CCTV.com News: According to data from the General Administration of Customs, since 2026, my country's foreign trade in high-end intelligent equipment has maintained strong momentum, with the trade volume continuously expanding. Exports of AI-related artificial intelligence products have all achieved double-digit growth. Since the start of summer, Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei has seen a global procurement boom.

A Brazilian buyer stated that this is a major global electronics industry center where he can find almost anything he wants. He bought VR glasses and smart glasses, praising the vast array of goods available.

A Jordanian buyer said he was there on a business trip to see new technology products he could bring back to his country.

Summer is traditionally the peak season for foreign trade in Huaqiangbei, but AI hardware sales were particularly strong in 2026. A reporter's visit revealed that almost every stall had foreigners inquiring about prices, trying on products, and packing orders. Behind this market boom, policy benefits are also being released. On July 14th, the EU officially exempted smart glasses, smartwatches, and other wearable devices from the mandatory requirement for removable batteries. With the new regulations in effect, manufacturers no longer need to significantly modify product designs to accommodate removable batteries, effectively reducing production and sales costs.

Zhong Xianguang, a merchant in Huaqiangbei, Shenzhen, Guangdong, stated that his sales in the first half of 2026 already exceeded his total sales for 2025, with overseas sales accounting for over 60%. Since the new policy was introduced, European customers have begun to increase orders for integrated battery customization.

Belgian buyers say they no longer need to worry about how the batteries can be disassembled or whether there will be customs clearance issues once the batteries arrive at the port.

Data from Huaqiangbei Subdistrict shows that since 2026, nearly 8,000 foreign merchants have been visiting Huaqiangbei daily to make purchases. As of July 2026, AI products accounted for a significant jump from 41% of electronic products sold in the area in 2025 to 61%. From January to July 2026, sales of all AI products in Huaqiangbei increased by more than 55%. Among them, sales of AI glasses surged by 100%, while sales of drones and robots increased by 60% to 70%.

Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei "One-Kilometer" Supply Chain Accelerates Global Sales of AI Products

Behind the booming overseas sales of AI products lies a complete and responsive supply chain system. The core business district of Shenzhen's Huaqiangbei is home to over 115,000 businesses. Products can be sampled within a week, and over 100 components can be sourced in a single day. This "one-kilometer" supply chain is transforming "China Speed" into global orders.

Zhan Shigang, a product manager at a brain-computer interface company, received a request from an American client to customize a shell for a brainwave device, but the dimensions were 20 millimeters shorter than existing circuit boards. This meant a complete redesign of the layout of all components.

Zhan Shigang stated that by 2026, 60% of their clients will be placing orders from overseas. These clients' requirements are highly customized, and the entire process, from pattern making to prototyping, will be completed within a week.

From design and component procurement to structural mold making, software debugging, and prototype manufacturing, all these processes can be completed within a one-kilometer radius on foot in Huaqiangbei. The core business district of Huaqiangbei is home to over 115,000 businesses. Here, one can find 1.1 million types of electronic components. The complete industrial chain and high-density industrial cluster create a rapid path from technology to product transformation.

Chen Junhui, a company representative, explained that the motherboard for this product has seventy to eighty types of components, and all of them can be sourced within an afternoon without leaving the building. They have at least four to five clients a day from Central Asia, Europe, and Russia, and they can quickly establish cooperative relationships, including the entire development process, providing a "one-stop" solution for manufacturing the terminal hardware.

According to data from Shenzhen Customs, in the first half of the year, Shenzhen's imports and exports of high-tech products reached 1.7 trillion yuan, ranking first in the country and contributing more than 60% to Shenzhen's overall foreign trade growth. Among them, the import and export volume of AI-related products exceeded one trillion yuan, with a growth rate of over 50%.

Source: CCTV.com Editor: Yang Shujie Responsible Editor: Liu Liang