On September 29, 2013, China's first pilot free trade zone — the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone — was officially inaugurated. This year marks the 10th anniversary of development of China's pilot free trade zones. Changsha Customs reported on September 29 that in the first eight months of this year, Hunan FTZ recorded import-export of CNY 114.579 billion, accounting for 27.3% of the province-wide total.

Hunan Pilot FTZ has sustained import-export growth since its approval in September 2020. 2022's import-export: CNY 213.588 billion, increased by 27.8% year-on-year.

Over the past three years, Changsha Customs has achieved multiple milestones in promoting the construction of Hunan FTZ. In China-Africa cooperation, the China-Africa Trade Index was released for the first time at the 3rd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo; and efforts were made to assist the General Administration of Customs in successfully signing China's first AEO mutual recognition agreement with Uganda, completed market access evaluations for eight products including Tanzanian wild aquatic products and Gambian cashews, and facilitated the first import of Kenyan wild anchovies. In fostering business format development, efforts were made to resolve compliance storage challenges for cross-border e-Commerce import of perfumes involving regulated hazardous chemicals, with over 70,000 bottles imported via bonded e-Commerce in the first eight months of this year.

Institutional innovations have facilitated smoother export of Hunan Product. Changsha Customs pioneered a new "cross-border smart electronic lock" road transport channel in inland regions, reducing cargo transport time between Hunan, Guangdong and Hong Kong. By the end of August, 88 shipments worth CNY 240 million were processed under this model from Hunan to Hong Kong. Pioneered a new model of IT-assisted supervision for fireworks and firecrackers export to ensure safe and stable export with a 20% increase in customs clearance efficiency.

In addition, Changsha Customs pioneered a nationwide innovation in China: "Excluding Inland Waterway Freight from Dutiable Value for Import Transshipment Goods", which has eliminated cost disparities in tax bases between inland and coastal ports; since implementation in September 2021, has saved CNY 9.662 million for enterprises in taxes and was rolled out nationwide in May this year. The new "integrated postal, express and cross-border regulatory model" was published by the State Council Inter-ministerial Joint Conference as Hunan FTZ’s first national exemplary case; from the approval of Hunan FTZ to August this year, 25.59 million pieces were cleared. Changsha Customs, in collaboration with science technology and public security administrations, established a "One-Stop Service Center for Foreigners Working in China" and reduced approval procedures by about 50% and processing time by nearly 70%.