"Administrative Measures for Shanghai Dongfang Hub International Business Cooperation Zone"
In order to advance the construction of the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone, achieve high-quality development, and serve the national strategy of high-level opening-up, this Measures is formulated in accordance with the “Overall Plan for the Construction of the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone” approved by the State Council and relevant laws and regulations.
These Measures apply to the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (hereinafter referred to as the “Business Cooperation Zone”), established with the approval of the State Council.
Based on the management systems of comprehensive bonded zones, customs supervision areas, and port restricted areas, the Business Cooperation Zone, in accordance with state regulations, integrates specific policy measures facilitating cross-border movement within a designated closed area along with business service functions.
The construction of the Business Cooperation Zone shall be positioned as a new platform for facilitating international business exchanges, a new carrier for gathering service resources and factors, and a new node promoting integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta. It aims to realize functional objectives such as convenient cross-border interactions, vibrant international business activities, agglomeration of innovative resource elements, leading professional service capabilities, and complete supporting facilities.
The Business Cooperation Zone shall make full use of institutional innovation achievements from the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone.
Where local regulations or government rules of this municipality are incompatible with the development of the Business Cooperation Zone, the zone’s comprehensive management authority and relevant municipal departments may, following prescribed procedures, propose adjustments or suspend the application of such provisions within the zone.
The comprehensive management authority of the Business Cooperation Zone is responsible for overall administration and coordination of administrative affairs related to the zone, and shall perform the following duties in accordance with these Measures:
(1) Organize and implement regional development plans and policy measures, and formulate relevant administrative management systems.
(2) Conduct administrative work concerning investment, trade, and other matters within the zone.
(3) Handle matters related to the filing of invitations for foreign personnel and applications for domestic personnel to enter the zone; coordinate the supervision of persons, goods, baggage, and vehicles within the zone; and cooperate in providing entry/exit confirmation and security support.
(4) Coordinate the administrative work of relevant municipal departments within the zone, and facilitate coordination among customs, immigration, civil aviation, and other authorities operating in the zone.
(5) Oversee information sharing and credit management within the zone.
(6) Guide industrial layout, investment promotion, functional innovation, and development activities within the zone, and coordinate the advancement of major investment projects.
(7) Publish public information and provide guidance, consultation, and services to enterprises and related institutions.
(8) Other responsibilities entrusted by the Municipal People’s Government.
The Municipal People’s Government shall establish a system and mechanism for centralized approvals and relatively concentrated administrative penalties within the Business Cooperation Zone, with the zone’s comprehensive management authority exercising the city’s relevant administrative approval and penalty powers. Specific matters regarding the implementation of administrative approvals, penalties, and related management shall be determined and announced by the Municipal People’s Government.
Relevant municipal departments and the Pudong New Area People’s Government shall assume their respective responsibilities in managing the Business Cooperation Zone and support the work of its comprehensive management authority.
Customs, immigration, civil aviation, and other relevant authorities shall fulfill their duties in accordance with state regulations and jointly ensure effective operations within the Business Cooperation Zone.
This municipality shall establish regulatory coordination mechanisms with customs, immigration, civil aviation, and other relevant authorities to strengthen joint oversight, enhance risk management within the zone, and conduct joint assessments addressing potential risks such as biosafety, illegal border crossings, smuggling, public security, and air defense safety, taking effective measures accordingly.
The Business Cooperation Zone shall establish a comprehensive information management service platform (hereinafter referred to as the “Comprehensive Service Platform”) to enhance data sharing, innovate business processes, enrich application scenarios, and provide secure, convenient, and intelligent services for handling all necessary procedures required for the entry and exit of persons, baggage, goods, and vehicles, as well as for activities conducted within the zone.
The Business Cooperation Zone shall provide convenience for foreign nationals with short-term business needs to engage in business meetings, negotiations, and other exchange activities within the zone.
Headquarters enterprises, multinational corporations, and international organizations are encouraged to carry out cross-border business activities within the zone.
Domestic enterprises are encouraged to collaborate with internationally renowned exhibition companies, overseas specialized exhibition organizers, and international exhibition industry associations to host internationally recognized brand exhibitions and economic and trade fairs within the zone.
In accordance with state regulations, foreign institutions are permitted to independently organize foreign-related economic and technological exhibitions within the zone, provided that titles containing words such as “China,” “Chinese,” “National,” or “State” are not used.
As stipulated by the state, the municipal commerce department, acting under authorization from relevant state agencies, shall grant administrative permits for foreign-related economic and technological exhibitions organized independently or co-hosted by foreign entities and shall conduct effective oversight.
Higher education institutions, research institutes, multinational corporations, and industry associations are encouraged to conduct international training activities within the zone, welcoming both domestic and overseas trainees. Large-scale training programs involving medical device operation, flight simulation, and professional equipment maintenance are also supported.
Holding high-level international conferences and conducting specialized seminars to deepen international cooperation are encouraged within the zone.
This municipality supports the Business Cooperation Zone in innovatively developing offshore trade, service trade, and digital trade. Professional service providers in accounting, finance, law, consulting, and testing are encouraged to operate within the zone. High-caliber international medical resources are welcomed to be introduced into the zone to deliver internationalized healthcare services.
Within the Business Cooperation Zone, businesses such as bonded R&D, bonded display trading, cross-border e-commerce, financial leasing, software testing, and data processing may be legally carried out.
Foreign nationals entering the Business Cooperation Zone via international (regional) flights arriving at Pudong International Airport shall primarily aim to engage in business exchanges, attend international conferences and exhibitions, or participate in international training activities. Domestic institutions inviting foreign nationals to enter for business purposes generally need to file an invitation record through the Comprehensive Service Platform with the zone’s comprehensive management authority at least 48 hours in advance.
Foreign nationals must present valid international travel documents and an invitation registered with the zone’s comprehensive management authority, and may enter after verification by immigration authorities. Customs conducts only health quarantine checks on foreign nationals.
In accordance with state regulations, foreign nationals holding a valid invitation registered with the zone’s comprehensive management authority may complete check-in procedures for international (regional) flights bound for Pudong International Airport while still abroad.
When foreign nationals leave the Business Cooperation Zone via Pudong International Airport on international (regional) flights, they may handle procedures such as international flight check-in, baggage check-in, security screening, and departure tax refunds within the zone’s joint inspection area. After verification by immigration authorities and customs health quarantine, they may depart through Pudong International Airport.
For foreign nationals leaving the Business Cooperation Zone to enter other regions within China, they must hold international travel documents and proof of entry permission, completing prescribed procedures. Immigration authorities shall provide corresponding facilitation in accordance with the law. According to state regulations, foreign nationals may also apply within the zone for a port visa or temporary entry procedures. Those eligible for visa-free entry shall be subject to relevant policies.
Entry of domestic nationals into the Business Cooperation Zone is managed under a permit system in accordance with state regulations.
For domestic nationals entering the zone for business activities, domestic institutions generally need to submit required materials through the Comprehensive Service Platform to the zone’s comprehensive management authority at least 24 hours in advance, with a pass issued by immigration authorities. Individuals deemed potentially harmful to national security and interests, disruptive to the social order of the Business Cooperation Zone, or involved in other illegal activities will not be granted a pass according to state regulations. Those who obtain a pass must present it or their valid ID and enter/exit through the domestic-side access points, passing security checks and immigration verification before being allowed entry or exit.
For other domestic personnel engaged in services, production, general management, law enforcement, etc., simplified procedures shall apply for entry and exit. Those using the international-side joint inspection area to enter or exit the airport control zone must simultaneously present valid airport passes and undergo security checks.
Foreign nationals engaging in business activities within the Business Cooperation Zone may stay for up to 30 days; those requiring an extension due to legitimate reasons shall follow state regulations to apply for relevant procedures with immigration authorities. The length of stay for domestic nationals entering the zone shall be governed by applicable state regulations.
For foreign nationals, management shall be implemented in accordance with state regulations governing the residence and stay of foreigners within China.
Immigration authorities and public security organs shall divide responsibilities and manage personnel within the Business Cooperation Zone in accordance with the law.
On the international-side joint inspection area, foreign nationals’ baggage is subject to customs supervision in accordance with state regulations. Customs provides ample facilitation for reasonable personal belongings brought into the Business Cooperation Zone, focusing solely on ensuring safe entry and conducting plant and animal quarantine. Supervision of baggage carried by departing or re-entering foreign nationals shall be conducted in accordance with state regulations.
Except when required for law enforcement investigations, immigration authorities shall refrain from inspecting baggage carried by foreign nationals entering the Business Cooperation Zone.
Upon entering the zone, domestic nationals’ baggage must meet the requirements of activities within the zone; items intended for re-export should be registered via the Comprehensive Service Platform as prompted. When exiting the zone, domestic nationals shall undergo customs inspection at the domestic-side access points in accordance with state regulations, and are prohibited from carrying duty-free items brought in by foreign nationals; any violations shall be handled by customs in accordance with the law.
Goods entering or leaving the Business Cooperation Zone from overseas or other regions within China shall be managed in accordance with state regulations, referencing the policies applied in comprehensive bonded zones. Commercial service enterprises within the zone importing goods from overseas (including bonded goods procured locally) shall pay import tariffs and taxes levied at the import stage before selling within the zone, and subsequently pay domestic value-added tax and consumption tax. Goods purchased from outside the zone shall have domestic value-added tax and consumption tax collected upon entry via the Comprehensive Service Platform’s checkpoint registration model.
Construction materials required for the development of the Business Cooperation Zone, as well as operational equipment and instruments, shall be managed under a list-based system in accordance with state regulations. Items eligible for duty exemption may apply to customs for relevant procedures.
For construction materials and operational equipment/instruments imported from outside the zone that qualify for bonded-zone import tax refund conditions, applicants may follow bonded-zone policies to complete customs procedures and then apply to the tax authorities for a refund.
The Business Cooperation Zone shall develop infrastructure including networks, transportation, and energy, alongside high-standard commercial and leisure facilities such as dining, accommodation, retail, cultural, sports, and medical services.
On the international side, the Business Cooperation Zone shall provide shuttle services between the zone and Pudong International Airport for inbound and outbound passengers and their baggage.
In accordance with state regulations, the Business Cooperation Zone shall improve foreign currency exchange facilities, optimize the foreign exchange environment, expand bank card acceptance coverage, encourage merchants to accept multiple payment methods, and provide convenient payment services and quality consumer experiences for visitors.
This municipality supports the lawful and orderly free flow of data within the Business Cooperation Zone.
This municipality shall provide conveniences for international business professionals offering specialized services within the Business Cooperation Zone, allowing qualified foreign professionals with nationally recognized overseas qualifications to provide professional services as per regulations.
The Business Cooperation Zone, along with its east–west connecting passages and the passage linking it to Pudong International Airport, shall be managed in a closed manner. The zone’s comprehensive management authority, together with customs, immigration, civil aviation, and other relevant departments, shall employ smart technologies and intelligent facilities to implement facilitated management. Persons and means of transport are strictly prohibited from crossing closed boundaries or damaging boundary isolation facilities.
Internal and external traffic within the Business Cooperation Zone shall be strictly separated; except for vehicles designated for specific purposes, others are not permitted to enter. For vehicles meeting entry/exit criteria, domestic institutions shall arrange reservations through the Comprehensive Service Platform. The Business Cooperation Zone shall set up emergency lanes to facilitate the entry and exit of emergency vehicles.
The Business Cooperation Zone’s comprehensive management authority, together with customs, immigration, public security, and airport management authorities, shall establish a command platform for coordinating daily operations, dispatching routine tasks, responding to emergencies, and ensuring major conferences and important events.
The Business Cooperation Zone shall establish and improve a credit management mechanism, deepen inter-departmental collaboration, promote credit data sharing and mutual recognition of credit evaluations, implement tiered classification management, and take lawful measures to incentivize trustworthiness and penalize dishonesty.
Relevant municipal departments and the Pudong New Area People’s Government may, based on these Measures and considering the actual conditions and work needs of the Business Cooperation Zone, formulate detailed implementation rules.
Article 29 (Other Applicable Provisions)
Where national measures originally intended for pilot reforms in other areas are adjusted or applied to the Business Cooperation Zone, such cases shall be handled in accordance with state regulations.
These Measures shall come into force on August 1, 2025.