SZ fuels China-Thailand trade boom

A shipment of fresh Thai coconuts glided into Shenzhen's Shekou Container Terminals and was swiftly cleared by customs before reaching supermarket shelves across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. At the same time, robotic arms on BYD's assembly line completed the final touches on new energy vehicles (NEVs) bound for the bustling streets of Bangkok.

A new MSC-operated SAMBAR shipping route made its maiden call at Dachan Bay Port in Shenzhen on Nov. 15, strengthening its role as a China-Southeast Asia logistics hub. The route offers direct service to key ASEAN markets — including Thailand — enhancing export efficiency and connectivity. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily

This seamless exchange epitomizes the deepening trade ties between Shenzhen and Thailand, with trade volume reaching 92.82 billion yuan (US$13.1 billion) in the first 10 months of 2025, a 4.4% year-on-year increase, solidifying Shenzhen's position as China's top city in trade volume with Thailand.

The surge is driven by a blend of policy incentives and market demand. "Since the beginning of this year, we have exported 11,000 NEVs to Thailand, a year-on-year increase of over 50%, and the market response has been very positive," said Liu Feng, a customs department manager at BYD.

The China-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have amplified this growth, with Shenzhen Customs issuing over 700 certificates of origin for BYD's exports to Thailand, covering goods worth 690 million yuan and saving the company more than 30 million yuan in tariffs.

From January to October, Shenzhen's electric vehicle exports to Thailand rose 99.1% to 1.28 billion yuan, underscoring China's prowess in green manufacturing.

Beyond automobiles, high-tech products are flourishing. At Shenzhen Lechang Technology Co. Ltd., stacks of high-performance audio-visual controllers await shipment to Thailand.

"With the rise of short video creation, the demand for portable, high-performance audio-visual accessories in Thailand continues to grow," said Zhong Jialing, head of Lechang's compliance department.

Data show that exports of electrical equipment and computer parts from Shenzhen to Thailand jumped 25.3% and 63.1%, respectively, highlighting a shift toward high-value goods. On the import side, Thai agricultural products are thriving in China's consumer market.

Shekou customs officers inspect imported Thai coconuts in this undated file photo. Tang Zhenglong

"Thai young coconuts are perishable and require extremely fast customs clearance," explained Wang Cong, customs supervisor at a local import and export company. Thanks to a green channel for fresh goods at Shenzhen Customs, clearance is prioritized, ensuring freshness and boosting the company's fruit imports by 15% this year.

Similarly, at a local fruit technology company, Thai durians can reach stores nationwide within a day. "Our three AEO-certified entities have already benefited from low inspection rates. Since the China-Thailand AEO mutual recognition took effect in August, Thai suppliers greatly value this 'golden label,' and we've seen a 15% rise in fruit imports," said Li Yan, customs director of the company.

The implementation of the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) mutual recognition between Chinese and Thai customs has been pivotal. "Customs authorities from both countries offer core facilitations such as reduced inspection rates and priority checks for certified firms, saving significant time and costs," said Zeng Xiangping, chief of the enterprise certification section at Tongle Customs.

This trade relationship has evolved beyond simple exchanges into integrated supply chains, with Shenzhen exporting innovation and Thailand providing agricultural riches and a growing market. According to analysts, the synergy not only fortifies bilateral resilience but also propels regional economic integration forward.