China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2025: Opportunities for Businesses and Investors

• CIIE 2025 represents China’s largest import-focused trade event to date, featuring expanded exhibition zones in innovation incubation, green development, and digital economy, alongside upgraded facilitation measures for customs, entry, and trade.
• The event offers unparalleled opportunities to showcase products, engage with distributors, and establish partnerships.
• Companies interested in participating should act early by registering for the expo, preparing exhibits that meet Chinese standards, connecting with local agents or distributors, monitoring policy updates and facilitation measures, and developing a strategic plan to convert expo presence into long-term market engagement.

The 2025 China International Import Expo (CIIE) is set to take place in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, once more serving as China’s premier import-focused trade event. As the world’s first national-level expo dedicated to opening the Chinese market to foreign goods and services, CIIE remains a key destination for global companies wanting both visibility and concrete opportunities in China.

The event will again feature its core sectors, while there will also be enhanced zones dedicated to innovation incubation, green development, and digital economy (areas that reflect China’s current policy priorities and where foreign firms may find especially fertile ground).

Key features of 2025 CIIE

Launched in 2018 at the behest of President Xi Jinping, the CIIE is China’s signature platform for trade liberalization and global economic cooperation. As the world’s first national-level exhibition devoted wholly to imports, the CIIE is designed to bridge international firms with Chinese buyers, showcasing foreign products and services, and reinforcing China’s commitment to opening its markets.

On its 8th edition this year, the expo continues this mission at expanded scale. It brings together international exhibitors, policy makers, trade associations, and potential distribution partners to meet, launch, and connect.

This year, the Corporate Pavilion will feature seven main sectors, namely:

• Consumer Goods;
• Medical Equipment and Healthcare Products;
• Food and Agricultural Products;
• Automobile and Smart Mobility;
• Intelligent Industry and Information Technology;
• Trade in Services; and
• Innovation Incubation Special Section.

In addition, this year’s expo will debut several new and upgraded sections, including:

• An Innovation Incubation area spotlighting cutting-edge technologies and startups;
• A dedicated pavilion for products from developing countries, offering expanded market access opportunities;
• An enhanced Africa product zone, showcasing a broader range of goods and services from the continent;
• A brand-new “Overseas Provinces & Cities” section, highlighting regional strengths and partnerships; and
• Dedicated tracks for global product launches and exhibitor visibility, designed to maximize exposure and facilitate market entry.

In the lead-up to the 2025 edition, the organizers have confirmed a series of impressive figures. The expo will cover over 330,000 square meters of exhibition space, bringing together 60 overseas exhibition groups from 40 countries and regions. Among the participants are 170 companies and more than 25 institutions that have taken part in every edition since the inaugural event in 2018. Over 50 countries and international organizations will be featured in the Country Pavilions, with Sweden and the United Arab Emirates serving as Guest Countries of Honor and Kyrgyzstan making its  debut.

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Beyond the exhibition halls, the program is equally ambitious. The Hongqiao International Economic Forum, held under the theme “Opening-up for New Opportunities, Cooperation for a Shared Future,” will anchor a series of policy-oriented discussions, accompanied by the release of global indices and reports. Parallel sessions will focus on priority themes such as digital innovation, green development, and multilateral cooperation. Meanwhile, people-to-people exchange initiatives are expanding with a new “Charming Friends of City” zone, which will spotlight international partnerships at the provincial and municipal level.

Historically, the CIIE has produced strong commercial outcomes, even amid global uncertainty. While full deal values for 2025 are not yet available, early indicators point to rising exhibitor participation, deeper sectoral specialization, and stronger mechanisms to translate exhibitions into business deals.

Special highlights and new “firsts”

The 2025 CIIE will bring a wide range of first-time features and enhanced showcases across sectors. In the technical equipment zone, over 80 global Fortune 500 and industry-leading companies are confirmed, including top electrical suppliers, elevator manufacturers, and water-treatment firms, underlining the expo’s growing importance for industrial and infrastructure technologies. The new materials area is also expanding with debut exhibitors such as Sherwin-Williams, Amcor, and Evonik, highlighting rising upstream and specialty-chemicals participation.

Healthcare and life sciences will be another focal point, with around 10 Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies, the three global leaders in medical imaging, and the top three radiotherapy equipment firms presenting their latest breakthroughs in drug development, biotech, and digital therapeutics. The automobile pavilion has been upgraded to cover the full spectrum of “automobiles and smart mobility,” showcasing not only cars and parts but also multi-modal transport and low-altitude economy solutions, alongside closed-door roundtables for policymakers and industry leaders.

The Innovation Incubation zone, now at record scale, will gather more than 500 cutting-edge projects spanning the digital economy, green low-carbon technologies, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Meanwhile, several new-to-China products will debut at the expo, such as New Zealand soft kiwifruit and Spanish cherries, alongside a rich variety of national and geographic-indicator goods ranging from Thai herbal balm and South African “small green balm” to Peruvian alpaca wool, Australian lanolin, and Czech crystal.

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Finally, the CIIE’s “6 days + 365 days” mechanism is being reinforced through platforms like Hongqiao Pin Hui and Greenland Trade Port, which now operate 68 national sub-centres and digital storefronts. These platforms have already attracted over 6,000 brands from more than 120 countries, with more than 3,000 CIIE-featured products launched annually, offering a powerful pathway for exhibitors to convert expo showcases into long-term commercial success.

Supporting policies and infrastructure improvements

Alongside the exhibition itself, the 2025 CIIE is backed by a suite of policy measures and infrastructure upgrades designed to make participation smoother and to extend the expo’s commercial impact beyond its six-day run.

Customs facilitation for exhibitors

To ease participation and reduce compliance hurdles, the General Administration of Customs (GACC) released its Notice on Customs Clearance for the 8th CIIE 2025 together with an official interpretation guide. The measures, many of which build on past editions, are designed to ensure fast and predictable clearance of exhibits while expanding opportunities for bonded trade. Highlights include:

• No tax guarantees required for exhibitors: A collective bank guarantee arranged by the National Exhibition and Convention Center covers temporary imports, meaning exhibitors and their logistics providers are exempt from submitting deposits.
• Streamlined ATA Carnet procedures: The re-export period for temporary entry cargo remains aligned with the validity of the carnet, providing certainty and flexibility for returning goods.
• Fast-track clearance at ports: Dedicated CIIE channels, declaration windows, and inspection pathways at official entry/exit ports enable immediate clearance and release of goods.
• Special approvals for animal, plant, and food products: Certain products lacking prior quarantine clearance may still enter the exhibition under special consent from Shanghai Customs, provided they originate from non-infected areas.
• Expanded bonded exhibition rights: For the first time, enterprises located in special customs control areas or bonded logistics centers may transfer bonded cargo outside these zones for display, sale, and related activities, effectively broadening the scope of what can be showcased and commercialized at the CIIE.

Entry and exit facilitation for foreign exhibitors and visitors

To support the growing number of international participants, the Shanghai Public Security Bureau has introduced an upgraded “service package” of entry-exit measures for the 2025 CIIE. These initiatives build on prior practices and aim to simplify travel, reduce administrative hurdles, and ensure smooth participation. Key measures include:

• E-port visas for Shanghai-invited exhibitors: For the first time, foreign exhibitors invited by Shanghai-based organizers can apply for an electronic port visa entirely online. This eliminates the need for paper documents, passport submission, and visa stickers, while allowing fast-track customs clearance.
• Port visas for exhibitors invited by non-Shanghai companies: Foreign participants invited by companies outside Shanghai who cannot obtain a visa abroad may apply directly at a Shanghai port, either individually or through their inviting company, for a corresponding port visa upon arrival.
• Group port visas for overseas visitors: International visitors traveling in organized groups can obtain a tourism port visa via a local travel agency, with the entire process completed online and without appointments.
• Streamlined procedures for returning exhibitors and professionals: Returning participants benefit from simplified documentation, easier multiple-entry visa access, and faster application processing, ensuring efficient repeat participation.
• Enhanced on-site support at the NECC Service Station: Foreign exhibitors with business, trade, or negotiation needs can receive assistance with stay or residence permit applications. Participants from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan can access expedited services for entry-exit document renewal or reissuance.
• Integrated support via the International Talents Direct Connection Platform (ITDCP): Based in the Hongqiao Central Business District, the platform connects domestic and international talent with entry-exit and other public security services. During the expo, it will host “Experience the CIIE” activities and provide 24-hour self-service facilities for Hong Kong and Macau travel permit endorsements.

Hongqiao infrastructure

At the same time, the Hongqiao International Business District is becoming a key anchor for the CIIE’s legacy. Over the past year, the district has accelerated its transformation into an international trade center, reporting double-digit growth in both goods and services trade.

It has also attracted multinational headquarters, cross-border e-commerce hubs, and digital trade innovation centers, amplifying the expo’s role as a long-term driver of investment and market integration.

For foreign companies, these developments translate into more accessible platforms, stronger institutional support, and a deeper embedding of CIIE into Shanghai’s year-round trade ecosystem.

How to attend CIIE 2025: Key registration and participation steps for businesses and individuals

Participation in CIIE 2025 presents significant opportunity, but to capitalize on it, businesses and individuals should approach it with thorough preparation grounded in confirmed policy. Below are essential requirements, recommended practices, and cautionary points based on official sources as of mid-2025.

Recommended practices

Recommended practices when attending CIIE 2025 include, among others:

• Early booth application and exhibitor registration: Businesses planning to exhibit should complete exhibitor registration as early as possible via Business Exhibition → Exhibitor Registration on the official site. Priority in booth allocation and related logistical arrangements depend on timeliness.

• Utilization of visitor itinerary and appointment tools: Registered professional visitors may use features such as online appointment scheduling with exhibitors, personalized visit itineraries, the official app, or the mini program. These tools facilitate preparatory engagement and efficient use of time at the expo.

• Ensuring document and information accuracy: All registration information (enterprise name, affiliation, personnel details) must be truthful, accurate, and complete. Modifications to submitted personnel information may be allowed only before submission and before deadline; thereafter, changes are restricted.

• Preparation for customs and inspection requirements: Exhibitors handling temporary import of exhibits should prepare required documents in advance, including the Certificate for Entry Materials and List of Entry Materials issued by the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), which enable exemption from separate tax guarantees.  For animal/plant/food products, when originating from non-epidemic areas and without prior import inspection/quarantine, special approval from Shanghai Customs (authorized by GACC) may be granted.

• Logistics and travel arrangements: Accommodation, transportation, and visa/entry-exit arrangements should be arranged ahead of time, taking into account visitor volume and peak demand. Inclusion of invitation letters and admission certificates is beneficial for entry processes. Use of port visas or e-port visa options (if applicable) should be clarified based on invitation source.

Cautionary points and potential risks

Businesses and professionals attending CIIE 2025 should pay attention to:

• Incomplete or late registration: Failure to complete registration, review, or payment by the deadline (October 20, 2025) may result in loss of eligibility to enter as an overseas professional visitor.

• Misalignment between documentation and goods: Discrepancies between listed exhibits, certificates (such as the Entry Materials list), and actual goods may lead to customs delays, denial of entry, or additional inspection. Proper alignment and pre-approval where needed are critical.

• Regulatory / quarantine restrictions: Animal / plant / food exhibits without prior import inspection/quarantine clearance must satisfy special approval criteria; origin from non-epidemic areas does not automatically guarantee admission. Relevant documentation must be properly prepared.

• Overreliance on facilitation without preparedness
  Even with simplified customs measures, full compliance with all application, review, and certificate processes remains mandatory. Businesses should not assume that facilitation obviates the need for accurate paperwork or early action.

Conclusion

CIIE 2025 is set to reinforce its role as the world’s premier platform dedicated to imports, with expanded exhibition zones, enhanced customs and visa facilitation, and stronger mechanisms to translate participation into lasting commercial outcomes. The combination of policy support, logistical improvements, and sectoral specialization represents China’s intent to make the event both a showcase of China’s openness and a practical gateway for global firms.

For participating businesses, the event offers not only visibility but also access to distributors, policymakers, and buyers across multiple high-growth sectors. Yet, realizing these opportunities depends on disciplined preparation. Early registration, compliance with Chinese standards, careful logistics planning, and effective follow-up through year-round trade platforms are critical to turning a six-day exhibition into sustained market presence.

In a global context marked by shifting trade relations and rising protectionist sentiment, the CIIE’s continued expansion signals China’s determination to position itself as an advocate of openness and multilateral cooperation. For international companies and institutions, the expo is not simply an event but a strategic entry point into one of the world’s most dynamic markets, providing participation is approached with foresight, regulatory awareness, and a commitment to long-term engagement.

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