Ningbo宁波
Zhejiang
The Ningbo-Zhoushan port handled 1.377 billion tonnes of cargo in 2024, the highest of any port in the world for the 16th year running, and 39.3 million TEU of containers, ranking third globally. Beyond the port, Ningbo is a major manufacturing base: its stationery industry makes up about one-fifth of China's stationery sector and about one-third of the country's stationery export delivery value, according to a 2022 Ministry of Commerce report. Brands such as Deli and Beifa are based here, alongside appliance, garment and mould clusters. For many Zhejiang suppliers, Ningbo is the default FOB port.
Stationery and office suppliesHome appliancesGarments and textilesMoulds and plastic parts
Key figures
- 1.377 billion tonnes (world No. 1 for 16 consecutive years)
- Ningbo-Zhoushan port cargo throughput · 2024↗
- 39.3 million TEU (+11%, world No. 3)
- Ningbo-Zhoushan port container throughput · 2024↗
- About one-fifth of the national industry and one-third of stationery export delivery value
- Ningbo share of China's stationery industry · 2021↗
Buyer tips
- Quoting FOB Ningbo is the norm for most Zhejiang suppliers; compare FOB against EXW plus your own forwarder's trucking to Beilun or Meishan terminals, and watch for inflated local charges on FOB quotes.
- Stationery is concentrated in Ninghai county and around big brand makers; large factories can handle retailer compliance audits, while smaller ones compete on price for simple items such as clips, sharpeners and paper products.
- Children's stationery, art supplies and school products need toy-safety style testing (EN71 parts 3 and 9, ASTM D4236 labelling for art materials, CPSIA for items aimed at children) plus REACH checks for plastics and inks.
- Ningbo's mould and plastics base (including nearby Yuyao) is useful for custom injection-moulded parts; agree in writing who owns the mould and where it is kept.
Trade fairs
- China-CEEC Expo and Zhejiang Investment and Trade Fair (Ningbo)
- China (Ninghai) International Stationery Industry Expo (中国(宁海)国际文具产业博览会)
Typical ocean transit
| From | North Europe | US West Coast | US East Coast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | 40–4732–35 via Suez | 10–16 | 28–34 |
| Ningbo | 39–4731–35 via Suez | 12–18 | 30–36 |
Port-to-port, in days. Door-to-door adds inland haulage, customs and final delivery. Most Asia–North Europe services still sail around the Cape of Good Hope; the range assumes that routing. Some services are returning to Suez from September 2026, which shortens the trip to about the “via Suez” figure.
Related guides
- Shipping from China to Amazon FBA: Rules, Options and Pitfalls
- LCL vs FCL: When to Book a Full Container from China
- EXW vs FOB vs DDP: Which Incoterm to Use When Buying from China
- CIF vs FOB: Which Is Better When Importing from China?
- China Manufacturing Hubs: Which City Makes What (Cluster Map)
- Factory vs Trading Company in China: How to Tell and Which to Use
Other clusters in Zhejiang
- Yiwu — Small commodities and general merchandise
- Yongkang — Vacuum flasks and thermos cups
- Cixi — Small home appliances
- Wenzhou — Footwear and leather
- Taizhou — Plastic moulds and injection-moulded products (Huangyan)
- Shaoxing Keqiao — Woven and knitted fabrics
- Haining — Leather and fur garments
- Zhuji Datang — Socks and hosiery
- Zhuji Shanxiahu — Freshwater pearls (loose and strands)
- Anji — Office chairs