Comprehensive Analysis of Guangzhou Handcart Transshipment Trade: A Practical Guide to Avoiding Anti-dumping

The Anti-dumping Dilemma and Transshipment Solution for Guangzhou Handcart Enterprises

In 2025,Manager Cao of a handcart manufacturer in Guangzhou faced a thorny problem: his folding handcarts exported to the EU were subject to a 25% anti-dumping duty,compressing profit margins directly into negative territory.After failed negotiations,Manager Cao chose transshipment trade—by transshipping via Malaysia,switching containers,and processing local Certificates of Origin,he finally exported to the EU under the name of a third country,successfully avoiding anti-dumping duties.In the first quarter of 2026,profits rebounded by 18%.This is not an isolated case; in 2026,anti-dumping measures by Europe and the US against Chinese handcarts continue,making transshipment trade a core means for Guangzhou enterprises to maintain international market share.

Core Logic of Guangzhou Handcart Transshipment Trade

The essence of transshipment trade is changing the Certificate of Origin of goods via a third country to bypass anti-dumping or countervailing duty barriers of the importing country.For Guangzhou handcart enterprises,the value of transshipment trade lies in: maintaining product price competitiveness,avoiding being blacklisted by importing countries,and expanding non-traditional market channels.It must be clarified that transshipment trade must comply with international rules—the transit country must complete substantial transformation (such as container switching,repackaging,relabeling),otherwise the customs of the destination country may deem it as origin fraud.

Practical Steps for Guangzhou Handcart Transshipment Trade

• Step 1: Transit Country Selection—Prioritize countries with high Certificate of Origin recognition and reasonable logistics costs (e.g.Malaysia,Singapore),and match the trade policy of the destination country (e.g.RCEP member states are more advantageous for RCEP markets)
• Step 2: Guangzhou Port Export—Cooperate with domestic logistics providers under EXW or FOB terms to transport goods to Guangzhou Port and complete export customs declaration (ensure precise classification of HS Code 8716800090)
• Step 3: Transit Country Operations—Switch containers at the transit country port,relabel,and process the local Certificate of Origin (CO or FORM A),ensuring documents match the physical goods
• Step 4: Destination Country Clearance—Declare to the destination country customs in the name of the transit country and use the third-country Certificate of Origin to enjoy zero anti-dumping duty treatment
• Step 5: Settlement and Repatriation—Settle foreign exchange via a transit country agent or Hong Kong account,lock the fluctuating exchange rate for 2026,and avoid exchange losses

Transit Country Selection Comparison Table

Risk Alerts for Guangzhou Handcart Transshipment Trade

• Risk 1: Origin Fraud—In 2026,EU customs strengthened inspections on transshipped goods; if the transit country fails to complete substantial transformation,goods face detention and fines
• Risk 2: Loss of Control over Title—During transshipment,control of the Bill of Lading must be retained; choose qualified transit agents to avoid goods being misappropriated or lost
• Risk 3: Hidden Costs—Container switching fees,warehousing fees,and demurrage charges in the transit country must be clarified in advance; in 2026,demurrage charges at Malaysian ports have risen by 15%
• Risk 4: Exchange Rate Risk—In 2026,the fluctuation range of the USD against RMB reached 5%; it is recommended to use forward settlement tools to lock the exchange rate

Professional Support from Zhongshitong

As a foreign trade agency expert with its Shanghai headquarters,Zhongshitong possesses nationwide port coordination capabilities (including Guangzhou,Shenzhen,Ningbo,etc.) and can provide one-stop transshipment trade services.Our global agency network covers transit countries like Malaysia and Singapore,ensuring compliant and efficient transit operations: from export customs declaration at Guangzhou ports (precise HS Code classification) to container switching and Certificate of Origin processing in transit countries,and finally to customs clearance support in destination countries.In 2026,we have helped 12 Guangzhou handcart enterprises complete transshipment trade,reducing costs by an average of 22%.

Future Trends of Transshipment Trade in 2026

With the intensification of global trade barriers,transshipment trade will become a long-term choice for Guangzhou handcart enterprises.Enterprises need to focus on two directions: first,policy changes in transit countries (e.g.Thailand introducing tax incentives for transshipment trade in 2026); second,the application of digital tools (e.g.blockchain technology to track goods transshipment processes,enhancing compliance).Choosing a professional agency partner is the key to successful transshipment trade—Zhongshitong’s nationwide port coordination capability can help enterprises break through geographical limitations and achieve safe and efficient global trade.