Within the European logistics landscape, Belgium holds a strategic hub position due to its unique geographical advantages and well-developed infrastructure. The Port of Antwerp, as Europe's second-largest port, the modern container terminals at the Port of Zeebrugge, and the air freight capabilities of Brussels Airport collectively establish Belgium's distinctive advantage as Europe's gateway. In recent years, with the continuous deepening of economic and trade relations between China and the European Union, trade exchanges between Belgium and China have become increasingly frequent, particularly with growing demand for transporting high-value-added goods such as chemical products, machinery, and electronic products. Against this backdrop, LHZTIR Professional Logistics Company has launched a two-way TIR trucking service between China and Belgium, meeting market demands with innovative logistics solutions.
New Opportunities in China-Belgium Trade Cooperation
Belgium is one of China's important trading partners within the European Union. According to statistics, China-Belgium bilateral trade volume continued steady growth in 2022, with significant increases in Belgian exports to China such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and high-end machinery. At the same time, China's exports of electronic products, machinery, and textiles to Belgium also maintained stable momentum. As Europe's primary chemical hub, the Port of Antwerp handles a large volume of chemical raw materials and semi-finished products from China each year, which are then redistributed across Europe.
However, traditional sea freight, while low-cost, involves long transit times, typically 35-45 days; air freight is fast but costly and unsuitable for large-volume shipments. Many enterprises face the dilemma of balancing cost control with supply chain timeliness. Particularly for high-value goods, seasonal products, or urgently needed industrial components, a more balanced transport solution is required. LHZTIR's TIR trucking service emerged precisely in this market environment, offering enterprises an ideal alternative between sea and air freight.
TIR System: The Green Channel for Cross-Border Transport
The TIR system, as a standardized framework for international road transport, provides unique advantages for cross-border trucking. Its core value lies in simplified customs procedures and efficient clearance processes. Compared to traditional transport methods, TIR transport has the following notable features:
First, the convenience of a single document for the entire journey. Vehicles using TIR transport, after inspection and sealing at the departure customs, generally only require checks of seal integrity at subsequent national borders, without repeated cargo inspections. This "one inspection, passage throughout" model significantly reduces border waiting times, controlling China-Belgium transit time to 18-22 days, nearly half that of traditional sea freight.
Second, comprehensive visual tracking and management. LHZTIR equips each transport vehicle with advanced GPS positioning systems and temperature-humidity monitoring devices. Clients can track cargo location and transport status in real-time via an online platform. Particularly when transporting high-value or temperature-sensitive goods, this full-journey monitoring system provides clients with additional security assurance.
Third, door-to-door direct service. Unlike traditional transport methods requiring multiple transshipments, TIR trucks can travel directly from factory warehouses in China to distribution centers in Belgium, achieving true end-to-end transport. This direct model not only reduces cargo handling frequency and lowers damage risk but also simplifies logistics management processes.
Xinjiang Ports: Key Nodes of the Western Corridor
The Alashankou and Horgos ports in Xinjiang, as vital hubs for China-Europe land transport, play a crucial role in LHZTIR's transport network. The company has established a comprehensive self-operated customs declaration service system at these two ports, with professional customs clearance teams and modern operational facilities.
At Alashankou Port, LHZTIR operates an independent customs declaration hall and cargo handling area, equipped with automated customs clearance systems and professional customs coordination teams. According to statistics, by optimizing declaration processes and adopting electronic documentation systems, the company's average clearance time is 40% shorter than industry standards. Particularly when handling special goods like chemicals and machinery, professional classification declaration capabilities ensure fast and compliant clearance.
At Horgos Port, an emerging cross-border passage, LHZTIR has established a multimodal transport coordination center. This center not only handles customs declaration for road transport goods but also coordinates connections between rail and road transport, providing clients with more flexible transport solutions. The port team is familiar with customs regulations in China and Central Asian countries, efficiently addressing various issues in cross-border transport.
These two ports' self-operated customs declaration capabilities, combined with long-term cooperative relationships established with local customs authorities, enable LHZTIR to achieve an average 8-hour rapid clearance at Xinjiang ports, saving clients valuable time costs.
Intelligent Warehouse Network: Strong Support for the Supply Chain
LHZTIR has established modern warehouse facilities with a total area exceeding 100,000 square meters in China and Belgium. These warehouses are distributed across major logistics hub cities, forming a comprehensive storage network.
Regarding warehouse layout in China, the company has established regional distribution centers in Shanghai and Ningbo in the Yangtze River Delta region, Shenzhen and Guangzhou in the Pearl River Delta region, and Chengdu and Chongqing in western China. These warehouses all employ intelligent management systems, equipped with automated shelving, smart sorting equipment, and temperature-controlled storage areas. Particularly the bonded warehouse in Shanghai, covering 20,000 square meters, can provide clients with value-added services such as bonded storage, simple processing, packaging, and labeling.
In Belgium, LHZTIR operates modern warehouses in the Antwerp port area, Zeebrugge port area, and Liège logistics park. The Antwerp warehouse covers 15,000 square meters and is equipped with advanced cargo handling systems and customs supervision areas, enabling clearance and distribution operations within 24 hours. These warehouses not only provide traditional storage services but also offer supply chain services such as inventory management, order processing, and cross-docking based on client needs.
The application of intelligent warehouse systems enables LHZTIR to achieve real-time visual inventory management. Clients can view inventory status through a dedicated online portal and automatically generate replenishment orders, greatly improving supply chain response speed and management efficiency.
Dual Customs Clearance Services: Simplifying Cross-Border Trade Processes
LHZTIR provides comprehensive customs clearance services covering both Chinese and Belgian ends. This integrated solution is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises unfamiliar with the customs regulations of both countries.
On the Chinese export side, the company's customs clearance team assists clients in preparing all necessary export documents, including commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin. For different types of goods, the team also provides professional HS code classification advice to ensure accurate and compliant declaration. Additionally, for special goods requiring export licenses, the company can offer one-stop license application services.
On the Belgian import side, LHZTIR collaborates with well-known local customs clearance agents to provide clients with professional EU customs declaration services. The team is familiar with EU tariff policies, VAT regulations, and import requirements for various products, offering clients optimal tax solutions. Particularly when handling regulated goods such as chemical products and medical devices, professional clearance capabilities ensure smooth entry of goods into the EU market.
The greatest advantage of dual customs clearance services lies in process integration and simplification. Clients only need to provide basic information and documents, and all remaining customs clearance procedures are handled by LHZTIR's professional team. This one-stop service not only saves clients time and effort but also reduces risks arising from unfamiliarity with regulations.
Regular Operations: Stable and Reliable Transport Assurance
LHZTIR adheres to a regular operation model with 7 weekly departures, providing enterprises with reliable transport assurance through this stable schedule. Specific operational arrangements are as follows:
Three departures are scheduled from the three major hubs of Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Chengdu every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday; three departures from Ningbo, Guangzhou, and Chongqing every Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday; and one comprehensive departure on Sunday. This high-frequency departure schedule ensures clients can flexibly choose shipping times according to their production plans.
Each transport follows standardized operational procedures. During loading, professional teams conduct careful cargo inspections and employ appropriate reinforcement and packaging methods to ensure transport safety. During transport, drivers strictly adhere to driving time regulations in the EU and China, ensuring road safety while also guaranteeing transport timeliness.
To further enhance transport reliability, LHZTIR has established a comprehensive emergency response mechanism. In case of special circumstances causing transport delays, the company immediately activates contingency plans, mobilizing backup vehicles or adjusting transport routes to minimize client impact. Additionally, the company purchases full transport insurance for each shipment, providing clients with additional risk protection.
Customized Services: Meeting Diverse Needs
LHZTIR not only provides standardized transport services but also offers customized solutions based on clients' special requirements. For the chemical industry, the company is equipped with specialized chemical transport vehicles and specially trained drivers to ensure safe transport of hazardous goods. For the pharmaceutical and food industries, the company provides temperature-controlled transport services compliant with GDP and HACCP standards to ensure product quality. For high-value goods, the company can also arrange value-added services such as armed escort.
Furthermore, LHZTIR provides supply chain consulting services, assisting clients in optimizing logistics network design and reducing overall logistics costs. The company's professional team can offer comprehensive optimization recommendations from warehouse layout to transport routes based on clients' business models and product characteristics.
Sustainability Commitment
While providing efficient logistics services, LHZTIR actively practices sustainable development principles. The company's transport vehicles all comply with Euro 6 emission standards, minimizing carbon emissions through optimized transport routes and loading plans. Additionally, the company is actively exploring the use of clean energy sources such as biodiesel to further reduce environmental impact in the transport sector.
As China-Belgium economic and trade cooperation continues to deepen, land transport will play an increasingly important role in trade between the two countries. LHZTIR will continue to expand its transport network and improve service quality, providing better and more efficient logistics solutions for China-Belgium trading enterprises. The company plans to increase weekly departures to 10 within the next two years and further expand its warehouse network in the Benelux region.
Through LHZTIR's professional services, enterprises can build more stable and efficient supply chain systems, gaining advantages in intense market competition. Whether for large multinational corporations or small and medium-sized trading companies, LHZTIR will become your trusted logistics partner with professional service and reliable quality.
From manufacturing bases in China to distribution centers in Belgium, the LHZTIR trucking route is becoming an important link connecting the two major economies. We sincerely invite Belgian enterprises and international companies operating in Belgium to experience this professional service and jointly explore the new future of China-Europe trade.