Data points of 380.9 billion yuan, 86.2 billion yuan, and 63.9 billion yuan highlight the accelerating global distribution of high-value Chinese manufactured goods.

Yantian Port in Shenzhen, Guangdong, ranks among the world's largest single-container terminals, dispatching over 40,000 standard containers globally each day, solidifying its status as a premier international shipping hub. In the first half of 2026, Yantian Port achieved a record-high container throughput for the period, with cross-border e-commerce contributing significantly to this accelerated growth.

The CMA CGM Othello vessel, loaded with nearly 5,000 standard containers, departed Yantian Port directly for Rotterdam, Netherlands on the evening of July 17. This vessel operates on a newly launched Europe route initiated in April 2026, which cuts transit time by nearly half a month compared to standard routes, perfectly meeting the stringent delivery demands of cross-border e-commerce. Notably, every sailing on this route has been fully loaded since its inception.

At 4 p.m., the operational control center, known as the "port brain" of Shenzhen's Yantian Port, is a hive of activity. Staff issue commands via the operational platform, centrally coordinating all activities across the port's 20 deep-water berths—from loading and unloading massive ships to container placement in yards and the movement of trucks through gates.

Kang Hongjun, Duty Manager at Yantian International Container Terminals Ltd, noted that the daily handling volume is approaching 60,000 standard containers, with over 20,000 truck trips processed at the gates. Since 2026, the company has specifically added multiple remote-control devices to enhance operational efficiency.

To align with the time-sensitive needs of cross-border e-commerce clients, Yantian Port has collaborated with shipping lines to launch more than ten sea express routes. Addressing the challenge where consolidated shipments, often comprising numerous small, scattered consignments, face delays if one item triggers a full-container inspection, the port has implemented a "inspect first, ship later" model for sea freight consolidation.

Lin Zhiman, Commercial Deputy General Manager at Yantian International Container Terminals Ltd, explained that companies can first send loose cargo to designated customs supervision areas for inspection before consolidation and loading. This process reduces clearance time by over 50% and cuts comprehensive enterprise costs by more than 30%.

In the first half of 2026, Yantian Port's container throughput exceeded 8.3459 million TEUs, a 10% year-on-year increase, setting another historical record. Cross-border e-commerce has become a vital engine for the growth of the port's foreign trade container volume.

From Daily Necessities to Tech Products: Yantian Port Facilitates Global Reach for 'Made in China'

As a national "super hub" for cross-border e-commerce, Shenzhen is home to over 120,000 cross-border e-commerce sellers, accounting for nearly half of the national total. From daily necessities to technological products, Yantian Port facilitates the global distribution of "Made in China" with its efficient services.

Yan Aoyi's company, established just over two years ago, launched its first product—a dynamic ergonomic chair—in the second half of 2025 after research and development, selling it overseas via cross-border e-commerce channels.

Yan Aoyi, the company's Head of Overseas Marketing, reported that online sales in overseas markets reached over 100 million yuan in the first quarter and approximately 140 million yuan in the second quarter of 2026. Sales for the first half of 2026 increased by nearly 50% compared to the second half of 2025.

Achieving such sales performance overseas with a startup's first product has been highly encouraging for Yan Aoyi and her colleagues. She stated that choosing to develop in Shenzhen was primarily due to the city's complete industrial chain support and efficient port logistics. In just over two years, they have successfully navigated the entire process from R&D to global market entry.

The head of another Shenzhen-based portable fan company noted that an unprecedented heatwave in Europe during May-June 2026 caused severe shortages of portable fans in the local market. They utilized Yantian Port's rapid export channels to replenish stock, quickly getting their products back on European shelves.

Chen Liang, the company's responsible person, mentioned that their growth in the European market for the first half of 2026 was three to five times higher compared to the same period in 2025. The motor, mold, and supply chain industries across the Pearl River Delta region enable rapid response to their needs.

It is understood that the category structure of Shenzhen's cross-border e-commerce exports is undergoing significant changes. A logistics company executive reported that their cross-border e-commerce cargo volume grew by approximately 30% year-on-year in the first half of 2026. The customer base for smart devices, outdoor smart equipment, and consumer electronics products increased by about 15%.

Zhang Peipei, the company's responsible person, indicated that since the start of 2026, there has been notable growth in products related to AI, technology, smart equipment, and consumer electronics, reflecting continuous product upgrading.

Huang Wei, Deputy Section Chief of the Vessel Supervision Division at Dapeng Customs (Shenzhen Customs), reported that in the first half of the year, the export value of high-value products such as automatic data processing equipment, medical instruments and apparatus, and 3D printers through Yantian Port reached 380.9 billion yuan, 86.2 billion yuan, and 63.9 billion yuan, representing year-on-year growth of 47.7%, 2.7%, and 115.7%, respectively.