Asia – Americas via the Panama Canal
A Panama Canal corridor whose Neopanamax draft depends on Gatun Lake levels, followed by the Caribbean during hurricane season.
North America · sea freight from Lianyungang
Shipping from Lianyungang to Freeport
Lianyungang to Freeport
Yellow Sea · Korea Strait · Tsugaru Strait · Eastern Pacific · Panama Canal · Caribbean Sea · Yucatán Channel · Gulf of Mexico
- LianyungangChina origin
- Yellow Sea
- Korea Strait
- Tsugaru Strait
- Eastern Pacific
- Panama Canal
- Caribbean Sea
- Yucatán Channel
- Gulf of Mexico
- FreeportUnited States
This route runs out of Lianyungang, where the MSA simplified 'new three' filings in 2024, then follows the Pacific, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean; at the far end is the port of Freeport.
Freeport means US customs filings that are due while the container is still in Lianyungang, and a supply chain CBP may ask to see. This page sets out 6 points specific to this route, how Anxin handles each one and which documents to prepare.
What we need to start
- Fog season Apr–Jul
- Lianyungang export
- ISF filer
- Supply-chain tracing file
- HTS code 8507.60
Route profile
What sets Lianyungang → Freeport apart
United States
Two filings before loading, a Section 301 line set by classification, UFLPA supply-chain questions and a 15-day General Order clock after discharge.
Where this route gets difficult
6 pain points from Lianyungang to Freeport
Loading port first, then the sea leg, then Freeport and the United States market.
- Origin port
Four cargo-side documents at Lianyungang, each checked
Under Lianyungang MSA's Notice No. 1 of 2024 the cargo side of a 'new three' filing needs four items: safe-carriage declaration, packing certificate signed by an inspector, packaging inspection certificate where the goods are packaged, and a power of attorney. A shorter list puts more weight on each paper, and the packing certificate still requires a certified inspector after supervised stuffing.
What Anxin does: We prepare the four cargo-side documents together and check that the packing certificate, the packaging certificate and the declaration describe the same UN numbers and quantities.
- Origin port
Lianyungang's break-bulk guide for ESS
For energy storage shipped on break-bulk vessels, Lianyungang MSA's June 2025 guide classes ESS cabinets as UN3480 and ESS containers as UN3536, recommends 20–50% remaining charge, and requires converters and monitoring switched off, series and parallel circuits disconnected, packages spread evenly with a low centre of gravity, and a safety meeting before the ship arrives.
What Anxin does: For ESS units we confirm the UN number the unit ships under, get the state of charge and isolation steps in writing from the manufacturer, and join the pre-arrival safety meeting with the stowage details.
- Sea corridor
Panama's draft limit depends on the lake
The Panama Canal Authority sets the maximum draft in the Neopanamax locks according to Gatun Lake levels. In September 2026 it postponed a planned cut from 14.63 m to 14.48 m that was due on 1 October (advisory A-33-2026). A lower limit means ships transiting the new locks can load less.
What Anxin does: We check the canal advisory in force when we quote for Freeport and ask carriers to confirm that the booked vessel's routing and any canal surcharge will not change before sailing.
- Import country
Which 8507.60 line decides the Section 301 duty
For lithium-ion batteries entered from 1 January 2026 USTR set the Section 301 additional duty on HTSUS 8507.60.0020 (the non-EV line) at 25%, the level EV batteries under 8507.60.0010 reached in 2024. Other China-specific duties can be added and change at short notice, so the classification and the entry date both move the landed cost at Freeport.
What Anxin does: We do not give duty rulings. We make sure the invoice describes chemistry, configuration and application precisely enough for the importer's customs broker to classify it, and we flag the entry date when a vessel's arrival could straddle a duty change.
- Import country
Unentered battery containers go to General Order after 15 days
A container landed at Freeport without a release permit may stay at the terminal only until the 15th calendar day. The carrier must then notify CBP and a bonded general order warehouse, which moves and stores the goods at the consignee's risk and expense (19 CFR 4.37). Not every general order warehouse can take Class 9 battery cargo, and where specialized storage is missing the port director decides where it goes.
What Anxin does: We check with the importer's broker that the entry can be filed before arrival at Freeport, and chase any missing invoice or HTS detail while the ship is still at sea.
- Import country
'China' has to be marked on each article or its container
19 CFR 134.11 requires every imported article, or its container, to carry the English name of the country of origin in a conspicuous place, as legibly, indelibly and permanently as the article allows, at the time it is imported. Batteries and battery products reaching Freeport without it can be held until they are marked.
What Anxin does: We check product and carton photos for a durable 'Made in China' marking before stuffing in Lianyungang, rather than leaving it for re-marking in a US warehouse.
Documents & compliance
Checklist for Lianyungang → Freeport
Anxin reviews documents supplied by the shipper, manufacturer and importer; it does not issue test reports, safety data sheets or import certificates.
In Lianyungang, before the box is loaded
- The four cargo-side documents under Lianyungang MSA Notice 2024 No. 1 prepared together and cross-checked
- For ESS: UN3480 or UN3536 confirmed, state of charge and circuit isolation stated in writing
- Container packing certificate signed by a certified packing inspector after supervised stuffing
- Transport-condition classification report where applicable
- Load plan showing even weight distribution (no more than 60% of the cargo weight in either half of the container length)
Carrier and voyage
- Canal routing and any canal-related surcharge confirmed for the booked vessel
- Dangerous goods declaration with UN number (3480 / 3481 / 3090 / 3091), proper shipping name and packing instruction (P903, or P908/P911 for damaged)
- Lithium battery mark (SP188 cargo) or class 9 labels and placards
For the importer in United States
- HTSUS classification from the broker (8507.60.0010 vs .0020 decides the Section 301 line)
- Supply-chain tracing file for cells and lithium inputs, in case of a UFLPA request
- CPSC certificate data and eFiling arrangement, if the product is subject to certification
Before you book
One consistent file
A document that is present but inconsistent holds a booking as surely as a missing one: the UN number, model name or carton count reads differently in the Lianyungang export filings, the carrier booking and the United States import papers. We compare all three before confirming space.
Carriers we book with
Our booking panel; availability on this lane and acceptance of the declared UN numbers are confirmed for each booking. It does not mean that a listed carrier runs a direct service on this route. Carrier choice depends on the trade lane, cargo classification and each carrier's dangerous-goods acceptance at booking. The final carrier is confirmed on the booking.
Risk & mitigation
Risk table for Lianyungang → Freeport
| Risk | Where | Mitigation | Who acts |
|---|---|---|---|
| One of the four documents inconsistent with the others | Lianyungang MSA filing | Cross-check before submission | Anxin with the declarant |
| ESS unit not isolated or poorly distributed in a break-bulk hold | Lianyungang, break-bulk loading | Manufacturer's written isolation steps; safety meeting | Manufacturer / ship, coordinated by Anxin |
| Draft cut reduces capacity or adds surcharges | Panama Canal | Advisory checked at quotation; carrier confirmation | Carrier, checked by Anxin |
Questions
Common questions on the Lianyungang → Freeport route
Yes, if the container moves on a public highway. The IMDG waiver in 49 CFR 171.25(d)(2) only covers cargo that stays on the ship or moves between vessels; otherwise 49 CFR 172.604 requires a monitored number answered by someone with the emergency information. Goods shipped as 'Battery powered equipment' are exempt.
It can. In September 2026 the Panama Canal Authority postponed a planned draft cut in the Neopanamax locks because of Gatun Lake levels (advisory A-33-2026). We check the advisory in force when quoting.
Under its Notice No. 1 of 2024, the cargo side submits the DG safe-carriage declaration, the inspector-signed packing certificate, the packaging inspection certificate where the goods are packaged, and a power of attorney.
References
Official sources for this page
- 19 CFR 134.11: Country of origin marking required (Legal Information Institute (e-CFR text))
- Section 301 Modifications Determination (Federal Register notice, Sept 2024) (Office of the U.S. Trade Representative)
- 49 CFR 171.25 – Additional requirements for the use of the IMDG Code (eCFR / PHMSA)
- 49 CFR 172.604: Emergency response telephone number (eCFR / PHMSA)
- Update: Certificates of Compliance and eFiling (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
- DHS designates steel, copper, lithium, caustic soda and red dates as UFLPA high-priority sectors (19 Aug 2025) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)
- Advisory to Shipping A-33-2026: Postponement of maximum authorized draft adjustment in the Neopanamax locks (Panama Canal Authority)
Next step
From enquiry to import
- 1EnquiryCargo, origin, destination
- 2Documents checkUN 38.3, SDS, packing
- 3BookingAfter carrier acceptance
- 4HandoverAt Lianyungang
- 5ImportClearance at Freeport
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After you send it
We check carrier acceptance for Lianyungang → Freeport before any booking, and ask for missing battery documents first.
All destinations from Lianyungang · United States ports
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