[Industry Flash] According to statistics from Shanghai Customs, Shanghai’s ports achieved remarkable results in automotive exports during the first quarter of 2026, with a total of 839,000 vehicles shipped. The performance of electric vehicles (EVs) was particularly outstanding, reaching 479,000 units. These figures represent year-on-year growth rates of 48.7% for total exports and 79.2% for EVs, respectively. As China’s premier gateway for automotive exports, Shanghai is accelerating the global expansion of domestic new energy vehicles (NEVs) through the dual-engine layout of the Waigaoqiao Port Area and the Nangang Terminals in the Lin-gang Special Area, complemented by streamlined customs facilitation policies.

Core Ports: The Power of Dual-Engine Efficiency

Waigaoqiao Port Area: The Haitong International Automotive Terminal, currently China’s largest standalone Ro-Ro (roll-on/roll-off) hub for complete vehicles, has maintained a daily loading average of over 4,000 units this year. In March alone, shipment volume approached 150,000 units. During Q1, Waigaoqiao Customs supervised the export of 386,000 vehicles at this terminal, with electric vehicles accounting for nearly 70% of the total.

Lin-gang Special Area: The Nangang Terminal is rapidly emerging as a new growth engine for Shanghai’s automotive exports. Since March, daily loading operations have stabilized at around 3,000 units, with peak days exceeding 5,000 units. In the first quarter, Yangshan Customs supervised 207,000 export vehicles at this terminal—a 111% year-on-year increase—while EV exports reached 138,000 units, a staggering 176% surge.

Innovation & Empowerment: Building a 'Fast Track' for Trade

To meet the skyrocketing demand for export clearance, Shanghai Customs has significantly boosted efficiency through technical upgrades and institutional optimization:

Dedicated Service Windows: Waigaoqiao Customs has established 'Green Channels' specifically for vehicle exports, assigning dedicated personnel to coordinate with terminals and enterprises to monitor shipping schedules in real-time.

Paperless Workflows: By leveraging facilitation measures such as 'Advanced Declaration' and 'Inspection upon Arrival,' the port has drastically reduced overall customs clearance times.

Visualized Supervision: In the Lin-gang Special Area, Yangshan Customs has implemented a full-process visualized supervision system, seamlessly embedding regulatory steps into the logistics chain to achieve 'frictionless clearance.'

Industry Outlook

With the official commissioning of the new berths in Phase II of Shanghai’s Nangang Terminal, the port's throughput capacity has been further expanded. Industry analysts believe that, bolstered by infrastructure improvements and favorable policy dividends, the momentum for Chinese automotive exports will grow even stronger throughout 2026, contributing more 'Chinese Power' to the global automotive market.