Inland Port

An Inland Port refers to a logistics node located in an inland area that has port functions and is closely linked with coastal seaports. It typically houses customs, inspection and quarantine authorities, and can handle customs declaration, inspection application, booking, and bill of lading issuance. It connects to seaports via rail, road, or inland waterway transport, enabling 'one declaration, one inspection, one release,' allowing inland enterprises to complete export procedures without transporting goods to coastal ports. Use cases include: exports from inland provinces, China-Europe Railway Express consolidation and distribution, and bonded logistics. Note: An inland port is not a real seaport and does not handle international vessels; its legal status and operational rules depend on local customs regulations. It is often used interchangeably with 'Dry Port,' but 'Inland Port' emphasizes linkage with seaports and port functions. It differs from a 'Bonded Port Area,' which is usually coastal and focuses on bonded processing. Foreign trade practitioners need to confirm whether an inland port has booking and bill of lading issuance qualifications, and pay attention to transport liability allocation and the place of bill of lading issuance.