operating through the Strait of Hormuz); 2) Transshipment via Fujairah/Khor Fakkan with trucking to Jebel Ali; 3) Delivery to Fujairah/Khor Fakkan with consignee arranging final trucking, noting 3 days of free storage and potential detention fees thereafter.

4. What are the key differences between break bulk vessels and Ro-Ro vessels?

Break bulk vessels use vertical lifting via cranes, with multi-hold structures and large hatches. Ro-Ro vessels use horizontal roll-on/roll-off via ramps, with multi-level flat decks and internal ramps.