How China Became the global hub for cross-border e-commerce—and why Shenzhen leads the way

Shenzhen has emerged as a national leader in cross-border e-commerce, driven by its first-mover advantage, mature industrial ecosystem, resilient and streamlined supply chains, and a reform-minded, results-oriented government. In 2024, the city’s cross-border e-commerce trade reached CNY372 billion, ranking first in China for the third consecutive year. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, the number surpassed CNY110 billion—a year-on-year surge of over 95%, setting a new record for the period. Shenzhen has rightfully earned its title as the “Centre of Cross-Border E-Commerce”.

YANTIAN in Shenzhen: The new frontier of cross-border growth

Since the start of 2025, Yantian District has posted nearly triple-digit year-on-year growth in cross-border e-commerce trade—the highest among all Shenzhen districts. With 32 rail-sea services, a busy feeder network, high frequency, extensive, fast, high-quality shipping services, and seamless government-enterprise collaboration, YANTIAN offers foreign trade enterprises a stable, efficient, and low-carbon logistics corridor. It has quickly become a preferred port for cross-border e-commerce in South China.

YANTIAN fully supports the Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Festival

On June 16, the 8th Global Cross-Border E-Commerce Festival and the 10th Shenzhen International Cross-Border E-Commerce Trade Expo opened in grand fashion at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center. Centred on the theme “Culture Across Borders, Brands Going Global, Intelligence Empowering China,” the event brought together 30+ cross-border platforms, 40+ industrial clusters, over 1,000 exhibitors, and more than 600 government and enterprise leaders. Over the course of three days, the expo welcomed nearly 100,000 visitors, drew 1.8 million livestream views, and reached an audience of over 5.08 million.

YANTIAN distinguished itself as the sole port enterprise in China to attend this year’s event and has earned widespread industry acclaim for its premium ocean freight services and strong operational support for cross-border e-commerce. The company received a total of four prestigious awards.

Alongside global leaders such as Google, Walmart eCommerce, AliExpress, Shenzhen International Holdings, YTO Express, Newegg Global, and Cainiao, YANTIAN was honoured with the Global Outstanding Partnership Award.

Lawrence Shum, Managing Director of Hutchison Ports YANTIAN, was also recognized with the 2025 Industry Impact Contribution Award, joining a distinguished cohort of industry leaders including Fok Tsun-yu, Director of Fok Ying Tung Group, Li Mingxing, President of the Asia-Pacific World Trade Business Alliance, Anthony Chow, CEO of Newegg Global, Li Xiaobing, President of South China & Hong Kong Region of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, and Xie Zhuoheng, Executive Chairperson of SZCBEA Yantian Branch.

The 7th ChinaGo Cross-Border E-Commerce Annual Industrial Excellence Awards [2025 Sunshine Guardian Award]

The 7th ChinaGo Cross-Border E-Commerce Annual Industrial Excellence Awards [Great Navigator Award – Lawrence Shum, YANTIAN]

At the opening ceremony, Lawrence Shum highlighted Shenzhen’s strong foundation for e-commerce and its pioneering efforts in streamlining cross-border customs clearance—offering valuable insights for the rest of the country. As a global logistics hub, Hong Kong plays a vital role, and YANTIAN will continue to leverage its own strengths while deepening the complementary synergy of Kwai Tsing-YANTIAN Connect. Through the joint development of cross-border e-commerce logistics corridors, YANTIAN aims to unlock the potential of the Greater Bay Area by fostering closer Shenzhen–Hong Kong cooperation. In partnership with industry peers, YANTIAN is committed to helping Chinese brands reach global markets through cross-border e-commerce and to jointly shaping a new future for the industry.

Seizing the golden window of peak season with high-frequency, extensive, fast, high-quality shipping services

As a vital gateway for China’s international trade, YANTIAN handles over one-third of Guangdong’s international trade volume and more than a quarter of China’s exports to the United States. Capitalizing on its natural deep-water advantages and robust infrastructure, YANTIAN has developed a premium maritime service system offering high-frequency, extensive, fast, high-quality shipping services and one-stop, stable, and reliable logistics solutions that empower enterprises to capture global opportunities. Key sales events such as Amazon Prime Day, TikTok Shop promotions, Black Friday, and Christmas are all well within reach.

On average, four vessels depart daily for Europe and six for the United States. As the last port of call in China for many major shipping services, YANTIAN enjoys a strategic edge. With more than 10 dedicated e-commerce express services, the port is well-equipped to meet the growing demand for fast, global delivery of cross-border e-commerce shipments—reaching the USW in just 12.5 days and Australia in 11 days.

🌟High Frequency  We boast the most extensive services to Europe and US in South China, with an average of 4 services to Europe and 6 services to US daily, complemented by over 10 cross-border e-commerce express shipping services.
🌟 Extensive  Our services cover a myriad of overseas destinations, offering hundreds of weekly services globally.
🌟Faster  As the last-port-of-call in China for most services, we ensure the quickest delivery of cargoes to their destination ports (12.5 days to the USW, 11 days to Australia).
🌟 High Efficiency   We have efficient operational capabilities and a favourable customs clearance environment.

Seamless global access through multi-modal solutions

YANTIAN has launched 32 rail-sea services connecting 19 inland ports, along with 17 feeder shuttles linking 14 port alliances, effectively extending its port services deep into China’s vast hinterland.

Innovative multimodal solutions such as the Chongqing–Shenzhen–Hong Kong and Chengdu–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Scheduled Rail-Sea Services exemplify YANTIAN’s commitment to integrated development across Sichuan, Chongqing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. By building a three-dimensional logistics network combining international shipping services, railway services, and feeder shuttles, YANTIAN enables efficient inland cargo consolidation and seamless connection to global maritime services—delivering one-stop, reliable, and time-efficient end-to-end logistics solutions for cross-border e-commerce enterprises.

Nationally trusted, industry leading

YANTIAN is the only port enterprise in China selected for the Collection of Cross-Border E-Commerce Practice Cases at the World Internet Conference (2024) and listed in the 2024 Directory of Key Cross-Border E-Commerce Contact Enterprises by the CCPIT Commercial Sub-Council—testament to the strong trust and recognition it has earned from national industry bodies.

Beyond delivering high-quality port services for cross-border e-commerce, YANTIAN actively harnesses its influence as a connector—bringing together government agencies, customs, trade associations, and enterprises to jointly foster a more efficient and business-friendly cross-border e-commerce ecosystem.

Cross-border e-commerce service contact

Mr. Xie, Commercial Manager

Tel: +86 755 2529 6559 / +86 139 2377 7662

Email: yongquan.xie@yict.com.cn