Guangzhou recently presented its plan to bolster cross-border trade facilitation during a press conference. The city's top ranking in Guangdong Province's 2023 Business Environment Assessment for international trade underscores its commitment.
In recent years, Guangzhou has strengthened its port business environment through coordinated efforts across commerce, customs, border inspection, maritime affairs, and port management. It has implemented policies aimed at reducing costs and improving services to enhance cross-border trade efficiency.
Customs officers from Nansha Customs of Guangzhou Customs supervise domestically produced cars to be exported at Guangzhou Nansha Automobile Terminal.
Smart ports revolutionize cross-border trade operations
The introduction of Guangzhou's Work Plan to Promote Cross-Border Trade Facilitation in 2024 includes 33 measures aimed at fostering innovation and reform to streamline customs clearance processes.
In October 2023, Guangzhou was selected as a pilot city for smart ports by China's port authority. Pilot projects at Baiyun Airport and Nansha Port Area of Guangzhou Port have since launched "single window" operations, enabling real-time 24/7 declarations and significantly reducing processing times from 12 hours to just 15 minutes.
Huangpu Customs officers supervise the delivery of cross-border e-commerce imported goods by drones in the Huangpu Comprehensive Bonded Zone.
Multiple policies drive growth in the cruise industry
Guangzhou is actively supporting the expansion of cruise tourism through the development of new cruise routes and products. During international cruise visits, both Chinese and foreign tourists can enjoy boarding for sightseeing experiences with valid identification, which can enrich international cruise offerings.
Earlier in June, Guangzhou Port ranked among the top global ports and third in China in the newest global Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) released by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. In 2023, Guangzhou Port Group handled 436,000 TEUs through container intermodal transport, a 96.7% year-on-year increase. Its shuttle service now covers 73 feeder routes across the Pearl River Delta. Currently, Guangzhou Port manages 167 international shipping routes.
Moreover, Guangzhou Port is accelerating efforts to ensure steady supplies of coal, minerals, and grains in South China, especially for the Pearl River Delta. Leveraging its role as China's second-largest automotive hub port and the largest in South China, it continues to support major brands in their global expansion efforts.
Three 200,000-ton container liners dock at Nansha Port.