why were free trade zones created in china

Free Webinar: How to Sell Online to China & Southeast AsiaReading: why were free trade zones created in chinaSince the introduction of the first Free Trade Zone in Shanghai, the Chinese government has added a dozen more and has plans to further expand and create new zones.It’s an important brick of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative, where China plans to develop infrastructure and invest in many countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe.In this article, I explain everything you need to know about Free Trade Zones in China, what benefits these bring, why they were created in the first place, and more.

Definition of a Free Trade Zone

Before we start, you must have a general understanding of what an FTZ is, and what benefits these zones bring.In short words, FTZs are designated areas where foreign companies can engage in economic activities that are generally not accepted elsewhere in the country.Looking back, the first Chinese Free Trade Zone (FTZ) was established in Shanghai in 2013, we’ve seen more popping up since, mainly in 1st and 2nd tier cities along China’s east coast.China recently announced big plans to further boost the cross border E-commerce market, by easing regulations and to expand the areas of the FTZs.It’s a perfect example where FTZs can be highly useful. Doing business here is not that easy and can be seen as a daunting task to many.At the same time, imported products get increasingly popular, and many foreigners want to take advantage of lower labor costs.Luckily, it’s become remarkably easier for foreigners to enter the Chinese market with the introduction of FTZs. You can enjoy many benefits as a foreign company.For example, goods can be stored, handled, produced, and re-exported, without interference from the Chinese customs, and without the need of paying import duties.You’ll notice that FTZs are mostly located close to major harbors and airports, where much commercial activity takes place. In recent years, the government has established new FTZs in central parts of the country as well, due to strategic reasons (more about that later).

Map of China’s Free Trade Zones

Below you can see the FTZs that exist in China at the moment. Just click on the markers to see the name of each zone and the addresses.The government plans to introduce the Free Trade Zone in Hainan in 2025, it will be the biggest in terms of land area, covering the whole island.

Why were Free Trade Zones created in China?

As mentioned, FTZs bring plenty of benefits for importers that either operate in China or wish to enter the Chinese market. But there are political reasons behind these projects as well.Below I’ve listed some of the main reasons why the Chinese government is focusing hard to further establish and expand current FTZs.Smuggling of goods from Hong Kong into Mainland ChinaIt’s widely known that China has suffered from smuggling and imports via unofficial channels, and it still does to some extent.A common method of avoiding dealing with complicated import regulations and processes in China is to use Hong Kong as a base when importing products.The process goes like follows:

• You ship the products in bulks to a logistics company in Hong Kong

• The logistics company splits the goods into individual and smaller parcels

• The logistics company transports the parcels into Mainland China in different trucks, and maybe at different dates

The key point here is that shipping via the land border is not as regulated. The customs officials spend less time and effort to check smaller shipments, especially when these are mixed with other parcels.Import taxes are also comparatively low in Hong Kong, at the same time as you won’t need to hassle with complicated registrations- and processes when using the “official” route.By introducing FTZs, foreign companies will be more enticed to avoid smuggling – and to pay import duty in Mainland China, bringing in much revenue.Business Commercial clearance modelThe Chinese government has even introduced its own Business Commercial (BC) clearance model, solely dedicated to direct shipping when using the cross border model. Most international couriers use this mode of shipping as customs clearance is faster and you can enjoy lower import taxes.The main difference, compared to the personal parcel route where your products are not registered with the Chinese customs, is that you need to provide payment serial numbers, customers’ ID card numbers, and order serial numbers.Product quality issues in the Chinese marketRead more: Why put a plastic bottle on my car tireBy establishing FTZs, China will be able to control the inflow of products, register the products with the customs and the CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine services), and enhance product quality in the market.Naturally, this will protect Chinese consumers and reduce imports via unofficial channels.Don’t be worried about customs and CIQ registrations, there are bonded warehouses located within the FTZs that can manage these registrations. It’s easier to register with the customs and CIQ when selling via cross border E-commerce, compared to traditional imports.Increased tax revenues for the Chinese governmentBy registering your products with local authorities and the customs, you pay VAT and import duties in Mainland China, instead of in Hong Kong.The creation and expansion of FTZs will inevitably bring more revenue to Mainland China.Mainland China is set to compete with Hong KongThe expansion of Mainland China’s FTZs is a long-term threat to Hong Kong’s position of being a link between the Mainland and the rest of the world.Many foreign companies use Hong Kong as the gateway to the Mainland, as much as 40% of China’s foreign trade is routed through Hong Kong, something that will change with relaxed policies and regulations in the Mainland.However, the goal is not solely to compete with Hong Kong but to increase the connectivity and collaboration between the ports in the region, including Hong Kong.The FTZs will attract more foreign companies, which will undoubtedly have a positive effect on Hong Kong as well.

What are the benefits of Free Trade Zones in China?

So, we’ve understood some of the benefits that foreign companies and the Chinese government experience with the FTZs. Below I’ve listed other notable benefits you can enjoy when selling cross border via an FTZ:

• Registrations in FTZs are significantly easier and faster
• You can use bonded warehouses
• Streamlined and less time-consuming processes
• Faster customs clearance
• Goods can move between FTZs and overseas without the need for paying taxes and duties in China

Setting up Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises (WFOEs) has become increasingly popular thanks to the similarities they have with companies registered in China.If you open a WFOE in an FTZ you can:

• Pay less or no import taxes
• Sell your products and services inside China
• Hire Chinese employees
• Issue tax receipts
• Enjoy tax rebates on parts of your income
• Enjoy reduced or no foreign exchange controls
• Manage cross-border currency exchanges with banks inside FTZs
• Enjoy lower requirements when setting up a business
• Manage conversions from RMB to foreign currencies more easily

The Negative List

Operating in one of China’s FTZs comes with some requirements and the Government has issued a so-called Negative List.There’s one Negative List valid for China as a whole and one that’s solely dedicated for FTZs, with less strict requirements.I won’t go into much detail about the Negative List for FTZs as the list doesn’t affect companies who deal with cross border E-commerce or cover products sold via cross border E-commerce.The list mainly covers requirements for foreign companies working in finance, insurance, but also heavy industries, like automotive, agriculture, mining, and more.If you operate in an industry that’s excluded from the Negative List, you’re given equal treatment to domestic Chinese investments.You can find the complete Negative List on the National Development and Reform Commission’s website. Unfortunately, the list is only available in Chinese and there’s no official translation in English.

List of Free Trade Zones in China

The locations of the FTZs are not chosen randomly, but there’s a strategic and long-term plan for each zone.Each zone serves specific purposes, covering different industries, and for the sake of improving the connectivity and collaboration with nearby regions.Below I’ve included a list of the FTZs that are currently established or planned in the coming years. You can also find more detailed information about some of the biggest and most commonly used zones, in Shanghai, Guangdong, and Tianjin.1. Shanghai Free Trade ZoneThe Shanghai FTZ was the first to be established in Mainland China. The legal framework for investment in the zone has been adopted by many other FTZs, like the one in Guangdong, Tianjin, and Fujian.The zone spans over 121 sq.km. and is divided into four areas:

• FTZ Bonded Area
• Lujiazui Financial Area
• Jinqiao Export Processing Zone
• Zhangjiang High Tech Park

As you can hear by their names, each zone cater a specific purpose, looking at industries and needs.Waigaoqiao Free Trade ZoneRead more: Why Do Surfers Wear Black Wetsuits? | Top Q&AFounded in 1990, Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone was the first zone and currently part of the FTZ Bonded Area. It’s one of the most recognized and mentioned FTZ.The area integrates economic functions like export processing, free trade, warehousing, logistics, duty-free commodities exhibition, and trading, covering 6.4 sq.km.For more information about this FTZ, you can visit the Shanghai Free Trade Zone official website.2. Guangdong Free Trade ZonesThe Guangdong FTZ was established in 2015 and spans over 118 sq.km., covering areas in three cities, namely Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Zhuhai.Guangzhou Free Trade Zone areaNanshaNansha is famously known for having much manufacturing, I’ve personally visited automotive parts factories here, including sub-suppliers to some of the biggest car brands.The area covers 28 sq.km. and is mainly for companies working in logistics, finance, international trade and commerce, and high-end manufacturing.Shenzhen Free Trade Zone areaQianhai-ShekouQianhai is one of the most well-known FTZ areas in China and spans over 28 square kilometers. The area focuses mainly on industries like logistics, finance, and IT.Zhuhai Free Trade Zone areaHengqinZhuhai was one of the original Special Economic Zones (SEZ) established under the governance of Deng Xiaoping and Xi Jinping’s father, Xi Zhongxun in the 1980s.Sometimes referred to as the Riviera of China, Zhuhai has many factories and involvement in the logistics industry. The area of Hengqin covers 28 sq.km. and focuses on the development of tourism, financial services, science & education, leisure & health, and more.It will have a big impact on the improvement of connectivity with Macau.For more information, you can visit the Guangdong Free Trade Zone official website.3. Tianjin Free Trade ZoneThe Tianjin Free Trade Zone opened up in 2015 and is one of the biggest FTZs in China, spanning over 120 sq.km. The FTZ serves an important purpose as it’s the only FTZ in Northern China and built to coordinate the development of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei.The FTZ is divided into three different, listed below:

• Tianjin Airport Area (43 sq.km.)
• Binhai CBD Area (47 sq..m.)
• Tianjin Port Dongjiang Area (30 sq.km.)

Its main focus is to develop shipping & logistics and manufacturing services.For more information, you can visit the Tianjin Free Trade Zone official website.4. Hainan Free Trade ZoneEven if the Hainan FTZ is planned to open in 2025, I just want to give some interesting notes about this FTZ. Hainan is often referred to as China’s Hawaii and the Chinese government plans to make the whole island into a Free Trade Zone until 2025.This will make Hainan the biggest Free Trade Zone in the whole of China, spanning over 298 sq.km.

FAQ

Below you can find commonly asked questions and our replies.Is Hong Kong a Free Trade Zone?Hong Kong is not a Free Trade Zone per se, but a free market without any barriers to trading. To read more about Free Economic Zones and Free Trade Zones, you can check this link.How many free trade zones do China have?China has 18 Free Trade Zones and will most likely establish more in the future. You can find the biggest Free Trade Zones in its bigger cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Tianjin, and Chongqin.

Summary

The Chinese E-Commerce market has exploded and we still see a high demand among foreign companies that wish to set up manufacturing operations in China.Still, doing business in China is not the easiest task on hand, and many stand on the sidelines, without knowing how to get started. With the introduction and rapid development of Free Trade Zones (FTZs), the Chinese government has made it remarkably easier to open and do business domestically.You can enjoy many benefits when using an FTZ, for example, lower taxes, more streamlined and efficient processes, the option to hire Chinese employees, and much more.The FTZs will play a crucial part in China’s long-term development as a developing country and be important for the initiation and expansion of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.Read more: Awkward INFP: Why INFPs Are So Weird | Top Q&A

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