Shenzhen's western port area posts a strong start to 2026

Shenzhen’s western port area handled 3.08 million TEUs of foreign trade containers in the first two months of 2026, an increase of 8.3% year-on-year, Shenzhen Customs reported. This marks a strong opening to the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period and injects momentum into steady foreign trade growth and high-quality regional development.

Customs officials attributed the gain to operational integration and targeted services. Terminals in the western port area were historically scattered and operated independently, resulting in cumbersome cross-terminal transfers and poor coordination. To fix that, Shenzhen Customs introduced an intelligent transit logistics model that combines next-generation security smart locks with networked smart checkpoints. The system enables automatic, 24/7 container allocation and rapid circulation among terminals, effectively achieving integrated port area operations.

Export demand for domestic “new three” products, notably photovoltaic and energy storage products — such as lithium battery storage cabinets — has emerged as a new driver of foreign trade. At Dachan Bay Customs, a one-on-one enterprise liaison mechanism assigns dedicated staff to interpret policies, pre-review declarations online and streamline procedures end to end. These measures have cut clearance times for related shipments by over 30%.

A pilot “one-line direct access, intelligently linked supervision” model now allows eligible cargo to leave the port first and complete tallying and consolidation in the Qianhai Bonded Comprehensive Zone before being re-exported or moved into bonded management. The approach significantly improves flows between the port and bonded zone and helps transform the western port from a traditional transshipment point into an international logistics hub that integrates warehousing, sorting and consolidation.

Officials said further deepening clearance facilitation, strengthening policy support and expanding smart logistics pilots will be central to sustaining throughput growth and upgrading the western port area’s role in global supply chains.