Mapping China’s Cross-Border Seller Ecosystem
A newly released 2025 China Cross-Border E-Commerce + Industrial Belt Map Data Report provides the most detailed look yet at where China’s cross-border sellers are concentrated—and what they’re selling.
Based on official customs registration data, the report maps over 14,000 registered cross-border e-commerce enterprises across 31 provinces and municipalities, offering valuable insights for investors, platform strategists, and global brands.
Top 10 Provinces by Number of Registered Cross-Border Enterprises
Rank | Province | Number of Enterprises |
1 | Guangdong | 14,118 |
2 | Zhejiang | 11,458 |
3 | Jiangsu | 11,249 |
4 | Shanghai | 6,983 |
5 | Shandong | 4,988 |
6 | Fujian | 3,420 |
7 | Beijing | 2,161 |
8 | Sichuan | 2,066 |
9 | Henan | 1,750 |
10 | Hubei | 1,711 |
Guangdong alone accounts for over 25% of all registered cross-border enterprises, driven by Shenzhen’s tech ecosystem and Guangzhou’s logistics infrastructure.
Top 10 Cities by Seller Concentration
City | Province | Key Export Categories |
Shenzhen | Guangdong | Electronics, smart devices |
Yiwu | Zhejiang | Small commodities, home goods |
Ningbo | Zhejiang | Furniture, hardware, textiles |
Suzhou | Jiangsu | Precision parts, apparel |
Xiamen | Fujian | Footwear, sportswear |
Qingdao | Shandong | Outdoor gear, seafood |
Chengdu | Sichuan | Beauty devices, pet products |
Zhengzhou | Henan | Electronics assembly |
Wuhan | Hubei | Medical devices, auto parts |
Tianjin | Tianjin | Industrial supplies, machinery |
Cities like Yiwu and Shenzhen have evolved from traditional trade hubs into digital export powerhouses, with thousands of SMEs selling directly to global consumers.
Regional Specialization by Product Category
The report highlights clear regional specialization:
Electronics: Guangdong, Jiangsu, Shanghai
Apparel & Accessories: Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong
Home & Garden: Zhejiang, Shandong, Hebei
Auto Parts: Chongqing, Zhejiang, Guangdong
Medical Devices: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangdong
Cosmetics: Shanghai (Fengxian "Oriental Beauty Valley"), Guangdong (Guangzhou)
This clustering reduces logistics costs and accelerates innovation through supplier proximity and knowledge spillover.
Policy Support and Industrial Parks
Many local governments offer:
Tax incentives for cross-border sellers
Free access to public overseas warehouses
Training programs for digital export skills
Co-funding for brand registration and IP protection
Specialized cross-border e-commerce pilot zones in cities like Hangzhou, Xi’an, and Changsha are accelerating SME participation.
Why This Matters for Global Buyers
Understanding where sellers come from helps international buyers:
Identify reliable sourcing regions
Reduce supply chain risk
Partner with clusters that have compliance infrastructure
Leverage local government support programs
For example, sourcing electronics from Shenzhen means access to rapid prototyping and component availability, while sourcing home goods from Yiwu offers unmatched variety and low MOQs.
Conclusion
China’s cross-border e-commerce landscape is highly regionalized and specialized. Success lies not just in finding a supplier, but in understanding the ecosystem behind them.
The 2025 map report provides a strategic foundation for anyone looking to engage with China’s next-generation exporters.
