Containers await shipping at a port in Xiamen. WANG XIEYUN/CHINA DAILY

The port city of Xiamen – located in East China's Fujian province – recently rolled out a special action plan to facilitate cross-border trade in 2023.

The plan focuses on five areas – the port's digital transformation, industrial upgrading, smooth and secure custom clearances and logistics, reducing port charges and boosting the confidence of enterprises.

The plan outlines 35 practical steps to improve the overall port business environment, support the high-level growth of Xiamen Port and contribute to the development of a hub city for the new economic model.

Deepening smart port and digital transformation

The plan proposes optimizing the operation process for export LCL – less than a container load – cargo, as well as promoting convenient and efficient modes such as diversions of inbound containers and freight.

It also aims to accelerate the port's overall digital transformation and to build a Xiamen digital port platform. The plan will seek to boost the "single window" function, implement intelligent cloud diversions of incoming containers and promote the use of safe intelligent locks, as well as self-service lead sealing machines to facilitate the smooth and efficient circulation of goods.

Supporting industrial upgrades, development of new formats

Under the blueprint, Xiamen will further support the development of new forms of business and explore the LCL operations mode for cross-border e-commerce export goods. It will improve the infrastructure construction of new energy logistics services and enhance the efficiency of customs clearances.

Improve smooth level of secure custom clearances, logistics

The goal is for Xiamen to further promote the development of China-Europe freight trains, accelerate the construction of the port's railway and expand the multimodal transport "one document system" service.

This will help the development of domestic and foreign trade cargo transportation on the same ship, deepen 24/7 clearance of port vessels entering and leaving the country – and improve the service for cross-Strait sea freight logistics channels.

Furthermore, the plan will establish a round-the-clock clearance mechanism for cargo at Xiamen airport.

Standardizing, cutting import-export links compliance costs

The city will further standardize charges for import and export links, increase the transparency of port charges, strengthen the supervision of port charge prices and implement preferential policies for cargo port fees and pilotage fees.

Bolster confidence, enthusiasm of resident businesses

Under the plan, the city will promote the innovation of a credit supervision mechanism and build a "global supply chain and offshore trade finance service platform".

It will give full play to the role of the financing credit enhancement fund for Taiwan-funded and shipping logistics enterprises in the Xiamen Area of China (Fujian) Pilot Free Trade Zone – and provide credit enhancements and guarantees for small and medium-sized enterprises to secure bank financing.