Shanghai is offering recognized supply chain headquarters support in customs clearance, cross-border finance, logistics, data transfers and talent services under a new policy aimed at attracting global enterprises to establish and manage their supply chains in the city.

The measures took effect on Oct 20, 2026, and will remain valid until Oct 19, 2031.

The policy covers three categories: headquarters managing group-wide supply chains, headquarters of supply chain service providers serving other businesses, and headquarters of platforms facilitating cross-border supply chain transactions.

Applicants must generally make strategic decisions across regions and exercise control over branches or subsidiaries through investment or authorization, perform at least three integrated supply chain management functions, and meet category-specific requirements for revenue, trade, network, or platform operations. They must also have no record of serious legal or regulatory violations within the previous three years.

Businesses of major strategic significance or those making outstanding contributions may be considered for recognition on a discretionary basis.

Customs and trade facilitation

Recognized headquarters can receive support in preparing for Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification, including group-based certification across supply chains. Shanghai will explore customs supervision and facilitation organized around supply chains rather than individual enterprises.

Support also covers participation in offshore trade pilots, with international settlement and trade financing facilitated through free trade accounts.

Logistics and warehousing support

The policy encourages the establishment and renovation of warehouses and the addition of automated equipment in Shanghai, as well as overseas warehouses, distribution centers, showrooms, after-sales repair centers, and spare-parts bases.

Shanghai will facilitate multimodal transport for supply chain headquarters and provide priority support for their China-Europe freight train shipments in capacity allocation and departure frequency.

Financial services

Eligible headquarters can receive support for net settlement of trade receipts and payments and exemptions from registration for certain foreign exchange refunds.

Under cash-pooling arrangements, qualifying businesses can use a domestic master account to centralize current-account receipts and payments for domestic and overseas group members. Financing support includes receivables and order financing, financing secured by warehouse receipts or inventory, export credit insurance, and financing backed by export credit insurance policies.

Digital transformation

Support covers supply chain data integration, deploying large AI models for industrial applications, digital twins, and AI-powered quality inspection.

A fast-track service channel for outbound data transfers will operate within applicable data export negative-list frameworks. Headquarters can also seek compliance guidance and consultation.

Talent and employment support

Foreign senior executives may be recommended to apply for permanent residence in China. Invited foreign business visitors who require repeated temporary entries can apply for multiple-entry visas, while eligible employees who frequently travel for business to APEC economies can apply for APEC Business Travel Cards.

Supporting-document requirements may be waived for eligible foreign exchange transactions involving salary payments, provided they fall within limits approved by the bank.

Eligible talent may also receive support for medical coverage and access to talent apartments.

Businesses should apply to the commerce authority in the district where they are based, which must complete its preliminary review within 10 working days. The municipal commerce commission then organizes a further assessment involving relevant departments and industry experts. The names of applicants that pass the assessment are published for five working days. If no objections are raised, the applicants are formally recognized.

Source: Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce