Tianjin has officially approved its fifth comprehensive bonded zone, the Lingang Comprehensive Bonded Zone, following inspection by the General Administration of Customs and relevant ministries on August 21. This approval marks the zone as ready for full customs operations.

Covering 5.56 square kilometers, with 8.4 kilometers of land boundary and 6.2 kilometers of coastal frontage, the Lingang zone is strategically located within the core area of Tianjin Port, one of the world's busiest ports.

The zone is designed to support the development of marine engineering equipment and the ocean economy, with hydrogen energy identified as a key industry chain. By leveraging its port and waterfront resources, the zone aims to provide a structured environment for these industries to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Tian Jiachao, head of the free trade zone division at Tianjin Customs, stated that the zone implements classified supervision and optimized isolation fencing tailored to the operational needs of marine engineering companies. Smart technologies are applied to maintain effective customs oversight while accommodating the operational characteristics of the zone.

The Lingang Comprehensive Bonded Zone will operate under a “goods trade + services trade” framework and develop six integrated functional platforms:

• International trade – facilitating import and export of goods under customs supervision, allowing enterprises to manage cross-border transactions efficiently.

• Logistics distribution – providing consolidated warehousing, inventory management, and cargo redistribution services to support domestic and regional supply chains.

• Exhibition and trading – enabling display, negotiation, and transaction of industrial products, particularly marine engineering and hydrogen energy equipment, within a controlled customs environment.

• Inspection and maintenance – offering testing, quality control, and repair services for imported and exported equipment without leaving the bonded zone.

• Financial services – supporting trade financing, insurance, and other related financial operations to facilitate smooth international transactions.

• Research and manufacturing – allowing R&D and limited production activities within the zone, helping companies refine products or prototypes while benefiting from bonded customs policies.

• Tianjin Port Free Trade Zone

• Tianjin Airport Economic Zone

• Tianjin Binhai New Area Free Trade Zone

• Tianjin Dongjiang Bonded Port Area

Each zone serves specific industrial and trade functions, collectively forming the backbone of Tianjin's strategy to strengthen high-level openness to foreign trade and investment.

By establishing a regulated environment for key industries and trade activities, the Lingang zone contributes to Tianjin's broader goal of developing as a northern international shipping hub. For foreign investors and service providers—from banks and insurers to legal and logistics firms—the zone offers a structured platform for trade, logistics, and industrial operations, providing predictable regulatory conditions and streamlined procedures.