Zhongshan Port in southern China has processed over 1.135 billion yuan worth of imported pharmaceuticals since becoming a designated medicine import hub three years ago, customs data reveals. The port, approved in May 2022, has handled nearly 10,000 tonnes of medicines across all government-approved categories, streamlining supply chains for Guangdong's biotech sector.

Major manufacturers like AZPHARM Group Limited and Zhongzhi Pharmaceutical Holdings Limited report significant savings by avoiding transit through Shenzhen or Zhuhai. "We previously routed over 200 annual shipments through other ports. Now we save more than 200,000 yuan yearly," said Lu Dan, customs manager at AZPHARM Group Limited.

Zhongshan Customs implemented rapid-clearance systems, including paperless declarations, advance submissions, and direct ship-to-truck transfers, enabling same-day clearance for compliant shipments. The port processed 51 medicine batches worth 102 million yuan in early 2025 alone.

Additionally, Zhongshan Port Customs has created a directory of approved medicine import companies. It has rolled out streamlined "single-document multi-review" procedures while actively promoting trade policies like the RCEP agreement and consolidated tax payments. These efforts help businesses maximize policy benefits.

"Since last year, we've saved over 90,000 yuan in import duties using RCEP provisions, significantly cutting our costs," said Mr Wu, a representative from Guangdong SUNHO Pharmaceutical.