Overview

As the only port enterprise invited to participate, YANTIAN took part in the 2026 Guangdong Seminar on High-Quality Development of Cross-Border E-Commerce.
The innovative "Inspect Before Loading" model for cross-border e-commerce exports has slashed customs clearance time by 50% while reducing logistics costs by 30%.
Amazon's first GWD intelligent hub, located just 5 km from YANTIAN, has officially commenced operations.
Strengthening industry support through taxation policies: YANTIAN hosted a policy briefing session tailored for the international shipping and freight forwarding sectors.

Shenzhen's foreign trade is gaining remarkable momentum. According to the latest statistics released by Shenzhen Customs, the city's total imports and exports reached CNY1.32 trillion in the first quarter of this year, setting a new historical high and soaring 33.6% year on year—32.5% faster than the growth recorded for the whole of last year. Against this backdrop, cross-border e-commerce continues to lead the nation. Shenzhen has ranked first among major Chinese cities in cross-border e-commerce import and export volume for four consecutive years. 16 of the world's top 20 e-commerce platforms have established operations in the city, while cross-border e-commerce listed companies account for one-third of the national total.

The booming development of Shenzhen's cross-border e-commerce sector stands as a vivid testament to the resilience and vitality of China's foreign trade. As a world-class shipping hub, Yantian Port plays a pivotal role in supporting this growth. At the 2026 Guangdong Seminar on High-Quality Development of Cross-Border E-Commerce, YANTIAN distinguished itself as the only invited port enterprise. This industry recognition is underpinned by YANTIAN's highly efficient operations, comprehensive warehousing clusters, and seamless port-warehouse connectivity, which together have enabled the successful implementation of two benchmark innovations: the "Inspect Before Loading" customs clearance model and Amazon's GWD intelligent hub. Meanwhile, YANTIAN continues to work closely with tax authorities and other government departments to cultivate a compliant, efficient, and well-integrated industry ecosystem through policy seminars and related initiatives. By helping enterprises lower costs, enhance efficiency, YANTIAN is providing sustained support for the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce.

"Setting sail from YANTIAN": Guangdong's sole invited port enterprise shares cross-border e-commerce best practices

Recently, the 2026 Guangdong Seminar on High-Quality Development of Cross-Border E-Commerce was successfully held in YANTIAN, Shenzhen. Jointly organised by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Commerce together with finance, customs, taxation, and other government authorities, the event focused on launching pilot programs for compliant cross-border e-commerce exports, promoting support policies, and advancing the coordinated global expansion of "cross-border e-commerce + industrial clusters." The seminar brought together nearly 400 representatives from provincial, municipal, and district-level government departments, alongside leading players from the cross-border e-commerce sector. As the only invited port enterprise from Guangdong Province, YANTIAN shared its operational expertise and explored innovative pathways for the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce.

During the event, YANTIAN delivered a keynote presentation themed "Setting Sail from YANTIAN, Empowering Chinese Manufacturing Worldwide." The company highlighted its distinction as the only port enterprise in China invited to attend the industry's flagship cross-border e-commerce conference for five consecutive years, as well as the only port enterprise selected for two consecutive years in the Directory of Key Cross-Border E-Commerce Contact Enterprises by the CCPIT. YANTIAN currently has more than 10 dedicated cross-border e-commerce express services on a regular basis. Backed by 36 rail-sea services, an extensive feeder network, premium shipping services characterised by high-frequency, extensive, faster, and high-efficiency services, together with close collaboration among government authorities, customs, industry associations, and enterprises, YANTIAN provides foreign trade companies with stable, efficient, and low-carbon logistics solutions. Leveraging its reliable transit times, dense sailing schedules, and highly efficient customs clearance services, YANTIAN has become one of South China's preferred ports for cross-border e-commerce, supporting the seamless global reach of "Intelligently Made in China" products alike.

"Inspect Before Loading" slashes customs clearance time by more than 50%

This year's seminar centred on implementing the directives outlined in the State Council Government Work Report, which called for expanding and upgrading the "cross-border e-commerce + overseas warehouse" model while promoting standardised and orderly industry development. During the event, relevant authorities announced a new batch of provincial-level public overseas warehouses, officially launched Guangdong's pilot program for compliant cross-border e-commerce exports, and provided detailed interpretations of the latest support policies, including the "tax refund upon departure" initiative for overseas export warehouses and the innovative "Inspect Before Loading" model.

As a breakthrough innovation in cross-border e-commerce export customs clearance, the "Inspect Before Loading" model has fundamentally reengineered traditional operational procedures. It replaces the outdated practice of "single-shipment inspection with the entire container held for release" with a more flexible approach featuring "bulk cargo inspection and flexible container consolidation,” delivering smoother customs clearance, lower logistics costs, and significantly faster turnaround times.

Under this model, enterprises may first transport bulk cargo to warehouses within customs-designated zones for inspection. Once customs checks are completed and no irregularities are identified, enterprises can proceed with container loading, shipment arrangements, and customs release formalities, effectively achieving "one inspection, one loading process, and rapid customs clearance.”

The "Inspect Before Loading" model has already delivered remarkable results:
・Customs clearance time reduced by more than 50%;
・Overall enterprise operating costs lowered by over 30%;
・Port congestion significantly eased through reduced container dwell time and improved utilisation efficiency of customs supervision facilities;
・Advancing customs supervision further upstream to achieve both robust regulatory oversight and faster, more efficient customs clearance.

Amazon's first GWD located just 5 km from Yantian Port

As part of the seminar's on-site study tour, participating representatives experienced first-hand the strengths of Yantian's advanced cross-border e-commerce infrastructure and innovative operational ecosystem. A key highlight of the visit was Amazon's GWD. Situated just 5 km from YANTIAN, the facility is seamlessly connected to the port's global shipping network and serves as a core operational pillar of Amazon's "next-generation cross-border supply chain" strategy.

Backed by more than 2 million square metres of premium port-side warehousing clusters at Yantian Port—encompassing comprehensive bonded warehouses, export supervision warehouses, general warehouses, cold storage facilities, and MCC warehouses—together with the port's mature and highly efficient cargo distribution network and streamlined customs clearance environment, YANTIAN provides robust infrastructure and operational support for the sustained deployment of GWD services in Yantian. This integrated logistics ecosystem enables GWD to fully capitalise on its three core strengths: lower operating costs, faster fulfilment efficiency, and greater operational flexibility. At the same time, it effectively addresses major industry pain points such as inventory backlogs, supply chain disruptions, and capital occupancy pressures, empowering "Intelligently Made in Shenzhen" products to reach global markets in a faster, more agile, and more cost-efficient manner.

The launch of GWD marks a milestone upgrade in Shenzhen's cross-border e-commerce infrastructure. It not only provides critical support for Shenzhen in further consolidating its position as China's leading cross-border e-commerce hub, but also injects strong momentum into YANTIAN's vision of building a world-class cross-border e-commerce logistics gateway. Moreover, it further reinforces Yantian Port's integrated supply chain advantages as one of South China's preferred ports for cross-border e-commerce.

Strong tax support safeguards industry growth: Policy briefings empower enterprises toward compliant and sustainable development

Earlier this year, during the 35th National Tax Awareness Month, the Yantian District Tax Service, together with the International Tax Administration Division of Shenzhen Tax Service, State Taxation Administration, commerce authorities, and industry associations, hosted a dedicated policy briefing session at YANTIAN for enterprises engaged in international shipping and freight forwarding services. Centred on the practical needs of enterprises, an expert panel delivered in-depth interpretations of international tax-related policies, introduced one-stop government service platforms, and provided one-on-one consultation sessions to help enterprises efficiently address real-world tax challenges.

Support policies continue to generate tangible benefits for the industry. Under the newly implemented VAT Law, tax exemption incentives for international freight forwarding services have been extended through the end of 2027. Meanwhile, procedures for export tax rebates and cross-border service tax refunds have been further streamlined, effectively reducing operational costs and supporting enterprises in achieving compliant growth.

As a core hub for Shenzhen's cross-border e-commerce industry, Yantian Port continues to lead in industrial scale, infrastructure development, and ecosystem support by leveraging the strengths of its world-class port facilities. The successful hosting of this seminar not only reflects strong recognition of the achievements made in Yantian Port's cross-border e-commerce development, but also highlights its important role in advancing the high-quality development of cross-border e-commerce across Guangdong Province.

Looking ahead, YANTIAN will continue strengthening high-quality port service support for the cross-border e-commerce sector while fully leveraging its influence as a global shipping gateway. By serving as a bridge among government authorities, customs, industry associations, and enterprises, YANTIAN will work closely with all stakeholders to further optimise the business environment for cross-border e-commerce development.

As the preferred port for cross-border e-commerce in South China, YANTIAN is honoured to grow alongside its partners in Shenzhen, working together on this dynamic platform to create shared value, foster innovation, and achieve mutual success.

Contact Information of YANTIAN Cross-Border E-commerce Service
Manager of Commercial Department
Mr. Xie
Tel: 0755-2529 6559/+86 139 2377 7662
Email: yongquan.xie@yict.com.cn