IV. Labor and Employment

Labor is a key measurable indicator of doing business environment. Shanghai Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau, Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Shanghai Municipal Finance Bureau, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, and other relevant departments are helping to take the lead in creating a first-class environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized, focusing on improving the feelings of enterprises and employees.

High-quality employment market

High-quality employment for workers

Improve the public service system for high-quality employment. Shanghai will coordinate resources to build employment service stations and odd-jobs markets “in the doorway”, propose a "15-minute employment service circle" in terms of strengthening public employment construction, as well as link up the "10+N" public employment service activities and consolidate the “Happy Employment Shanghai Plus” initiative, extending the employment service network to the end of the community. As of August, 2025, over 400 stations had been built in the municipality, comprehensively covering six core functions, namely, employment demand investigation, job recruitment, supply and demand matching, ability enhancement, aid and assistance, as well as entrepreneurship guidance.

Continue to offer start-up support and expand the coverage of entrepreneurship training. Shanghai will continuously optimize entrepreneurship services, systematically enhance entrepreneurial abilities, accumulate entrepreneurial experience, and upgrade the entire chain of entrepreneurship services covering consultation, training, incubation, and financing. Among them, special entrepreneurship support packages are launched for college graduates, such as tax and fee reductions, a subsidy of RMB 8,000 for first-time entrepreneurs, and housing loan guarantee conditions. In terms of settling down, efforts should be accelerated to establish a tiered rental housing system featuring “one bed, one room, and one house”. With the four-party linkage mechanism of “government - universities - enterprises – society”, precise and targeted policies and resources are unleashed to offer full-cycle support for young talents from start-up incubation to stable and prosperous life and work.

Security for employers

Provide guarantees for talent recruitment for key enterprises and leverage professional human resource agencies. The platform for enterprise and public employment security is optimized and upgraded to offer personalized services by implementing a “one enterprise, one policy” approach through creating detailed records for key enterprises, consolidating employment requirements from various businesses, and assigning dedicated employment service specialists. As of the beginning of 2025, cumulatively 24,500 person-times of employment are provided for over 2,100 key enterprises. Multi-dimensional recruitment guarantees are carried out simultaneously, with “small but specialized” on-site job fairs organized by industry, position, or group, coordinating with the relevant human resources and social security departments of each district to carry out special activities like the “Spring Employment Promotion Special Action”. A precise matching platform is built to strengthen the support for enterprises' employment. Human resources service institutions are encouraged to fully leverage their professional advantages. Take the “Bole” incentive as an example. Funds are used to reward human resources service institutions with remarkable contributions.

High-quality human resources

Cultivation of talents

Fast and precise skills training. Shanghai will accelerate the implementation of the project on doing practical things for citizens, namely, “to cultivate 50,000 skilled talents of senior workers and above”, and adapting to industrial development and people's livelihood security at a faster pace, focusing on key industries and key groups. Shanghai Foreign Service is promoted to establish an industrial university to build a high-level comprehensive skills training platform for the industry. Administrative licensing procedures are simplified for social training agencies, implementing the notification and commitment system for the establishment of vocational training institutions and training programs. The foundational role of educational institutions is enhanced, intensifying the primary responsibility of enterprises, exploring the building of an “industry-education-evaluation skill ecosystem” training project, as well as the establishment of multi-party collaborative talent training bases targeted at key industrial fields and regions.

Innovation of the vocational skills training evaluation system. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, a batch of new occupation projects are selected to pilot the development of new occupation standards and question banks to support research institutions in various industries, key enterprises, and all kinds of colleges and universities, highlighting the three leading industries and two major areas of people’s livelihood, and developing a batch of evaluation norms and question banks for specialized vocational ability projects. Enterprises are encouraged to independently conduct skills evaluation and explore the evaluation model of “One Examination, Two Certification” for vocational skills level certificates and authoritative skills certification of enterprises. Colleges and universities are encouraged to establish vocational skill assessment organizations, exploring pilot programs for integrated training and assessment of “course and certificate integration”, and implementing the system of “academic certificates + several vocational skills certificates”. Shanghai will also introduce international skills certification brands, formulate and release a batch of directories for the comparison and recognition of overseas vocational skills certificates, and launch pilot projects for the comparison and recognition of overseas vocational skills.

Ensure the cultivation of skilled talents. Shanghai will strengthen the cultivation of high-skilled talents in key areas and intensify efforts in training and evaluation, centering on the fields of “3+6” new quality productivity, people's livelihood security, and new forms of employment. For the purpose of the training initiative of the “Skills Illuminate the Future”, workers are encouraged to enhance their vocational skills in an employment-oriented manner, while a tiered subsidy policy system with three subsidy directories and five levels in each category will be established. Efforts will be intensified to cultivate urgently needed and high-level skilled talents, and the improvement of the vocational skills training mechanism will be accelerated. The salary levels for urgently needed and scarce skilled talents are released regularly, with those of higher skills receiving higher salary and higher salary increases. From 2019 to 2023, the average annual salary of skilled talents increased by 32%, presenting a benign mechanism of "salary increase for skilled experts".

Retention of talents

Actively promote enterprise annuities. Since August 2023, the Lingang New Area has implemented a talent enterprise annuity system, strengthening support and guarantee for introduced talents and motivating enterprises to gather and retain outstanding talents, through optimizing the medium and long-term incentive and social security system for talents. At present, the human resources and social security departments of all districts in this city are promoting the implementation of this proposal, encouraging enterprises and talents within their districts to participate in. This not only leverages the medium and long-term incentive role of annuities for talents, attracting more high-quality enterprises and talents to settle down, but also simultaneously enhances the retirement security level of enterprise personnel, achieving the dual goals of talent development and improvement of people's livelihood.

Shanghai aims to explore high-level institutional opening up, promote the development of key industries and talents gathering, improve the professional qualification and title system, and continuously improve overseas professional qualification recognition mechanism. Shanghai provides convenient guarantee services for the classification of the personnel in A and B recognition lists, supports the direct application and assessment of the personnel in the C recognition list, and promotes the corresponding policies for the tiered and classified mutual recognition of D category projects, aligning with domestic professional qualifications, professional certifications, or professional and technical titles. The dynamic adjustment of the selected items on the list is strengthened, and the internationally recognized and urgently needed overseas professional qualifications are incorporated into the recognition list in Shanghai. At the same time, a unified citywide certificate query and verification service platform will be established to offer certificate query and verification services for certificate holders and offer a more convenient recognition channel for talents holding overseas professional qualification certificates.

Diversified labor dispute resolution

Convenience of labor supervision arbitration

“One-stop acceptance” for labor supervision and labor arbitration. Shanghai will continue to leverage the role of the “one-stop acceptance” system for labor supervision and labor arbitration to provide one-stop services for workers’ rights protection, preventing them from going to the wrong place or seeking rights protection from multiple sources. Meanwhile, all districts and departments will efficiently assist in handling matters to enhance the service level for people.

The “labor dispute resolution + employment assistance” working mechanism. The “one-stop” service for “labor dispute resolution + employment assistance” will be added and deepened, while the “one-stop acceptance” function will be expanded. We will give full play to the function of the “15-minute employment service circle” through guiding and precisely pushing unemployment issues for the workers, while solving matters related to the labor rights protection for workers and effectively safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests.

Promote diversified dispute resolution and pre-case resolution mechanisms to foster harmonious and stable labor relations

The human resources and social security bureaus of all districts in this municipality have guided the sub-districts to comprehensively promote the source governance for labor disputes. Common disputes, such as salary settlement and economic compensation, are efficiently resolved through the pre-case mediation carried out by labor relations mediators. It is proposed to integrate and strengthen collaboration between human resources and social security departments’ arbitration bodies and the courts' trial mechanisms to create a unified, full-chain system for handling labor disputes. Key elements include connecting arbitration and trial procedures more effectively through enhanced collaboration between respective “circuit” bodies, establishing a top-down framework for this cooperation, and building a complete system that covers the entire lifecycle of a dispute from prevention and mediation to arbitration and litigation. The goal is to improve efficiency in managing labor relations at the grassroots level and ensure regional labor stability.

Reasonable and moderate social insurance policies and social services

Implementation of subsidy policies

Unemployment insurance and work-related injury insurance. To ensure the long-term sustainable development of social insurance funds, the implementation of a phased unemployment insurance rate policy will be sustained. Unemployment insurance contribution rates will remain at a total of 1%, with employers and individuals each contributing 0.5%, to maintain fund sustainability.
Work-related injury insurance will use the national benchmark rates for industries to ease the financial burden on businesses.

Adjust the minimum wage standard as appropriate. Given the overall consideration of legitimate rights and interests of both enterprises and employees, the monthly minimum wage standard in Shanghai is adjusted to RMB2,690 from RMB2,590, while the hourly minimum wage standard is adjusted to RMB25 from RMB24, from July 1, 2025.

Promote the implementation of convenient policies for human resources and social security

Enhancing enterprise services through preferential policies by simultaneously advancing digital transformation and process optimization (“the Dual Track Basis”). On the one hand, relying on the "Suishendui" platform, a one-stop service of "investigation - inquiry - implementation - evaluation" for policies at municipal and district levels is realized, using the “Policy Calculator” to enhance policy accuracy, expand the coverage of “immediate enjoyment without required application,”, and strengthen policy reach through full-media promotion. On the other hand, the “One-Stop Online Service” platform is upgraded, expanding integrated services such as “One Thing for Entrepreneurship”, deepening the model of “immediate enjoyment without required application + direct and fast enjoyment”, and simultaneously completing the intelligent 2.0 transformation of the 12333 hotline (1-minute response rate /90% resolution rate). The policy supply will be continuously optimized through special supervision and third-party assessment to ensure that enterprises can “accurately identify, understand, and apply”.

Policies and Regulations

Action Plan for Focusing on Enhancing Enterprises' and Workers’ Experience and Constantly Optimizing Business Environment in the Human Resources Sector (Hu Ren She Fa [2025] No. 83)

Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Optimizing Doing Business Environment (2024 Revision)

Opinions of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and Four Other Departments on Further Improving the Public Service System for Employment (Ren She Bu Fa [2025] No. 21)

The Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Promoting High-Quality and Full Employment Through Employment-First Policy (Zhong Fa [2024] No. 18)

Implementation Measures for the Shanghai Human Resources Service "Bole" Award Program (Hu Ren She Gui [2022] No. 25)

Notice on Further Optimizing the Policies on Subsidizing Vocational Skills Improvement (Hu Ren She Gui [2025] No. 7)

Several Measures for the Pilots of Deepening the Reform on the Vocational Skills Evaluation System in Shanghai (Hu Ren She Zhi [2025] No. 100)

Notice on Further Improving the Policies and Measures for Supporting Entrepreneurship in Shanghai Municipality (Hu Ren She Gui [2023] No. 1)

Notice on Doing a Good Job in Employment and Entrepreneurship for College Graduates in Shanghai in 2025 (Hu Jiao Wei Xue [2025] No. 23)

Implementation Opinions on Regulating Administrative Inspections Involving Enterprises in Shanghai Municipality (Hu Fu Ban Fa [2024] No. 34)

List of Minor Violations in Human Resources and Social Security Not Subject to Administrative Penalties As Per the Law (1) (Hu Ren She Gui [2025] No. 5)

Implementation Plan for 2025 Shanghai Municipal Project of Doing Practical Things to Benefit Citizens: Cultivating an Additional 50,000 Skilled Talents of Senior Workers and Above (Hu Ren She Zhi [2025] No. 87)

List of Recognition of Overseas Professional Qualification Certificates in Shanghai (2.0 Version) (Hu Ren She Zhuan [2024] No. 365)

Implementation Measures for Talent Enterprise Annuity in the Lingang New Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Hu Zi Mao Lin Guan Gui Fan [2023] No. 11)

Notice on the Combined Implementation of Policies of One-time Employment Absorption Subsidy and One-time Job Expansion Subsidy for Key Groups in Shanghai Municipality (Hu Ren She Gui [2025] No. 6)

Notice on Matters Concerning the Rates of Unemployment Insurance and Work-related Injury Insurance in Shanghai Municipality (Hu Ren She Gui [2024] No. 25)

Notice on Adjusting the Minimum Wage Standard in Shanghai Municipality (Hu Ren She Gui [2025] No. 10)

Notice of Shanghai Municipal Development & Reform Commission on Intensifying and Accelerating Efforts to Advance the "Ten Key Breakthrough Tasks" for Optimizing Doing   Business Environment in 2025 (Hu Fa Gai Shang Ying [2025] No. 7)

V. Financial Services

In order to assist Shanghai in fostering first-rated doing business environment worldwide and growing into a benchmarking city in domestic doing business environment, the former Shanghai Banking and Insurance Regulatory Bureau launched thirteen measures regarding “three stability, four construction and six improvement” in 2023. In order to fully implement the spirit of the Central Financial Work Conference and the Central Economic Work Conference, and put into practice the work deployment of Shanghai Municipal Committee and Municipal Government, along with the Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Optimizing Doing Business Environment (7.0 version), Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of the General Administration of Financial Supervision also issued sixteen policy measures in five major aspects of “smooth financing projects” in Feb of 2024, to boost high-quality economic and financial development of Shanghai and enhance the competitiveness and influence of Shanghai as an international financial center, so as to support Shanghai to further foster first-rated business environment which is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized. Below are the main contents.

Unblock financing channels and improve the availability of financial services.

Maintain increment, expansion, quality, and efficiency improvement in inclusive loans. We will continue to accomplish financial services for market entities such as private enterprises, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, and individual businesses, further support entrepreneurship and employment for young people and women, and build up smooth channels for financial services of multiple dimensions. We will highlight the optimization of credit loan structure and intensify the issuance of first loans, credit loans, and guaranteed loans for small and micro enterprises, non-mortgage loans for intellectual property pledge financing and movable property pledge financing, as well as medium- and long-term loans.

Vigorously promote the project of first borrower cultivation. We will continue to advance the project of “thousands of enterprises and millions of households”, exploring the progressive financial service path of “no loan household – first loan household – partner clients”. We will establish the information base for first borrower enterprises, optimize the credit management mechanism and assessment incentive measures for first borrowers, and construct multiple dimensions to safeguard delicate management and culture system for first borrowers, to accelerate effective transformation from no-loan households to loan households.

Improve partner bank (insurance) characteristic mechanism. We will continue to carry out the activity of “visiting thousands of enterprises, boost confidence and optimize service”, establishing a sound working mechanism of “RMB100 billion for ten thousand enterprises” and “partner bank (insurance)”. We will expand financial products and service systems, constructing a comprehensive financial service mode of “credit plus” covering savings, settlement, wealth management, and financial consultation. We will cultivate a long-term strategic cooperation relationship featuring “government, bank insurance, industry, park and enterprise”, with partner banks taking the lead to carry out regular exchanges and cooperation with insurance, securities, funds, professional investment institutions, as well as government departments, colleges and universities, providing full life cycle comprehensive services such as business incubation, credit financing, venture capital services and industrial connection.

Establish and improve a long-term mechanism for economic relief and resolving difficulties. We will focus on ensuring employment, market and people’s livelihood, building up a long-term working mechanism of “relief and financing” for small, medium and micro enterprises, on the premise of controllable risks, helping enterprises and individuals in difficulties to weather the storm through issuing emergency loans, increasing interest expenses reduction, promoting credit record repair, accelerating claims for damaged customers and postponing the premium payment.

Take combined measures to reduce comprehensive financing costs. We will encourage greater limit for policy-based and development-based sub-loan cooperation, expand the scope of cooperative institutions, and guide the expansion of the coverage for inclusive financial services. We will improve the scientific pricing mechanism to stabilize financing costs expectations for medium, small, and micro enterprises. We will strengthen the management of cooperative agencies and standards for cooperative behaviors, implementing the list management mechanism for cooperative institutions. We will establish a mechanism for monitoring comprehensive financing costs, strictly prohibiting the third-party cooperative agency from charging fees to customers. We will encourage reduction or exemption of costs in account opening and settlement, maximizing fees reduction and profit concessions to lower comprehensive costs of financial services for market participants.

Optimize financing mode and facilitate financial services.

Establish a financing docking service mechanism. We will make good use of various business directories and lists, establishing lists of financial needs, financial policies, and innovative products for enterprises and solidly carrying out financial docking services to reduce intermediate links and costs arising out of information asymmetry to the greatest extent. We will enhance communication and connection with leading management sectors of market players and various chambers of commerce, taking the initiative to respond to the needs of enterprises.

Constantly optimize the loan renewal mechanism. We will continue to build up a long-term “seamless loan renewal” mechanism to stabilize enterprises’ financing expectations and reduce comprehensive financing costs, in the principle of “three zero”, namely, zero threshold for application, zero costs for handling, and zero cycle for loan renewal. We will practically intensify “loan renewal without principal repayment”, encouraging greater product and service innovation to improve compatibility of finance supply and demand, via medium-term recycling loans subject to the annual review system and by means of borrowing after repaying at any time.

Construct a financial digital platform. We will build up a digital integrated service platform for inclusive finance in pilots, aiming at a financial infrastructure platform integrating functions such as financial supply and demand connection, consumer rights and interests protection, and policy publicity. We will promote docking and cooperation of “Shanghai Insurance Code” platform and medical insurance-related departments, diversifying the supply of insurance products, optimizing the service process, and promoting high-quality development of the digital insurance platform. Meanwhile, financial institutions are encouraged to comprehensively apply financial technology methods like big data to construct a digital operation service system and a digital financial service ecosystem.

Focus on service entities and enhance financial service strategies.

Create a supply chain finance demonstration zone. We will formulate an action plan for the supply chain finance demonstration zone in financial industry of Shanghai, sorting out the list of key industries, cultivating institution pilots for supply chain finance, improving the construction of working system and mechanism for supply chain finance, and building up a supply chain ecosystem to achieve upgrades in the service industry chain. We will reinforce supply chain finance services for the trade at home and abroad, extending the coverage of policy-based export credit insurance.

Construct a scientific and technological finance demonstration zone. We will implement graded cultivation for scientific and technological sub-branches of Shanghai banking industry to deepen the professional development of sci-tech finance. Sci-tech enterprises are encouraged to turn intellectual property into assets, improving the ability of independent evaluation and application of intellectual property rights, cultivating benchmarking service institutions, and building up leading areas for intellectual property pledge financing services in China. We will improve the quality and efficiency of sci-tech insurance services, continuously driving the construction of leading sci-tech insurance areas in Lin-gang, and deepening pilots of the risk compensation mechanism for sci-tech insurances. We will deepen the pilot of integrated circuit equipment leasing business of financial leasing SPV. We will provide sci-tech enterprises with full life cycle diversified relay-type financial services, by means of constructing a financial service support system linked by “stock, credit, bonds, and insurance”.

Intensify green financing development. We will encourage and support the establishment of green (sub) branches, innovate the development of various financial services based on the carbon emission reduction, enhance financial support for green transformation activities, and promote synergy and collaboration between transformation finance and green finance, so as to assist Shanghai in fostering an international first-rated green financing development environment. Legal financial institutions within the jurisdiction of Shanghai are required to take the initiative to carry out ESG information disclosure, promoting the implementation and construction of environmental pollution liability insurance mechanism in Pudong New Area.

Promote cooperation to enhance the security of financial services.

Establish the inclusive insurance development mechanism. We will explore a Shanghai version insurance program for small and micro enterprises, promoting inclusive insurance development in all areas by drawing upon the experience gained on key points. We will deepen the cooperative mechanism between banks and insurance companies to improve the cooperation mode of “government + bank + insurance company”. We will continuously promote and standardize the development of the third pillar of old-age insurance. We will actively develop cooperation projects of government and insurance companies, advancing the reform on pilots of tax-preferential individual health insurance, continuing to boost development and supply of inclusive insurance products at multiple levels with greater efforts, and practically lifting the ability of insurance protection for people’s livelihood.

Deepen the bank and guarantee cooperation mechanism. More micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises will be included into the scope of bank and guarantee cooperation, improving the business mode and process for guarantee in batch, improving the issuance efficiency of guaranteed loans, and promoting the expansion of growing bank and guarantee cooperation business. We will fully and well utilize the dividend policy of governmental financing guarantee to offer financing services for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises with greater efforts.

Intensify efforts to crack down on illegal financial activities. We will deepen the quality and efficiency of governance on illegal loan intermediary agents, explore and formulate key mechanism points to safeguard the market order and crack down on financial crimes, strengthen the crackdown on illegal financial activities together with relevant departments, and achieve the goal of preventing illegal financial activities beforehand, joint management and addressing both symptoms and root causes against illegal financial activities. Deepening the results of the special project of “compliance, foundation, and safety”, we aim to build up a long-term mechanism for management and control over the behaviors of relevant personnel.

Take the initiative to serve the society and enhance the idea of serving people with financial services.

Comprehensively empower enterprise growth and actively engage in social governance. We will promote extensive integration of finance into various scenarios such as business operation, entrepreneurship and innovation, financial education, and social governance, turning “passive” service into “active” integration. We will transform the bank insurance outlets into a supplement to channels for government services, to cooperate with the government in fostering doing business environment.

In the Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Optimizing Doing Business Environment (8.0 version) released in January 2025, more financial institutions are encouraged to participate in promoting more enterprises to disclose their environmental information. Green finance evaluation will be carried out among Shanghai-based banking and other financial institutions. Registration of trust property, such as real estate and equity, and its supporting mechanisms, will be explored and established. Moreover, it is explicitly proposed to boost resource support services such as financing support for small and medium-sized enterprises, financing, and credit enhancement services and financing coordination services. Among them, “innovating financing service for small and medium-sized enterprises and facilitating bank-enterprise coordination and financing matchmaking” are listed into the “Ten Key Breakthrough Tasks” for Optimizing Doing   Business Environment in 2025.

Policies and Regulations

Notice of the Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of the General Administration of Financial Supervision on Implementing “Smooth Financing Projects” to Optimize Doing Business Environment and Further Support High-Quality Economic and Financial Development in Shanghai

Notice of Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission on Further Improving Financial Services to Optimize Doing Business Environment and Support High-Quality Economic and Financial Development in Shanghai (Hu Yin Bao Jian Fa [2023] No. 24)

Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Optimizing Doing Business Environment (2024 Revision)

Notice of General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government on Issuing the Action Plan of Shanghai Municipality for Focusing on Enhancing Enterprises' Experience and Constantly Building a World-Class Business Environment (Hu Fu Ban Fa [2025] No. 1)

Notice of Shanghai Municipal Development & Reform Commission on Intensifying and Accelerating Efforts to Advance the "Ten Key Breakthrough Tasks" for Optimizing Doing Business Environment in 2025 (Hu Fa Gai Ying Shang [2025] No. 7)

Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on Promoting the Construction of an International Financial Center

Notice of General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on the Issuance of the Action Plan for Strengthening Integrated Innovation and Continuously Optimizing Doing Business Environment in Shanghai (Hu Fu Ban Gui [2023] No. 1)

Notice of the Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of the General Administration of Financial Supervision and other six departments on Issuance of the Action Plan for Constructing Supply China Finance Demonstration Zone in Banking and Insurance Industry of Shanghai (Hu Jin Fa [2024] No. 33)

Notice of the Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of the General Administration of Financial Supervision on Opinions for Well Performing Graded Cultivation of Sci-Tech Branches of Shanghai Banking Industry to Improve Sci-Tech Finance Professional Abilities (Hu Jin Gui [2024] No. 1)

Notice of Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and other seven departments on Issuance of the Action Plan for Shanghai Banking and Insurance Industry to Support Construction of Science and Technology Innovation Center in Shanghai (2022-2025) (Hu Yin Bao Jian Fa [2022] No. 82)

Notice of Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission and other seven departments on Issuance of the Action Plan for Promoting Green Financing Development and Fulfilling the Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Strategy of Shanghai Banking and Insurance Industry during the “14th Five Year Plan” period (Hu Yin Bao Jian Fa [2022] No. 83)

Notice of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Information and the Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of the General Administration of Financial Supervision on Well Performing the “Shanghai Industry Green Loan” Financial Service via Collaboration (Hu Jing Xin Jie [2024] No. 471)

Notice of General Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuance of Notice on Implementation Opinions on Accelerating the Construction of an International Green Financial Hub in Shanghai to Achieve the Carbon Peak and Carbon Neutrality Target (Hu Fu Ban Fa [2021] No. 27)

Notice of the People’s Bank of China Shanghai Head Office on Issuance of Notice on Implementation Rules for Green Financing Evaluation of Financial Institutions in Shanghai Banking Industry (Shanghai Yin Fa [2021] No. 284)

Several Provisions of Pudong New Area of Shanghai on Green Financing Development

Opinions of the Shanghai Regulatory Bureau of the General Administration of Financial Supervision and Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality on Further Improving the Performance Guarantee and Insurance for Loans of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Science and Technology Enterprises (Hu Yin Bao Jian Fa [2021] No. 249)

Notice of General Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuance of Several Policy Measures for Lightening the Burden on Enterprises to Support Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Development (Hu Fu Ban Gui [2024] No. 4)

Several Opinions of General Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Further Promoting High Quality Development of Entrepreneurship and Investment in Shanghai (Hu Fu Ban Gui [2024] No. 10)

Notice of General Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuance of the Action Plan for Further Facilitating Payment in Shanghai (Hu Fu Ban [2024] No. 20)

Notice of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuance of Several Measures on Setting up Financing Support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Shanghai (Hu Fu Ban Fa [2024] No. 20)

VI. International Trade

Several Measures for the Special Action to Promote Cross-border Trade Facilitation at Shanghai Ports in 2025

In order to make greater efforts to improve the level of cross-border trade facilitation, and continue to create a market-oriented, legal, and international first-class port business environment, according to the deployments for the special action of cross-border trade facilitation by the General Administration of Customs, along with the tasks in the Action Plan of Shanghai Municipality for Focusing on Enhancing Enterprises' Experience and Constantly Building a World-Class Business Environment, the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, together with nine other departments and authorities, recently has issued Several Measures for the Special Action to Promote Cross-border Trade Facilitation at Shanghai Ports in 2025, and formulated the following measures.

Streamline regulations to enhance the facilitation of trade in goods

Continue to develop the pilot program that allows qualified bonded oil storage tanks to function both as bonded warehouses and as export supervision warehouses. Shanghai will continue to develop the pilot program that allows qualified bonded oil storage tanks, used to fuel international voyages, to function both as bonded warehouses and as export supervision warehouses. This will reduce storage costs for businesses and promote the bonded fuel oil bunkering services at Shanghai ports.

Continue to advance the reform of “Two Certificates Integration” for imported motor vehicles. The city will continuously streamline import procedures for motor vehicles by integrating certification (Certificate of Import of Goods (Automobiles, Motorcycles) and inspection documentation (Inspection form for Imported Motor vehicles), enhancing the efficiency of whole-vehicle imports at Shanghai's ports.

Optimize the service of pharmaceuticals and medical devices for international cruise ships. The municipal drug regulatory authorities will update the approved list of onboard pharmaceuticals and medical devices for cruise ships as per the actual demand of international cruises, to better meet the replenishment demands of international cruise ships at Shanghai’s ports, assigning dedicated codes to the onboard pharmaceuticals and medical devices in the list, for the purpose of easier customs clearance.

Optimize the distribution control and inspection mode for high-tech goods such as vacuum packaging. The high-tech enterprises registered in the Yangtze River Delta region, which import vacuum-packaged, light-proof packaged, and constant-temperature stored goods through Shanghai ports and which are subject to the distribution control and inspection mode for high-tech goods, can break through the original restriction that "the destination of goods import and the registered address of the enterprise must stay in the same customs area", and choose any customs in the Yangtze River Delta region as the destination customs as per actual needs, with the inspection instruction concerning the port which is not qualified for opening the container adjusted to implementing the inspection at the destination.

Further enhance the efficiency of customs clearance for fresh or live agricultural products. Shanghai will set up a "green channel" for customs clearance of fresh or live agricultural products transported by air and provide 24/7 inspection services for these products by appointment, “priority detection, quick detection, and quick release”.

Implement convenient customs clearance measures for imported goods declared for food use and medical purposes. According to the measures for commodity classification management of goods declared for food use and medical purposes by national ministries and commissions, products declared for food use will be processed as standard food imports, eliminating the need for a pharmaceutical import certificate. Similarly, goods declared for medicinal use will be handled according to the regulations for medicinal materials. The Shanghai Customs, together with the Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, the Shanghai Drug Administration and other departments shall, within their respective duties and responsibilities, intensify supervision over imported food and drugs applicable to the same regulations pursuant to relevant requirements in terms of the import, operation and processing of food and drugs, establishing an information sharing mechanism among departments, urging enterprises to operate in compliance with laws and regulations and transferring the cases suspected of criminal offenses to public security organs for holding accountable for legal responsibilities as per the law.

Enhance the informatization level of maritime supervision. Intensify the application of electronic certificates for ship crew members in inspection at entry and exit ports and supervision and inspection in port states, reduce the time spent on certificate issuance, transmission, and verification, and further enhance the ship-to-shore communication efficiency.

Optimize the logistics network and continuously enhance the capacity of logistics hubs

Optimize the logistics and transportation network of Shanghai Port. Relying on systems such as the International Container Transport Service Platform (MaaS), blockchain technology is used to enable international logistics and multimodal transport collaboration. Accelerate the development of the "one order system" and "one box system" for multimodal transport. Promote the construction of the inland waterway transport system and accelerate the creation of direct river-sea channels. Continue to promote regulatory models such as "linked loading and unloading" and "departure confirmation" to improve regional logistics efficiency.

Support development of international transshipment and consolidation services. Research and pilot the international transshipment consolidation for the entry of small household appliances containing batteries, alcoholic beverages, perfumes, and other international transshipment goods into Shanghai ports, and explore more mixed consolidation models for different business types.

Further enhance the role of Shanghai as an international aviation hub. Shanghai has unveiled the strategy to boost its international air transport capacity by increasing flight frequencies and expanding multimodal transportation options like “air-to-air transfer” and “air-rail intermodal transport”. This strategy aims to simplify customs processes for imported goods, such as “direct pick-up from the airport”, and to foster high-value aviation-related industries, including bonded research and development, bonded maintenance, and characteristic cold chain logistics, within key economic zones like the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Lingang New Area, Hongqiao International Central Business District, and the Comprehensive Bonded Zone.

Optimize air cargo terminal operations. To enhance efficiency, establish Shanghai airport cargo terminals within customs special supervision areas and surrounding cities, allowing for pre-completion of receiving, palletizing, security checks, and customs clearance. Support the mutual recognition of cargo security measures between the air cargo terminals within Pudong International Airport and Hongqiao International Airport, and between the two airports themselves.

Optimize the “direct airside transfer” supervision mode. The process of directly transferring air freight goods from a domestic to an international area at Shanghai Airport, bypassing warehouse handling and security checks, is known as direct airside transfer. This procedure improves efficiency by eliminating intermediary steps like domestic warehouse pick-up, short-distance transport, unloading, and separate security screening.

Strengthen policy support to promote the development of new trade models and forms

Promote the pilot program for importing used key components for automotive research and development and testing. The “pilot list” system for the import of used key components for automotive R&D and testing is improved, with the pilot list to be updated and adjusted as appropriate, allowing for the safe and standardized import of relevant products of enterprises in the list and returning to China for R&D and testing.

Expand the application of the "inspect first, ship later" model for export LCL (Less than Container Load) goods. Combining with the multi-format mixed consolidation model, goods of different trade methods, such as cross-border e-commerce and general trade, are supported to enter the supervision operation site in bulk form, undergo customs inspection first, and then be consolidated and shipped according to actual needs.

Further support the cross-border e-commerce development. The precise risk assessment is conducted through the interaction of cross-border e-commerce supply chain data, implementing differential sorting for goods arriving at the regulatory site in different packaging types, to achieve operation at the same sites for 9610, 9710 and, 9810 customs clearance models. China has expanded a pilot program for the cross-customs area return supervision model (also known as the 9610 model), allowing returned cross-border e-commerce goods to be returned directly across different customs zones. To enhance cross-border e-commerce logistics, this initiative proposes intensifying maritime and air facilitation services for sensitive goods like cosmetics and electronics, and promoting maritime exports of sensitive cross-border e-commerce goods. It also calls for a dynamic evaluation of the air transportation pilot program for sensitive goods to optimize the list of pilot categories and increase the scale of convenient collection and transportation services. Based on the digital management application scenarios of lithium battery aviation safety transportation inspection reports, it is possible to achieve one-time filing for multiple uses. We will also implement relevant policies on “tax refund upon departure and accounting after sale” for cross-border e-commerce exports to overseas warehouses (under the customs 9810 supervision model), and support the development of cross-border e-commerce and overseas warehouses.

Strengthen support and services for green trade. To leverage the green and low-carbon supply chain public service platform, integrate resources like standards, certifications, databases, green finance, and green low-carbon technologies. This platform will provide comprehensive carbon accounting, certification, training, and finance services to both leading enterprises and their suppliers, bolstering the adoption of carbon management practices and helping businesses navigate international trade policies by connecting them with third-party service institutions and promoting pilot applications.

Promote interconnection and interoperability, and enhance the trade empowerment of smart ports

Explore the cross-border recognition of electronic certifications and signatures. The cross-border pilot programs are being carried out to enable the mutual recognition of electronic signatures and authentication services, aiming to foster cross-platform and cross-regional interoperability of electronic authentication and electronic signatures with overseas trusted enterprise identity authentication institutions and systems.

Advance paperless cross-border trade. Shanghai will advance paperless cross-border trade by leveraging the Shanghai Electronic Port to achieve cross-border interoperability of electronic invoices. This initiative will expand the application of electronic bills of lading for sea transport, paperless container release, and electronic air waybills to further digitalize shipping and streamline trade processes.

Enhance international trade by improving the interconnection and interoperability of the “Single Window”. According to the deployments of the General Administration of Customs, Shanghai will promote the electronic exchange of certificates with trading partners for areas like navigation, inspection, and origin, and leverage the Shanghai International Trade “Single Window” to facilitate information sharing, mutual recognition of supervision, and coordinated law enforcement among port inspection units. This effort also includes implementing practical measures for joint boarding inspections of international navigation vessels to improve efficiency and convenience.

Further improve Shanghai’s International Trade Single Window. It is proposed to deepen the construction of public information platform for aviation logistics and continuously improve the level of public information services for “customs clearance + logistics”. Efforts will be made to promote the online query of the testing status of customs laboratories and the functional upgrade of border inspection-related module. Shanghai will also expand the 24-hour dynamic query scope for international navigation vessels at Shanghai ports and promote the sharing and common use of data resources on vessels entering and leaving ports.

Continue to promote the pilot of “One Declaration, Dual Clearance” with overseas countries. Leveraging the Shanghai Electronic Port, Shanghai will continue to promote cooperation with Singapore and other countries and regions in terms of “One Declaration, Dual Clearance”.

Promote cross-departmental business networking and cooperation in management of outbound crop germplasm resources. The management of the export of crop germplasm resources will be further optimized to promote the interconnection and interoperability of the filing information of exported germplasm resources, and realize the “one-time submission” by enterprise applications and the “full online processing” for approval and verification.

Strengthen enterprise services and further promote cost reduction and efficiency

Strengthen joint incentives for (Authorized Economic Operator) AEO enterprises. All types of financial institutions are encouraged to increase their support for AEO enterprises within the scope of compliance with laws and regulations and policy permits, providing support to AEO enterprises in areas such as financing credit line, financing guarantee, and export credit insurance. Enterprises are encouraged to apply for online certification and update through the China International Trade “Single Window”. Enterprises that actively participate in the pilot program and apply cross-border electronic invoices and other cross-border trade electronic documents will be given priority to be included in Shanghai’s preferred cultivation and recommendation mechanism.

Further optimize Shanghai's port logistics services. It is proposed to timely forecast the port arrival dynamics of international liner services, and announce the “port opening” time of container liner export containers in advance to facilitate enterprises in reasonably arranging overall logistics operations.

Facilitate the entry of international transportation service personnel. To optimize customs clearance for crew members changing shifts, airport ports should enhance existing services like “Exemption from Border Inspection Procedures for Consecutive Flights” and Self-Service for Filing Through Express Channels, ensuring efficiency and convenience for border control for foreign crew members changing shifts in Shanghai.

Fully enable businesses to leverage free trade agreement (FTA) policies. By leveraging RCEP policies, authorities should enhance service infrastructure by optimizing the RCEP Enterprise Service Online Zone to provide real-time, two-way query services for preferential tariffs on goods traded under RCEP and other FTAs. It is proposed to organize visits to key enterprises to provide personalized guidance on how to best utilize FTA preferential policies. Additionally, strengthening policy training and capacity building for businesses is crucial for improving their ability to understand and apply FTA rules effectively.

Continue to standardize port charges. It is proposed to strengthen price supervision and inspection in key areas such as storage yards, unblock reporting channels, and investigate and deal with all kinds of illegal and irregular charging acts in accordance with the law. It is also raised to guide the port charging entities to promptly disclose information such as charging standards and service items through the Shanghai International Trade “Single Window” and update such information dynamically, supporting inquiries through the mobile APP, and enhancing the transparency of port charging.

Collaborative strategies for reducing cross-border logistics costs. To alleviate congestion and optimize logistics, shipping companies should establish a network of strategically located, multiple container pick-up points that customers can choose from based on their specific operational needs, rather than a few congested central depots. Shipping companies are encouraged to establish off-site container pick-up and return points in the Yangtze River Delta, making container handling more accessible for businesses within the delta. To implement centralized container seal distribution, shipping companies should establish dedicated, secure areas within container yards for seal issuance and affixing, or leverage information technology to digitize the process through electronic seals. The Guiding Opinions on Maritime Services for New Three Types Cargo should be implemented to advance reducing logistics costs and improving operational efficiency for “New Three Types Cargo”.

Improve communication between Shanghai's government and businesses. Shanghai will give full play to the role of the port consultation meeting mechanism and the airport consultation meeting mechanism, fully listening to the opinions of interested parties, including shipping enterprises, freight forwarders, customs brokers, cargo owners, and other stakeholders, and collecting and solving the urgent and difficult problems encountered by market entities. Trade promotion institutions, industry associations, customs agencies, and governments must collaborate to support businesses by disseminating information on preferential policies for enterprises, providing efficient customs clearance, and jointly addressing trade challenges.

Strengthen trade adjustment assistance. A central coordination mechanism for trade adjustment assistance will be enhanced and perfected through the Municipal Commission of Commerce in collaboration with relevant municipal departments. A public service platform will be established with industry organizations, business associations, and professional institutions to provide consultation and training for enterprises that encounter operational difficulties due to changes in the external trade environment and other non-market factors. Enterprises will be encouraged to conduct self-adjustment through strategies such as adjusting their market layout, enhancing production efficiency, optimizing marketing channels, and improving risk management practices. Eligible businesses will receive financial assistance in accordance with relevant regulations. Enterprises will be supported in addressing trade friction issues, including “two anti and one safeguard” measures: (anti-dumping, anti-subsidy, and safeguard measures), technical trade measures, intellectual property rights and regulatory sanctions. Industry organizations and enterprises will be guided on how to apply for trade remedies, in compliance with state regulations.

Support enterprises expanding overseas. A new batch of “Recommended Overseas Exhibition Projects” has been released, offering Shanghai enterprises subsidies of up to 70% of their booth fees for participating in international exhibitions. Shanghai has upgraded a comprehensive service platform for global expansion with information on foreign investment, country guide, industry trends, professional services, and risk warnings, and hosted open days focused on investment and trade linkage to provide guidance and networking opportunities. This “government facilitation + market operation” model helps Shanghai-based companies reduce costs and effectively navigate international market opportunities and risks.

“Silk Road e Journey”, the WeChat Mini Program of “the Belt and Road”

In order to better serve the high-quality engagement of enterprises in the “Belt and Road”, the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, together with the Shanghai “Belt and Road” comprehensive service center, have developed the “Silk Road e Journey”, the WeChat Mini Program of the Belt and Road, through innovative service measures and coordinated good-quality resources. Eying the whole process and each link of the enterprise going to sea, and integrating foreign-related business functions and good-quality information, the “Silk Road e Journey” provides the enterprise with clear working guidance and entrance for handling. The general utility tool column is set at the top of the home page, placing the most commonly used business functions such as overseas investment filing, credit direction, quality certification information, investment information, APEC business travel card, arbitration service, compliance guidance, import & export practice, and foreign exchange rate inquiry. Two integrated sectors of “information” and “service” are set at the bottom navigation bar to offer more comprehensive information and service. Specifically, important international economic and trade news, industry research reports, policy analysis, and interpretation are released in the information sector to boost decision-making for the enterprises, while the service pages of main banks and insurance companies are listed in the service sector, coupled with dynamic release of information on the activities related to “going out”, such as docking with economy and trade, conferences and exhibitions and professional trainings, so as to better invigorate the enterprise.

Policies and Regulations

Notice of General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government on Issuing the Action Plan of Shanghai Municipality for Focusing on Enhancing Enterprises' Experience and Constantly Building a World-Class Business Environment (Hu Fu Ban Fa [2025] No. 1)

Notice of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and other two departments on the Issuance of Action Plan for China (Shanghai) International Trade Single Window Platform Smart Innovation (Hu Shang Tong Guan [2023] No. 275)

Notification of Shanghai Customs on Implementing Matters Related to the Pilot of Launching Overseas Exports or Producers Application for Preliminary Adjudication in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Shanghai Customs Notification [2024] No. 1)

Pilot Program for the Import of Items for Biomedical Research and Development and Testing in Shanghai, by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and other five departments (Hu Shang Gui [2024] No. 12)

Notice of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Market Supervision and Administration on the Issuance of the Implementation Plan for Strengthening Integrated Innovation and Continuously Optimizing Doing Business Environment in Shanghai (Hu Shi Jian Fa Gui [2023] No. 147)

Notice of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Market Supervision and Administration on the Issuance of Action Plan of Shanghai Municipal Supervision Departments for Focusing on Enhancing Enterprises' Experience and Constantly Building a World-Class Business Environment (Hu Shi Jian Ying Shang [2025] No. 155)

Notice on Issuance of the Pilot Program for Importing Discarded Key Components for Automotive R&D Testing in Shanghai, by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment and Shanghai Customs (Hu Shang Gui [2024] No. 5)

Notice of General Office of Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuance of the Action Plan for Accelerating Establishment of Carbon Footprint Management System for Products and Constructing Green and Low-carbon Supply Chain in Shanghai (Hu Fu Ban [2024] No. 8)

Notice on Issuance of the Implementation Plan for Accelerating Carbon Identification Certificate Service for Products and Constructing Green and Low-carbon Supply Chain in Shanghai, by Shanghai Municipal Administration for Market Regulation, Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization, Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment (Hu Shi Jian Ren Zheng [2024] No. 268)

Circular of Shanghai Customs on Launching Multi-Country Consolidation Business in China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Shanghai Customs Circular [2014] No. 41)

Shanghai Customs’ 36 Measures for the 2024 Special Action Plan to Promote Cross-Border Trade Facilitation at Shanghai Ports

Notice of Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce and nine other departments and authorities on Issuing the Several Measures for the Special Action to Promote Cross-border Trade Facilitation at Shanghai Ports in 2025 (Hu Shang Zi Mao [2025] No. 181)

Measures of the People's Republic of China for the Administration of Certificate of Origin for Export Goods (General Administration of Customs No. 270) issued on Jul 30, 2024 and implemented as of Sept 1, 2024

Operation Time Limit Standards for Port Service Providers at Shanghai’s Ports

Notification of Shanghai Customers on Simplifying Documents Attached for Customs Declaration

Announcement on Launching Pilots of Paperless International Maritime Container Equipment Interchange Receipt (Announcement of Shanghai Municipal Office for Port Service, Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission [2018] No. 1)

Announcement of the Port Companies Subordinated under SIPG Group Not to Receive and Reserve the Paper Container Packing List but Arriving at Port with Electronic Packing List Information

Notice on Several Measures for Further Deepening the Reform of Business Environment for Cross-border Trade at Shanghai’s Ports (Hu Shang Zi Mao [2020] No. 16)

Notice on Issuance of Several Measures for Further Deepening the Reform of Business Environment for Cross-border Trade at Shanghai’s Ports in 2023 (Hu Shang Zi Mao [2023] No. 132)

Several Opinions on Further Intensifying the Standard Management for Container Yard off the Port (Hu Jiao Fa [2021] No. 25)

Notice of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuing the Implementation Plan for Promoting Embodied Intelligence Industry Development in Shanghai (Hu Fu Ban Gui [2025] No. 6)

Notice of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuing the Several Measures of Shanghai Municipality to Support Enterprises in Enhancing Basic Research and Boosting New Momentum for High-quality Development (Hu Fu Ban Gui [2025] No. 5)

Administrative Measures for the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone (Hu Fu Ling No. 22)

Notice of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuing the Three-Year Implementation Plan (2025-2027) to Transform Changxing Island Into a World-class Modern Shipbuilding Hub (Hu Fu Ban Fa [2025] No. 12)

Notice of the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government on Issuing the Several Measures of Shanghai Municipality to Promote the High-Quality Development of the Software and Information Technology Industry (Hu Fu Ban Gui [2025] No. 4)

Action Plan for Supporting the Construction of Shanghai as an International Financial Center, issued by the National Financial Regulatory Administration and the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government

Several Opinions on Further Deepening Reform and Innovation to Accelerate the High-quality Development of the Science and Technology Service Industry issued by the General Office of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government (Hu Fu Ban Fa [2025] No. 11)