China to Mariel Port
12 years of on-the-ground experience shipping to Mariel — Cuba's modern container port. Monthly sailings from Tianjin, Qingdao, Taicang, Taizhou, Guangzhou, and Dongguan. Sanctions and MLC paperwork handled before sailing.
Cuba's Modern Container Gateway
Mariel Port (Puerto del Mariel) is Cuba's largest and most modern container terminal, located 45 km west of Havana. Unlike Santiago de Cuba — which has older terminal equipment with lower unloading efficiency — Mariel offers:
Modern Equipment
Ship-to-shore gantry cranes, modern container handling fleet, dedicated berth for international carriers. Most China sailings berth directly.
Predictable Unloading
Average container unloading: 24-48 hours from berthing. Far more predictable than Santiago, where 5-7 day holds are not uncommon.
Container Storage
24,000+ TEU capacity container yard. Proper reefer plug points for refrigerated containers. Direct road access to Havana.
Customs Coordination
On-the-ground customs broker network. MLC card pre-verification before sailing. Sanctions pre-screening for China→Cuba routing.
China to Mariel — Transit & Frequency
| Origin | FCL Transit | LCL Transit | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tianjin / Qingdao | 45-50 days | 50-55 days | Monthly |
| Taicang / Taizhou | 45-50 days | 50-55 days | Monthly |
| Guangzhou / Dongguan | 45-50 days | 50-55 days | Monthly |
All transit times are indicative and depend on origin port, sailing schedule, and customs conditions. We share actual ETAs before each sailing.
Mariel Customs Documents
Every Cuba→Mariel shipment requires these documents. We handle all Cuba-specific paperwork; you only need to provide the basics.
Standard Documents
- ✓ Commercial Invoice
- ✓ Packing List
- ✓ Bill of Lading (we issue)
- ✓ Certificate of Origin (if required)
- ✓ Cargo Insurance (optional)
Cuba-Specific Documents
- ✓ Cuba Import Permit
- ✓ MLC Card Verification
- ✓ Sanctions Screening Confirmation
- ✓ Cuba Consignee Authorization
- ✓ Phytosanitary Certificate (food/agriculture)
Mariel Shipping — What We Have Handled
Two situations we are regularly asked about, and how we handle them. No templates, no surprises.
A 7-day customs hold on a verified card
A card verified as active 48 hours before sailing can still be held on arrival if the issuing bank applies a compliance review to the balance. We coordinate with the importer and the broker to release it as soon as the balance clears — and we recommend balance alerts rather than status checks alone.
A 7-day unloading delay in Q4
Capacity constraints at the terminal during peak season can add days to unloading. We keep the importer informed daily while the container sits, so the delivery date on their side is planned rather than discovered.
Common Questions About Mariel
Do you ship directly to Mariel, or via transshipment? +
Direct sailings to Mariel from major China ports. No transshipment, no port hops — your cargo arrives at Mariel once.
What is the typical container unloading time at Mariel? +
Average 24-48 hours from berthing for standard containers. Reefer and out-of-gauge cargo may take longer. We coordinate with Mariel port directly to prioritize your cargo.
Can you deliver cargo inland from Mariel? +
Yes — we coordinate inland delivery via our local partner network. Most importers pick up at Mariel port, but Havana, Artemisa, and Pinar del Río are supported.
What is Mariel's reefer capacity? +
Mariel has 480+ reefer plug points, supporting standard 20ft and 40ft reefer containers. Pre-cooling coordination available for food and pharma shipments.
Ship to Mariel With Us
Share your cargo details. We will respond within 24 hours with a quote and sanctions/MLC feasibility assessment.