As a strategic hub for Shanghai's pharmaceutical industry, the bonded area of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone handles more than 40 percent of national medical device imports and nearly 30 percent of drug imports. Within it, the Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone has leveraged its strengths in air-port connectivity and full-chain services to attract leading global biopharmaceutical companies seeking market expansion.
In response to specific needs from large pharmaceutical and medical device companies, such as precise customs declaration, flexible supervision, and cost reduction, a tripartite coordination mechanism has been established among the Airport Bonded Zone Office, Shanghai Pudong International Airport Customs, and Shanghai Pudong Advanced Industry Development Co Ltd, a subsidiary of the Waigaoqiao Group. This mechanism strengthens resource integration and facilitates collaborative cooperation.
Key measures include the implementation of an "air-through transit" function, allowing eligible AEO-certified medical companies to move goods directly into the bonded zone upon arrival at the airport.
In addition, through deepened strategic cooperation with entities such as China Eastern Airline Logistics, the zone has aligned pharmaceutical supply chain quality standards with port service standards, reinforcing synergy between the bonded zone and port service ecosystems.
Under this tripartite service system, one major medical enterprise reported that its domestic order response time has been shortened from an average of 15.2 days to just 6.6 days—an efficiency improvement of nearly 130%.
With the accelerated development of the Shanghai Eastern Hub and the new East Railway Station, the Airport Comprehensive Bonded Zone will continue to capitalize on its integrated "zone-port" and "air-rail" advantages. This will help upgrade functions such as pharmaceutical supply chains, corporate headquarters, cross-border R&D, and scientific collaboration, accelerating the shift from a "corridor economy" to a "hub economy" and further supporting the growth of a world-class biopharmaceutical cluster.
