Which Chinese cities are cross-border e-commerce pilot zones, and what does that mean for buyers? in detail
The State Council has approved 
China's cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones in 8 batches since 2015 (first: Hangzhou, 国函〔2015〕44号). The official count after batch 7 (国函〔2022〕126号, 2022-11-14) was 165 zones across 31 provinces. Batch 8 (国函〔2025〕40号, 2025-04-22) added 16 areas, including all of Hainan, and withdrew 3 older zones, so the implied total is 178 (our calculation, not an official figure). A supplier registered in a pilot zone can use tax support such as VAT/consumption-tax exemption for retail exports (财税〔2018〕103号).
- Applies to
- Overseas buyers and sourcing agents who want to know which Chinese cities host cross-border e-commerce exporters.
Dear friend,
Welcome! This letter sets out what you need to know, plainly and in order.
The short version
A pilot zone city is a place where the State Council has allowed local government to test policy for online export trade. Exporters there often have zone-registered companies, customs declaration channels and tax support. A city on the list is a sign that cross-border e-commerce sellers are concentrated there. It does not rate any supplier's quality.
Policy list
| Document no. | Dated / published | Zones | Cities (province grouping is ours; the State Council text lists city names only) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 国函〔2015〕44号 | 2015-03-07 / 03-12 | 1 | Zhejiang: Hangzhou | |
| 2. 国函〔2016〕17号 | 2016-01-12 / 01-15 | 12 | Tianjin; Shanghai; Chongqing; Hefei; Zhengzhou; Guangzhou, Shenzhen; Chengdu; Dalian; Ningbo; Qingdao; Suzhou | |
| 3. 国函〔2018〕93号 | 2018-07-24 / 08-07 | 22 | Beijing; Hohhot; Shenyang; Changchun; Harbin; Nanjing, Wuxi; Nanchang; Wuhan; Changsha; Nanning; Haikou; Guiyang; Kunming; Xi'an; Lanzhou; Xiamen; Tangshan; Weihai; Zhuhai, Dongguan; Yiwu | |
| 4. 国函〔2019〕137号 | 2019-12-15 / 12-24 | 24 | Shijiazhuang; Taiyuan; Chifeng; Fushun; Hunchun; Suifenhe; Xuzhou, Nantong; Wenzhou, Shaoxing; Wuhu; Fuzhou, Quanzhou; Ganzhou; Jinan, Yantai; Luoyang; Huangshi; Yueyang; Shantou, Foshan; Luzhou; Haidong; Yinchuan | |
| 5. 国函〔2020〕47号 | 2020-04-27 / 05-06 | 46 | Xiong'an New Area; Datong; Manzhouli; Yingkou, Panjin; Jilin City; Heihe; Changzhou, Lianyungang, Huai'an, Yancheng, Suqian; Huzhou, Jiaxing, Quzhou, Taizhou, Lishui; Anqing; Zhangzhou, Putian, Longyan; Jiujiang; Dongying, Weifang, Linyi; Nanyang; Yichang; Xiangtan, Chenzhou; Meizhou, Huizhou, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhanjiang, Maoming, Zhaoqing; Chongzuo; Sanya; Deyang, Mianyang; Zunyi; Dehong; Yan'an; Tianshui; Xining; Urumqi | |
| 6. 国函〔2022〕8号 | 2022-01-22 | 27 | Ordos; Yangzhou, Zhenjiang, Taizhou (Jiangsu); Jinhua, Zhoushan; Ma'anshan, Xuancheng; Jingdezhen, Shangrao; Zibo, Rizhao; Xiangyang; Shaoguan, Shanwei, Heyuan, Yangjiang, Qingyuan, Chaozhou, Jieyang, Yunfu; Nanchong, Meishan; Honghe; Baoji; Kashgar, Alashankou | |
| 7. 国函〔2022〕126号 | 2022-11-14 / 11-24 | 33 | Langfang, Cangzhou; Yuncheng; Baotou; Anshan; Yanji; Tongjiang; Bengbu; Nanping, Ningde; Pingxiang, Xinyu, Yichun, Ji'an; Zaozhuang, Jining, Tai'an, Dezhou, Liaocheng, Binzhou, Heze; Jiaozuo, Xuchang; Hengyang, Zhuzhou; Liuzhou, Hezhou; Yibin, Dazhou; Tongren; Dali; Lhasa; Ili | |
| 8. 国函〔2025〕40号 | 2025-04-22 / 04-25 | 16 (title says 15 cities/areas; text lists Hainan island plus 15 cities) | All of Hainan; Qinhuangdao, Baoding; Erenhot; Dandong; Chuzhou; Sanming; Kaifeng, Xinxiang; Ezhou; Shaoyang; Wuzhou, Beihai, Fangchenggang; Guang'an; Bortala. Withdrawn: Haikou, Sanya, Alashankou zones |
Official count after batch 7: "中国跨境电子商务综合试验区数量达到165个，覆盖31个省份" (China now has 165 zones across 31 provinces) — gov.cn. Implied total after batch 8: 165 + 16 − 3 = 178 (our calculation).
Support for zone-based exporters, quoted from official texts:
- 财税〔2018〕103号 (2018-09-28): "对综试区电子商务出口企业出口未取得有效进货凭证的货物……试行增值税、消费税免税政策" (VAT and consumption tax exemption for zone e-commerce exporters, if conditions are met). Conditions include registration in the zone and customs declaration at the zone's customs.
mof.gov.cn
- 国家税务总局公告2019年第36号: deemed-profit income tax method, taxable income rate 4%, from 2020-01-01.
gov.cn
- 国函〔2020〕47号: "建立评估和考核机制，研究建立综合试验区退出机制" (set up assessment; study an exit mechanism for zones led by the Ministry of Commerce).
Where it is published
State Council replies are on gov.cn (links above). Other official channels: see cn-cbec-official-sources.
What it means for buyers
- A supplier's city being a pilot zone suggests local export channels and tax support exist. It does not show the supplier is reliable.
- Ask the supplier which company will export, and ask for customs and tax documents for your order.
- Zone status can change: batch 8 withdrew three zones.
Still uncertain
- The official total after batch 8 (178 is our calculation).
- Batch 8's title says 15, its text lists 16 areas.
- The Ministry of Commerce's assessment and exit rules: original text not found.
This page is general information from Chinese government websites, not an official answer.
Sources for this letter
Wishing you good business,
The mouwise team
Checked 2026-10-27
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