In today’s competitive logistics environment, the ability to use specialized Chinese vocabulary can help you stand out and expand your career opportunities. Mastering the basic terminology is the first step toward confident communication with partners and accurate, efficient handling of documents. In this article, Ni Hao Ma shares a list of the most common logistics vocabulary in Chinese, along with sample dialogues to help you apply them immediately in real-world situations.
Common Logistics Vocabulary in Chinese
What is logistics in Chinese? Understanding common vocabulary not only enables effective communication with Chinese partners but also helps you handle work accurately and efficiently. Below is a list of frequently used logistics vocabulary in Chinese, including pinyin and meanings. The terms are grouped for easier learning and memorization.
Logistics Vocabulary in Chinese: Transportation
Transportation is a crucial link in the supply chain and import-export activities, determining the smooth flow of goods from sender to receiver.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 物流 | wùliú | logistics |
| 运输 | yùnshū | transportation |
| 货物 | huòwù | goods |
| 运费 | yùnfèi | shipping fee |
| 装货 | zhuānghuò | loading |
| 卸货 | xièhuò | unloading |
| 运输方式 | yùnshū fāngshì | mode of transport |
| 集装箱 | jízhuāngxiāng | container |
| 港口 | gǎngkǒu | port |
| 陆运 | lùyùn | land transport |
| 空运 | kōngyùn | air transport |
| 航运 | hángyùn | sea transport; shipping line |
| 卡车 | kǎchē | truck |
| 运单 / 提单 | yùndān / tídān | waybill / bill of lading |
| 交货时间 | jiāohuò shíjiān | delivery time |
| 交货地点 | jiāohuò dìdiǎn | delivery location |
| 收货人 | shōu huò rén | consignee |
| 发货 | fāhuò | dispatch goods |
| 定单 / 订单 | dìngdān | order |
| 装卸费 | zhuāngxiè fèi | loading/unloading fee |
| 运输工具 | yùnshū gōngjù | transportation vehicle |
| 运输公司 | yùnshū gōngsī | logistics company |
| 保险 | bǎoxiǎn | insurance |
| 运输成本 | yùnshū chéngběn | transportation cost |
| 运输跟踪 | yùnshū gēnzōng | shipment tracking |
| 航空运输 | hángkōng yùnshū | air freight |
| 船公司 | chuán gōngsī | shipping company |
Logistics Vocabulary in Chinese: Warehousing
In logistics, warehousing plays a crucial role in ensuring that goods are stored, managed, and distributed efficiently and safely.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 仓库 | cāngkù | warehouse |
| 仓储 | cāngchǔ | warehousing |
| 入库 | rùkù | stock in / inbound |
| 出库 | chūkù | stock out / outbound |
| 库存 | kùcún | inventory |
| 库存管理 | kùcún guǎnlǐ | inventory management |
| 拣货 | jiǎn huò | picking |
| 上架 | shàng jià | shelving / put on shelves |
| 下架 | xià jià | remove from shelves |
| 条码 | tiáomǎ | barcode |
| 托盘 | tuōpán | pallet |
| 货架 | huòjià | rack / shelf |
| WMS（仓库管理系统） | WMS (cāngkù guǎnlǐ xìtǒng) | warehouse management system |
| 自动化仓库 | zìdònghuà cāngkù | automated warehouse |
| 冷库 / 冷藏库 | lěngkù / lěngcángkù | cold storage |
| 保税仓库 | bǎoshuì cāngkù | bonded warehouse |
| 收货区 | shōu huò qū | receiving area |
| 发货区 | fā huò qū | shipping area |
| 拆箱 | chāi xiāng | unpack / open carton |
| 包装 | bāozhuāng | packaging |
| 包装区 | bāozhuāng qū | packing area |
| 盘点 | pándiǎn | stocktaking / inventory check |
| 先进先出 | xiānjìn xiānchū | FIFO (first in, first out) |
| 后进先出 | hòujìn xiānchū | LIFO (last in, first out) |
| 叉车 | chāchē | forklift |
| 退货 | tuìhuò | return goods |
| 配送中心 | pèisòng zhōngxīn | distribution center |
| 出入库单 | chūrùkù dān | stock in/out form |
Logistics Vocabulary in Chinese: Customs Procedures
Customs procedures are among the most complex and important steps in logistics. Mastering the relevant vocabulary ensures accurate communication with partners, smooth documentation, and avoids delays in shipment.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 海关 | hǎiguān | customs |
| 清关 | qīngguān | customs clearance |
| 报关 | bàoguān | declaration |
| 关税 | guānshuì | customs duty / import tax |
| 增值税 | zēngzhíshuì | VAT (value-added tax) |
| 检验检疫 | jiǎnyàn jiǎnyì | inspection & quarantine |
| 商品编码 | shāngpǐn biānmǎ | commodity code |
| 进出口 | jìnchūkǒu | import & export |
| 进口 | jìnkǒu | import |
| 出口 | chūkǒu | export |
| 许可证 | xǔkězhèng | license / permit |
| 单证 | dānzhèng | documents |
| 申报 | shēnbào | declaration |
| 查验 | cháyàn | inspection |
| 关务费 | guānwù fèi | customs fee |
| 商业发票 | shāngyè fāpiào | commercial invoice |
| 原产地证 | yuánchǎndì zhèng | certificate of origin (C/O) |
| 海关证明书 | hǎiguān zhèngmíng shū | customs certificate |
| 进口税 | jìnkǒu shuì | import tax |
| 出口税 | chūkǒu shuì | export tax |
| 关区 | guānqū | customs area |
| 入境手续 | rùjìng shǒuxù | entry procedures |
| 免税 | miǎnshuì | duty-free |
| 退税 | tuìshuì | tax refund |
| 通关手续 | tōngguān shǒuxù | clearance procedures |
| 海关人员 | hǎiguān rényuán | customs officer |
| 海关总署 | hǎiguān zǒngshǔ | General Administration of Customs |
Basic Logistics Vocabulary in Chinese
With growing economic cooperation with China, mastering logistics vocabulary in Chinese helps you communicate fluently, work efficiently, and build trust with partners. Here are some essential basic logistics terms:
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 供应链 | gōngyìng liàn | supply chain |
| 关口 | guānkǒu | border / checkpoint |
| 客户 | kèhù | customer |
| 供应商 | gōngyìngshāng | supplier |
| 经销商 | jīngxiāoshāng | distributor |
| 国际贸易 | guójì màoyì | international trade |
| 报价 | bàojià | quotation |
| 离岸价 | lí’ànjià | FOB price |
| 到岸价 | dào’ànjià | CIF price |
| 工厂交货价 | gōngchǎng jiāohuò jià | EXW price |
| 单证 | dānzhèng | documents |
| 文件 | wénjiàn | files / documents |
| 保险 | bǎoxiǎn | insurance |
| 索赔 | suǒpéi | claim |
| 损坏 | sǔnhuài | damage |
| 丢失 | diūshī | loss |
| 订单 | dìngdān | order |
| 订单处理 | dìngdān chǔlǐ | order processing |
| 收据 | shōujù | receipt |
| 交货 | jiāohuò | delivery |
| 交货证明 | jiāohuò zhèngmíng | delivery note / proof of delivery |
| 收货人 | shōuhuòrén | consignee |
| 发货人 | fāhuòrén | shipper |
| 物流管理 | wùliú guǎnlǐ | logistics management |
| 供应链管理 | gōngyìng liàn guǎnlǐ | supply chain management |
| 货物容积 | huòwù róngjī | cargo volume |
| 货物重量 | huòwù zhòngliàng | cargo weight |
| 报关代理 | bàoguān dàilǐ | customs broker |
| 物流系统 | wùliú xìtǒng | logistics system |
Sample Dialogues Using Logistics Vocabulary in Chinese
To learn logistics vocabulary effectively, it’s not enough to memorize meanings—you also need to practice in real-world contexts. The dialogues below simulate common situations in the logistics industry, including transportation, warehousing, and customs procedures.
Dialogue 1: About Freight Transportation
A: 你好，请问这批货物什么时候发货？
(Nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn zhè pī huòwù shénme shíhòu fāhuò?)
Hello, may I ask when this shipment will be dispatched?
B: 明天下午安排运输，运费已经确认。
(Míngtiān xiàwǔ ānpái yùnshū, yùnfèi yǐjīng quèrèn.)
It will be transported tomorrow afternoon, and the shipping fee has been confirmed.
A: 好的，请发一份提单给我。
(Hǎo de, qǐng fā yī fèn tídān gěi wǒ.)
Okay, please send me a copy of the bill of lading.
Dialogue 2: About Delayed Delivery
A: 为什么我的订单还没交付？
(Wèishénme wǒ de dìngdān hái méi jiāofù?)
Why hasn’t my order been delivered yet?
B: 抱歉，运输途中遇到天气问题，导致延误。
(Bàoqiàn, yùnshū túzhōng yùdào tiānqì wèntí, dǎozhì yánwù.)
Sorry, the shipment was delayed due to bad weather during transport.
A: 那大概什么时候能到？
(Nà dàgài shénme shíhòu néng dào?)
So when is it expected to arrive?
B: 预计后天送达，我们会及时更新物流追踪信息。
(Yùjì hòutiān sòngdá, wǒmen huì jíshí gēngxīn wùliú zhuīzōng xìnxī.)
It’s expected to arrive the day after tomorrow, and we will update the shipment tracking information promptly.
Dialogue 3: Handling a Lost Shipment
A: 我们发现有一箱货物丢失了。
(Wǒmen fāxiàn yǒu yī xiāng huòwù diūshī le.)
We discovered that a box of goods is missing.
B: 真的吗？请提供提单号码，我们马上调查。
(Zhēn de ma? Qǐng tígōng tídān hàomǎ, wǒmen mǎshàng diàochá.)
Really? Please provide the bill of lading number, and we will investigate immediately.
A: 好的，这是提单和装箱单。
(Hǎo de, zhè shì tídān hé zhuāngxiāng dān.)
Okay, here are the bill of lading and packing list.
B: 谢谢，我们会联系仓库和运输公司，尽快找到货物。
(Xièxiè, wǒmen huì liánxì cāngkù hé yùnshū gōngsī, jǐnkuài zhǎodào huòwù.)
Thank you. We will contact the warehouse and the logistics company to locate the goods as soon as possible.
Conclusion
In today’s globalized world, language barriers are a major challenge. The logistics vocabulary in Chinese compiled in this article is a practical tool to help you overcome those barriers—from negotiating contracts and handling documents to solving operational issues smoothly. We hope this guide has helped you gain valuable knowledge, and don’t forget to follow Ni Hao Ma for more specialized vocabulary in logistics and other fields!
