Shenzhen unveils 19-point plan to upgrade port ecosystem ahead of APEC 2026

Shenzhen has officially issued a new blueprint — the "Several Measures for Optimizing the Port Business Environment (2026)" — rolling out 19 targeted initiatives spanning customs facilitation, cross-border low-altitude logistics, and e-commerce regulatory reforms. This marks the city’s latest strategic push to foster a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized port ecosystem as it prepares to host the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Smart infrastructure and clearance

Leveraging the APEC summit, Shenzhen will formulate a master plan for port services, upgrade ancillary facilities, and establish dedicated APEC green lanes for expedited clearance. The city will also standardize multilingual signage and deploy a standing mechanism to tackle touting, illegal parking, and smoking violations, ensuring a premium urban gateway.

Regulatory innovation

To boost advanced manufacturing, the plan introduces a "Direct Transit & Smart Oversight" pilot at Qianhai Comprehensive Bonded Zone, allowing firms to pre-sort cargo for fully digital supervision. This is bolstered by "zero-wait arrival" and "zero-delay departure" protocols and flexible maritime inspections to streamline supply chains.

Low-altitude economy and E-commerce

The blueprint prioritizes the low-altitude economy, strengthening Shenzhen-Hong Kong drone logistics coordination and researching eVTOL regulations. For cross-border e-commerce, Shenzhen will pilot "Inspect First, Ship Later" reforms and upgrade its "Sunshine Initiative 2.0." This includes a holistic "Commerce-Customs-Forex-Tax-Finance-Insurance" support system and tiered management for white listed enterprises.

Hardware upgrades

The new Huanggang Checkpoint will debut with a joint inspection model, while Luohu begins upgrades and Shenzhen Bay opens a new cold-chain terminal. Road ports will implement facial recognition clearance, with Shenzhen Bay trialing "face + iris" smart lanes. The city also targets five new feeder routes, sustains 30+ e-commerce express lines, and aims for 110 international air routes.

Visitor experience and cost efficiency

Shenzhen will launch a "Port Commercial District Internationalization" initiative, adding two inbound duty-free stores and piloting "Click & Collect" services. The "Shenzhen AI City Travel Card" will integrate payment, transit, and tourism. In cruise tourism, the city will expand onboard pre-clearance to enable seamless disembarkation. Finally, the city will institutionalize an enterprise fee monitoring mechanism and enforce the waiver of inspection-related handling costs for compliant businesses.