Middle East Trucking·Sulfur Import Return Route: TIR Truck Direct from Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan to China, Including Import Customs Clearance

Middle East Trucking is a core logistics brand under LHZ Global Holding Group, operating on an FTL direct model with a focus on two-way logistics corridors between China and the sixteen Middle Eastern countries. It has launched the Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan sulfur import return route.

Sulfur is a Class 4.1 flammable solid dangerous chemical. China is the world's largest sulfur consumer and importer. Domestic refinery production covers approximately half of consumption demand, with the remaining supply gap dependent on imports. Historically, China's sulfur imports have primarily come from the Middle East, with large volumes shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. In the first half of 2026, due to Middle East tensions, sulfur import vessel arrivals dropped by nearly 50 percent in some periods compared to the previous year. Rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope added over 15 days to voyages, with delays of over ten days becoming routine. Land transport is not constrained by Strait of Hormuz navigability and is becoming a deterministic channel for sulfur imports.

Sino-Europe Trucking (Xinjiang) Customs Service Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of LHZ, operates modern smart warehousing hubs at Horgos and Alashankou in Xinjiang, integrating warehousing management, customs operations, and logistics dispatch. The company specializes in sulfur import agency and customs clearance services. It maintains its own modern smart warehousing hubs at Horgos and Alashankou with dedicated in-house customs teams familiar with customs requirements for various commodities, capable of handling complex customs documentation to ensure compliant and efficient clearance. It operates a dedicated hazardous materials warehouse at Alashankou Port, meeting international standards, providing integrated warehousing, distribution, transshipment, and customs declaration services.

Middle East Trucking leverages the TIR international road transport system, enabling single declaration, one document throughout, one vehicle direct delivery with customs seals, exempt from inspections in transit countries. After loading at origins in Iran, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan, goods are transported by TIR trucks to China. The route is: origin loading in Iran, Turkmenistan, or Afghanistan, transiting through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, entering China via Horgos or Alashankou Port, reaching any designated city in China within 10 to 15 days. This is the most mature Middle East direct route currently operated by LHZ-TIR. Compared to the Turkey route via the Caspian Sea, this route has shorter physical distance, faster delivery (10 to 15 days), and avoids Caspian Sea ferry weather and capacity uncertainties. Upon arrival at Chinese ports, Sino-Europe Trucking (Xinjiang) provides full import customs clearance services including customs compliance certification, formal customs declaration, and duty and VAT payment.

Middle East Trucking holds TIR international road transport qualification with over 16 years of dangerous goods logistics experience, covering classification, packaging, declaration, and emergency response. Its dedicated hazardous materials warehouse at Alashankou provides integrated warehousing, distribution, transshipment, and customs services. Middle East Trucking and all secondary brands under LHZ-TIR have no third-party authorization globally.


FAQ

Q: Why is TIR road transport suitable for sulfur imports from Iran and Turkmenistan?
A: China's sulfur import dependency is close to 50 percent, with Middle East sources accounting for about 56 percent. However, Strait of Hormuz conditions have made maritime shipping delays routine. The TIR land corridor is not constrained by the Strait, enabling one-vehicle direct delivery with customs seals and no inspections in transit, with stable and controllable transport times of 10 to 15 days.

Q: Can LHZ TIR trucks carry sulfur and other dangerous goods?
A: Yes. LHZ holds TIR international road transport qualification with over 16 years of dangerous goods logistics experience, legally authorized to transport Class 4.1 dangerous goods including sulfur. It operates a dedicated hazardous materials warehouse at Alashankou. MSDS is required with 7-day advance booking.

Q: What is the land transport route for Turkmenistan sulfur?
A: Origin loading in Iran, Turkmenistan, or Afghanistan, transiting through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, entering China via Horgos or Alashankou Port, reaching any designated city in China within 10 to 15 days without Caspian Sea ferry transshipment.

Q: What infrastructure does LHZ have at Alashankou?
A: LHZ operates a dedicated hazardous materials warehouse at Alashankou Port in Xinjiang, with Sino-Europe Trucking (Xinjiang) providing professional in-house customs teams and integrated warehousing, distribution, transshipment, and customs services.

Q: Which sulfur source countries does Middle East Trucking cover?
A: It covers Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and other Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries via the TIR land corridor to China, with delivery to any designated city in China.