Published by ChinaMNC · Hongan

China Publishes First National Standard for Smart Freight Hubs: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

China's first national standard for smart freight hubs, released by SAMR, sets requirements for infrastructure, information platforms, smart equipment, and operations. Effective April 1, 2027, it offers guidance for foreign founders planning logistics operations in China.

China’s First National Standard for Smart Freight Hubs Released

On October 27, 2026, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), through the Standardization Administration, approved and released the national standard “Basic Requirements for Smart Freight Hubs” (《智慧货运枢纽基本要求》). This is the first national standard in China specifically addressing smart freight hubs. It will take effect on April 1, 2027. For foreign founders establishing or operating logistics-related businesses in China, understanding this standard is essential for future compliance and strategic planning.

Why This Standard Matters for Foreign Founders

China’s logistics sector is undergoing rapid digitalization, and the new standard provides a technical framework for upgrading freight hubs. While not yet mandatory, it signals the direction of regulatory expectations and will likely influence local government policies, investment decisions, and partnership requirements. Foreign founders involved in logistics, warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, or supply chain services should consider how these requirements may affect their operations and infrastructure planning.

Key Requirements of the Standard

The standard covers four main areas: general provisions, information platform construction, intelligent facilities and equipment, and smart operations and management. Each area sets specific requirements that foreign founders should review when designing or upgrading freight hub facilities in China.

General Provisions

The general provisions address fundamental aspects such as site selection and layout, configuration of facilities and equipment, application of advanced technologies, and cybersecurity. The standard also requires differentiated business function configurations based on the type of hub. Foreign founders should note that these requirements aim to ensure hubs are designed with both operational efficiency and security in mind.

Information Platform Construction

This section specifies requirements for hardware equipment, network transmission, data storage, and computing resources. Notably, it encourages platforms to provide artificial intelligence services such as intelligent agent orchestration, model training and inference, and evaluation. For foreign founders, this highlights the growing importance of digital infrastructure and AI capabilities in China’s logistics hubs. Companies planning to integrate such technologies should ensure their platforms can meet these emerging expectations.

Intelligent Facilities and Equipment

The standard defines functional requirements for key operating facilities and equipment at hubs. This includes smart gates, warehouses, yards, and docks, as well as intelligent security inspection, storage, and loading/unloading equipment. Foreign founders investing in physical infrastructure should consider these specifications to align with best practices and future compliance.

Smart Operations and Management

Requirements are set for both production operations and operational management. Production operations cover areas such as production scheduling, vehicle management, sorting, and warehousing. Management includes office administration, security, equipment management, environment, energy, and emergency response. This comprehensive approach reflects the integrated nature of modern freight hubs and the need for coordinated systems.

Practical Implications for Foreign Founders

While the standard is not yet in force, foreign founders should proactively assess their logistics operations against these requirements. The standard provides technical guidance for the intelligent upgrading of freight hubs and aims to address bottlenecks in multimodal transport and reduce social logistics costs. For businesses involved in multimodal transport, adhering to these guidelines could facilitate smoother integration with China’s logistics networks and improve efficiency.

Moreover, the emphasis on AI services and cybersecurity suggests that foreign founders should prioritize these areas in their technology investments. Partnering with local technology providers or leveraging China’s digital ecosystem may help meet these standards more effectively.

Next Steps

Foreign founders should monitor how the standard is implemented at the local level, as provincial and municipal governments may adopt specific incentives or requirements tied to it. Engaging with local industry associations and logistics parks can provide early insights. Additionally, when registering a company or applying for licenses related to freight hub operations, demonstrating alignment with national standards could strengthen applications.

For foreign founders looking to establish or expand logistics operations in China, understanding this standard is a crucial step. ChinaMNC offers specialized support for company registration and ongoing compliance. Contact us on WhatsApp or WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 to discuss how we can assist with your China market entry and operations.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.