Guangzhou Embarks on Smart Port Revolution: Transforming Trade Facilitation through Digital Innovations

Source: Guangzhou Municipal Commerce Bureau

Recently, the National Office of Port Administration approved the inclusion of Guangzhou in the planning of national smart port pilot construction. The construction of smart ports is one of the key elements in implementing the concept of "smart customs, intelligent borders, and interconnectedness" advocated by General Secretary Xi Jinping. It is also a task requirement of the National "14th Five-Year Plan" for port development.

In recent years, Guangzhou has made significant progress in port informatisation and intelligent construction. The city has upgraded its port infrastructure and currently consolidates trade-related data and information from customs, border inspection, maritime affairs, industry and commerce, taxation, foreign exchange, banks, and other relevant parties. It has established a seamless connection across the entire international trade chain, covering all ports in the city. This achievement enables the unique features of "one-point access, one-time submission, one-time inspection, one-click tracking, and one-stop processing."

Currently, Guangzhou's service platform has synchronised with 781 services of 19 categories in the national standard version and launched 777 services of 23 categories in local specialty modules. It has achieved full coverage of enterprise declaration functions to port management departments and is gradually expanding to cover the entire port logistics chain. The platform has attracted over 70,000 registered enterprises and processed more than 2.2 billion declaration orders. The application rate for major declaration businesses, such as goods declaration, transportation tools declaration, and manifest declaration, is 100%.

In terms of air transport, Guangzhou has established the Guangzhou Air Logistics Public Information Platform, breaking down information barriers between airport port regulatory departments and air transport logistics entities such as freight forwarders and cargo terminals. This has achieved a paperless and visualised process for air logistics operations, significantly improving the efficiency of customs clearance at our city's airports.

Regarding maritime transport, the Guangzhou Import Container Electronic Delivery Platform (广州进口集装箱电子放货平台) has digitised documents such as container equipment handover receipts and delivery orders. Through the networking of vessel clearance, the platform optimises business processes and reduces redundant procedures for data submission by enterprises.

In terms of cross-border cooperation, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Cross-Border Customs Clearance Service Platform is connected to the Hong Kong Customs Clearance Service System, enabling "one declaration, two reports." (一单两报) This facilitates the rapid completion of manifest declarations in Guangdong and Hong Kong, effectively addressing the high institutional costs and complex customs procedures in both regions. In terms of visualisation of supervision, the port clearance timeliness evaluation system has digitalised logistics status information for import and export transportation tools and goods. In terms of smart operations, the Nansha Smart Port fully utilises technologies such as Beidou, laser, and visual navigation positioning to create a globally pioneering intelligent container terminal, achieving the most advanced functions of a smart port.

Next, Guangzhou will select Guangzhou Baiyun Airport Port and Nansha Port Area of Guangzhou Port as pilot areas for smart port construction. Guangzhou is committed to achieving five digitalisation goals in its smart port development: efficient operational management, advanced information systems, comprehensive and convenient services, intelligent facilities and equipment, and streamlined cross-border cooperation. The city will use effective port governance, guided by the needs of enterprises, and leverage technological innovation as a catalyst. They will focus on practical application scenarios and build upon digital technology as the foundation. By utilising advanced intelligent devices and next-generation information technology, Guangzhou aims to promote seamless connectivity, information sharing, and collaboration among various stakeholders. This will facilitate cross-border trade, contribute to economic growth, and establish Guangzhou as a leading smart port benchmark in the country and the province. The ultimate aim is to enhance trade facilitation and elevate Guangzhou's status as an international trade center, aviation hub, and shipping hub.

Guangzhou Yuehai Customs Brokerage Co., Ltd., 广州粤海报关有限公司which operates at the airport, stated, "The launch of the air logistics public information platform has brought us tangible benefits in terms of time, effort, and cost savings. For example, in the past, it took two hours to complete the declaration process for a consolidated shipment with five sub-bills, from the arrival of goods at the warehouse to the release of goods. Now, it only takes 20 minutes, resulting in an efficiency improvement of over 80%. Moreover, we no longer need to pay for the use of third-party platforms, significantly reducing logistics costs. We believe that as the functions of the air logistics platform continue to integrate and improve, it will effectively promote the construction of smart ports and provide us with more convenient, faster, and more efficient services. We are looking forward to it."

Disclaimer: This document has been translated into English.  If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity between the English version and the Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail. The full text of the measures, in Chinese, can be found below: 
http://sw.gz.gov.cn/swzx/swyw/content/post_9293931.html