KPL
The Pingxiang Integrated Free Trade Zone is undergoing a major technological transformation aimed at enhancing cross-border trade between China and Vietnam through more than 1.7 billion yuan (approximately US$240 million) in investments in smart logistics infrastructure.
Located along the shortest land route linking Nanning in China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region with Hanoi, Vietnam, the border hub has become a key gateway for bilateral trade. However, surging cargo volumes have outpaced its traditional processing capacity of 800 vehicles per day, with average daily traffic now reaching around 1,600 vehicles and peak volumes exceeding 2,000.
To address the growing demand, authorities have launched the Smart Port Project and the Puzhai Smart Port Project, introducing advanced automation, digital customs systems, and round-the-clock operations.
The core Smart Port Project, with an investment of more than 1 billion yuan, includes 24-hour customs clearance facilities, automated inspection equipment, and an integrated digital platform designed to simplify documentation and reduce reliance on manual procedures. A key feature of the system will allow Chinese truck drivers to complete cross-border shipments without physically entering Vietnam, reducing transit times and operational costs.
Complementing the initiative, the 760-million-yuan Puzhai Smart Port Project will establish a 2.4-kilometre dedicated corridor for autonomous freight vehicles, featuring four lanes and a unified command platform that enables seamless data sharing and coordinated logistics between China and Vietnam.
Once fully operational, the upgraded facilities aim to provide continuous 24-hour intelligent customs clearance and enable door-to-door delivery of goods between the border hub and industrial parks in Nanning and northern Vietnam within 24 hours.
Established in 2009 and implemented in 2011 as China’s first integrated free trade zone located on a land border, the Pingxiang Integrated Free Trade Zone is now positioning itself as a leading smart logistics hub and a vital corridor for expanding economic cooperation and trade between China, Vietnam, and the wider ASEAN region.
KPL
