Bulk commodity logistics hubs to secure nation's mineral supply

The General Administration of Customs will support the development of bulk commodity logistics hubs in China's comprehensive bonded zones to strengthen the security of strategic mineral supplies, said customs officials on Monday.

Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Pan Cheng, director of the GAC's department of free trade zone and special control area, said this will encourage local governments to leverage their geographical and resource advantages, making full use of the functions of comprehensive bonded zones to develop integrated hubs for the collection, storage and distribution of bulk commodities such as energy products and minerals.

According to the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development, China will promote the development of bulk commodity storage and transportation hubs, and enhance risk monitoring, early warning and emergency supply for strategic mineral resources.

Comprehensive bonded zones are customs-supervised areas with streamlined clearance procedures, serving as vital platforms for China's opening-up endeavors. Policies such as tax refunds upon entry, bonded imports and the free flow of goods within the zone help businesses reduce institutional transaction costs.

China has established 168 comprehensive bonded zones across all 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities on the mainland. These zones recorded a total import and export value of 7.2 trillion yuan ($1.05 trillion) in 2025, accounting for 16 percent of the country's total foreign trade, data from the GAC showed.

Together with other special customs supervision areas, they contributed about one-fifth of China's total trade during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period.

Du Hongwei, deputy director of the GAC's department of general operation, said the government will shift comprehensive bonded zones from traditional processing and logistics toward higher-value, more diversified manufacturing and services, upgrading the quality of emerging business models.

China released a set of measures in mid-April to support bonded maintenance, bonded inspection, cross-border e-commerce and coordinated growth in bio-medicine research in its comprehensive bonded zones.

The 24 measures focus on four areas, fostering new business models, enhancing the resilience and security of industrial and supply chains, promoting integrated domestic and foreign trade, and improving smart regulation and coordinated governance.

zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn