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Invest Shanghai
The 9th China International Import Expo is now 100 days away. It will take place from Nov 5 to 10, 2026, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).
Shanghai is preparing a range of service enhancements for international exhibitors and buyers, covering entry procedures, venue navigation, connectivity, and departure tax refunds.
Streamlined entry services
For the first time, Shanghai plans to offer invited foreign nationals in the Shanghai Eastern Hub International Business Cooperation Zone a dedicated fast-track port visa service for the CIIE, helping eligible participants enter the Chinese mainland to attend the expo and related meetings more efficiently.
Shanghai will also offer a fully online port visa application service to invited foreign exhibitors and buyers. Compared with last year, the process will eliminate the step of submitting paper application materials.
Upgraded AI-powered navigation
To help participants navigate the venue's complex network of halls, floors, and passageways, the CIIE will further enhance Jinboshi (进博士), its AI-powered digital service assistant.
The enhanced system will feature indoor navigation, AI-driven Q&A, exhibition route planning, and multilingual translation. It will also guide users to specific destinations on different floors.
Enhanced venue network connectivity
Telecommunications infrastructure at the venue is being upgraded to provide full coverage of 5G-Advanced (5G-A) and a 10-gigabit optical network. The improved connectivity will better support high-definition live streaming, online business meetings, and cloud-based interactive activities.
Simplified departure tax refunds
At the 8th CIIE, the Shanghai tax authority opened the first centralized refund-upon-purchase service point on-site, allowing eligible overseas visitors to receive advance refunds on qualifying purchases.
China's upgraded departure tax refund policy took effect on July 1, introducing end-to-end paperless processing and spot checks for lower-value purchases. These measures will further improve the shopping experience for international participants.
Year-round display and commercialization of CIIE exhibits
Beyond the six-day expo, Shanghai continues to develop platforms for the year-round display and commercialization of CIIE exhibits.
The Lu-Link Global Premium Consumer Goods Exhibition opened in Lujiazui on June 18. It is designed to serve as a showcase for overseas brands entering the Chinese market, a platform for the commercialization of CIIE exhibits, and a space for premium consumer experiences.
German health brand Doppelherz plans to open its first stand-alone physical showroom in China at Lu-Link. The brand will also display new products scheduled to debut at the 9th CIIE.
By extending display and sales opportunities from the six-day expo to the entire year, such platforms give international brands more opportunities to test the Chinese market, showcase new products, and connect with business partners.