
Tongzhong Border Port in Fangchenggang, Guangxi
Tongzhong Border Port (峒中口岸) is a Category I land border port in Fangchenggang City (防城港市), Guangxi (广西), and is the 8th such port along the China-Vietnam border. Located 125 kilometers southwest of Fangchenggang, the port is easily accessible via a dual-lane, three-level paved highway. Tongzhong serves as the largest border trade and border market port in the region, with direct trade ties to Vietnam’s Mong Cai Port (横模口岸) in Quang Ninh Province (广宁省). It is an essential gateway for trade between China and Southeast Asia, benefiting from favorable policies for border regions.
On June 25, 2024, a customs clearance ceremony was held at Tongzhong Port, marking an important milestone in cross-border trade. The passenger clearance channel is scheduled to officially open on February 25, 2025.
History and Development
Historical Background
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Upgraded to Category I Port: Tongzhong was approved as a Category I border port in 2017 and began operating with passenger clearance in February 2025. Its design capacity is 500,000 passengers annually.
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Strategic Role: Serving as a critical land route between China and ASEAN, Tongzhong facilitates both freight and passenger transport, playing a key role in the region’s economic exchanges.
Key Features
Tongzhong Border Port is a bilateral, year-round open port for road-based passenger and freight transport. In 2024, it handled more than 500,000 tons of cargo valued at 13.8 billion RMB.
Key Functional Areas
Freight Channel
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Smart Upgrades: The port is equipped with an intelligent inspection system. By April 2025, a digital trade platform called “One Platform, Three Markets” will be launched to manage the entire supply chain efficiently.
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Main Trade Goods: China exports daily consumer goods, machinery, and electronics, while Vietnam exports seafood, medicinal herbs, and agricultural products.
Passenger Channel
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Opening Hours: The passenger clearance channel is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 10:00 and 16:00 to 17:00 (Beijing time), with future adjustments possible.
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Facilities: There are 12 passenger channels and 2 coach channels, equipped with self-check inspection and intelligent temperature monitoring systems, reducing clearance times to 3-5 minutes.
Transportation and Supporting Facilities
Highway Access
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Direct Routes: The port is accessible via the G219 National Highway and the Longsheng to Tongzhong Expressway (龙胜至峒中高速), making it an easy connection to major cities.
Nearby Facilities
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Tongzhong Customs: Located at Port Avenue No. 3, providing 24-hour intelligent clearance services.
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Border Trade Market: The market supports mobile declarations via a digital platform, enabling fast customs clearance in about 20 minutes.
Policy Updates and Future Developments
Cross-Border Tourism
In August 2025, the first Vietnamese tourist groups are expected to enter China, enhancing cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Border Trade Innovation
The introduction of the “border trade + on-site processing” model is expected to significantly boost the income of local residents. The processing sector’s output is predicted to grow substantially by 2025.
Useful Information
Required Documents for Clearance
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Passports, entry-exit permits, or border resident certificates are required for customs clearance.
Border Market
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Duty-Free Allowance: The duty-free allowance is 8,000 RMB per person per day, with trade mainly focused on Vietnamese products such as herbal balms and medicinal goods.
Tourist Recommendations
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Vietnamese Border Attractions: A trip to Vietnam’s Ping Liao County (平辽县) for a unique cultural experience, along with visits to nearby landmarks like the Detian Transnational Waterfall (德天跨国瀑布).
For the latest policy updates, you can contact Tongzhong Customs at (0770) 8810664 or the Fangchenggang Business and Border Port Bureau.
Development History
Growth and Expansion
Tongzhong Port was originally a Category II port until it was closed in 1979 due to the Sino-Vietnamese conflict. In 1991, discussions between the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (广西壮族自治区) and Vietnam’s Quang Ninh Province led to the establishment of a border market trade point between Tongzhong and Vietnam’s Mong Cai Port. The port resumed operation in 2004, and trade volumes have since surged.
In 2007, the government submitted a request for Tongzhong to be upgraded to a Category I port. The port’s infrastructure has expanded gradually, with investments in customs facilities, a joint inspection building, and other improvements.
Trade and Economic Impact
Border Trade Growth
Tongzhong Port serves as a hub for small-border trade and cross-border market activities. In 2011, the trade volume reached 7.16 billion RMB, with a growth rate of 8.81%. Import products include seafood, medicinal herbs, and local agricultural goods, while exports mainly consist of daily consumer goods, hardware, and machinery.
Economic Contribution
The port has played a key role in the local economy, generating direct tax revenues of over 3 million RMB annually and stimulating the development of industries like transportation, catering, and logistics. It has also led to an increase in local income, with per capita earnings rising from 352 RMB in 1989 to 4,202 RMB in 2008.
Challenges and Future Planning
Constraints on Development
Tongzhong faces several challenges in its development, such as outdated road infrastructure, with both connecting highways classified as third-level roads, which limits transportation efficiency. Efforts are underway to improve road conditions and expand the port’s infrastructure.
Infrastructure Investment
Plans for the future include the construction of a second bridge and a specialized inspection building, as well as the development of a high-standard freight yard. A total investment of 180 million RMB is expected for these improvements.
Tongzhong Border Port (峒中口岸) is poised for further development, with a focus on modernizing infrastructure and enhancing its role in cross-border trade and tourism. As these plans unfold, the port will continue to be a vital economic gateway between China and Southeast Asia.