Amid the accelerating shift in the global landscape and the ever-changing external environment, Yangpu, a cornerstone for Shanghai's science and innovation ambitions, is countering the predicament of closure with unwavering openness. Yangpu Customs, with its commitment to lawful administration, precise support, and enhanced services, empowers businesses to transform challenges into opportunities. This drives regional economic growth in a complex environment and solidifies the foundation for Yangpu's export-oriented economic development.

Integrated System Innovation, Upgraded FTZ Linkage Zone

The Yangpu Pilot FTZ Linkage Innovation Zone prioritizes institutional innovation as its core strategy, pushing for the successful implementation of 13 customs innovation systems from China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone. It has widely adopted innovative practices such as "bulk clearance with single declaration", lump-sum taxation, and multi-department collaborative inspections. These measures have cut the overall import clearance time in Yangpu by two thirds, significantly enhancing trade facilitation and helping enterprises reduce costs and boost efficiency. For instance, Shanghai Fudan Microelectronics Group leveraged a pilot inspection model for high-tech goods to conduct vacuum wafer inspections in its own lab. This not only reduced cargo damage risks but also increased import efficiency by 40%, with a cumulative cargo value reaching 6.74 million U.S. dollars.

The development of the linkage innovation zone also emphasizes regional coordination. It deepens the integration of areas like GKIC Science & Innovation Corridor and the Riverside International Innovation Belt, aiming to create an international collaborative hub for technological innovation and a leading area for the online new economy. These efforts drive institutional innovations in digital trade and cross-border data flow. The signing of a customs-local cooperation memorandum has further energized the region's push to become a district with the "warmest" business environment.

Targeted Services Empower Enterprises to Go Global with Confidence

Yangpu has implemented a tailored "one enterprise, one policy" approach to foster the international competitiveness of local businesses. For the renowned "China Time-honored Brand" Shanghai Maling, the customs provided specialized guidance to enhance its HACCP management system. This strategic support enabled the company to pass the stringent official review of Malaysia, paving the way for its pork products to make a triumphant return to the international market. In parallel, the district has launched the Yangfan Corporate Service Center, offering a comprehensive dual support system that combines online intelligent diagnostics with offline expert consultations. This innovative approach has empowered companies such as Univ Biotech to achieve AEO certification. It has also contributed to the first-ever zero record of untrustworthy enterprises in the district, setting a new standard for digital and intelligent credit management through the "GXT Customs Credit" initiative.

The RCEP continues to deliver substantial policy benefits. Yangpu Customs has tailored preferential schemes for companies like MHI Engine and kept a close eye on tariff reductions. In 2024, the number of enterprises benefiting from these policies in Yangpu surged by 40% year on year, with tax reductions up nearly fourfold. By fully leveraging the preferential tariff rates offered under free trade agreements, enterprises have notably strengthened their export competitiveness. This has laid a solid foundation for their expansion into emerging markets, including ASEAN and Latin America.

Government-Enterprise Collaboration Breaks New Ground to Foster an Open Economic Ecosystem

By simultaneously promoting policy communication and demand alignment, Yangpu is effectively bridging the "last mile" gap in service delivery. In April 2025, Yangpu Customs hosted a series of informative sessions, including a policy briefing on cross-border e-commerce and a seminar for AEO-certified enterprises, providing clarity on innovative services and addressing other corporate concerns. Over 30 key enterprises were involved in the surveys. By leveraging the "door-to-door policy delivery by customs commissioner" initiative and the "service package" mechanism for key enterprises, Yangpu Customs collaborates closely with the Yangpu Commission of Commerce, the Yangpu Development and Reform Commission, and other relevant departments, to offer comprehensive and coordinated services for industrial chains, including biomedicine and integrated circuits.

Moreover, Yangpu has intensified its collaboration with RCEP member states, providing strategic advice in key areas such as foreign investment attraction and cross-border settlement. The district has also actively fostered economic and trade ties with emerging markets, including Mexico. Leveraging the positive spillover effects of the China International Import Expo, the district has created a new business model - bonded display and trading. Guided by the "Warm Yangpu" foreign investment service brand, the district has launched four major initiatives - investment protection and brand investment promotion. These efforts have attracted endless capital injections from global enterprises like Nike, creating a new iconic hub for international consumption.

Yangpu is pioneering a new chapter of development, shifting its focus from institutional innovation to ecosystem construction. With the FTZ Linkage Zone initiative as its strategic fulcrum, the district is propelling itself towards higher-standard opening up. By integrating policies, services, and ecosystems, the district is not only fueling the high-quality growth of foreign capital and trade but also setting a distinctive Yangpu example for Shanghai's ambitious pursuit of becoming a global hub in five key domains.