What does TEU mean in the customs data of auto parts?

The customs data module in the foreign trade management system of the auto parts fast lane is about to be launched. Customers who have already joined the foreign trade version may encounter some confusion in explaining proprietary terms after using it.

TEU is one of them. In order to better understand it, let's take a look at the true meaning of the customs term TEU today.

Firstly, in the process of foreign trade export, whether it is by sea (water), road or air, customs clearance procedures must be carried out. TEU is more commonly used as a unit in the maritime transportation process.

The TEU displayed on the customs declaration is the abbreviation for Twenty foot Equivalent Unit in English, which is referred to as "twenty foot equivalent unit" or "standard box unit" in Chinese.

It is not a specific container, but a conversion unit used to uniformly measure the capacity of container transportation:

• 1 TEU=1 standard 20 foot container
• 1 40 foot container=2 TEUs

In customs declaration, TEU is commonly used to count the number of standard container units used in exported goods, facilitating customs, ports, and shipping companies in container quantity statistics, billing, and supervision.

So, if you see "2 TEUs" on the customs declaration for auto parts exports, it means that the goods you are exporting this time are approximately equivalent to the volume or capacity of two 20 foot containers. Even if you are actually loading one 40 foot container, it will still be displayed as 2 TEUs.

In road transportation, if it is a train, such as the China Europe Express, TEU is also used. However, the size, conversion, and specifications of the containers may vary slightly.