Shenzhen Customs released its latest trade data on June 22, revealing that China's top trading city recorded 2.32 trillion RMB in total imports and exports for the first five months of 2026—a remarkable 31.1% year-on-year iNCRease. The figure once again secures Shenzhen's position as the mainland's leading city by trade volume, sending a strong signal of resilience across the broader Chinese export ecosystem.
Breaking down the numbers, Shenzhen's exports reached 1.22 trillion RMB, up 15.9%, while imports hit 1.1 trillion RMB, surging 53.4%—a nearly threefold difference in growth rates that points to accelerating domestic demand and supply chain restocking. In May alone, the city's total trade volume stood at 497.8 billion RMB, with imports climbing 64.6%, reflecting the depth of China's industrial procurement activity.
Private companies continue to anchor Shenzhen's foreign trade, contributing 1.7 trillion RMB in imports and exports—up 38.2% and accounting for 73.2% of the city's total trade. This dominance underscores the agility and global competitiveness of China's private manufacturing sector, which remains the backbone of B2B supply chains across industries.
Foreign-invested enterprises also showed strong momentum, with 581.4 billion RMB in trade (up 25.6%), indicating sustained international confidence in China's manufacturing infrastructure.
All of Shenzhen's top ten trading partners posted growth, with combined trade reaching 1.81 trillion RMB—up 33%. Hong Kong remained the largest partner at 439.7 billion RMB (+56.2%), followed by ASEAN at 343.3 billion RMB (+18.3%) and the EU at 209.9 billion RMB (+18.7%). Trade with Japan surged 89.7%, while Switzerland saw an extraordinary 607.6% increase.
The diversified growth across markets is particularly relevant for export-oriented industries, as it reduces concentration risk and opens new channels for paper product and packaging exporters serving global supply chains.
Shenzhen's export mix is evolving rapidly. Electromechanical products accounted for 935.3 billion RMB in exports (+18%), representing 76.5% of total exports. Emerging sectors showed standout performance: lithium battery exports grew 47.2%, 3D printer exports surged 125.5%, and medical device exports rose 9.7%.
This structural shift toward high-tech and green products is reshaping downstream demand for industrial materials—including specialty paper and packaging. As manufacturing moves up the value chain, requirements for product documentation, labeling, and compliant packaging materials continue to grow, directly benefiting carbonless paper and
thermal paper suppliers.
For international buyers sourcing from China, the data carries several practical implications:
- Supply chain stability is strong. With trade volumes expanding across all major channels—general trade (+25.5%), bonded logistics (+45.3%), and processing trade (+27.9%)—China's export infrastructure remains robust and reliable.
- Private manufacturers offer competitive advantage. The dominance of private enterprises in trade means B2B buyers have access to agile, cost-competitive suppliers capable of flexible production and fast response times.
- Market diversification reduces risk. China's expanding trade networks across Asia, Europe, and emerging markets mean multiple logistics routes and partnership options for importers.
- Growing demand for compliant packaging. As export volumes grow and product complexity increases, so does the need for multi-part documentation (invoices, packing lists, shipping labels) and BPA/BPS-free thermal paper for receipts and logistics labels.
As a specialized manufacturer of carbonless paper, thermal paper, and label materials based in China's industrial heartland, HESHUO® is positioned at the intersection of these trends. Our products serve the documentation, labeling, and packaging needs of exporters across Shenzhen's dynamic trade network and beyond—all manufactured to international standards with FSC, ISO, and BPA/BPS-free certifications.
Whether you're scaling up procurement or seeking a stable long-term supply partner, China's record trade performance underscores one thing: the supply chain is running, and it's running stronger than ever.
