An overview of Longhua. File photo

Shenzhen unveiled a three-year action plan on March 30 aimed at significantly expanding imports, offering clear policy incentives and practical pathways for overseas exporters seeking to enter the dynamic South China market.

The package, informally referred to as the “10 Import Measures,” outlines key product categories and support mechanisms that Shenzhen will prioritize over the next three years.

Ties with ASEAN, Africa, emerging markets stressed

The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting is set to take place in Shenzhen in November 2026. The city plans to host a series of import promotion events to encourage local firms to source more high-quality goods from APEC economies, with a particular focus on expanding imports of intermediate goods from ASEAN economies.

Meanwhile, the plan highlights opportunities related to Africa, stressing imports of high-quality African products. It also emphasized the import of products from Portuguese-speaking countries, including coffee, wine, and soybeans and Shenzhen's Qianhai area will work with Macao to create a dedicated distribution hub for these products.

Encourage import of high-end manufacturing products

The action plan prioritizes the import of advanced machinery and critical components that support the city's "20+8" industrial clusters — a strategy focusing on 20 strategic emerging sectors and eight future-oriented industries. 

Tailored customs supervision will be implemented for items such as integrated circuits and flat-panel display modules. Imported used auto parts are also encouraged for R&D and testing purposes.

Consumer goods and health economy

The action plan notes that Shenzhen aims to become a national hub for imported fruit featuring direct overseas sourcing, effective cold-chain logistics, warehousing, and distribution.

The city also welcomes exporters of daily consumer goods, aquatic and agricultural products, premium brands, and medical and rehabilitation equipment, with showrooms in prime commercial districts established to display these products.

International brands are also encouraged to open their first stores or flagship locations in Shenzhen.

The action plan also emphasizes trade facilitation measures such as differentiated customs inspection procedures and tariff exemptions. Commodities, energy trade, and cross-border e-commerce imports are also highlighted.

Shenzhen plays a key role as a major gateway for foreign goods entering China. According to the city's release, import volumes have risen steadily — from 1.42 trillion yuan in 2023 to 1.81 trillion yuan in 2025, reflecting annual growth of 19.6 percent and 8 percent, respectively. 

With this latest action plan, the city aims to build on that momentum to strengthen its role as a hub linking global supply chains with the Chinese market.