Recently, SAMR (SAC) approved and released two national standards, GB/T 42820-2023, Classification and codes for intermodal transport cargo, and GB/T 42933-2023, Intermodal loading unit identification, to lay the foundation for further improving the efficiency of comprehensive transport and reducing the logistics costs in China.

Developing intermodal transport is an important measure to establish the modern comprehensive transport system, which serves as a key tool to advance transport structure adjustment, decrease costs and increase benefits.

GB/T 42820-2023 defines the classification principles and methods, code structure and coding methods of intermodal transport cargo, and provides the classification and codes for intermodal transport cargo of 116 sub-categories within 19 categories. GB/T 42933-2023 stipulates the unified identification of intermodal loading unit and its requirements to ensure the uniqueness of the identification.

The two standards will provide guidance for the normative development of intermodal transport, which are of great significance to accelerate the development of intermodal transport in the form of a single order or a single container, and establish the modern logistics service system that supports the dual-circulation development paradigm.