The Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Qingdao FTZ) is seeing rapid growth in offshore trade, driven by targeted policies and digital solutions that are helping local companies expand globally.

Jiebosi, a crude oil entrepot trade firm in the zone, is a prime example of this momentum. Following northern China's first stamp tax exemption for offshore trade in April 2025, the company's revenue increased from about 100 million yuan ($14.5 million) in 2024 to 220 million yuan in 2025.

Jiebosi's growth reflects a wider surge in offshore trade across the Qingdao FTZ. In 2025, the zone's offshore entrepot trade transactions exceeded $17 billion, up more than 90 percent year-on-year. Since the policy rollout, over 60 companies — specializing in commodities such as crude oil, ore, rubber, and agricultural products — have benefited from more than 1.7 million yuan in stamp tax exemptions.

To ensure efficient supervision of offshore trade, which involves separate flows of capital, goods, and orders, Qingdao FTZ has developed a digital verification system for offshore international trade. The platform integrates multidimensional data from international shipping, logistics, ports, and overseas customs. Once a company submits documents online, the system automatically cross-references data on vessel trajectories, port handling, and customs declarations. This intelligent verification process automatically creates tamper-proof electronic reports, ensuring every transaction is backed by verifiable logistics evidence.

In 2025, the platform verified offshore trade exceeding $10 billion, a 25 percent increase from the previous year, covering more than 200 companies in key sectors.

By combining policy incentives with digital innovation, Qingdao FTZ is building a full-chain offshore trade ecosystem. These efforts are helping enterprises seize global opportunities and position Qingdao as a high-level offshore trade hub.