Published by ChinaMNC · Yongdeng

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

China has published its first national standard for smart freight hubs, set to take effect on April 1, 2027. The standard provides technical guidance for upgrading freight hubs and aims to reduce logistics costs. Foreign founders operating in China's logistics sector should understand its implications for compliance and investment.

China’s First National Standard for Smart Freight Hubs

On October 27, 2025, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced the approval and release of 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 dedicated to smart freight hubs and will take effect on April 1, 2027.

For foreign founders registering or operating a company in China’s logistics, transportation, or supply chain sectors, this standard signals upcoming technical and operational requirements for freight hub development. While the standard is not yet mandatory, it provides a framework that may influence future regulations, investment decisions, and partnership opportunities.

What the Standard Covers

The standard sets out requirements across four main areas: general provisions, information platform construction, intelligent facilities and equipment, and smart operations and management. Each area includes specific functional and technical criteria that hubs should meet to be considered “smart.”

General Provisions

The general provisions address fundamental aspects of hub design and operation. They specify requirements for:

• Hub location and layout – including spatial planning and site selection criteria.
• Facility and equipment configuration – outlining what types of infrastructure and machinery should be in place.
• Application of advanced technologies – encouraging the use of modern technologies throughout hub operations.
• Network security – setting baseline requirements for cybersecurity to protect data and systems.

Additionally, the standard introduces differentiated business function configuration requirements for different types of hubs, recognizing that hubs may serve varied roles (e.g., port, inland, air) and thus need tailored functional setups.

Information Platform Construction

A smart freight hub relies on a robust information platform. The standard specifies requirements for:

• Hardware equipment – the physical computing and networking devices needed.
• Network transmission – ensuring reliable and high-speed data transfer.
• Data storage – provisions for secure and scalable storage solutions.
• Computing resources – including processing power and cloud infrastructure.

Notably, the standard encourages platforms to offer artificial intelligence (AI) service functions such as agent orchestration, model training and inference, and evaluation. This indicates a policy direction toward integrating AI into logistics operations.

Intelligent Facilities and Equipment

This section defines functional requirements for key operating facilities and equipment within a hub. It covers both infrastructure and machinery:

• Intelligent infrastructure – including smart gates, warehouses, yards, and docks.
• Intelligent equipment – such as automated security inspection systems, smart storage and retrieval systems, and automated loading/unloading equipment.

These requirements aim to ensure that physical assets are capable of supporting smart operations, such as real-time tracking, automated handling, and data capture.

Smart Operations and Management

The standard outlines functional requirements for both production operations and operational management:

• Operations – covering production scheduling, vehicle management, sorting, warehousing, and other business activities.
• Management – including office administration, security, equipment management, environmental control, energy management, and emergency response.

These provisions emphasize the integration of digital systems into daily workflows to improve efficiency and responsiveness.

Implications for Foreign Founders

Although the standard is not a law, it provides technical guidance for the smart upgrade of freight hubs. The official announcement states that the standard will help unblock bottlenecks in multimodal transport and reduce social logistics costs, supporting high-quality economic development.

For foreign founders, this standard may affect several areas:

• Investment planning – If you are considering investing in or building a freight hub in China, aligning with this standard early could ease future compliance and improve competitiveness.
• Technology partnerships – The emphasis on AI services and intelligent equipment may create opportunities for foreign tech providers to collaborate with Chinese hub operators.
• Operational compliance – Companies operating logistics facilities may need to upgrade their systems to meet these standards, especially if they seek government approvals or incentives.
• Market entry strategy – Understanding these requirements can help you assess the feasibility of your business model and identify local partners who are already adapting.

It is important to note that the standard will take effect in 2027, giving businesses time to prepare. However, early awareness can inform strategic decisions today.

Next Steps

Foreign founders should monitor further developments, including any accompanying policies or local implementation guidelines. Engaging with local authorities and industry associations can provide clarity on how the standard will be applied in practice.

For assistance with company registration, regulatory compliance, or understanding China’s logistics standards, foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535. Our team can help you navigate the process of setting up and operating a business in China.

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