North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region is accelerating smart port development to boost customs efficiency and further improve its business environment, officials said at a press conference on Feb 12.

Guo Zhouming, deputy director of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Department of Commerce, outlined key measures under a new action plan designed to foster a market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business climate.

To support China's strategy of expanding its opening-up to the north, Inner Mongolia will roll out a "one pilot, three expansions, and one platform" initiative in 2026 to further upgrade port services.

At Ganqimaodu Port, a pilot program will test a "digital and intelligent one-stop fast clearance" model, streamlining procedures for foreign drivers and vehicles through online registration and smart verification technologies such as fingerprint and facial recognition. The goal is to establish a secure, efficient, and replicable model for cross-border clearance.

The region will also extend automated guided vehicle (AGV) driverless transport to Mandula Port and Zhuengadabuqi Port, alongside the construction of dedicated cross-border lanes. Special lanes for unmanned heavy trucks will be developed at Ceke and Mandula ports to facilitate autonomous driving in heavy-load and complex operating scenarios. Meanwhile, intelligent inspection systems for vehicles and personnel will be introduced at key ports such as Ereenhot Port and Mandula to further reduce waiting times.

In addition, Inner Mongolia will establish a visualized command and dynamic data platform that integrates customs clearance, logistics, and regulatory information. The platform will enable real-time efficiency analysis, congestion alerts, and coordinated emergency responses, providing data-driven support for decision-making.

Guo said these measures will systematically reduce institutional and time costs in import and export procedures, enhance businesses' confidence in a stable, efficient, and transparent clearance environment, and reinforce the region's appeal as a competitive international business destination.

Since the beginning of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25), the region has advanced smart port construction, significantly shortening customs clearance times and expanding the use of automated and intelligent inspection systems.

AGV cross-border transport has been introduced at major highway ports such as Ganqimaodu Port and Ceke Port, while a 5G-enabled unmanned heavy truck program is undergoing trial operations at Ceke. Cargo throughput at Inner Mongolia's land border ports has ranked first among China's border provinces for three consecutive years, underscoring the growing role of smart ports in enhancing the region's business environment.