FedEx Express has announced the completion of the latest upgrades to its gateway facility in Shenzhen, China, as it marked the 40th anniversary of FedEx operations in China.

It said that by renovating and expanding the import warehouse, the updated gateway will further improve import operations and provide customs clearance efficiency for customers in the Southern China region.

As one of the four major FedEx international gateways in China, the Shenzhen International Gateway is located at Shenzhen Baoan International Airport and is primarily responsible for handling import and export packages for multiple cities in south China and some areas in southwestern China.

FedEx said the import warehouse is now equipped with an advanced intelligent management system e-warehouse and an additional sort belt.

The gateway has also expanded its footprint by 48% to over 4,500 square meters, doubling the sorting capacity of packages and documents while increasing freight handling capacity by 50%.

"As a city that has pioneered cutting-edge economic and social innovations in China, Shenzhen has always been important to our development strategy," said Robert Chu, vice president of operations at FedEx China.

"The expanded gateway will further optimize our customs clearance process in Shenzhen and southern China. As it creates a smarter supply chain for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other regions, it will provide customers with an efficient and smooth customs clearance experience, enhancing their competitiveness in the international market," he added.

As the first special economic zone established in China and an important engine for the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shenzhen has maintained rapid growth in international trade, ranking as the top foreign trade city for 30 consecutive years.

In January - February 2024, Shenzhen reached RMB 675.18 billion in imports and exports, with a year-on-year growth of 45%.

FedEx noted that, moreover, Shenzhen has firmly secured its leading position in cross-border e-commerce in China, with an import and export volume of RMB 326.53 billion in 2023, showing a year-on-year growth of 74.4%.

It added that as the first international express company to operate cargo flights at Shenzhen Baoan International Airport, FedEx operates 10 international flights in Shenzhen per week currently, connecting Asian and American markets.

Last July, FedEx officially upgraded its export service for high-value shipments (Category D) in South China, reducing the transit time of Category D shipments from South China to the Americas through the Shenzhen Gateway by at least one day for regional customers.

FedEx said it will continue to optimize its facilities in Shenzhen, explore and invest in various new technologies to improve operational efficiency, and further reduce customs clearance times to help enterprises seize opportunities in international markets.